The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-09-12

CHAPTER XII.



1t is not my purpose to describe the inter-
view which took place between my hero and
Mr.. Monk Suffice it to say that wi hen the
young man again emerged from the gloomy
shadows of the dwelling there was a curious
smile upon his face, while Mr. Monk, whohad
followed him to the door and watched his re-
treating figure, wore horrible expression Of
hatred and fear
No sooner had he disappeared than Monk
left the house also, and, following footpath
through the woods, made straight for VIII
liam Jones' cottage Entering unceremoni-
ouSly, he found that worthy seated beside the
hearth; without a word he rushed upon him,
seized him by the throat, and began pummal-
ing his head upon the wall
you villainl You accursed, troacherous
scoundrel!' he said. ''Tell me what you've
done, or I'll Kill you!"
But William Jones was unconscious of hav-
ing done anything, and he said as much,
whereupon Monk fury seemed about to rise
again.
MIR Monk, cried William Jones, in ter
ror, look ye now, tell me what's the mat
terri
Il mean you 10 tell me what you have been
| came ashore with that chiid-something that
might lead to her identity, and you have
kept it, thinking TO realize money upon it, or
to have me in your power What means it.
SPEAK, or I'll strange you'll"
But William Jones was evidently unable To
speak, being perfectly parayzel with fear.
Monk stretched forth his hands to seize him
again, when the old man, who had been a
Mortified spectator of all this, suddenly broke
in with:
Look ye, now; l know there was slnnnlat.
1t were a leetle book, stuffed in the front of
| her frOcktn
"a bookn returned Monk, eagerly; ''and
what did you do With it! Tell me that. YOU
Old fo0li Dill you burn itT
Burn tn exclaimed the other ''So, mis-
| ter, we don't burn nothin', William and ne.
You know where You put it, William dear.
In the old place"
''Then curse you for an avaricious old
| devil, " thundered Monk. "The book has been
stolen-do you Aearf--stolcn by that young
painter?'
He could say no more: the effect of his
words upon William Jones was electrical lie
| gave one wild shrek, and began tearing his
hair. II now became his turn to moan and
rave, and for some time nothing coherent
could lie got from him
AT length, however, Monk gathered that
there was some secret hiding-place which
| Brinkley had discovered
Il thought his poling and prying meant
] summat, nmoancd William Jones' Il raacied.
too, l seen marks i thesand, but never could
find no one near, and thought they was my
own marks. Oh, what viii come tome3 I'm
| Tuined!'
Curse your folly - exclaimed Monk;
''you've brought it all on Yourself by your
own greed, and yoa don't deserve / should
help you; but triH help you'll Listen then
1t is clear that this young man has possessed
| himself somehow of your secret and mine.
But from what be said to me, l fancy he hrs
not as yet divulged it to a single soul He ie
the only human being we have to fear. We
must cease to fear him. Doyou understand z
| No, William Jones did not understand: SC
in order to make his meaning clear Mr.
| Monk drew him out from the cottage and
whispered something in his ear William
Jones turned as white as death, and began tc
| tremble all over
II couldn't do it, sir, he moaned LOOK
ye now-I couldn't do itl'
Monk stamped his foot hnpatientIy; ther
he turned to his frightened victim.
Listen to Ele, William Jones. You ought
to know by this time that have both the
power and determination to effect my ends
Continue to oppose mo and play the fool and
all that power shall he used against you DE-
you heari | viii ruin youl will hand vol
over to the authorities as a thief Will have
| you tried for concealing the papers which
might have proved the identity of the chile
found washed ashore fifteen years ago. d.
you hearfa
Mr.. Monk evidently knew the nature of tbs
man with whom he had to deal. for after 6
little more conversation William Jones. cow
ering like frightened child, promised i'm
plicit obedience.
snow, then" said Monk, when he hat
brought matters TO satisfactory termina
ton, ''you will show me this hiding place d
yours"
To this William Jones at first objected, bui
Monk was firm.
who knows said he, Shut there may bt
other things having reference to the child
mean to see for myself Now, William
JONES'
So William Jones, seeing that resistance
would be useless, promised TO conduct bis
friend to the cave; and after good deal o.
hesitation and of continued show of unwiil