, 1891-09-06

can't earn it; 1T would be a gift, not q
payment. But if you are buying only
my services, and not my soul, I'll accept
it, I'll make my services as valuable as
can"
"If you have not saved my life, per-
haps you may some time have done for
some one a good act for which you were
never recompensed, " remarked the count
gently. And ! perhaps take this means
of discharging an obligation conferred
upon me by some one whom l was una
BILE to reward at the time. We must
make use of each other in this way. II
besides your services 1 gain your friend
ship l shall be still your debtor"
The somewhat formal manner of this
speech did not detract from its evident
sincerity. The count took ten one
thousand-dollar bank notes from his
pocketbook and laid them on the desk,
observing, II cashed a check at the bank
just now-if the notes will not incon-
Tenience you. Some time today you can
make a receipt, N also draw up a pa
per to give you my power of attorney,
and, if you like, n ~embodying our
agreement. And now" he added, ash if
to prevent Tom from giving expression
to the feelings that were swelling in his
heart, ''let us return to what l was say
ing. l have seen n house that will suit
me. want you to secure it for me-"
whereabouts is the house?' inquired
Tom.
The count described its location.
why that's the Harry Trent house7'
Tom exclaimed. Its a good house--I
don't suppose there's a better in town:
but no one has ever lived in it. Do you
know whyy'
cts situation pleased me, and it seemed
to have-what you call elbow room"
1.-THE owner, the man who built it,
Harry Trent, was murdered there two or
three years ago. 1t was II famous case.
l vas retained in it myself. 1t gave the
house IA bad name. Do you care for that
sort of thing?"
mo" answered the count simply. al
think | have heard of that man" he add
ed, after II pause. WAS he not a mer-
chant of diamonds
THAT was the man. Tall, fresh look
ing, with white hair. An agreeable fell
low, | believe"
Eyes, l have met him. Was he 10 in
Paris in eighteen hundred and sixty
nine? Yes, the emperor was said to do
some business with him. And he was
murdered, you say? And You were of
the COUNSEL
81 appeared for the prisoner"
THE man who murdered him, who
was he%'
"Well, my conviction was then, and is
now, that the prisoner was not the man
who murdered him. Appearances were
against him, but l believe he was inno-
cent. His name vas Keppel Darke, al
artist.
Ibid you prove it to the juryY'
NO" said Tom with a sigh; 'they
found him guilty in the second degree.
life. They might as well have hanged
him"
"Why do you say that If he is limo
cent, it is always still possible that it
may be found so; and then, since he still
lives, it can be made good to him"
at will never be much good to him,
poor boy! He was killed in a railway
smash as they were taking him to Sing
Sing. He's out of the question. But I'd
like mighty well TO get on the trail of
the real murderer. That would be
worth while still!'
"Have You suspicious on the real one?'
81 can't say l have. Nobody seems to
lave benefited by his death. His widow,
to be sure, got his fortune; out she must
have had the use of it while he was alive.
Ny idea was that Trent had some in
trigue or other that never was known
about, and that that was the cause of
his death. But there's no telling"
Had he no relationship friends-to
whom a part of his fortune might nave
been left!"
mo blood relations, as far as is known;
but-well, this was an odd feature of
the case. There was IN old lady and
her daughter in whom he was interested,
and l believe they were some sort of dis
tant cousins of his. 1t was reported
that he thought of marrying the girl; he
was acting as her guardian, and allowed
the two an income out of his own pocket.
But when he died his will gave them
nothing, not even a continuance of the
allowance"
And the will was not contested"
mo. Miss Raven was sensitive I'M.
der the circumstances and preferred
not"
But if he left a widow how was il
NAAhb LII NAlNNNtt ~ "a NhAo Jung
ladyY'
THAT was q little surprise. The mar
rage had been secret, and wasn't known
till after his death; took place in France
somewhere, 1 believe. Yes, there were
several queer things about the case. J
should have advised following it up
Still l think the murder was not con
nected with the other questionable feat
ures. 1t stood by itself"
THE widow is still livingy'
"Oh, yes; and if I'm not mistaken sh,
means to play a big part i'll society this
winter. She has money enough, and 8
good position. l wish the Ravens, pool
things, had had the half of her luck"
"Ahl lind have they met with misfort
unes, them"
"Well, it's hard enough for a man to
make his way, let alone a couple OF
IN The old lady could do moth
ing, except eat and wear clothes; bu'
the young one had pluck, and she knew
how to draw and how to play the piano,
l advised her taking pupils, and sh,
jumped at the idea. / got a few for her
and she succeeded so well with then
that others came along. But pupils art
not to be had in summer, and she woulc
be fortunate to make eight hundred {
year. Luckily, ! had more room than
needed in my house, 50 there was nj
rent for them to pay, and they are com
pany for my wife when I'm away"
"rhey are living with you, them
cat my invitation-yes. Miss RaveI
insists on paying board; but"-here Ton
chuckled-''I use it to buy the picture