San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-15


ton on my motives. intend no crime;
nothing that your conscience or your
wife would not approve. Mr.. Bannick,
| wish you to remain entirely independ-
ent. You will be at liberty to terminate
our agreement without warning, at the
moment when | suggest anything that
you may disapprove. But you must
meanwhile let me be judge of the value
of your service. An honest man is not
easy TO find, even in New York; and he
is therefore valuable. You will have
the management of large interests and
the offer make you is not more than a
fair commission"
81 can't believe it!' calculated Tom.
Il meant beg your pardon-it seems
as if there must be something behind. I
may be fool. no doubt-in fact, that's
matter of course. always have been"
"Come, Mr.. Bannick, let US not waste
time" said the count, unbuttoning his
coat and taking out his pocketbook.
"ThiS is the twenty-fifth day of October.
By the twenty-fifth of November you
will know me well enough to know
whether you desire our relations to con-
tinue or not Meanwhile | give you
your salary for that first month. Next
month, if you be not content, we part.
Is that right"
II have been poor man most of my
life," said Tom, clearing his throat and
looking steadfastly at the other. Its
no use binding the fact that you are
making me Il wonderful proposition. It's
not ordinary business, and | can't ac-
count for it. If | had saved your life
| and you wanted to reward me for it you
couldn't do more. Such an amount of
money isn't salary: it's fortune. l
can't earn it: it would be gift, not
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 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 was una
BILE to reward at the time. We must
make use of each other in this way. II
besides your services gain your friend
ship shall be still your debtor"
The somewhat formal manner of this
sincerity The count took ten one
thousand-dollar bank notes from his
| pocketbook and laid them on the desk,
observing, ~ cashed a check at the bank
| Just now-if the notes will not incon-
venience you. Some time today you can
make a receipt, and also draw up a pa
per to give you my power of attorney,
and, if you like, one embodying our
agreement. And now" he added, as if
| to prevent Tom from giving expression
| to the feelings that were swelling in his
heart, "let us return to what was say
( ing. have seen 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 bouse?"
Tom exclaimed. Its good house,
| don't suppose there's better in town;
| but no one has ever lived in it. Do you
| know Why"
Its situation pleased me, and it seemed
to have-what you cali elbow room"
1.-THE owner, the man who built it,
| Harry Trent, was murdered there two or
| three years ago. 1t was famous case.
| was retained in it myself. 1t gave the
house bad name. Do you care for that
| sort of thing"
| mo" answered the count simply. Il
| think have heard of that man." he add
ed, after 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"
| "Yes, l have met him. Was he not 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"
Il 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 believe he was inno-
cent His name was Keppel Darke, an
artist"
"Did you prove it to the jury
NO" said Tom with a sigh; "they
found him guilty in the second degree
He was sentenced to imprisonment for
life. They might as well have hanged
| him."
"Why do you say that?N If he is inno-
cent il is alWaYs still nnsSihla that it