Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-08-27
TRAGEDY OF A WEEK
BY E. Phillips Oppenheim.
CHAPTER XI.

for Mr. Massinger.
He has breakfasted, my lord" the
man answered. IF yOu will take a
seat for moment l will announce
you"
Lord Marlborough slipped a sovereign
into his hand.
Show us into the room where he is
without announcing u.s." he said, N a
low tone.
The mau hesitated for a moment,
bowed and threw open door on the
south side Of the hall. Lord Harbor-
ough and Mr. Hovesdean turned into
a magnificently furnished library. AZ
the further end a man was seated be-
fore writing table smoking a cigar
and leisurely going through little
pile of letters. He was in riding dress
and a WHIP was by his side.
What is il, james," he asked curtly
without turning round.
ut is not James," Lord Marlborough
remarked, stepping forward. Hope
I'm not disturbing you, Massinger."
Mr.. Massinger threw down his let
tiers, and turning round held out his
hand.
Delighted to see YOU" he exclaimed.
"Take lounge, won't you, and have a
cigar?'
Thanks. I've brought a friend
whom | was anxious for you to meet.
1t occurred to me that you might posi-
bly, turn out to be old acquaintance"
Out of the shadow of the November
gloom stepped Mr.. Hovesdean, with his
arm extended. Mr.. Massinger did not
move. The change III Lord Harbor-
ough's tone had prepared him for what
was coming. He simply drew himself
up and waited
Mr. Hovesdean and he were face to
face There was a moments silence.
Then Mr.. Hovesdean's arm fell to MS
side as though paralyzed.
by God Almighty, it's John Magee,"
he cried.
Mr.. Massinger bowed low.
Your recognition is flattering," he
SAID, duly. 4 am delighted to meet
you again"
Mr.. Hovesdean, quiet and self-cOn-
tanned man, IS he usually was, sud
denly shook with anger.
was you who met us at Euston and
called yourself John Savage. 1t was
you who dealt me that blow at the back
of my head. 1t was you, then, who
planned this cursed Kidnapping"
Massinger remained perfectly, irri-
tatingly cool. Only his tightly drawn
lips and flashing eyes revealed the
strain he was putting upon himself.
Exactly" he remarked. How duh
of you not to think of it before. The
only pity is that you escaped just
twenty-four hours too soon. l think l
should have been quits with you, Rich
ard Hovesdean by now, if some cursed
chance had not set you free. Never
mind, we both live; my turn may come
yet
who is this MANI" Lord Harbor-
ough asked of Mr.. Hovesdean. you
seem to know each other"
"Know each otherr' echoed Mr.
Hovesdean, with cutting scorn. Il
knew him for a common thief twenty
years ago He was no more"
Massinger seized heavy ink jar
from the desk and emsd about to dash
changed his mind. however, for he set
it down with little laugh.
Twenty years ago" Mr. Hovesdean
continued che came to me with a letter
of introduction from an English friend.
] gave him a post of responsibility IN
my bank In less than three years he
disappeared with over 100000 [ be
lieve that was about the amount, was
it not, Mr.. Magee?"
Massinger nodded rather carelessly.
Rather over than under, l believe"
he remarked carelessly.
Exactly. All search for my abscond-
ing clerk was unayailing. He was far
too clever in disguise to be readily
caught He wrote the amount off our
books, and | saw nothing more of Mr..
Magee then until three years ago. He
called on me then one morning and
calmly handed out the money. | was
willing to believe that it was a case of
genuine restitution, and | pocketed the
money and gave him a receipt Then
the truth came out. He was a rich
man, he told me, and held a good posi-
ton in London society. He had met
my daughter Sadie, and he dared TO
tell me that he had fallen in love with
her and to ask me for her hand. He
came again and again. He forced him.
self in my presence. At last he re
allied that nothing would move me.
Then the mans worst side showed it
self. He threatened me darkly of what
he would do if Sadie ever married any
one but him. He swOre that he would
have her-that no power on earth
should stand in his way. She knew
nothing of it. She had only met him
once and after his visit to me | sent
her away He tried all he could TO dis
cover her whereabouts, but he could
no. Then he left for Europe, but ever
since he has dared tC pay spies to
watch us and report our movements.
He knew, no doubt. of Sadie's engage
ment to you. 1t is a wonder if he has
not tried to do you a mischief"
Lord Marlborough felt his blood run
cold within him. How nearly Massin-
ger had succeeded he only knew
He has tried" he answered in low
tone. Thank God. he failed"
Massinger shrugged his shoulders
AS yet his "insouciance" was perfect
The delicate white fingers which
struck light and relighted his cigar
did not falter for moment