The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-11


Before you finally decide that question"
The proposal appeared to excite his Gu
riosity He nodded his head took Pes
cas- Acknowledgement OF the receipt OF
my letter out OF my pocket-book. handed
II TO him at srms-length, and returned to
my former position in front OF the fire.
place
He read the lines aloud: Your letter
is received. II / don't hear from you be-
fore the time you mention. / Will break
the seal when the clock strikes"
Another man in his position would have
needed some explanation of those words
the Count felt no such necessity. tone
reading OF the note showed him the pre-
caution that had taken. as plainly as II
he had been present at the time when l
adopted II. The expression OF his face
changed on the instant; and his hand
came out OF the drawer empty.
II don't lock UP my drawer, Mr.. Hart
right" ne said; "and / don't say that l
may not scatter your brains about the
fireplace yet. But j am just man, even
10 my enemy-and / will acknowledge be-
forehand that they are cleverer brains
:han thought them. Come 10 the point.
II do-and mean 10 have it,"
''On conditioner"
'On no conditions"
His hand dropped into the drawer again.
''Bahl we are travelling i'm circle he
said, "and those clever brains Of yours
are In danger again. Your tone Is deplor-
ably imprudent sir-moderate IL on the
spot The risk OF shooting you on the
place where you stand is less to me than
the risk OF letting you out OF this house
except on conditions that dictate and
approve. You have not got my lamented
friend TO deal with now-you are face TO
face with Fosco! II the lives OF twenty
Mr.. Hartrights were the stepping stones
10 my safety. over all those stones
would go, sustained by my sublime indif-
ference self-bal alanced by my impenetra-
BILE calm. Respect me. IL you love your
own life! / summon you 10 answer three
questions. before you open your lips
again Hear them--they are necessary to
this interview. Answer them-they are
necessary 10 me-" He held up one finger
OF his right hand. First question:" he
said. You come here possessed OF in
formation which may be true or may be
false-where did you get it?"
II decline TO tell you"
mo matter: shall fnd out II that in
forms tion Is true-mind. | say, with the
whole force OF my resolution. if-you are
making your market OF II here by treach-
cry of your own, or by treachery OF some
other man. I note the circumstance for
future use In my memory which forgets
nothing. and proceed" He held up anoth-
er finger. Second question! Those lines
you invited me TO read are without sigma
ture. Who wrote them?"
"A man whom have every reason 10
depend on; and whom you have every
rea son 10 fear"
My answer reached him 10 some pur-
IAff IL H.
the drawer.
How long do you give me-" he asked.
putting his third question in n quieter
tone, before the clock strikes and the
zeal IS broken?"
Time enough for you 10 come to my
terms" ! replied
Give me a palmer answer Mr. Hart
right. What hour is the clock to striker"
Nine tomorrow morning"
Mine tomorrow morning? Yes, yes
your trap is laid for me before can get
my passport regulated ard leave London
II Is not earlier. I suppose7 We will see
about that presently-I can keep YOU
hostage here. and bargain with you to
send for your letter before let you go
In the meantime. be so good, next as to
mention your terms"
you shall hear them They are simple
and soon stated. You know whose inter
ests represent in coming here?"
He smiled with the most supreme com
posure, and carelessly waved his right
hand
Il consent TO hazard a guess" he said.
teeringly. "A ladys interests, OF courser %
my wifes interests
He looked at me with the first honest
expression that had crossed his face In
my presence-an expression OF blank
Il amazement
] could see that I sunk In his estjrn,
fiorl.- as dangerous man. from that
moment He shut UP the drawer AZ
once. folded his arms over his breast
and listened to me with a smile Of 40
tirical attention.
You are well enough aware" went
i on. of the course which my injuries
have taken for many months past. 10
know that any attempted denial OF plain
facts will be quite useless In my pres
ence. You are guilty OF an infamous
conspiracy. And the gain OF fortune
Of ten thousand pounds was your mo-
tive for IT."
overclouded suddenly by a lowering
anxiety.
Keep your gain" I said. (His face
lightened up again Immediately. and hts
eyes opened on me I'm wider and wider
astonishment) am not here 10 dis
grace myself by bargaining for money
which has passed through your hands.
dhN hoS bNVii iiit HiAN VI " vie
crime"
Gently. Mr. Hartrisht. Your moral
clap-traps have an excellent effect IN
England-keep them for yourself and
your own countrymen. n you please. The
ten thousand pounds was a legacy left
10 my excellent wife BY the late Mr..
Il Fairlie Place the affair on those
grounds. and I will discuss IL II you like.
To a man OF. my sentiments. however.
the subject Is deplorsbly sordd. prefer
"a pass u over. invite you 20 resume
the discussion Of your terms. What DO
you demsnd7'
I'm the first place. I demand a full
/ confession Of the conspiracy. written and
signed In my presence. by yourself
III He raised his finger again "one!" he
said. checking me of with the steady
attention of a practical man.
II I'm the second place. demand a plain
proof. which does not depend on your
personal asseveration, of tho date al
/ which my wife left Blackwater Park nrd