The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-16
CHAPTER XNX1V.
NEW FEARS.

advertently ran. Shocked at his dis
courtesy he drew back, surveyed with
a startled air the woman he had jostleo
and mechanically stretched forth his
arm to detain her. But she, withou'
noticing this gesture or his mutterec
words Of apology fastened up stairs
and as he had 10 excuse for following
her he could only vent his doubts and
fears in the exclamation:
ut is the Portuguese! I am sure il
Is the Portuguese! She is disguised
she is well disguised, and looks like q
respectable working woman, but l
know her walk and cannot be deceived
In the stoop Of her shoulders"
She was going up 10 Miss Rogers
rooms. She had evidently come from
the street for she wore q bonnet and
a long cloak, but she went up with an
assured and accustomed step like one
familiar with the way.
"My darlingw thought he; sis my
darling already under the paws OF this
wolf without knowing it?'
A servant girl coming along 1T this
moment he stopped her.
"Who is that woman who is Just
going up?' he asked.
"That is Miss Rogers hairG-csser,'
the girl returned in evident surprise
''She comes every day to arrange Miss
Rogers hair for the evening"
He stood aghast, mortified and per,
picked. Could he have been mistaken
He was not ready to think that.
"Is this woman 4 foreigner?" be in.
quired again.
"She speaks English" was the rather
unsatisfactory answer.
The Portuguese did not, or rather
pretended that she could not. Was he
mistaken He looked toward the par
lor door and hesitated. Never in bis
life before had he known what it really
was to struggle with an overmastering
impulse. To leave the signorina with
this doubt in his mind seemed impossi-
Bile, but to go back! He. dared not do
that, for it would! certainly bring de-
feat to his purpose. No, he must trust
this matter to the police; he could not
meddle with It himself, but
He tore himself away, he rushed out
of the front door, and went immediate
~ in search Of Mr.. Byrd.
That gentleman received this intelli-
gence with an expression Of mingled
surprise and satisfaction.
1--WE have been searching for the POr-
tuguese," said he, but never thought
of looking for her in Miss Rogers
house. She is disguised, you say?'
r Admirably, if the woman l saw Is
she. Her very complexion is changed,
and In her present dress she looks quite
respectable. II / had not been in a
very sensitive condition do not think
I should have felt a doubt concerning
her.. 1t was the sudden shrinking Of
my nerves that made me look at her"
"And you, saw traits that assured
you that it is she?"
eyes and no. ! thought ] saw like
ness in her to Annetta, but what am
sure of is that felt great physical
revulsion Mt the sight Of her, just the
revulsion l experienced when I first
beheld the Portuguese's old ugliness
in conjunction with my-with Miss
Rogers youthful innocence and
beauty"
"And is this all?"
All? But it is enough, Byrd, to
make you look into the matter. Re.
member I shall not sleep till I hear
whether this creature who evidently
has daily access to Miss Rogers, is aD
honest woman or not"
81 will 60 up Immediately to the
house"
"And If it is the Portuguese?"
J "Sbe shall be looked after"
BYRD, I trust you. You know how
much have at stake and how reason
able consider my fears. You have
yourself said that you thought it posi-
BILE that the Portuguese would be like
ly to carry out the schemes Of Montelli.
If she has lost all hope Of making
anything out Of the heiress she can, at
least, show her hatred and wreak her
revenge. These foreigners are so vim
dictive.
1--WE will watch her"
And may sleep?"
"Soundly"
"You are good fellow, Byrd.
never thought the day would come
tion to me to have O. friend among the
police.
Byrd smiled but somewhat con-
strainedly. He was evidently not in
as candid q mood as usual. But De-
graw did not perceive this; his mind
was relieved and he was almost angry
"Shal] 1 hear from you tonight" he
asked
Eyes, if there is anything to disturb
you; otherwise not"
"Then I will 60"
All right, but tell me one thing first
Was this woman so different in ap
pearance from the Portuguese as to be
likely to impose upon Miss Rogersw
II think she was, if she showed as
much skill in altering her conduct and
manners as she did her dress and eX
preston"
II do not think it is the Portuguese
asserted the detective. "She would not
run so great risk for mere vengeance
But we will see. She can't deceive the
police even if she can the bright eyes
Of her old mistress"
And the two parted.
Mr.. Degraw did not hear from the
police that night nor the next, nor il
all the days that elapsed before Miss