The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-05-12
CHAPTER xxx.

Montgomery was alone. He tried to
think out his situation; he found It
dinncult task. He was utterly In Rod
wells power. Once in the hands Of the
police, what would the story he could
tell avail against the word of a gentle
man? While thus revolving in his mind
his perilous position, he took out his
pipe. Searching in his waistcoat pocket
for I match, he felt some smooth. hard
substance.
4 It was the locket that Mr.. Porter had
handed him, and which he had entirely
forgotten. His thoughts were too grave
" engaged to give any heed to It now.
But In taking 1t out Of his pocket. the
better to catch hold Of a match that
eluded his fingers, his gaze fell upon
the back, upon which was engraved the
initials F. B. and q. NJ, Joined togeth-
er by a true lovers knot. A cry Of as
constituent burst from his lips; he took
It to the window, infinitely examined 1t,
passed his hand across his eyes, as
though doubling their evidence. Then,
with trembling fingers. he tried for the
spring. At last he found 1t. Upon one
side was the miniature of beautiful
woman; upon the other, which had once
COutdiucu uuoIncT pOEtEuit, y AVSA "
dark hair.
He sank into a chair, trembling as
with an ague fit, and gazing wildly upon
the miniature. But soon his face soft
ened, the tears gathered in his eyes, and
his chest heaved with deep sobs. He
kissed the picture, and murmured words
Of passionate love over It In trying for
the spring, Mr.. Porter had bent the case
little. As Montgomery. pressed 1t to
his lips the portrait fell out and dis
closed, neatly fitted at the back, scrap
of paper. There was writing upon it;
/. but the characters were 30 minute that
he had great difhculty in deciphering
them. At last he read these words:
s'The child upon whom this Is found Is
Silas Morant, son of Francis Morant,
whose portrait, this is, of The Willows,
Herts."
For some seconds, both strength and
consciousness deserted him. At first, his
thoughts came back broken and confus-
ed. This portrait of his wife in Mr..
Porters possession! How came it there
Ia child Of whose existence he was ig-
norant? Silas Morant-Silas Carston
and Madame -Berne interested In him!
Great heaven! this boy, then, whom he
had given up to his bitterest enemies,
whose lifelong misery he had sealed,
whom he was on the brink of consigning
to an awful death. was his own son!
Back upon his soul like the blast Of o
trumpet rushed the parting words OF
Madame Berne-that vengeance was
'sheld by a higher power than that OF
puny man."
For the first time since his childhood
days, this hardened man Of sin knelt
down, and trembling and appalled, al
what had been, What might have been
and what might be yet, prayed to HEAVIER
for pardon and for succor.
What was to be done? If he could gel
clear of the house, there would be ne
dificulty. But he had heard Rodwel
lock the door behind him. All, the win
dow! It was French one, opening
upon q garden; it was unfastened; hi
could see the back door before him. TIT
next moment he was there He coult
not open 1t.
"The door is locked, sir" said voic,
behind him.
Montgomery started, and upon look
ing round saw a burly looking fellow
dressed like groom, sitting under I
tree. "Will you have the kindness t.
open it for me?" he said, in as uncon
ce"ped tone as he could assume.
''Can't, sir" was the answer. "Mas
ter has left me here with the key, t,
see that nobody passes out WATSON
ever"
For a moment, Montgomery entertain
ed the desperate idea Of trying tussl
for the key, but the powerful build o
the fellow, and the thought of the nois
1t would create, quickly dispelled it. An
other and more feasible plan crossed hi
brain.
would you like to earn a dollar, IN,
man2" he said. II don't mean by lei
ting me out of that door, or by disobsy
ing your masters orders. Will you tax
q message for me to the telegraph of1c
close byr'
Well. I wasn't told anything about mes
sages, 20 dare say / can get 1t don
for ron by somebody"
1t was m enormous hazard to trust
this man; but 1t was the only chanc
left There were writing materials i
the room he had just left. He hastene
back, and upon sheet of paper wrot
addressed to Jonathan Rodwell, MOI
ley's Hotel,"-the following words:
'If you wish to see your granddaugf
ter alive, lose not a moment In going I
Manor House. Essex, John Rodwell'
house."
As a double security, he would sen
another to Bow street station. The Sc,
ond telegram ran thus:
."The young girl for whose discovery
reward has been offered is at Manc
House, Essex. She is in imminent da,
ger-lose not a moment"
He sealed these up in separate enve
opes, and went back to the man.
youth, looking like a stable lad, was b
his side; this was to be the messenge
No person was in sight. The lad d
parted upon his errand, and Montgon
cry returned to his room.
The next thing to be thought Of WI
bis own course Of action, or rather. WIFI
answer he should give to Rodwell whs
q be returned. He must feign to assent
his diabolical proposition difficu
task In the present agitation Of his min
but the only one. But would Rodwe
implicitly trust to 30 sudden a conve
aion7
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