Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-06-16
CHAPTER xxx.

tell avail against the word of a gentle
man2 While thus revolving In his mind
his perilous position, he took out his
pipe Searching In his waistcoat pocket
for a match, he felt some smooth, hard
substance.
1t was the locket that Mr.. Porter had
handed him, and which he had entirely
forgotten. His thoughts were too grave
ly 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 II. b. and 70. M, Joined togeth-
err by true lovers knot. A cry of as
constituent burst from his lips he took
1t 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 a beautiful
woman; upon the other, which had once
contained another portrait. a lock Of
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 1t. 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, a scrap
OF paper. There was writing upon 1t;
but the characters were so minute that
he had great difficulty in deciphering
them. At last he read these words:
"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..
Porter's possession How came 1t there
"a child Of whose existence he was ig-
norant? Silas Morant-Sias Carston
and Madame Berne interested In himl
Great heavenl this boy, then. whom he
had given up to his btterest enemies.
whose lifelong misery he had sealed.
whom he was on the brink of consigning
to an. awful death. was his own sonl
Back upon his soul like the bnst of
trumpet rushed the parting words of
Madame Berne-thot vengeance was
"held by n 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, at
what had been. what might have been,
and what might be yet, prayed to heaven
for pardon and for succor.
What was to be done2 If he could get
clear OF the house. there would be no
dinculty. But he had heard Rodwell
lock the door behind him. All, the win
dow! 1t was French one, opening
upon a garden; It was unfastened; he
could see the back door before him. The
next moment he was there. He could
not open It,
",rhe door is locked, sir" said a voice
behind him.
Montgomery started, and upon look
ing round saw burly looking fellow,
dressed like a groom, sitting under a
tree. "Will you have the kindness to
open II for met" he said, In as uncon-
cerned a tone as he could assume.
Cant sir" was the answer. MAS
ter has left me here with the key, to
see that nobody passes out whatsom-
ever"
For moment, Montgomery entertain
ed the desperate idea of trying a tussle
for the key, but the powerful build of
the fellow, and the thought of the noise
II would create, quickly dispelled il. An
other and more feasible plan crossed his
brain.
"Would you like to earn dollar, my
man?" he said. 81 don't mean by let
ting me out OF that door, or by disobey-
>. n
a message for me to the telegraph office
close byT'
The fellow considered for a moment
"Well, l wasn't told anything about mes
sages, so l dare say l can get it done
for you by somebody"
1t was an enormous hazard to trust C
this man; but il was the only chance
left. There were writing materials in
the room he had just left. He FASTENED
back, and upon a sheet Of paper wrote
addressed to Jonathan Rodwell Nor
ley's Hotel, the following words
"If you wish to see your granddaugh
ter alive, lose not moment In going tC
Manor House. Essex, John Rodwell'l
house"
As a double security, he would sent
another to Bow street station. The sec
ond telegram ran thus,
"rhe young girl for whose discovery
reward has been offered is at Mnnol
House, Essex. She Is In imminent dan
ger-lose not a moment"
He sealed these up In separate envel
opes, and went back to the man. A
youth, looking like a stable lad, was b,
his side; this was to be the messenger
No person was In sight The lad de
nartad unon HIS errand and Nfnnfvorn
cry returned to his room.
The next thing to be thought Of wa
his own course Of action. or rather, wha
answer he should give to Rodwell whei
he returned. He must feign TO assent +
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