Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-05-05
CHAPTER xxx.

Montgomery was alone. He tried to
think out his situation; he found it
difficult 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 a match, he felt some smooth, hard
substance.
1t was the loclet that Mr. Porter had
handed him, and which he had entirely
forgotten. His thoughts were too grave
ly engaged to give any heed to 1t now.
But in taking it 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 e. NJ. Joined togeth-
er by a true lovers knot. A cry Of as
tonishment burst from his lips; he took
1t to the window, minutely 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 it. Upon one
side was the miniature of a beautiful
woman; upon the other. which had once
contained another portrait q 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 it. In trying for
the spring, Mr.. Porter had bent the case
Eftlo Ao Montuorn DraSSoH If fO
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 so minute that
he had great difficulty in deciphering
them. At last he read these words:
'TThe 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 it there
"a 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 a
trumpet rushed the parting words of
Madame Berne-that vengeance was
''held by d 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 done? II he could get
clear of the house, there would be no
difficulty. But he had heard Rodwell
lock the door behind him. All, the win
dow! 1t was a 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.
1.-THE door is locked, sir,'' said a voice
behind him.
Montgomery started, and upon look
ing round saw a burly looking fellow,
dressed like groom, sitting under a
tree. "Will you have the kindness to
open it for me?" he said, in as uncon-
cerDed 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
it would create, quickly dispelled it. An
other and more feasible plan crossed his
brain.
''Would you like to earn a dollar, my
man, he said. Il don't mean by let
ting me out of that door, or by disobey
ing your masters orders. Will you tax,
a message for me to the telegraph off1c,
close by?"
The fellow considered for a moment
'Well, l wasn't told anything about mes
sages, so / dare say can get it don,
for you by somebody.'
1t was an enormous hazard to trust t.
this man; but it was the only chanc
left. There were writing materials il
the room he had just left. He hastene,
back, and upon sheet of paper wrot
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 t
Manor House. Essex, John Rodwell'
house,
AS a double security, he would SEN
another to Bow street station. The sec
ond telegram ran thus:
'"The young girl for whose discovery
reward has been offered is at Mano
House, Essex. She is in imminent da1
ger-lose not a moment"
He sealed these up in separate enve
opes, and went back ITO the man.
youth, looking like stable lad, was
his side; this was to be the messengel
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 wa
his own course of action, or rather, whs
answer he should give to Rodwell whe
he returned He must feign to assent
his diabolicAl proposition dificu
task in the present agitation Of his min,
but the only one. But would Rodwe