New-York tribune., 1906-08-19
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81 think YOU make mountain OF a mole hill,
Mr. van Hupfeldt said Mrs MOrdaunt with some
drvness and l an sorry now that have promised
not to speak with Violet on the subject Ot course
recognze Your right to have your say and your way
but as for leaving London to-day at a moment
notice really that can't be done.
Not to oblige me? Not to please me?' said he
qraspng the old lady's hand with a nervous IN
tensity of gesture that almost startled her
We might go tomorrow, she admitted
But if they correspond or meet tonight:
We'll YOU are a lover, of course but you
shouldn't start at shadows Here IS Violet her-
Leave us little, will you?" whispered van
Hupfeldt rising to meet the girl in his impulsive
foreigners way; but, forgetting his wounded leg'
he had to stop short, with face OF pam.
Are YOU i'll asked Violet, and a certain aloof-
ness of manner did not escape him.
a small accident and he told over again the
history of his fall from horse which had never
borne him. Mrs. Mordaunt went out violet stood
at table turning over the leaves OF book Whlle
van Hupfeldt searched her face under his anxious
eyes and there was a silence between them, until
Violet taking from her pocket Davids first unsigned
note her, held it out, saying, 1t was you who
II have told YOU So answered van .Hupfeldt,
gray to the lips. Why do you ask again''
Because | am puzzled she answered. Il have
this morning received note in this same handwrit-
ing unless am very much mistaken, a note from
a certain Mr."
YES Harcourt-Christian name David"
Quite so. David Harcourt-I say it, she
answered quietly. But, how then comes it that
Your note and his are in the same handwriting"
shifted and vet he chuckled with the uneasy mirth
of a ghoul The solution OF that puzzle doesn't
seem difficult to me-
You mean that YOU got Mr.. HarcOurt to write
YOUR note for you?' asked Violet
You are shrewdness itself, answered van
Hupfeldt.
II did not know that you even knew him
All, | know him well.
Wen. then. have you brought the certificates" +"
she asked keenlv.
Which certiicates?"
Which You ask that? Surely surely, You know
that a certificate of marriage and of birth were
found in the fiat by Miss L'Estrange?"
No l didn't know How could | know"
But am in a dream? have made sure that it
was upon some knowledge of them that you relied
when YOU wrote in the unsigned note, 1t is now
pretty certain thing that your sister a duly
welded wife" And she looked at Davids letter
again ,. o,.,,4 81, ,.o..
what, since they are not Certain-Other grounds
have not heard yet of any certificates.
We'll, God help me them" she murmured half
CRYING. What then, does Mr. Harcourt mean?
He saws in the note of this morning: Mr.. Harcourt
has not been able to secure the certificates but
believes that Miss Mordaunt's fance Mr.. van
Hupfeldt may be in a position to give her some
information on the subject. What does that mean
when you never even heard of the certificates"
Van Hupfeldt, looking squarely at her,
said: 1t means nothing at all. You may take
1t from me that no certificates have been found.
she cried out.
Il fear that that is so, murmured van Hupfeldt,
dropping his eyes from her crimsoned face
There was silence then for awhile.
" With what object did this HarcOurt come to
You yesterday, Violet" asked van Hupfeldt
He wished to obtain my mothers authorization
for him TO spend hundred pounds in buying
the certificates from Miss L'Estranges servant"
All, that what he said was his object But
his real object slightly different. I'm afraid.
| know this man, you see. He is poor, and not
honest
Not honest?"
No, not honest"
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