Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-19
CHAPTER LII.
Describes Another Surprise.

To what pray, do owe this intrr-
ston2" demanded the old man fierce
", rising from his bed, and standing
erect and defiant before them.
To your own guilt, Mr. Statham, !"
was Max Barclays quiet but distinct
response.
'My guilt" gasped the old man.
or what crime am guilty?"
That's best known to yourself, /"
answered the younger man. "But I
think, now that we've investigated
your house and discovered your death
trap, we will bid you good night.
''You've-you've found Itch"
gasped the old fellow, pale as death.
Yes; and, furthermore, we know
how Maud Petrovitch had cast your
money at your feet, and defied YOU"
"I-I must explain he cried, as in
frantic eagerness he put on his
clothes. Don't leave me. Come be-
low, and-and I'll tell YOU
The pair remained in the wretche1-
~ uncomfortable room, while the old
man finished dressing. Then all
three descended, the millionaire walk
Ing first. They passed the door of
the room where stood the coffin, and
by touching spring the iron door
opened. and they descended to the Ii
brary.
The noise wakened old Levi, who
appeared at the head of the back
stairs, full Of surprise
A reassuring word from his master,
however, caused him to at once retire
again.
Within the library old Sam switch
ed on the light. and invited both his
unwelcome visitors to be seated.
Then, standing before them, he said:
presume, gentlemen, that your
curiosity led you to break into my
house?"
Max Barclay nodded.
can understand you acting thus,
sir; but / cannot understand Rolfe,
who knows me SO we'll and who has
served me SO faithfully"
"And. In return. how have l been
served?" asked Charlie, bitterly. "My
poor sister has been turned adrift, and
you have refused to lift finger to re-
instate her."
Il admit that on the; face of it.,
Rolfe, have been hard and cruel,'
declared the old man. But when you
know the truth you will not, perhaps,
think so unkindly of me as at this
moment
The old fellow was perfectly calm.
ALI his fear had vanished, and he now
stood his old and usual self, full Of
quiet assurance.
Well" Rolfe said, perhaps you
will tell us the truth. "Why, for in
stance, did Maud Petrovitch visit you
tonight?"
"She came upon her own initiative.
h yuic haI 10 oCJ~
(which you refused to answer"
1T was not judicious for me to tell
: her what she desired to know-not at
present. at least"
But now that we are here together,
IN confidence you will, no doubt allow
Us to know where she and her father
are in hiding" Charlie asked, breath
lessly.
Certainly. if you will promise not
to communicate with them or call up
on them without my consent"
we PROMISE declared Max.
Then they are living in strictest
seclusion at Fordham Cottage, Arun-
del, in Sussex"
But you have quarrelled with
Maud" Charlie remarked, at the
same time remembering that closed
CONN IN the room above.
Upon one point only-a very small
ard unfmportant one,'' responded the
old man.
Where is my sister,"
Unfortunately, I have no knowl-
edge of where she is at present"
But you have just assured me that
when know the truth 1 shall not re-
gard you so harsh1y," Rolfe exclaim-
ed
And repeat it, statham said.
The old mans attitude amazed
them both, He was perfectly calm
and quite unperturbed by the grim
discoveries they had made.
You mean that you refuse to tell
me anything concerning my sister?"
Charlie asked, seriously.
For the present-yes.'
Why not now? Why forbid us al.
Sc from seeking the doctor and his
daughter"
For reasons of my own. am
expecting a. visitor
Max laughed sarcastically The rea-
son put forward seemed too absurd
Ah! you don't believe it," cried
the old fellow. 'tBut you will see.
Your curiosity has, no doubt led you
to m1sjudge me. 1t was only to have
been expected. ought to have guard
ed my secret better"
Neither man spoke. Both had their
eyes fixed upon the grey face of the
old millionaire before them. They rec.
objected his despair before he hal
retired to rest. and remembered, too,
the tender care of his faithful Levi.
The clock chimel the half hour
half past three in the morning
TIE night had been fraught by so
many surprises that neither Charlie
nor his friend could believe in the
grim reality of it all. They never
suspected that that fine mansion was
suspected that that fine mansion was
practically unfinished, or that it's
( millionaire owner practically lived the
life of a pauper. Had not Charlie
been well aware of his masters
shrewdness in his business and clear
ness in his financial operations, he
would have believed it all due to an
unbalanced brain. But there was 10
madness in Samuel Statham. He was