The Washington herald., 1908-04-14
CHAPTER IL
Describes Another surprise.

Max Barclays quiet but olstlhct response
MY guilt" gasped the old man. "Oi
what crime am / guilty.?
That's best known to yourself an.
swered the younger man But I think
now that we've investigated your house
and discovered your death trap, we vii
bid you good night"
''You've-you've found it-eh?" gaspeC
The old fellow. pale as death.
Yes; and. furthermore. we know how
Maud Perovitch had cast your money al
your feet, and defed you.
II must explain he cried. as in
frantic eagerness he put on his clothes
Don't leave me. Come below, and-and
I'll tell YOU"
The pair remained In the wretchedly
uncomfortable room, while the old man
finished dressing. Then ali three descend
ed, the millionaire walking first, They
passed the door Of the room where stood
the coffin, and by touching a spring the
iron door opened, and they descended 10
the library.
The noise wskened old Levi, who ap-
peared 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 switched on
the light, and invited both his unweleome
visitors 10 be seated. Then, standing
before them, he said:
I presume, gentlemen. that your curl
osity led you 20 break into my house,"
Max Barclay nodded
Il can understand you acting thus. sir.
but L cannot understand Bolfe, who
knows me so we'll and who has served me
so faithfully"
And in return, how have been serv-
ed?' asked Charlie, bitterly MY poor
sister has been turned adrift. and you
have refused to lift a finger 10 reinstate
her"
Il admit that on the face of il. Rolfe.
have been hard and cruel" declared the
cid man. But when you know the truth
you viii not, perhaps think so unzindly
OF me as at this moment
The old fellow was perfectly calm. All
s fear had vanished, and he now stood
IS old and usual self, full of quiet as
france.
We'll" RoIfe said, perhaps you will
III us the truth. Why. for instance.
id Maud PetTovitCh visit you tonight p"
She came upon her own Initiative She
Wished 70 ask me a question"
Which YOU refused TO answer"
1T was not judiciOus for me TO tell her
what she desired 20 knOw-not at present.
at least"
But now that We are here together, in
confidence you will no doubt, allow us 20
know where she and her father are in
hiding. Charlie asked. breathlessly.
Certainly, II you will promise not to
communicate with them or call upon
them without my consent
I'VE promise" declared Max.
"Fhen they are living I'm stricteSt Sc
elusion a. Fordham Cottage, Arundel in
Sussex
But you have quarreled with Maudr'
Charlie remarked. at the same time re-
membering that closed coffin in the room
above.
Upon one point only-a very small ana
pnimportant one" responded the old
man.
Where is my slster?"
Unfortunately, I have no knowledge
Of where she is AT present"
But you have just assured me that
when I know the truth snail not regard
you so haTshly." Rolfe exclaimed.
anu 4 repeat H. EldALdHi SdiU.
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 also
from seeking the doctor and his daugh-
ter?"
For reasons Of my own. am expect
ing a visitor"
Max laughed saTcastically. The reason
put forward seemed too absurd
"Ah. you don't believe it, cried the old
fellow. but YOU viii see. Your curios-
ity has. no doubt. led you to misjudge
me II was only 20 have been expected.
/ ought to have guarded by secret bet
ter"
Neither man spoke. Both had their
eyes fixed upon the gray face Of the old
millionaire before them. They recollected
his despair before he had retired to rest,
and remembered, too, the tender care of
his faithful Levi
The clock chimed the half-hour-3.9O in
the morning
The night had been fraught by so many
surprises that neither Charlie nor his
friend could believe in the grim reality
Of II all They never suspected that that
fine mansion was practically unfinished, /
or that its millionaire owner practically
lived the life of pauper Had not
Charlie been well aware of his masters |
shrewdness in his business and clearness
in his financial operations. he would have /
believed il all due to an unbalanced |
brain But there was no madness in Sam
uel statham. He was as sane as they /
were All his eccentricity was evidently 1
directed toward one purpose.
As he stood there he practically told |
them so.
you misiudge mer said he. his gray
face relaxing in smile You think me /
mad-eh2 Well you are not alone in /
that. good many people believe the /
same of me. 1 am gratifed to think |
they believe It. 1t is my intention that
they should.
But, Mr. Statham, we have asked YOU /
a question to which you have refused to /
answer. We wish TO know what has he /
come of Marion Rolfe."
You were engaged TO her-eh? Yes.
know. responded the old man. For
that very reason I refuse 10 tell You. /
I can only reassuTe you. however, that 1
you need experience no anxiety"
But do. love her"
Then I am very sorry: your mind must
still continue 10 be exercised. At present
l cannot tell you anything"
"Why?"
Have / not already told you? I am
expecting a visitor"
II was all the satisfaction they could
obtain
Charlie longed for an opportunity to
refer 70 the grewsome object in that
locked room upstairs The man who had
so suddenly reappeared and sworn ven
geance upon the great fnancier was dead
fallen victim. no doubt. to the old
mans clever cunning He had r-ithe,,t