The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-03-05
CHAPTER Ix.-tcontinued.)

CHAPTER ix.-fContinued.)
Mary took no notice OF his re,
marks, but allowed herself to be con
Quoted up the evil-smelling passage,
The back dooor of No. IA was opened
as they approached, and then she
found herself confronted by-Montagu
Winton.
MIR. Winton!"
Yes, Miss Brent, thought you
would be surprised to see me; but
come into this room, and then | can
explain"
But Mr.. West-Godfrey-they told
me he was here"
Il am very sorry to say that he is
here, Miss Brent. l would give you
anything to spare you the pain am
about to infict upon you"
"Oh, what do you mean? Tell me
what has happened to Godfrey, and
why you are here"
Knowing your affection for this
man II grieves me to have to tell you
that Godfrey West Is an utter scoun-
jrel, and not worth the love OF a good
| woman"
II do not believe"
wait. When some time ago I ask.
| ed you to honor me by becoming my
| wife. l found that you had already
| pledged yourself to this man West.
| Although / accepted my dismissal, my
love for you has In no way diminish
edd and / would do anything In the
| wide world to obtain a share in your
regard"
"oh, why do you reopen this ques-
tom"
Merely as a preface to what | am
going to tell you now. When |
thought you were going to marry a
! good man | stood aside, but when |
found him a b~lackguard renewed
hope sprang up in my heart"
do not keep me in suspense. What
do you know about Godfrey that
makes you speak so bitterly against
him2"
Would you marry the man that
robbed your father?'
"Ah! YOU
yes; / say that Godfrey West, af-
ter committing a murderous assault
! upon your father, robbed him of the
Empires Dream"
II do not believe It,"
81 am not speaking without being
able to convince you. Out OF my love
for you | set myself to trace the
thief. / employed an expert detective,
and together we tracked him down;
and Godfrew West is now In this
house, practically under arrest"
Take me to him, and let me hear
the truth from his own lips"
Come with me at once, but be pre-
pared, for l warn you that he is not
a pleasant sight"
He led the way up the narrow,
creaking stairs, and Mary Brent fol-
lowed with her mind in a whirl OF
alarm. Winton opened the door Of
the small attick at the back, a dingy.
damp-ridden apartment with a slop-
ing roof. The place reeked with the
fumes OF alcohol and tobacco.
On a low truckle-bed lay the figure
OF a man. His clothes were tori and
stained with mud and blood. With
hair hanging over his eyes, face UNI
washed and unshaven, Re looked dirty
| and unkempt. His mouth was wide
| open, and his breath came In stertor-
GUS gasps, and in one hand he
| clutched a half-empty bottle of
whisky. And by the side OF the pros
| trate figure sat Percy Twist.
With a cry of horror Mary darted
| forward and recognized the form OF
her lover.
81 told you to be prepared" said
Winton.
but he-he-"
Eyes, madam, l am afraid he has
| been indulging too freely. l am wait
| ing until he regains his senses, and
| then I will take him to where he will
have little opportunity Of repeating
| this exhibition"
But you-you are the man who
came to Miss Ballard in Manchester"
II am a detective, madam. and in
the exercise of my duties ! kept you
under observation. as well as your
lover. 1t is the best days work | ever
| did in my life; the reward for the
| Empires Dream has been increased
to ten thousand pounds"
"But he did not steal 1t. He could
not-would not do It,"
zone moment, II you please, madam,
and perhaps l can convince you."
He placed his hand In the pocket
Of the PROSTATE man and produced a
leather case. Touching a spring the
lid flew open, and there, Ia all its daz-
cling glory. lay the Empires Dream"
Utterly stunned at this evidence Of
her lovers guilt. Mary stood in stupe-
fed silence. winton gently touched
her on the arm.
Come away; It is not a pleasant
sight, and you can do no good"
Mechanically she turned and left
the room. following Winton down
stairs.
Il cannot say how sorry | am. Miss
Brent"
II viii accept your expressions OF
sympathy. Mr.. winton; but the ques-
ton | want to ask you is-can nothing
be done?"
ITO save him. you mean?"
Mary nodded.
II do not know. You SEQ, his mar
Twist has set his heart upon claiming
the reward. 1t means . great deal to
him."