Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-24
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Search.


before noon. AS Hawkstone sprang
ashore at the wharf where the island
people were wont to land on their VS.
it's to the main. a man stepped out
from a group of loungers there, and
put himself before our hero with
shamefaced, deprecatory air.
Il say, Prince Lucifer," stammered
Vincent Hawkstone, you are too late
Won know-the game has fiown!"
Hawkstone pulled himself up and
looked sharpl" at the kinsman who had
so recently attempted his life.
I've been walking about this wharf
for hours, watching, like Sister Anne
on Bluebeard's tower, for Simpsons
boat" went on Vincent, before the 9TH
er could speak. by Jove! you haven't
hurried yourself! l thought you would
be in Whithaven by sunrise. Should
have skipped down to the island ana
offered my services, but was under
ban, you know, and was sure your is
landers wouldn't let me land. See here'
Prince Lucifer-a mad-man isn't con-
sidered responsible for his misdeeds.
and 1 was stark, staring mad the night
I shot at you in the island garden. Had
been drinking hard. you see."
Hawkstone looked at him moment
in stern silence, then answered. dryly'
"No doubt"
The handsome neer-do-well put on
a meek and penitent air.
We'll, I'm deucedly repentant now.
Come, you were always generous
Prince Lucifer-always noble. I'll ad-
NIT that I've tried your patience abom-
inably in the past, but can't you make
up your mind to forgive me once
more?"
A frown knit Hawkstone's brows.
"If 1 find it more easy to distrust
than to believe you, Vincent, you have
only yourself TO blame" he answered
"True-too true!" said Vincent, air.
iiy. Nevertheless, peace must be
patched up between us-shake hands
and be friends
Hawkstone put out his hand, coldly'
reluctantly. He pitied quite as much
as he despised his migrate cousin.
You will probably give me abund-
ant cause to repent my weakness be-
fore many days are over" he said
Vincent seized the hand with great
eagerness.
Heaven forbid! Don't think so poor
ly of me, Magnanimous Prince Duclter'
thanks awfully for this ghost Of a par
don! am mad to help you. now that
YOU find yourself in trouble. Don't
frown-I know the errand that has
brought YOU to Whithaven-yes, and
saw at the hotel last night your lost
daughter, secure in the clutches OF her
triumphant mamma! OF course, no
body here had any right to interfere
'twixt mother and child; so Madame
Vera and her offspring remained undls-
turbed at the Eagle Hotel till O'CLOCK
this morning: then madame, with bag
and baggage, her French maid little
Bee. and last but not least, sWarthy
fellow called Hatton, departed FOR
New York on the early express. Anu'
pom my soul, Prince Lucifer he that
follows in the hope of overtaking that
party must have swift heels, and all his
wits to the fore"
Hawkstones face grew dark. THAT
Hatton again."
Yes: one of Madame Nera's many
lovers-he has pursued her for years.
I hear. Now they're off for Europe
probably. You'd better look them up
on the trans Atlantic steamers. You
see they're safe in Gotham by this time
have got a good start of you, for you
can't follow till the next train,, which
won't leave Whthaven for half-hour
vet Come up to the Eagle House, and
hear the facts which l have given you
confirmed by the people there.
Hawkstone went-in furious frame
of mind At the hotel he found VIM
cents story to be perfectly correct
Madame Vera had brought chlld 10
the house on the preceding night-a
little lame. pale faced girl, who cried
piteously. and was hurried out or slght
by the French maid. And that morning
the beautiful circus-rider had settled
her bill. and departed with the afore-
said child and all her other belongings
including Jasper Hatton, who seemed
10 act as her guardian. on the Z O'Clock
express for New York. Hawkstone
smiled grimly. 1t was rather late IN
the day for Vera to affect guardian
While the clerk was thus corroborat-
ing his own statements, Vincent stood
drumming on the office window with
careless fingers.
"Of course you'll not rest. Prince
Lucifer, till you recover possession OF
Bee?" he said.
That goes without saying" replied
Hawkstone, dryly; but first | must
send some dispatches before me, which
may possibly result in the detention OF
nv daughter by the proper authorities
at least they will reduce Madame Ne-
ra's chances of running the child on
safely"
He went away to find the telegraph
operatOr. Wnen he returned. Vincent
was still beating a tattoo on the win
dow.
Wish you would permit me to beai
YOU company. Prince Lucifer," he cried
and share in the hunt-wOuld like tc
see Madame Vera's little game played
70 the end 1t was the fellow Hattor
who bagged the child for her. That
moor devil. Gabriel Ravenel. she has
utterly thrown over. you know
Hawkstones stern lips tightened.
.I know nothing about it! Thanks
Vincent-I am familiar with Madame
Vera's ways, and shall be able to res