Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-04-20
CHAPTER XXI.


Full of some unaccountable foreboding,
inspired partly by the strangers suave,
yet determined manner, partly by the re-
appearance of the Caravan, Monk alight-
cd, and followed the other across the grass
to the close vicinity of the house on
wheels. The little elderly man followed,
and the man who had first spoken went
through the ceremony of introduction.
This is Mr.. Monk, sir. Mr.. Monk,
this gentleman is Mr.. Lightwood of the
firm of Lightwood & Lightwood, solicit
ors. Chester"
'And you-who are you?" demanded
Monk. with his old savagery.
my name is Marshall, Christian name
John, though my friends call me Jack"
answered the other, with airy impudence.
"John Marshall, governor, Of the detec-
tive force"
Monk now went pale indeed. But re-
covering himself, he cried, II know Meth
er of You. | warned you that / was in
haste. What do you want? Out with it."
The little man now took up the CONVEX
sation, speaking in prim, business-like
voice. and occasionally referring to a large
note book which he carried.
Mr. Monk. you are. | am informed, tie
solye heir male of the late Colonel Monk,
your cousin by the fathers side. who was
supposed to have died in the year 1862"
Eyes, that is true. What them
"On the report of his death, his name
being included In an official list of officers
killed and wounded in action, and il being
understood that he died without lawful
issue, you laid claim to the demesne OF
Monkshurst, in cheshire, and that of the
same name in Anglesea. Your claim was
recognized, and in 1865 you took posses
sion"
well. Have you detained me to hear
only what l already knew?"
Pardon me, l have not finished. /
have now to inform you that you inherit
ed under a Observation-Disclosures, because
Colonel Monk was married and had issue;
secondly, because he did not die in India,
but reached the shores of England, where
he persisted in the shipvreck of the vessel
Trinidad on Christmas day, 1864"
Monk was ibid At this moment Jones,
who had been watching the scene from
distance, came over, painting and perspir-
ing in ill-concealed terror.
"Mr. Monk, what's the matter? Look
lye now, we shall be late for the wedding"
As he spoke, Marshall, the detective,
clapped him piayfully on the shoulder
How dye do William Jones? I've
often heard of you, and wished to know
you. Pray stop where you are. I'll talk
to you presently"
Il don't know what you mean,' Monk
Nth dooo,ad dac,t,aro fsOr ss,x,.tb
all this rigmarole, Mr.. Lightwood, or
whatever your name is. 1t seems to me
you are simply raving If l am not my
cousins heir, who is, tell me that?"
"His daughter" said the man, quietly
'sHe never married, and he never had a
daughter
"His daughter, an infant twelve or
fourteen months old sailed to England
with him, was shipwrecked with him, but
saved by a special Providence, and has
since been living in this place under the
name of Matt Jones'"
"Your intended bride, you know" add
ed Marshall. with an insinuating smile.
"Hullo, where is the young Lady,"
Monk lookedNround toward the dog-cart
and on every side, but Matt was nowhere
to be seen.
81 see her go into that theer cart" said
William Jones.
rCall her" cried Monk an stay no
longer here Listen to me, you two.
Whether you are telling truth or lies, that
girl is going to become my wife-I have
her guardians consent, and she herself,
may tell you, fully appreciates the honor
am doing her.
Indeed ~ said Mr.. Lightwood, smiling.
Unfortunately l, as Miss Monks legal
adviser, must have a say In the matter.
Doubtless this marriage would be very
pretty arrangement for keeping the late
Colonel Monks fortune and property in
your possession, but l can not conscien-
tiously approve of the young lady's mar
rage to an assassin"
"An assassin ?-whaS-what do you
mean p gasped Monk, staggering as if from
a blow.
Tell him, Mr.. Marshall"
"All right, sir. Well, you see, Mr..
Monk. Of Monkshurst," continued the de-
tectiye, grimly, yet playfully, you're
accused of making away with-murdering,
In fact-a young gentleman who came to
Aberglyn few weeks ago in that little
house on wheels; ard this nice friend of
yours" (here he again slapped William
Jones on the shoalder) lis accused of be-
ing your accomplice."
mo. no. never done it I'm inno-
cent, 1 am - cried William Jones Tell
EN-. Mr.. Monk, tell ENID newt to do
with it."
SILENCE, you fool said the ether; then
he added. turning on his accusers. You
are couple of madmen, l think know
nothing of the young man you speak OF
l have heard that he is missing, that is
all: but there is no evidence that any
harm has come to him. for his body has
not been found
Ito be continued.l