< Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu
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A RONANCLE ROV A DETECTIIES ColSE-f QOOA"

rubber sheet ticd with string, was a parcel, which we proceeded to open with feverish

cagerness : and, when the Was removed, 1o ! the mlssm“ register of hond-

holders was before us !

That = Dingle ” stream. fatal 1o the hopes and - desires of the ‘I'relawneys, had thus revealed part, at least, of their sceeret - but there was still more to lear, though I never doubted for a moment that 1 should learn it 1 duc course,

Flaving snatched a few Dricl hours of rest, I proceeded to London with the recovered register inmy possession, and went al once

to Mr. The sentiments which this hard-headed man of figures were by no

means m accord with my own hdmu hut under the circumstances I had no ‘xltumtm but to carry out his lmpumm mandate to arrest Samucl Trel; awney without delay.,

Two davs later T was once more JOUTNCey- iy down t() the “ Dingle, " with the warrant for Trelas Iey's arrest inomy pocket. It was late when Toarrived at my destination, and the licht of the short, hitter November dav was fading aw: . On my m(]uirin" for My, Ixc]mnc I was shown into an ante-room, and ]nmu]tl\ Miss Trelawney came to me. I'was struck by some (lmng(_: that was apparent m her. She was neatly dressed black, and her white hair scemed 10 have become whiter. In her cves was a look of mfnite plamtivencss, and in her face rom which the lines of anxicty and care scemed to- have been smoothed AWV Was an oex- pression that I can only indicate as that of divine resignation. She might, 111(hu1 have sat as a m()(l(,l to some great painter for a picture of a Madonna., In a low volee, which rang Lhc music ol sorrow, she said: -

“1 have been expecting your coming., You wish to see my brother?”

“ T do, madam, for T have an unpleasant duty to ])le()]n]

She smiled sadly as she replied s I will follow me T will take you to him.”

She ded the way across the hall] stopping for a moment at the table to light a tall wax candle that stood there in a silver candle- stick, then proceeding, with silent footfalls, she went into the great diningroom the chamber of shadow s, as I have called it and holding the candle above her head she approached the table, on which something was laid covered over with a sheet. She drew the sheet pmtl\ down, saving in her soft, low way: “ Here s my brother, Mr, Donovan.”

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109

A solemn silence ensued as 1 wazed ujpon the dead face Samucl face that Tooked as if it had just heen carved by some cunning sculptor to represent supreme tanquillity. Kindly death had smoothed away all the wrinkles, and had wreathed a faint smile about 1hc Ips. as if the weary man, with tln cloquence of dead dumbness, was saving, Behold, Tosleep the cternal sleep, the law's vengeance can smite me no MmMore.

As Iaently drew the sheet up again, over the marbledike houre, T oturned to o Miss Trelawney, who was apparently unmoved, and Tookdd at ther imquiringly for information, she walked towards the door, and 1 followed her baek o the anteroom, where, sinking mto a chair, she said ;-

" Smee my dear brother has entered into his lTonged for rest, there 1s no further necessity concealment. e has fallen a sacrifice

his faithfulness and love for a worthless woman. Years and years ago he gave his heart to one who knew not how to J})])ICLI e it. She deceived him for the sake of a roud and gambler, whom she married. A fow Vears of terrible bitterness 3 then, neglected and riendless, she Tay on her death-bed, In her extremity she sent for my brother, to

pray. to him for his forgiveness. That was freehy grimted; and he vowed over her dead hody that he would he a father (o

her arphan oy Teaven knows how truly he kept that vow. But the boy had the seeds of wickedness withink him so firmlv rooted. that all the sweet and loving influences that were brought to bear })1()\((1 of no avail, and he returned what was done for him with base igratitude. But my poor brother was blind to all the lad's fmlts and well-nigh broke his heart when he dlmppcmcd ]LJ\IH” no trace behind him.

" Vears afterwards he came b ack, apoverty- stricken, disgraced man., My brother listened kindly to his story of shame and wrong-coing, and on his promising reformation and for his dead mother's sake he forgave him, and under the name of David Brinsley placed him 10 o responsible position in the husiness. [t was only to prove, however, the useless-

ness of .\(,‘ltt(_‘l'iflg sced on barren soil. David - Brinsley, the vagabond in heart,

became a thief and forger, and the enormous sums out of which he cheated the business were squandered in gambling and dissipation. Yet, not\\lthstmdmw all thls my {oolish brother sad, *He is the son of the woman I'Toved, and he must be saved.” | urged him with all the cloquence T could command o

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