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_ that.”
FRANK LESLIE'S NEW YORK JOURNAL.
you desired?°’The brat,” he added, lowering ‘his
voice, “is disposed of!”
“ Respectably ?”’ said his employer.
“ Of course !” . .
The ruffian accompanied the’ words with a leer
which at any other time would, have won a laugh
from Peter Quin. ‘To bis surprise, the’ old man
answered him with more than -usual scriousness.
“ T have changed my mind,” he said, ‘ respecting
her! Martha has made such a fuss about the child,
that—in short, I wish you to bring her back again !”?
“ From where?” vos
“ From the party you have entrusted her to!”
Miles reflected for an instant before’ he answered
him: he at last camé to the conclusion that it was
merely a ruse to test his fidelity in the execution of
his orders, or an excuse to’ avoid’ payment of the
reward he had promised him. *
“ Come, guv'nor,”’ he said, “ no larking !’”
“Tam not ina fit humor for larking, as you call
it!” growled Peter, at the same time castimron him
«a look of fury. ‘I tell you I have changed iny mind
—that I want the child back here! Now do you
understand me?” . : : ve
“T' don't know as Ido! answered’ the man 3;
“‘first you say one thing, then another! Yesterday
I was to place her where she would never be heard
ou again! ‘To day I am to bring her back to you!
Can't make you out !?'~ ‘ TERS TOSI
_“* Where is she ?” . . : .
‘<A “good deal beyond London Bridge by this time,
I should say!” replied the ruffian, with a grin, “ at
the rate the tide was a runin’ 2). .
Despite his desire to re-possess himeelf of Fanny,
,as ‘a peace-offering between himself and grand-
* daughter,’ the agent could not repress a smile of
satisfaction at hearing the fate of the object of his
hatred. pe . Berets
“* Why, you don’t mean to say that you threw the
child into the Thames ?” he exclaimed.
“I? Ofcourse not!’ replied Miles, who had ob-
served the momentary smile and expression of the
‘old uian’s features—from which he concluded that
“all was right again ; “likely I should say sich a thing
—and to you, too! She travelled that way by boat
-—that’s all!” : ,
‘The speaker began laughing at his own wit; but
the laugh gradually subsided’ into a growl, as the
features of the agent relapsed once more into their
stern expression. He began to fear that something
really had gone wrong. ‘
“fam glad,” said Peter Quin, “that you have
. Not been so precipitate as I feared! ‘The brat must
be found again !” .
Miles shook his head, as much as to say that it
was impossible.’ |
«tell you she must,” repeated the old man, with
a burst of passion.’ I seldom jest—and ‘this time
you will find me terribly in earnest. “Answer me,’’
he continued, seizing the fellow by the wrist 5 "and
truly, as you value your soul—pshaw! your neck,
I mean! Is the brat dead ?” a
“No!” replied the ruffian; ‘she is not!’ I
know this is only a trick to try me—but'I don't
care, You shall hear the truth since you wish it.”
« Thank heaven!” exclaimed the grandfather of
‘Martha, with a sigh, which proved how greatly the
int lligence had relieved him; * it has: been more
mercitul to me than I have been to myself. Now,
then, proceed,” he added; “explain your-elf, and
remember that the first lie I detect you in, prepares
the rope’ for your neck.” : .
’ Miles. proceeded at once to give him a circum-
“ stantial account ‘of everything that had occurred.
How, on his departure the preceding day, he had se-
cured the child—kept her concealed in the cellar of
his own’ house till night—when ‘he had ‘taken her
to the arches under the ‘Adelphi, with the intention,
as he candidly confessed, of ridding himself of his
cnarge. He, next described the manuer in which
she had been rescued. . .
When he had concluded, the two men continued
to regard.each other for several minutes in silence.
Peter Quin had listened to many strange confidences
in his time—but this appeared the strangest of all.
Ilis first impression’ was to treat it as a clumsy
attempt to impose upon his credulity and supersti-
tion ; but the deep earnestness with’ which the man
‘narrated his adventure, strange and improbable as
“it appeared, staggered him.
“And do you expect me to believe this tissue of
improbabilities ?”? he demanded. *’
“No!” replied Miles, striking his clenched fist,
with an ‘air of vexation, upon the table; ‘and L
was a fool for telling you—but it is true, for all
«That is your affair—not mine,” was the answer
to his very natural question: ' Mark’ me,’’ con-
tinued the speaker; ‘ more than I can explain de-
pends upon my having the brat once more in my
power ;' it may be that the very next day I'may re-
peat my first directions to dispose of her—but of
that hereafter.’ You have managed the affair most
clumsily, and must take the consequences.
“It isa hard skein you have given me to un-
travel, master,” observed miles, in‘a sullen tone;
“but I must do my best. ’ How long will you give
me??
« Till ten to-night.”
«Make it twelve,” said the man; such a track
as I must follow is sot to be traced’ by daylight.
Unly two hours more.” :
«Lill twelve be it then,” answered Peter; * but
don’t think to escape if you deceiveme. Were you
to fly to the ends‘ of the’ earth, I’ should find the
means to reach you! ‘The law, Miles,” he added,
in’a significant tone, “has a long arm.”
“I know that,” muttered his tool, spitefully;
“but it may reach more than me at last.”
* Do you threaten, rascal ?””
«“ No—I only. advise,” answered the fellow, in’a
more humble ‘tone; * you know that you are not
dealing fairly by me.’ [have risked my neck for you
a dozen times at least, and been poorly paid into the
bargain. ‘It’s not my fault that you have changed
your mind respecting the brat—would I had never
seen her.” . :
His employer ‘mentally repeated the wish. It
was agreed that, if successful, the man should give
a signal, by tapping three times on the outside of
the parlor shutter—on hearing which, ‘the ‘agent
was to open the door, and admit him.
His last words to him were, “ Bring her back,
and the reward I promise} you shall be doubled.”
Miles gave a sinister smile, as he left the house,
and retired to the adjoining domicile, ILis first
question on. entering, was for the.man known
amongst the frequenters of the place as the captain:
and he appeared j articularly disappointed , when
told that he had no. yet arrived. It was past mid-
day when he came. - On* his arrival, the two wor-
thies had a long and private conversation ‘together.
«I can't attend to business to-day,” observed the
ageat to Mr. Foster, to whom he had half opened
the door of his den;' + I am ‘ill—occupied.”
*© You will make me an exception,” was the re-
x I make no exceptions !’’ continued the old man,
testily ; **I have already advanced upon the estate
of your client more money than, it is worth! “But
if he likes ‘to sell, I don’t mind another five thou-
sand, or even six.”?
« By, which generous offer you would gain at
least fifty thousand pounds,” observed the lawyer ;
“really money-lending must; be a very profitable
business. I think I must take to it. But, large as
your profits are, I think I can offer you more,”
The temptation of a considerable gain was too
much for the avaricious nature of Peter Quin, to
withstand; he at once opened the door, and invited
the speaker to follow him into his office.
-‘#Are we alone?” inquired Mr, Foster, as soon as
they were seated.
“Quite.” Why do you ask ?"’ .
«Simply because what I have to say, must, be
heard ‘at present by no ears but yours. You had
better fasten the outward door.”
“Tt is fastened!” exclaimed the agent, wondering
at a precaution which from any person less respect-
able would have'excited his suspicions—knowing
that he was alone in the house; so we may as
well proceed at once to business, although my poor
head is scarcely clear enough—for I have passed a
miserable night !? o . it .
“That I’can readily believe!’ ovserved bis visltor,
The agent began to feel puzzled: he could not
understand why the speaker should be so, ready to
believe that he had passed a miserable night. |,
“You are very odd in your replies!” he said;
tor,else, my brain is not as clear as usual!, But
come—let us proceed—first tell me the name of your
client 2” . .
He drew his memorandum-book before him, and
prepared, as was his custom, to note down the name
and proposition which he expected to be submitted
o him. . '
Martha Qunf? 7) . ot,
The pen dropped from’ the hand of her grand-
father as suddenly as if he had been struck with the
sy... O . -
“The grand-daughter,” resumed the _ lawyer,
“whom for years you have deprived of, fortune—
* « You must find her,’’ said the old man, sternly,
« How?t?
whom yuu have reared ‘in. ignorance—treated .as
your drudge—your servant—taunted daily with eat-
139
ing the bread of charity—with being the object of
your bounty !’”
“Where is she?” demanded the agent, partially
tecovering from his surprise.
''« Where you cannot reach her!” replied Mr. Fos-
ter; ‘even if you. were mad enough to make the
attempt! You’ sco I, know whom I am dealing
with! “Where there is neither honor nor feeling,
delicacy ‘is superfluous., ‘Listen tu;the’ conditions
on which your !ife may yet be spared !”” |
“My life!” repeated Peter Quin, in a tone of af-
fected indignation ; “ you go too far, sir!”
“I fear I have,”' said the lawyer, sternly, in
lending myself, even indirectly, to the compromise
of a felony, which the law punishes with death!
have scen,” he continued, “ the power of attorney
by which you have regularly drawn the interest of
the large sum in the funds and other sccurities!”
The old man hung his head and groaned ;' not
froin shame or remorse—but disappointed raze and
avarice. ' The vulture forced to diszorge its prey—
the wolf to give freedom to the lamb, were the fittest
types of his feelings at that moment.
“Well!” he muttered; “the conditions? |Con-
ditions from her!” ,
“ The immediate repayment of the sums you have
drawn in her name—which can be easily done by
transferring the mortgages you hold on the estate
you just alluded to: they will about cover theuif!’”
* Continue!’ screamed the agent. ,
“That you retire at once from London, and the
not over-respectable transactions in which you are
engaged !” : a
“Is that the last 2”
* No!” replied Mr. Foster; ‘‘the last and most
important is yet to come! The child, which your
grand-daughter adopted, and loves as her own, must
be restored—that failing, all other conditions are
useless |”
“‘ She would hang me, I suppose ?””
With as little remorse as I would!’ was the
cool reply. .
** Monster—unnatural monster!" exclaimed Peter
uin; “no respect for grey hairs or the ties of
blood !”
“Have you respected them?” demanded the law-
yer sternly.’ ‘*As we sow, so we reap! “No man
ever yet violated the moral or natural law, that in
time did not fearfully avenze itself. Of the tie be-
tween my client and the chiid I allude to I am’ ig-
norant. She has assured me that it is not hers—
and [ believe her!" .
The wretched old man gave a cynical smile : it
would be some consolation, he thought, if Re’could
blast the reputation of his grand-daughter in the
opinion uf her legal adviser and ouly friend. :
“Did she carry her hypocrisy so far as to tell you
that ?”” he said.
‘And more!” continued Mr. Foster; ‘ perhaps
she saw by my countenance that I was not con-
vinced—for she added, that ‘she’ possessed certain
memoranda in your handwriting, which wou!d prove
at any time, if, necessary, how the infant first came
under her care!” .
“Has she shown them?" eagerly demanded her
grandfather. / ‘
* Not yet!” a
His visitor was an acute observer, and he noticed
that the fallen man breathed more freely on hearing
that he had not seen them: all of which tended to
confirm him in the opinion'he entertained of the
truthfulness of Martha s stateinents. of
“ What answer am I to take back 1” he asked.
“That [ will reflect upon it, and to-morrow ——”
“Your: reflections ‘must be made in Newgate,
then!” ‘reptied the man of law ;’“ for the instant I
leave this house an affidavit will be made. I need
not remind you that a warrant once issued, your
fate will be beyond the control either of your grand-
daughter or myself!" 0" Co
Peter Quin’ felt that he' was completely in the
toils. . He. had rapidly revolved every circumstance,
over in his mind, but discovered no loop-hole, to.
escape. , Bitterly did he curse his fatuity in not’
having removed Martha from his path. |)
' “T yield,” he said, “to all that she demand:
money shall be paid!” ”, *’* nase
“And the child?” ||. yh neetn ge} ve
“ Restored to her to-morrow!" 5 5?
“That will not dol” observed Mr. Foster; ‘it is
the only point upon which my instructions are pre-
cise! I cannot return without her!’’: oe
“Can I annihilate time and space?” demanded
the agent, frantically—for his adversary was push-
ing him to his’ last intrenchments.” “I have sent
the child away, and cannot whistle ler back again!”
“ Sent her away?” repeated his visitor, fixing his
eyes upon him sternly,