O. S. Adams

“ Every risk must be avoided. The secret may be discovered by accident; the house may change hands and undergo repairs. A thousand things may happen. Oh, for the few words that lie between safety and possible ruin! I have read the paper over and over, and cannot form the slightest conception of its conclusion. But I will triumph! Yes, guard the secret as closely as you will, Carlos Conrad, I will accomplish my end in spite of you! ”

“ Stark whispered to Leonard to remove his disguise. Leonard obeyed, tearing off his spectacles, his wig, and his gray side-whiskers. He stood by the side of Snags.
The latter regarded him with a look of amazement and horror.
“Where did you come from? Did you rise from the dead?”
“No,” replied Leonard, “I am solid flesh and bones. Feel my hand. I was your prisoner once, but now the table are turned. Since my escape from the cave at Rocky Beach I have had but one great purpose. You can imagine what it is.” ”

“ I will hear what he has to say, for if his father left with him a message, it is his duty to deliver it.”
“Thank you for those words, uncle,” said Carlos, “for now I can go on and tell the story untrammeled. It is a tale of deep wrong, which should bring curses on the perpetrator. The quarrel between you and my father was the work of a villain, whose heart must have been black and rotten—whose sordid desire for wealth must have made him forget all that was noble and manly within him.” ”

“ The man applied the spurs and whip, and his horse galloped along swiftly, making the dirt and stones fly far behind him.
On they flew, swifter and swifter. Like an arrow they shot by the road where Carlos had turned. It was well that the latter adopted this ruse, or he would inevitably have been overtaken, for his pursuer’s horse was a fleet one.
Soon the rider began to grow uneasy.
“I should have come up with him by this time,” he thought. “There’s no horse in the Dalton livery-stable that mine ought not to have run down before this.” ”

“ He was seized by the shoulders and arms, and held firmly.
“I know you, Geoffrey Haywood!” he shouted, in a wild frenzy. “You arch-plotter, you thief, you smuggler!”
“Curses upon you,” ejaculated the masked man. “Oh! it’s Carlos Conrad! Hold him, men! Do not let him escape. He’s a murderer! But where, in the name of all the devils of ill-luck, did he come from?”
“You may well ask,” exclaimed Carlos, “for I have been watching you. I have been at your heels for six months. And here you are, with your gang of smugglers.”
“Hush!” hissed Haywood. “Gag him quick, somebody!” ”

“ Leonard was at first astonished. The proceeding was inexplicable to him. But he soon arrived at a solution of the mystery. He concluded that his captors must be smugglers. The rocky cave, its secret apartments, its proximity to the sea-shore, its retired location, were all favorable to the carrying on of the unlawful business. He was excited by the discovery, yet he remained quiet, for to expose his wakefulness would be instant death, he felt. Occasionally one of the men would step near him and scan his face, but he was always on his guard, and kept up the semblance of deep sleep. ”

“ Then there was a gentle ascent, a slope downward, and a short distance farther, situated on a rise of ground, was Elm Grove, the residence of Colonel Conrad.
The heart of Carlos beat nervously, his step was hurried, and his motions were quick. Not so with Leonard. He was cool and composed, and, as the two passed through the open gate, and up the broad gravel walk, he said:
“Come, now pick up courage. Think of your father, be a man, and defend him from insult, whoever it comes from.” ”

“ But if my innocence is proven, if Carlos Conrad ever stands before the world again with character unblemished, then will the homage and devotion of a human heart be laid before you.”
The days went on. The music lessons were given regularly, and all the while Karl Zikoff’s passionate adoration of his pupil grew in strength. Oftentimes, sitting by her side, he would find himself gazing into her face, so absorbed with the feelings that stirred him as to be entirely unconscious of whether the lesson were well or illy played. ”

“ Carlos endeavored to look around him, but it was pitch-dark. Where was he? How far from Dalton? How near any human habitation? He knew not. Then he thought:
“Why this flight? I am guilty of nothing. My pursuer is off my track. I should be pursuing him, not he me. Where has he gone? Why did he kill my uncle?” Carlos shuddered as he thought of the body leaning over the table, and the pool of blood on the floor. “I must quickly return to Dalton, or in truth I may be suspected. The villain wiped his dagger on my coat, but I apprehend the rain has washed it all off. ”

“ Here he paused for an instant in utter amazement. He recognized the place as Rocky Beach. It was here that he had come on a fishing jaunt, the day before the murder. The bright starlight revealed the place and its surroundings to him. There could be no mistake.
But he must not linger. His captors might be upon him in a moment.
Two yachts were moored near the beach with sails ready to hoist. One of them was small enough for one man to manage. A fresh breeze was blowing, and, as Leonard was an experienced yachtman, his course was decided upon immediately. ”

“ He came from the direction of Elm Grove. It was Barker, the servant of Colonel Conrad.
Mr. Haywood gave no sign of recognition. But a spasm of apprehension passed over his face, followed instantly, however, by a look of resolution. He continued his pacing to and fro.
Barker hurried up to him.
“Oh, Mr. Haywood――” he began.
“Ah, good-morning, Barker. I felt unwell during the night, and thought a morning walk might do me good. What brings you down town at such an early hour?”
“Oh, sir, something terrible has happened at Elm Grove!”
“You astonish me. What is it? Is somebody ill?” ”

“ Take the package and examine it impartially, for the memory of the love which you once cherished for your brother.”
Carlos laid the package down and ceased speaking. He had performed his duty.
Colonel Conrad’s head was bowed, and he appeared to be in deep thought. A hard, impenetrable look came across his features, and he said, in a perfectly calm voice:
“Carlos, your story is a strange one. If true, it is indeed a terrible record of wrong. You have done your duty, and I cherish no ill-will toward you. But I am lost and perplexed. Don’t you think it would stagger any man? I must think. ”

“ Carlos was soon deposited on a couch, with a rough man staring at him, and a young girl, not so rough, endeavoring to restore him.
The man was tall and dark, with a shaggy beard covering nearly his whole face, and heavy eyebrows, overhanging a pair of deep-set, small, restless-looking eyes. He was large as well as tall, and his build betokened great strength. His position was not erect, but his gait was slouching, his look sullen, and his manner that of one at odds with all the world. ”

“ You don’t look like a man capable of performing such a deed. And Leonard gave a very good account of you. No, I haven’t the least doubt of your innocence. But if you had stood the trial, and been acquitted, it might have been better.”
“That is what I thought,” said Carlos. “But the evidence is strong, and everybody in Dalton believes me guilty; at least everybody except the secret few who know better, and I do not expect they will come forward to criminate themselves in order to save me.” ”

“ Leonard Lester and Carlos Conrad were distant cousins, and cherished a strong regard for each other. Carlos was the son of Anthony Conrad, who, years before, had married a Spanish girl. Her dark beauty had won the affection of the American, and they had lived together ten years, when she died. The only fruit of the union was a boy, whom they named Carlos. He inherited the warm and voluptuous nature of his mother, and the firm and stable, though somewhat passionate, character of his father. ”

“ I do not mean to convey the idea that I have any forebodings of immediate dissolution, for I hope to live many years yet. But I recognize the fact that ‘in the midst of life we are in death.’ This guilt of Geoffrey Haywood I do not wish to discuss now. I simply wish to say that, in the event of my death at any time (and in the absence of any further instructions on the subject) , you may look for my will, for the documents to which I have alluded, and for a considerable amount of money in gold coin—about thirty thousand dollars—in a secret recess in the east wall of my library. ”

“ Mishler took his leave.
“I speak German,” said Carlos, addressing the musician in his own language, “probably better than you do English.”
“Ah, I am glad,” replied Mr. Werner. “I have been in this country only a month, and know very little of your tongue yet.”
“We will get along very well together.”
“Yes. Have you been speaking disrespectfully of your emperor—or president, as they call him—that they desire to imprison you?”
“Oh, no,” replied Carlos, smiling. “They do not imprison people for political offenses in the United States. Ours is what we call a free country. ”

“ Do not show the paper you took from Colonel Conrad’s hands. It will give the murderer information which he desires above all things to possess. Do not let the paper appear in the testimony.’”
“Well, well! This is a startling phase of affairs,” said Mr. Royalton. “It confirms my idea though, that the murderer of your cousin has a hand in the non-appearance of Leonard.”
“Yes,” replied Carlos, “but it makes the mystery more incomprehensible than ever. How dark everything looks.”
“One thing is settled,” said Mr. Royalton. “The existence of the paper must be kept secret. ”

“ It is not for me to say whether you are guilty or innocent――”
“IT IS NOT FOR ME TO SAY WHETHER YOU ARE GUILTY OR INNOCENT.”
“Before God, I am innocent!” exclaimed Carlos. “I can explain――”
“Yes; but you must not explain now. Do not say anything to me. I don’t want to have to repeat words in court that may damage you. You must employ a lawyer, and a good one. Pardon me, but I feel an interest in you. You don’t look like a ruffian.” ”

“ While thus engaged, a knock came at the door. Both players sprang to their feet. They had been so intent on the game that they had not heard any footsteps on the stairs.
Carlos turned pale with an apprehension that naturally rushed on his mind.
Mr. Werner quickly interpreted his expression, and his eyes flashed with excitement.
“I will see who it is,” he said.
Opening the door to the extent of a mere crack, he ejaculated a question in German.
Carlos heard a familiar voice say:
“It’s all right. I want to see the young man you have caged in here.” ”

“ In a moment Snags exclaimed, with an oath:
“One of the boats is gone!”
All three rushed to the spot.
“Yes,” exclaimed Roake, “and it’s the Gull—the fastest one we’ve got. There’s not another yacht here that can catch it. There is no use in pursuing him.”
“It won’t do to give up that way,” replied Haywood. “He can’t have gone a great distance. Take the other boat and go after him.”
“I tell you it’s no use.”
“And I tell you nothing must be left untried. Go!”
Haywood was evidently the “boss” in earnest, for Roake instantly prepared to start. ”

“ Snags was his visitor.
“Have you heard anything more from Carlos?” asked Leonard, eagerly.
Snags smiled.
“You seem mighty anxious about him,” he said.
“Of course I am. Tell me all you know.”
“Oh, I know enough. I have heard several things. Some of them might not please you, though.”
“Never mind. Go on.”
“Well,” said Snags, “he’s in jail, and will be tried to-morrow. Everybody is aroused against him, and if he’s let off the people would lynch him; at least that’s the talk among some. But it isn’t likely that he’ll be let off. ”