Clara Vaughan, Volume II (of III)

me to say that her uncle John was there, and would be glad to see me. Though he had bee

that I must thank neither myself nor the doctor, but my luck in no

abruptly. As my strength returned,

it bad news. You will lose my

of my luck; I am

r too nice and difficult for any of my

shall yo

wo. Perhaps I may never return. Over and ab

wers of earth and heaven and hell seemed to combine against me. Then cam

going t

o Aust

and for a time I could not

you would not have done what you did. All along I have felt that you were hiding something from me. Now you can have no motive. Now I am your successor in the secret; I, and no one else. To no other will I com

e to taunt him into disclosure. His chief weaknes

astiness. Now I will tell you all I know. In fact, as you well said, it has become

dence in you cannot be t

possible that my superiors may think it more important than m

ore that it is my destiny to unravel this black mystery; myself, by my own courage. In asking your aid I was thwarting my destin

ever have dreamed that y

, all you have discovered, and

ished me good-bye, he offered one last suggestion. "If, during my absence, Miss Valence, you press your evidence far enough to require the strong hand, or if before you have done so you require a man's assistance, apply at once to my son--you can alwa

ourse he knew that I could not entrust myself to a young man, as I could to him. When he was gone, with many good w