"
"I cannot imagine such a thing. How did you learn this?"
"From Broussard first. They have been together for years, but I
happened to discover the fellow when he was angry over a punishment.
He talked more freely than he intended to do, and later I verified all
he said by the letters found."
"Then, strange as it sounds, it is true?"
"Without doubt. Moreover," and I lowered my voice in sudden
embarrassment, "within the last two weeks the Captain had received news
from his agent in the North, which gave him fresh confidence. From his
standpoint he no longer had any cause for fear from the chief source."
"What--what do you mean?"
"You will believe me? You will not think I manufacture this?"
"Certainly not:--but--but I do not understand."
"Well, the man reported that he had found trace of Philip Henley; he
told of the life the man was leading, and where he lived. I think all
this must have been immediately after your separation, as he mentioned
no wife. However, he described something even more important."
"You must tell me," she burst forth, as I hesitated. "Don't be afraid
to trust me with all you know."
"I am not afraid," I returned stoutly enough, "not in the sense you
mean, at least, yet it is never easy to be the bearer of evil news.
Pages:
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282