Part 3 (1/2)
”I have kept them all You may read the whole case if you care about it”
”I should like to, very reat calmness
”When I heard of this before the ony of fear lest ht be implicated in some way To ot a letter froatively
”Yes,” said the old h ”The last that I ever received fro this, he opened his pocket-book and took out a letter, worn and faded, and blackened by frequent readings
Brandon took it respectfully, and read the following:
”CALCUTTA, August 15, 1828
”MY DEAREST HENRY,--By the papers that I send you, you will see what has occurred Our dear Edgar is well, indeed better than usual, and I would feel much cheered if it were not for the sad fate of the poor Colonel
This is the last letter that you will ever receive fro to leave this country never to return, and do not yet knohere I will go Wherever I go I will be with ar Do not worry about et all about us, since we are from this time the same as dead to you Good-by forever, my dearest husband; it shall be my daily prayer that God may bless you
”Your affectionate wife, MARY”
Brandon read this in silence, and handed it back
”A strange letter,” said Co to think ofme up forever, so coldly, and for no reason: but afterward I began to understand why she wrote this
”My belief is, that these villains kept ood reason, and that they had so her There's some mystery about it which I can't fathom Perhaps she knew too o free Theyupon her love for her son, or si her She was always a timid soul, poor Mary That letter is not her composition: there is not a word there that sounds like her, and they no doubt told her what to write, or wrote out so, and made her copy it
”And now,” said Coot to the end ofmore about the, but of late ned to et some trace of these dear ones whom I still love as tenderly as ever You, my dear boy, with your ability may conjecture so more or less, and may be able to hear of their fate This is the condition that I make I implore you by your pity for a heart-broken father to do as I say and help et theain”
Brandon shuddered perceptibly at the words ”heart-broken father;” but he quickly recovered himself He took Compton's hand and pressed it war, and I promise you that allthem out”
”Tell them to come to me, that I ao to you if they are alive,” said Brandon
”God bless you!” ejaculated the old reater part of that day inthe papers which Co an account of the Despard ht before he returned to his hotel As he went into the hall he saw a stranger sitting there in a lounging attitude reading the Sydney _News_
He was a thin, sn air, and quick, restless manner His features were small, a heavy beard and mustache covered his face, his broas low, and his eyes black and twinkling A sharp, furtive glance which he gave at Brandon attracted the attention of the latter, for there was solance that meant more than idle curiosity
Even in the midst of his cares Brandon's curiosity was excited He walked with assu for the key of his rooed down the coluole_” --Cigole! the naular associations
Had this man still any connection with Potts? The words of his father's letter rushed into his mind--”His aruard Watch every one He has sohts in his mind Brandon went up to his room
CHAPTER III
”A MAN OVERBOARD!”