A Successful Shadow Part 8
You’re reading novel A Successful Shadow Part 8 online at LightNovelFree.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit LightNovelFree.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy!
"I never did."
"She is a very beautiful girl."
"Then you are acquainted with her?"
"I saw her at the Richards' home."
"What sort of folks are these Richards people?"
Wagner made no immediate answer, but after a moment he said:
"I am only slightly acquainted with you. Remember, we first met last night; I do not feel at liberty to give you my confidence. I wish I could, for at this moment I need a friend. I have been sadly villified, I know, and there is a false impression concerning me in some quarters.
I do not deserve to be misunderstood in this way, for I never did a dishonorable act in my life."
"Although we only met last night, August, you can trust me--yes, trust me as freely as though I were your own brother. Tell me about yourself."
The young German meditated a few moments and then said:
"I am really the brother of a baron. The baron is unmarried and has been, so I have been informed, stricken with a fatal disease. My brother has lived a very reckless life; he has mortgaged our family estates beyond their market value. To-day should he die I would become the baron, but alas! only an empty t.i.tle would come to me. I came to America intending to win and woo some wealthy heiress. In Paris I met the Richards family. To me they have always appeared honorable enough, but I will admit that I have heard stories to the contrary. Mr. Richards has a daughter living in Paris--" and here the young man suddenly stopped.
"Go on," said our hero.
"Do not think me egotistical if I tell the truth."
"Certainly not; I see you are not an egotistical man."
"I am not, although the second son of a baron who was descended from a long line of barons. I have known poverty all my life. My brother, the present baron, is twice my age, and he had involved the estates as prospective heir before I was born, and when he came into possession he finished them up. No, I am not proud in one way, and I will tell the truth. I know that the Richards family, who appear to have a great deal of money, desired to have me marry their daughter. I could not do so."
"Why not?"
"I did not love her, and she is not a true type of the American girl. I crossed in the same steamer with the Richards family, and they are about the only people with whom I have been intimate since my arrival here, and--" Again the young man stopped shortly, and the detective urged:
"Proceed, tell me the whole story; you will not regret it."
"I have reason to believe that while the Richards family have been very kind to me, for reasons of their own they have circulated the stories about me. They have recognized me at their social gatherings, but I have evidence that they have given out that I am a pretense."
"Have you suspected their motive?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"They do not wish me to meet with recognition outside of themselves.
They are determined that I shall marry their daughter; I never will."
It was the detective's turn to meditate, and we will here state that he believed the young man had told him the truth. He had brought his logical mind to bear upon the circ.u.mstances and had arrived at a conclusion. After a moment he said:
"I am very much obliged to you for trusting me, but there is something you have held back."
"I believe I have told you all."
"No, I am a sort of mind-reader, and I have discerned something that you have not told me."
"Then you have a suspicion?"
"Yes."
"What do you suspect?"
"I suspect that you know something concerning the disappearance of the young lady who was acting as governess in the Richards family."
CHAPTER V.
A STARTLING BETRAYAL--THE CUTENESS OF THE DETECTIVE---SUGGESTIONS THROUGH A WORD--THE BODY IN THE BRUSH-WOOD--JACK LAYS A SCHEME--SADDEST OF ALL CONCLUSIONS.
Young Wagner smiled sadly and answered:
"I cannot go into that matter."
"But you do not understand me."
"I do not?"
"No."
"How so?"
"That man who interrupted us is a detective."
"Well?"
"He suspects that you are an abductor."
The young man started, and after a moment said:
"If that is true it is the Richards family who have thrown the suspicion around me."
"Then they must have had a purpose?"
"Certainly."
"And you know their purpose?"
"It is in line with what I have told you."
A Successful Shadow Part 8
You're reading novel A Successful Shadow Part 8 online at LightNovelFree.com. You can use the follow function to bookmark your favorite novel ( Only for registered users ). If you find any errors ( broken links, can't load photos, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible. And when you start a conversation or debate about a certain topic with other people, please do not offend them just because you don't like their opinions.
A Successful Shadow Part 8 summary
You're reading A Successful Shadow Part 8. This novel has been translated by Updating. Author: Harlan Page Halsey already has 500 views.
It's great if you read and follow any novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest novel everyday and FREE.
LightNovelFree.com is a most smartest website for reading novel online, it can automatic resize images to fit your pc screen, even on your mobile. Experience now by using your smartphone and access to LightNovelFree.com
- Related chapter:
- A Successful Shadow Part 7
- A Successful Shadow Part 9