THE SMUGGLER'S CAPTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1897, Page 3

THE SMUGGLER'S CAPTIVE.

ST SEWARD W. HOPKINS.

Author of 'Euamebt'o Girl,* 'The Filibusters

of Venesmala,' etc.

CHAPTER XXXV. THE FORTUNE AT LAST. While Sinclair and Turner were absent from America, events wore happening in Ne-v York w{th great rapidity. The greed and heartleseneaa of Clara Danman and her son Goode and the hatred existing betwoen the two sisters, Clara Donman and Ada La Tour, had combined to bring about) a crisis that was as startling as ib was unusual. Within a week after tho young men, in company with Hermanico, tho nephew of the heroic FatUer Manuel, had left for the Island of Talerodo, Clara and Charles Goodo bad had a private conference concerning the vast; fortune of Alice Demnan, which still lay untouched, owing to the upright spirits of George Daiitnaa, her uncle. * The thing must be done at once, if it is done ab all,' eaid Clara uo her noble aon. 1 The fortune is there, and all that keeps it from our hands in that dolt of a husband of mine. 1 know that his will is so mado that all comoß to me ab his death. The four millions now in the hands of Lawyer Dalwrangle, ab Ufcica, are in reality, in the eyes of the law, George Denmaa'e. By his persistent refusal bo touch it, he may keep it from us until Alice Denraan is found.' 'I know all that,' replied Goode, impatiently. • You have told me all theao things a few hundred times. Now why don't'you go on and tell me that the law recognises ab tho present time no Alice Denmun bub tha dead one, and that if George Dentnan should die before the real Alice Denrnan was found, tho fortune would come to you. I'vo bad thab dinned into my ears so often tbab I begin to sing it in my sleep. If we are going bo do anything, for Heaven's sake why don't we do ib ?' 'Thab i<* wbai I am coming to,' said Clara. ' I have noticed a change in George lately thab loads me to believe thab he has received some information concerniitg Alice. He does nob tell me what ib is, and I don't believe he has bold anyone. If he dies now, the eoarch for her would probably cease, and we would be lefb in undisputed possession of the fortune.' 'No doubt,' eaid Goode. • How are you going to do it?' "St ! Don'b speak bo loud. You are too careless, Charles. Yon know thab George has a slight heart trouble, something like that which carried off his brother so suddenly. Ib is hereditary in his family. Of course, he is younger than Jamas was ab tha time of his death, and has nover had so violent an attack as some thab James had during the last few years of his,life. But ho has consulted his physician about it, and thab opons the way for us. Tho sudden death nowadays of a man whoso hearb is diseased awakes no great interest. It is of too frequent occurrence.' ' Well,' said Goode, aa Clara paused, • what of it?' 4 George must die—and soon.1 ' Very well. Whenever you are ready I am.' For a day or two everything passed as usual in the Denman household. Mr Denmau wsa met at the dinner-table by a smiling wife, and Charles seemed to be turning over a new leaf, he was so much as home. Bub this was bub the calm before the storm. On the surface they were smiling and calm, bub inwardly they were burning with murderous deaire, and the man upon whom they smiled so affectionately was she victim of their devilish purpose. One nigbb George catno home from a lodge-meeting feeling ill. A companion accompanied him bo tho door. Clara mob thorn, and with, earnest solicitation for his welfare helped her husband to his bed, where, after taking a drop of medicine from a vial be always carried, ho sank into a deep slumber. Late that night, when all the house was still, two stealthy figures crept into George Denman's room and hovered over his sleeping and unconecious form. After a long scrutiny, one of these forms nodded to the other to signify that ib wo a time. A white cloth, held in long, white fingers, fell around George Denman's throat. A strong, firm prossura was pub upon ib. The sleeping man gaspad—woke —opened his eyes—and saw cho face of his treacherous wife above him. 1 C-clara!' he gasped. « Mur-doress ! •Tighter !' whispered Clara, in a shrill whistle, and the grip on Denm»n'a throat became stronger. He struggled, bub his strength had gone before he woke. IJia glassy eyes looked up into the faces of tho two fiends who were murdering him, in at mute appeal for mercy. But whab mercy cowld he expect, when his death would place them in possession of the Denmen million?? A gurgling soniftd came from the open lips. The musclois grew less rigid. He struggled no more. ' He is dead J* whispered Clara. • Heavenß 1 What is that?' exclaimed Goode, as a stream |of blood issued from the murdered man's lips and web his hands. ' Tho blood of a fool,' said Clara heartlessly. For a time they Waited. Goods washed his hands. •He is surely gone,' said Clara. •Go in the greatest hurry and excitement for the doctor.' Goode needed no coaching. They had laid their plans well. Ho knew every step that was expected of him. Leaving his mother by her husband's bedside, he rnshod from tha house. Doctor Walling was Denman'a physician. Hti was awakened from his woll-eamec elumbars by a violent ringing of his bell. | « What is it ?' be aeked, hurrying to the door. • For Eeaveu'a sake, doctor, come at once!1 said Goode, in breathless excitement. • Denman is very ill,' • Wait) a minute j I'll bo with yon,' replied tha physician. In a short time he appeared, dressed for the sbreeb, and together the physician and the murderer ran through the skreots to Danman's house. By fchaS time the servants j wore aroused. The fronb door was unlocked. Doctor Walling ruehed up the steps. ' Where is ho?' aaked the physician of a eervanb standing.in the hall. I In hia room upstairs, sir,' replied the servant. ' Hie wife is with him.' Up went Walling in a few bounds. Ciara was kneeling by tho bedside, weepins and crying out to her husband to speak to her. When she heard Walling enter, she rose and rushed to him. 'My husband, my darling husband 1' she cried, Beamingly in an agony of distress. •He does not epssk to mo I Oh, doctor, koll me, oh tell me that he is nob dead 1 He must nob die ! Oh, George, George 1' The phyeisian calmed her and stepped to the bedside. After a shore examination he turned and eaid, sadly : I 1 am sorry, Mrs Penman. lam too

'Oh ! Oh 1 You don't mean that he is dead V screamed Clara. ' Oh, Heaven ! What will beconxo.of me?' 4 Mother, be cs* m !' said Charles ; in reBponse to which admonition Clara went off into hysterics, and Charles plied her with water and wine, aa» finally put her to bed. Doctor Walling' asked a few questions, which Goode te&rJEully answered, and then lefb. > True to the prediction of Clara, Denman's death created no fctir. Of coarse, the usual ridiculous coroner's inquest waa held. Ib was satisfactorily shown that Demnan was a sick man, and had been in tha habib of keeping powerful medicines always on hand. Tho companion who had taken him home from the lodge ratified as to his condition ab the time. ' Death from natural causes,' was £he verdict^ and the only barrier between Clara Deninan and a fortune of four millions was removeo*. (To be continued.)