A Daughter of Delilah — page 204: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A FATHER’S THREAT. 195 ‘‘Tam having every port watched and a general alarm has been sent to all the police stations in New York and Brooklyn. ’’ ‘‘T have news for you,’’ Edgar remarked at length. ‘‘My father meditates matrimony.’’ ‘Good Heaven! no!”’ ‘Yes, and there is some mystery about the bride-elect. None of us will be permitted to see her until the ceremony has been performed. If Minnie and I welcome the lady with open arms, my father promises each a fortune, and will never more interfere with our actions. He even ac- cepts you as his future son-in-law, providing you prove your innocence of the crime with which you are charged. ¥ ‘The latter part is welcome news, anyway,’’ Edward re- plied, with a faint smile. ‘“‘But you don’t think the old . gentleman is in his dotage, do you? Marriage at his time of life and mystery! Well, it never rains but it pours. You can’t afford to run counter to his wishes, because he will have his way all the same. Secure the cash, old man, or it may all go to the new wife. . Now, to clear myself, and all will be straight sailing!”’ At that moment the door was pushed softly open, and Detective Nathaniel Hawkley appeared. ‘‘Gentlemen,’’ he said, “I have heard a part of your conversation, and it has interested me greatly. We are on the eve of a great discovery.’ Edgar shook him warmly by the hand, saying: ‘Thank the fates that you escaped with your life, Hawk- ley.’”’ 7 ‘Tt was a close shave, sir, but by Heaven, I’ll have ater- rible revenge! I have splendid recuperative powers, and ‘GOMmIGDOOKS (E@)