"
"I must have some guarantee."
"I can give no guarantee until I know more."
"Oh, what shall I do?" exclaimed the woman.
"Trust me; trust in my honor."
A moment the beautiful lady meditated and then said:
"Yes, I will trust you. I can do nothing else."
"I do not think you will have reason to regret trusting me."
"My father lives in Massachusetts. He is an engraver. My brother
inherited a marvelous talent for engraving, but he detested the
employment. He went into other business, and met a very beautiful and
accomplished girl. He was to be married when he lost his position. It
maddened him, and in a desperate moment he fell in with one of the
members of this gang. He was beguiled into betraying the fact of his
wonderful skill as an engraver. He had no idea at the time of offering
his services, but they induced him to show them a specimen of his
handiwork. Then they offered him splendid inducements to join them,
promising him a fortune. He was dazzled; he saw a way to win a fortune
and his bride, and he yielded to the temptation. He has produced some
wonderful plates. I do not believe his equal lives on the face of the
earth at his craft."
The story told by the woman was probable and reasonable, and it did
appear that our hero was about to secure men and evidence in a most
strange, remarkable, and complete manner.
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