Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIV. THE MYSTERY OF ROBERT RUDD IS SOLVED. JJUGO RICHMOND was in good spirits. All seemed working in his favor. He had got rid of Robert, the rightful heir, and escaped paying Fitzgerald the money he had agreed to pay him. Now his uncle, whose feeble hold on life had so long kept him from the coveted inheritance, seemed getting weaker and weaker every day. He was not positively sick, but he was sad and despondent; his appetite had failed, and he was more thin and shadowy than ever. The wicked nephew could hardly conceal his exultation as he looked on the feeble old man, and calculated how few weeks he probably had to live. "Yes," he said to himself, "Chestnntwood will soon be mine. And then--then I will take care to be repaid for the slavery of the last eight years." Old Mr. Richmond could not read the nephew's heart, nor did he suspect his baseness. He thought him sincerely devoted to his interests. "A gentleman to see yon, sir," announced the servant, interrupting one of Hugo's day dreams. "Who is it?" "I don't know, sir; but I think he has been here before." When Hugo entered the drawing-room and saw Fitzgerald, he stopped short with a frown. "You here f" he said. "Yes, I am here," answered the other proudly. "You might as well have stayed away. If you think you can levy any black-mail you are mistaken." "I expect nothing of the kind." "Probably you don't want any money?" said Hugo, sneering. "Not from you," answered Fitzgerald, eying him steadily. "You don't want money?" exclaimed Hugo, in genuine surprise. "No, though I have no doubt you would be very glad to give me a large sum." "You are quite mistaken. I suspect you are drunk." "That is where you are mistaken." "What is your object in coming, then? Is this a friendly...