Dyke Darrel the Railroad Detective Part 52

"Diniz, is it really you? Have you brought me any news?" she asked eagerly.

Sampayo took her outstretched hand and kissed it reverently.

"Yes," he said softly; "good news."

"What is it? Tell me!"

"I have discovered the man who, I think, struck the blow by instigation of the real murderer. Until he is taken I can do nothing further."

"But who is he? How did you find him?"

"He is a poor fisherman, named Jarima, and it was through a young Jewess, Phenee's grandchild, to whom the poignard was sold, I found him."

"That was very good of her to help you."

"It was, indeed. The whole morning she has searched with me for the man, and at last our labor was rewarded. To-morrow Jarima will be under arrest."

As the words left his lips, a sudden movement amongst the trees startled them.

"I am sure that was some one," Lianor cried, turning pale, and clasping Diniz's arm.

Satzavan glided noiselessly away, but soon returned to say no one had pa.s.sed by.

Possibly the noise was occasioned by the wind rustling through the leaves.

"Very likely," Lianor said quietly, "though it made me nervous.

Suppose any one overheard us?"

"Rest a.s.sured, dear, that nothing now can come between me and my revenge. But, Lianor, is it true you are betrothed to Tonza?"

"Yes, Diniz, it is true. Papa has commanded me to accept him. I hate him; but now poor Luiz is dead, I care not who becomes my husband,"

hopelessly.

"I wish it were other than Tonza, Lianor. I cannot trust him; nor will I believe but what he had a hand in Luiz's death."

"That is what I think, but papa says it is only fancy; Manuel is too upright to do such a treacherous thing."

A silvery laugh broke suddenly on the silence which had fallen between them, and Savitre, leaning lightly on Panteleone's arm, stood before them.

The rajah's young widow made a strange contrast to Lianor, gay with rich colors.

Judging from Panteleone's ardent gaze, he, at least, saw some beauty in the dusky, changing face.

"What, Sampayo! I did not know you were here," the young man cried gladly, seizing Diniz's hand in a warm grip. "Have you brought good news?"

"Yes, better than I expected," Diniz answered; and briefly recounted the success which had attended his morning's search.

"I do not wish to meet your father to-night, Lianor; until this business is settled, I could not enter into any amus.e.m.e.nt. First, I will go to Henrique Ferriera, the magistrate, and arrange with him about Jarima's capture."

"But you will come to-morrow, will you not--to tell me the result?"

Lianor asked anxiously.

"a.s.suredly; unless anything serious prevents me."

"Thank you," she murmured gratefully.

A kind hand-pressure from all, and Sampayo walked quickly away; while Lianor, her heart somewhat lightened by this news, returned to her father's guests with Satzavan.

Savitre would have followed, but Panteleone held her back with a few whispered words, and, nothing loth, the little widow sauntered with him through the shady grounds, apart from the rest.

"Savitre," Leone said suddenly, "would you be willing to leave your country--to go with me to Portugal?"

Savitre gazed at him in some wonderment.

"Surely you are not thinking of leaving India?" she cried, a sudden anxiety dawning in her dark eyes.

"Yes; my father wishes me to return, and as soon as Lianor is married we are going."

The girl remained silent; only a few pearly tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Savitre, dearest one, do not weep! Would it be so dreadful for you to quit the country?"

"It is not that," with a stifled sob; "but I had not thought of your leaving us, or the friendship between us being broken."

"Nor will it, my darling! Don't you understand? I love you too dearly to give you up; I want you to be my wife, so that none can part us.

Say my hopes are not all in vain!"

A vivid flush mantled the clear, dark skin, and the l.u.s.trous eyes drooped in confusion.

"You really mean that? You love me, a girl who is not even of your own kind?"

"I love you with all my heart and soul. Ever since the day when It drew you half-fainting from off the already lighted pile, I have felt my affection growing deeper and deeper, until it has absorbed my whole being. My happiness is never complete unless I am near you. Tell me, darling, that you return my love!" "How could I help but love you--you who saved my life? Oh, Leone, you cannot think how proud I am at being chosen by you before all others!"

With a joyous exclamation, Panteleone drew her to his breast, pressing pa.s.sionate kisses on her brow, cheeks, and lips, his heart thrilling with rapture at the realization of his dreams.

CHAPTER IV.

The next morning a small band of soldiers, headed by Henrique Ferriera, wound their way toward the humble home of Jarima.

On arriving, they found to their astonishment the door fastened close, and no one to answer their knock.

"Never mind, break it down," Henrique said, roughly.

In obedience a few heavy blows fell on the woodwork, which soon gave way beneath their force.