Page:The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.djvu/123

Rh millionaire looked haggard and ill, and there was a look of worry on his face.

"There is my daughter, Calton," he said, after hurried greetings had been exchanged. "She wants to be present in Court during Fitzgerald's trial, and nothing I can say will dissuade her."

Calton turned, and looked at the girl in some surprise.

"Yes!" she answered, meeting his look steadily, though her face was very pale; "I must be there. I shall go mad with anxiety unless I know how the trial goes on."

"But think of the disagreeable amount of attention you will attract," urged the lawyer.

"No one will recognize me," she said, calmly; "I am very plainly dressed, and I will wear this veil;" and, drawing one from her pocket, she went over to a small looking glass that was hanging on the wall and tied it on her face.

Calton looked in a perplexed manner at Mr. Frettlby.

"I'm afraid you must consent," he said.

"Very well," replied the other, almost sternly, while a look of annoyance passed over his face. "I will leave her in your charge."

"And you?"

"I'm not coming," answered Frettlby, quickly, putting on his hat. "I don't care about seeing a man whom I have had at my dinner-table in the prisoner's dock, much as I sympathize with him. Good-day;" and with a curt nod he took his leave.

When the door closed on her father, Madge placed her hand on Calton's arm.

"Any hope?" she whispered, looking at him through the black veil.

"The merest chance," answered Calton, putting his brief into his bag. "We have done everything in our power to discover this girl, but without effect. If she does not come at the eleventh hour I'm afraid Brian Fitzgerald is a doomed man."

Madge fell on her knees with a stifled cry.

"Oh, God of mercy," she cried, raising her hands as if in prayer, "save him. Save my darling, and let him not die for the crime of another. God——"

She dropped her face in her hands and wept convulsively, as the lawyer touched her lightly on the shoulder.