“But when you have seen these lines you may never afterward see me. Heaven knows.
“I have written the foregoing confession to put it away, lest death take me unaware, leaving me no time to tell the true story as I only can tell it.
“Washington, April 18, 18—.
“The time has come. I have learned some facts. The villain who spoiled my life, and would have spoiled my daughter’s life, was not Angus Anglesea, my brother’s dearest friend, college mate, and fellow-officer, but an impostor bearing his likeness and wearing his name, and now waiting trial as a pirate and a slaver, and having for his mate and fellow-prisoner one whom you have known and cared for as Roland Bayard, but who is really Roland Glennon, my son.’
“No! I cannot meet you! When you have read these lines you will see me no more.”
CHAPTER XL
A STARTLING ENCOUNTER
When Abel Force had finished reading this manuscript he sat with it in his hand, thoughtfully gazing at the paper and almost involuntarily listening for any sound from the adjoining bedroom, where his wife lay in a very precarious condition.
At last he folded up the parcel and put it into his breast pocket, muttering to himself that he must keep it out of sight until he could get an opportunity to burn it.
Then he softly left the room and went and tapped gently at the door of his wife’s chamber.