To this day Beatrice cannot make out how events transacted themselves. That Samuel Flower had left nothing when his debts came to be paid she knew perfectly well. She also had to bewail the fact that she had not a single relative in the world. It was Uzali who, some time after he had taken possession of Maldon Grange, gave the plausible explanation of Wilfrid's sudden accession to fortune. He talked freely about concessions, of mineral wealth in his own country which he had shared with Russell and Mercer. He hinted at the marvellous way in which the venture had turned out.
"Prince Uzali says you have been speculating," Beatrice said with an attempt at sternness in her voice the next time she had an opportunity of being alone with Wilfrid. "Isn't that very dreadful of you? To have a husband who speculates----"
"I only speculated once in my lifetime," Wilfrid laughed, "and that was so far as you are concerned. And if one speculation only turns out as good as the other, I shall have no cause to be dissatisfied. But how much longer are you going to keep me waiting, Beatrice? We have a superfluity of this world's goods and there is nothing between us now. Besides, my mother has quite set her heart upon seeing you----"
"In that case," Beatrice said mischievously as she glanced up in her lover's face, "there is no more to be said. I should never dream of doing anything to annoy your mother."
Author of "The Five Knots," "The Slave of Silence," "The Midnight Guest," etc.
A tremendously interesting novel.--_Boston Courier_.
A strong story, one with a well-made plot. He holds his readers from start to finish.--_Baltimore Sun_.
A thrilling episode of courage and romance which sensationally opens the story.--_Philadelphia North-American_.
A stirring story of mystery and adventure. It fairly teems with complications and surprises.--_St. Louis Republic_.
For a spirited tale in which there is constant action, "The Nether Millstone" is ahead of anything published this year.--_Boston Traveler_.
Fred M. White is now regarded as a rival of Oppenheim.--_New York Times_.
Author of "The Crimson Blind," "The Corner House," etc.
A combination of detective story, mystery, and romance that will interest even the most blasé of novel readers.--_Springfield_ (Mass.) _Union_.