Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Man with the Watches
Mymotherhadspokenwithhim,andwhatshesaidhadtouchedhim,forshehadalwaysbeenthebestofmotherstohimandhehadbeenthegreatsorrowofherlife.ButIknewthatthismanSparrowMacCoyhadagreatinfluenceoverEdwardandmychanceofkeepingtheladstraightlayinbreakingtheconnectionbetweenthem.IhadafriendintheNewYorkdetectiveforce,andthroughhimIkeptawatchuponMacCoy.When,withinafortnightofmybrother’ssailing,IheardthatMacCoyhadtakenaberthintheEtruria,IwasascertainasifhehadtoldmethathewasgoingovertoEnglandforthepurposeofcoaxingEdwardbackagainintothewaysthathehadleft.InaninstantIhadresolvedtogoalso,andtopitmyinfluenceagainstMacCoy’s.Iknewitwasalosingfight,butIthought,andmymotherthought,thatitwasmyduty.Wepassedthelastnighttogetherinprayerformysuccess,andshegavemeherownTestamentthatmyfatherhadgivenheronthedayoftheirmarriageintheOldCountry,sothatImightalwayswearitnextmyheart.
"Iwasafellow-traveller,onthesteamship,withSparrowMacCoy,andatleastIhadthesatisfactionofspoilinghislittlegameforthevoyage.TheveryfirstnightIwentintothesmoking-room,andfoundhimattheheadofacard-table,withahalfadozenyoungfellowswhowerecarryingtheirfullpursesandtheiremptyskullsovertoEurope.Hewassettlingdownforhisharvest,andarichoneitwouldhavebeen.ButIsoonchangedallthat.
