The Argosy, Vol. XXIII

This issue of The Argosy from June 1877 contains "Gabriel's Appointment," Chapter XVI: "How Lucy Took a Warning, and Alice a Likeness." The narrative follows Lucy Pyne and her sister Grace, both servants in a London household. Lucy visits elderly Mr. Martin with food, where he warns her of rumors concerning Grace's evening activities and urges vigilance. Later, Joel Treherne, another servant, hints cryptically to Lucy about dangerous enemies pursuing his master for mysterious lockets worn as protection. Lucy becomes alarmed when Grace returns from an unexplained errand in a distressed state, determined to leave London immediately. The chapter concludes as the narrative shifts upstairs, where an invalid patient named Gabriel has begun receiving visits from two women—Edith and Alice—against his caretaker Miss Thirza's wishes, in a subplot involving romantic interest.