Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 70: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DARKE DARRELL. — 61 Aunt Carlina led the interview, and she did so in a short, business-like way. ““ You have certain effects belonging to Mr. Cassandra,” she said. ““Which I should have accounted for sooner,” replied Darke. ‘‘I gave the check to the baggage-man, and the trunk has been delivered. Your niece has the pocket-book. Here are the watch and belt,” and he deposited them upon the little desk. ‘Did you open the belt?” Aunt Carlina asked. “IT was Leotine’s escort, at her request. I held those things in trust. The belt is as I found -it. Whatever was in it, when . loosened .it from about Mr. Cassandra’s waist, is in it now.’ Darke spoke the truth, only that he had taken a Cony. of the mysterious cipher. ‘*T believe you,” Aunt Carlina said. ‘ There i is another thing. We know your avocation, you know owrs, for you are no dolt. Now, we must be secured, foratime. You must make no move against us until the body of Mr. Cas- sandra has been received and interred. Agree to that, and you can depart in safety.” Darke debated; the proposition seemed fair enough. ‘TI could not do otherwise than respect the rights of the dead, and the wishes of the friends of the dead,” he slowly replied. ‘‘I grant you the time, not in the least intimi- dated by that last remark of yours.” «Then give us a written guarantee,” and the woman pointed to desk and chair. Darke glanced keenly at her. ‘©T have known persons to go back upon a verbal ntomtise who would scorn to go back upon a written one,” declared the woman. ‘‘ Write it out to suit yourself.” Tim Jordan was leaning against the marble mantel like a passive spectator. Gomilcbooks: co