Diamond Dick, Jr.: The Boys' Best Weekly — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

DIAMOND DICK, JR. OUT OF SIGHT. 7 He had himself well in hand for any- thing that might be sprung upon him, and this did not cause him to turn a hair. “Glad to find that you know me, Mr. Humphryes,’’? he said, giving his hand. “Tt will save the bother of explaining and will assure you that I am of the right sort.”’ | “Oh, yes, we have heard of you, sir. My friends, let me introduce Diamond Dick, Jr., one of the most fearless and re- lentless detectives of the day. Iam proud to be honored by his presence here, and we must do our best to make his stay a pleasant one.”’ The others each had something to say, as they came forward and were introduced individually, and the master of the man- sion called for more wine and cigars, and Bertie was pressed to join him and the others in the conviviality,<which he did, of course. ‘*So, it was curiosity brought you here, was it??? Mr. Humpliryes presently ob- served. ‘Curiosity, pure and simple,’’ Bertie answered. ‘‘I only recently learned about your splendid retreat up here in the motintains, and thought I would pay you a visit.” ‘Glad you did, sir. Of course, I can’t show you the place by night, but you will reinain over for a day or two or three, during which time I will show you every foot of it, and then we’ll see what you think of my little paradise.’’ ‘That is what I desire,’’ said Bertie. ‘After hearing so much about the place, I could not be satisfied till I came here. Among other things, they tell me that you have a glass observatory on one of the high peaks near by; I must not miss seeing that.”? “Tam afraid that you will be disap- pointed,’’ said Mr. Hupmhryes. ‘‘lt is true that I brought glass here for such a purpose, but the clumsy workmen broke the plates almost as fast as I could ship them here until at last I became disgusted and gave up the project. I have made a sinall conservatory, which I will show you, but the rest of the glass lies out there at the bottom of the lake——”? Crash! At that instant the table was over- turned. One of the guests had leaned too far back in his chair, and lost his balance. In trying to save himself, he caught his foot under the table with the result nained, saving himself, but demolishing the bottle and glasses that were on the table. He began offering apology at once, but Mr. Humphryes would not hear him, and in response to a touch of a buttona couple of lackies came in quickly and began to clear up the ruins. It looked as if it had been an accident pure and simple. But, had it? Bertie, in stooping to pick up some- thing in the shape of a card which had fallen close to lis feet, caught a meaning olance given Mr. Humphryes by the man who had done the dainage. It was as quick as a flash, but it was a look full of intense caution, and Mr. Humhpreys responded to it by a frown that was as fierce as it was quick; all of which gave Bertie something to think about, and the card he had picked up added something more. It was a photograph of himself, stand- ing in the glare of strong lights with a background of rock on either side of him which the crossing rays of light revealed; one hand shielding his eyes from the glare. He recognized the scene instantly, and knew when and where the picture must have been taken—it was something to set him to thinking indeed. But he evinced no surprise, simply laying the card on the righted table with the remark: ‘Rather a novel way you have of see- ing your callers before they get here, Mr. Humphryes. ‘That was quick work, get- ting my picture in advance of the orig- inal.’? Bertie was looking straight at his host, but at the samme time he could see the others exchanging looks with one an- other. ‘Tt is not that,’? said Mr. Humphryes, calmly. “It is my way of keeping from being imposed upon by idlers who might try to get in here to bore me to death— particularly newspaper men, who ate: not wanted and not allowed inside the wall.” “That being the case, I feel all the more honored at having been admitted.’’ conniclooolks CO