The Dugdale Millions — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

% 144 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “T am forced to the conclusion, sir, that young Dugdale has been found,’’ replied Dick firmly. ‘‘T do not know that it is at all singular that a child born twenty-seven years ago should be found alive to-day,’” remarked Mr. Hetlow thoughtfully, as if in answer to a question he had asked himself. “‘T suppose, from the manner of your statement,’’ said Mr. Stanton, ‘‘you have attempted to give usa literal description of your interview with Pierson, and in the same order as it took place?’’ “Ves,” replied Dick, “so far as my memory has permitted me, I have given you an exact statement of the interview.”’ “Then it would appear, before you had declared the purpose of your question, he had given you a state- ment of all the facts of which he was possessed, lead- ing to the conclusion that Harold Pierson was young Dugdale?’’ pursued the lawyer. EES. ‘It appears to be conclusive,’’ returned the lawyer. “The fact I note would seem to make it so. Yet, does it not seem singular to you—this readiness of Pierson to yield up the information without a single question, and as well, his remarkable lack of curiosity as to your motives in the inquiry?”’ ‘‘Isn’t that to be explained by his remark at the close of the interview, that he had always expected that something in the way of a legacy would turn up some time for the child he had adopted?” “Perhaps! answered _Mr, Stanton doubttully Did» you give him your nanver I domt. recellece that you did in your statement?”’ Dick turned to the lawyer in astart of surprise. The fact flashed upon him that he had given Pierson neither his name nor that of the person whom he represented. He told Mr. Stanton so. ‘It is certainly very remarkable,’’ continued the lawyer. ‘“‘It argues marvelous possession of self- ’ Comicboolkkxs C@ 3} g