The Dugdale Millions — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

298 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. of Dick, Mr. Hetlow was ceremoniously polite, formai, cold, and precise. They were hardly seated when Harold Pierson drove up to the door. A moment later he was announced in the library. There was nothing to be noticed in his manner differing from that which had marked it on previous occasions. Noting upon the face of Dick marks of his previous day’s experience he inquired if Dick had met with an accident. Mr. Stanton broke in, before Dick could reply, with the remark : ‘‘Nothing less than an attempt at murder.” If it was his intention to throw Harold Pierson off his guard he signally failed. With an assumption of extreme solicitude Harold inquired anxiously for the particulars, manifested deep interest in the recital, expressed detestation over the deed, and wondered what could be the motive of it. Mr. Stanton, with increased sharpness and asperity of tone, said: ‘We connect it with an event which has absorbed a great deal of our thought and time.” Harold Pierson looked at him wonderingly, and with the air of a man too polite to inquire as to the the meaning of his speech so purposely guarded. Mr. Hetlow prevented further conversation in this direction by saying to young Pierson that he had re- ceived his note, and was ready to look at the proof which he had asked to submit. The young man thereupon took from his pocket a package, which he laid on the table before him, say- ing: “T do not know how you will regard this, but it seems to me far more important than anything I have yet laid before you. I think it is well worthy your consideration ; my counsel insists that it is well- nigh, if not wholly, conclusive. If the comparison which I desire to make is permitted me, and the proof should stand the test of such comparison, I Comicboolkkxs C@ 3