The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

74 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. poured out the sparkling wine, “ with the house of Grindem and Company, since one partner, who 1s avarice itself, parts with his money, freely, and the other, who is as proud as Lucifer, acts so conde- scendingly.”’ ‘* Your health, sir.”’ “Thank you, Marjoram. By-the-bye, of course you know everybody in the town?’ observed the merchant. | “ Everybody, sir.” “ Rich or poor,” added Gilbert. “ Rich or poor,” repeated the officer. “ Then, doubtless, you are acquainted with a fellow named Tim’s Dick ?”’ ‘The officer almost started from his chair with sur- prise ; both partners, it seemed, were on the same scent. “ Decidedly,” he thought, “there must be some- thing up.”” He answered only with a quiet “ Yes, sir.” ‘‘ T have reason to believe,” returned the great man, “ that a mad clerk of mine has intrusted to his care certain papers.” “ Of any value ?” “‘ Not the least.” “ Both in the same tale !” thought the officer. > continued Grindem, “ to the ‘¢ But of importance,’ firm, in settling our accounts. The fellow denies this ; but I am certain of the fact. My object im sending for you is to consult how to obtain them.” ‘“¢ Privately ?” demanded the man. COniiclooecl SS (SO