The Mission of Poubalov — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

32 CLARA’S SEARCH BEGINS. ‘‘T’d like to see the papers, uncle’’ she said after re- sponding to his greetings. Mr. Pembroke glanced nervously at his Waughter, and laid his hand irresolutely on the pile. ‘*‘T am afraid you won’t find anything of comfort in them, my dear,’’ he said. ‘‘No matter,’’ she replied, ‘‘I don’t expect to. Don’t try to keep them from me. I shall get them later if I do not read them now.”’ Mr. Pembroke passed them all to her except one which he opened and pretended to read himself. He had already been through it, and he did not intend, if he could help it, that she should see if. Clara intently read the account of the interrupted wed- ding in the first paper she took up, pausing only once to exclaim, ‘‘Then the reporters were here last evening !’’ ‘*Yes,’’ said Mr. Pembroke, ‘‘they were coming and go- ing until long after midnight.’’ ‘*T almost wish I could have seen some of them,’’ mur- mured Clara as she continued to read. The report told with fair accuracy about the break-down at Park and Tremont Streets and the explanation of it given by the stableman. Mrs. White was quoted, and as much as the reporter could imagine was made of the visit to Strobel by the mysterious stranger. Then there were interviews with the missing num’s employers, State Street bankers, and the highly gratifying intelligence was set forth that there was no reason to suppose that Strobel had tampered with the funds or in any way betrayed his trust. Clara blushed with indignation as she read that the books would be ex- amined in the morning, with a view to discovering whether Strobel had been guilty of any irregularities. ‘The idea that Ivan should be suspected of dishonesty !’’ exclaimed Clara, laying the paper down and bay up another. "People will think a pblebise and ore we: her uncle, ‘‘and you must be prepared for the worst nua- tions and speculations.’’ 00 er ee