Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

224 EXONERATED. Dick, quite undisturbed by his host’s manner, helped | himself to a cigar from the box on the mantel. ‘Control yourself, my boy,’’ he returned, tranquilly. ‘‘Don’t work yourself into a passion just yet. Wait until I have confided the facts of the case to you, and then we’ll see how angry you'll be.”’ Arthur’s frown faded partially, but his lower lip twitched. “When I’m through, possibly, you’ll conclude that if any one has a grievance in the matter,’’ proceeded Dick, coolly snipping the end off his cigar, ‘‘it is [.’’ ‘*T fail to comprehend——”’ “You will, though, all in due season,’’ announced the other, imperturbably, striking a match. ‘‘ Youth is so im- petuous, I’m about to honor you with a confidence fora change, but before [ commence I wish, first, to assure you of one thing, and that is, that never have I felt my faith in you shaken. You believe me?’’ Arthur nodded, but he was not yet appeased. ‘And, secondly, I ask you to inform me what terminated your love affair with Florence Delmar.’’ ‘‘Florence Delmar!’’ ejaculated Arthur. ‘‘Why, that was ages ago. What possible bearing can it have on this sub- ject? You are joking.’”’ ‘‘Leave that to me. It isfar from vulgar curiosity which prompts me to rake up this dead and probably almost for- gotten matter at this date. And you must see thatI am en- tirely serious.”’ ‘‘T must take your word for it, I suppose,’’ murmured Arthur, after a pause. | “You agree, then?’’ There was another pause, Gomichbooks-com