The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

66 THE TWIN DETECTIVES. “Fool! do you suppose I would bear the stigma if I could avoid vt?” ‘‘ But you can avoid it.” ‘¢ No; I cannot.” “But why?” «« Look here!” _ She drew another paper from the casket, and Archy read its contents from beginning to end. He laid it down with a trembling hand; great drops of perspiration ran down his face. ‘¢ And this man?” he asked, in hoarse accents. ‘‘Was alive when you were born.” ‘¢And you knew it?” ‘Not till afterward, so help me, Heaven!” she said, rais- ing her hand. ‘¢ Well, mother, as you say, I suppose it can’t be helped?” The way the words were spoken made them a question. ‘No; it cannot be helped,” she answered, replacing the papers in the casket and locking it. .** Then there is no more to be said.” He rose as he spoke to leave her. “No more.” ‘* Mother, you told McLean something the other night?” s* Yes.” ‘“Do you wish him to know the truth?” ‘““No; I forbid you to repeat one word of our con- versation.” ““Very well. I will obey you.” He returned to the deck, where he found Jean, looking particularly bright and beautiful. She sat absorbed in gloomy thoughts. Gomicbooks.co m 2)