The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWIN DETECTIVES. 85 vwn room he heard a movement in his mother’s. He hid the envelope which he had just drawn from his pocket. He heard his mother get out of bed and lock the door. ‘““'Too late!” he said to himself, in triumph. ‘‘'T’oo late, old lady!. You are locking the stable after the steed is stolen!” | When all was quiet once more, Hall took the envelope out. He locked and bolted his door, and opened the papers out on his table. There lay the written statement of ‘‘ Gilbert Scott West, and Mary Ellen West, his wife, that Archibald Leonard Cuthbert, otherwise known as the Earl of Cuthbert, and Helen Ross, had lived together as man and wife, in their house at No. — Windsor street, Edinburgh, Scotland, and that there had been born to them a son on March 9th, 18—, who had been baptized at St. Matthew’s Church, in {the same parish, on the 22d day of May, 18—, by the name of Archibald Cuthbert, by the Reverend Alexander Garrack.” This paper was duly signed, and ‘was, according to Scot- tish law, ample proof of his mother’s marriage, and his legal right to the title of the Earl of Cuthbert. Hall’s hands trembled with joy as he gloated over the paper. He next examined his baptismal register. It was all in order, and could be proved by referring to the church register of the date mentioned. He would destroy that other paper and shine forth before the world—an earl! In another moment the only evidence against him would be destroyed. Leia He opened the envelope to take it out. Already in his mind it was consigned to the flames. It was not there! He turned sick and cold from disappointment. ‘COMIGDOOKS. co , ‘ 2 : 44 m i J - v4