The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. 121 accomplice, having succeeded in getting me to make a will that left her all my property in case of death.” 66 Ah 1? ; Robert turns so white that I almost fear he is about to fall from his chair; but with a supreme effort he recovers. “Tam not quite myself yet,” he apologizes, with a poor attempt at smiling ; “what were you saying, Arthur—she tried to poison you?” “Yes, but her tool weakened and changed the glass, giving me a cleanone. Afterward he con- fessed on condition that I would not harm Gwendo- line, and I promised; but it opened my eyes and I saw the beautiful fiend in all her hideousness. I was cured of my folly then and there.” Robert is staggered by the similarity of the two cases. He seems uneasy. “Arthur, you spoke of having a picture of your wife with you,” he says, just as I fully expect. “Yes,” returns the other, quietly. “Would you mind letting me see it? I have reasons for asking. “Not at all, my dear boy. Impress it well on your mind, for it is the face of a deceiver, and woe betide the man who falls down before it to worship. I am not her only victim.” With that he slowly draws out the packet, and selecting the picture, holds it face downward as he hands it to Robert. I catch my breath and trust young Hammond will not makeascene. The others are watching him, Arthur eagerly, Therese anxiously. He turns it over. The beautiful face stares at him—it mocks his de- comicboo » ity f ! ; : p . Vey 4 ve * 2 “J 4 ih én a Mc 4 >. at a4, , yo) a a” ee a ~ 4 7 ws f bad a» or x a o Tus: ae iP. -— - . 26.) :