The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

~ 1S einai ia 2 cComicboo THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. 47 He drops beside me. “First of all, you are not a Quaker,” he says, with something of a sneer in his voice. “Tam not. Ispoke purposely in a way you could not mistake, for I desire that you know just who I am and why I am here.” | “Go on,” he says, biting his lips. “Mr. Hammond, you are accounted a sensible man in New York. and in the past have always been ready to listen to reason.” “T trust I am still,” he remarks. “T hope to Heaven you are, sir, for I have a most astonishing piece of intelligence to tell you, and one that might well tax the credulity of any person. You are being made the victim of a great con- spiracy, Mr. Hammond.” He frowns, and then laughs. | “Indeed! Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, I reckon. My worldly goods have tempted rascals before now to making an effort at my capture, look- ing to a ransom.” , “This time I am sorry to say they have well nig succeeded. There is a clique on board this train sworn to strip you of your wealth.” “Quite dramatic, that,” he says, nonchalantly. “Mr. Hammond, perhaps you will see the serious- ness of this matter when 1 swear to you that the man you call friend, Colonel Larz Andrews, is at the head of this clique.” - With that he scowls blackly. “Stop right where you are, sir. ‘You, an utter stranger, dare to accuse her father of such a vile business. I have half a mind——” “Mr, Hammond, I appeal to your good sense. I 7 \ ‘ G: | cS