The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

52 THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. the basket, and fastening the string await further developments. Hammond mechanically puts the vial away in his pocket, looking at me in a dazed state. I am conscious of exercising some influence upon his actions, perhaps serving as a counter-irritant, and for this lam glad. If Hammond were in his ordinary health, he would never give up to me like this, for he has been known as a leader among men. “Now, sir, while we wait for the stuff to work— and I think the quantity you gave the cat will start operations in a few minutes—I desire to tell you some plain truths. “My employer, Colonel. Acton: is on board this train, deeply interested in your case. There are, Basis. two English gentlemen traveling for pleas- ure—one I believe isa nobleman-—who will swear to you that this man you know as Larz Andrews is a rascal of the first water—a confidence man ready to take any risk for a fortune.” I can see his face show signs of trouble, “Poor Evangeline!” I hear him mutter; “if this should prove true, it will be a sad blow to your pride. We must keep it a secret, if it turns out as represented.” I hardly know what to say or think. There are none so blind as those who will not see: How fool- ishly he deludes himself with the idea that one could be innocent while the other is guilty. ‘Still, that is one of the follies of a woman’s witchcraft—the man who loves her sees nothing wrong in the object of -his worship. “Mr. Hammond, have you recently purchased any medicine?” I ask. | : comicbooks