The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 22 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARGOSY Dr. Hope was looking at Brad very searchingly, but the latter returned the gaze with a frankness that disarmed all suspicion. ‘* No, sir; I know absolutely nothing,” he answered. *‘What were you doing in the lavatory and passageway at such an hour?” asked Dr. Hope. Brad opened his eyes in surprise. '' Why, I came in answer to your orders, sir.”’ ‘“My orders?” exclaimed the doctor. ‘‘Yes, sir, yourletter. The letter I found on my bureau this afternoon.” Dr. Hope looked puzzled. ‘“There must be some mis- take here,’ he said. ‘* What letter do you mean?” Brad drew from his pocket the note he had received, and handed it to Dr. Hope. The latter examined it carefully under the light of the lamp, while Brad stood silently watching him. An involun- tary exclamation escaped Dr. Hope’s lips as he read the lines, and his face grew darker. ‘* Bradley,” he said gravely, when he had finished, ‘‘ this is even more serious than I at first imagined. You have been deceived. J did not write that note.” Brad started in amazement. **But,” he exclaimed. ‘it is your handwriting, sir!” “A clever imitation,” answered Dr. Hope, shaking his head—‘‘ a very clever imi- tation—a downright forgery. Mr. Prentice, be kind enough to read this note and com- pare it with the specimen you already have.” ‘“*And—and do you mean that you never wrote me any note—that you gave me no directions to meet you at eleven o'clock ?” asked Brad, unable to understand it all. Dr. Hope shook his head. ‘“The note is not mine,” he answered. ‘\I wasin New York today, which makes it seem genuine, but I returned on the 9:30 train ; and as for the rest of it—I had no reason to ask you to my office. I have not been to the schoolhouse this evening.” Then, for the first time, the whole force of the situation began to dawn upon Brad. The mysterious removal of the planks—the curious summons to the schoolhouse at a late hour of the night, when the passageway would be dark and chances of assistance small—it all became only too clear now. ‘Why, it was a diabolical plot on somebody's part to en- tice me down that passageway, so I should fall into that filthy hole,” he burst out excitedly. “ You have ample cause to feel grateful for so lucky an escape,’ remarked Mr. Prentice. ‘‘ You came very near being the victim of a mean, cowardly trick.” ~« But,” continued Brad impressively, unable to rid hintself of the horror of the thing, ‘I might have broken a leg, or THERE WAS AN EXCLAMATION OF ALARM AND o4] been frozen to death before I got any help. I don’t mind practical jokes—I’ve played them myselr often—but this is awful. It’s little short of crime.” ‘‘It zs crime,’’ answered Dr. Hope, pressing his lips to- gether firmly. ‘‘And what I don’t understand,” added Brad, ‘is, why any one should want to play me such a horrible, underhand trick as that. I didn’t think any one here was up to that TO THE FLOOR. THE LANTERN FELL kind of thing. What have I done to anybody to start him on a tack like that? I haven't any enemies—that is—at least —I mean ” “Hush!” interrupted Dr. Hope, anticipating him. no more. Suspect no one—at least, not at present.” Then taking up the note, Dr. Hope continued : ‘‘ Bradley, I wish yon to leave this letter with me. I am determined to sift this matter to the bottom, and I wish you to help me by saying nothing to anybody concerning it.” ‘But Perry Landon knows of the note—I showed it to him,” answered Brad. ‘“ Very well, I will speak to him about it,” said Dr. Hope. ‘“And be sure that you do not allude to the matter further at present. I have a particular reason for this silence.” ‘‘ But, sir,” continued Brad, ‘‘ the doubt, the suspense. I don’t know what to look for next.” “The doubt will not last long, I think,” said the doctor firmly. ‘*And I wish the matter to be conducted quietly. Bradley, this is not the first specimen of this sort of forgery that has come to my notice. Your guardian, Mr. Parker, received some time ago a forged letter pretending to be from me, and postponing the date of an important meeting conmlclooolks (CO)