The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

LIVING IT DOWN. 169 the day after it appeared. He called at Jones’ Coffee House two or three times daily, and at last received the following : Messrs. Wilkins and Wilkins will be much obliged if the writer of the letter of the 6th inst. will favor them with a call on Wednesday forenoon, as he may be able to assist them materially in the search in which they are engaged. Messrs. W. and W. will treat the interview as confidential. CHAPTER XXXVI.—H1GH DUDGEON. Tuincs had not been going well with Percy Rimbolt since we saw him last, six or eight months ago, just before Jeffreys’ expulsion from the house in Clarges Street. Mrs. Rimbolt had some reason to modify her self congratulations on that occasion when Percy and Raby, who, it will be remembered, had been out riding at the time, returned home. Percy returned in high spirits; his new horse had turned out a beauty, and the canter in the park had acted like a tonic. “ FWullo, mother !’’ he said, as his parent came into the hall to meet him. “We've had a grand time, Raby and I. We saw the Prince of Wales and W. G. Grace and the Queen and everybody, and I gave Raby two hundred yards from the corner and ran her down before we were off Knightsbridge, and nearly got hauled up for furious riding. I say, I mean to make father get a horse for old Jeff, and we’ll go out early in the mornings, when the Row’s empty, and try handicaps, eh, Raby? Where’s Jeff, I say ?’’ and he ran whistling upstairs. His mother, with some premonitory misgivings, followed him. “Where are you, Jeff,’’ she heard him shout. ‘I say, mother,”’ he added, as Mrs. Rimbolt approached, ‘‘ where’s Jeff? Is he out?”’ “He is,’ said Mrs. Rimbolt, solemnly. ‘‘I want to speak to you, Percy.’’ ‘All right. But I say, when will he be in? He said he couldn’t leave his work this afternoon. I want him to see Bendigo before he goes round to the stables.’’ “You had better tell the groom he need not wait, and then please come to my room, Percy,’’ said Mrs. Rimbolkt. Percy shouted down to Walker to send away the horse, and followed his mother into her boudoir. “Percy, my dear boy,’’ began the lady, *‘I am sorry to say I have just had to perform a very unpleasant duty. You can hardly understand z “What about—anything about Jeff?’’ interrupted the boy, jumping at the truth. “TItis. It bas been necessary, for everybody’s sake, that he should leave here,’’ | “What !’’ thundered Percy, turning pale and clutching at the back of his chair; ‘‘ you’ve sent Jeff away—kicked him out ?”’ ‘Come, Percy, don’t be unreasonable. I "0 ‘When did he go—how long ago?’’ exclaimed the boy, half frantic. ‘Percy, you really 4 3 Gomicbooksne 3