The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 1: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARGOSY. Vor. XXIV. JUNE, 1897. No. 3. A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. The long journey undertaken by a son to right a wrong done to his father—How he fell from favor with some of the ship’s company and what a wreck brought about— The coral island and the mystery shrouded by its cliffs, (Complete in This Issue.) CHAPTER I.—STARTLING NEWS. [* was four o’clock of a warm September afternoon. A heavily built, striking looking fellow of three and twenty came rapidly along the nar- row streets toward the water front, and halted at the door of the shipping firm above which was the sign of Undercliff & Monckton. His height and breadth of shoulders were noticeable even among the brawny truckmen and roustabouts who loitered on the curb, and his carriage and alert movements betrayed the all round athlete. As he entered the outer office a group of clerks was gathered about an individual who leaned negligently against one of the desks. This central figure was a fellow of about the newcomer’s age, of slight build, a dark complexion, and dressed in the heght of fashion. ‘‘ Hullo ! here’s another Harvardite !’’ exclaimed one of the clerks. ‘‘ How are you, Mr. Thorne?”’ The newcomer returned the greeting cordially, but did not appear to notice the man of the dark complexion. : ‘Howdy, deah boy,’’ drawled the latter, languidly extending his gloved hand. But Thorne bowed coolly, failing to see the hand, and passed on to a rear door marked ‘‘ Chas. Undercliff. Private.’’ ‘“He’s a regular bore, don’t ye know,’’ he heard te languid individual say, as he opened the door. There was but one occupant of the room, a man of fifty years perhaps, with iron gray mustache, and an upright carriage. He was pacing the floor when Thorne entered, but turned to him with outstretched hand and a wel- come smile as he heard the latch click. ‘Ah, Howard! I’m delighted to see you,’’ he said, returning the younger man’s warm pressure. ‘‘I’ve been looking for you for an hour.” ‘‘T was on the river when your note reached me, and had to go to my (A) EOMIEHOOKS.GO 3