The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUNKEL MYSTERY.* How the robbery of the rival banks became a matter of strange coincidences—Far reaching and totally unexpected results of an act of gallantry—T he battles on Bunkel Island, and the frustrating of carefully laid plans, MR. SINGERLAY and Mr. Barkpool are the two wealthiest citizens of Montoban. The former is proprietor of the Montoban Mill, and president of the Montoban Bank ; the latter owns the Onongo Mill, and presides over the Onongo Bank. They have long been enemies, and their quarrel is shared by their sons, Dolph Singerlay and Phin Barkpool, but both the latter are beset by the same desire : to have a steamer of his own on the lake. Andy Lamb is the son of Mr. Barkpool’s engineer, and he rescues Diana Singerlay from the persecutions of Tom Sawder, a young hoodlum. Phin quarrels with him in consequence, and the father is dismissed from the Barkpool employ, only to be hired hy Mr. Singerlay. Meantime Dolph, despairing of obtaining his father’s consent to the purchase of a steamer, takes his father’s keys, and at midnight makes his way to the Montaban Bank. Just as he reaches the strong box in the vault, he is seized from behind and thrown to the floor. By the light of his lantern he discovers two persons standing over him, one of whom points a revolver at his head. CHAPTER XIV.—THE ONONGO MAGNATE OVERWHELMED. “VW Hat is the matter with Dolph tonight, father ?’’ asked Andy Lamb as soon as they reached the street.. “I’m sure I don’t know ; but it looks as though he had been cutting up some caper. I could see that he had been lying to his father, who caught him in the lies; but I have no idea what he was trying to cover up,’’ replied Mr. Lamb. ‘‘ He isa bad boy, and I wouldn’t have a son like him if Mr. Singerlay would give me all his property.” ‘You noticed Dolph when we met him in the hall, didn’t you? He had just come into the house, and his clothes were all covered with yellow mud.’’ I saw him, and I thought then that he had been up to some mischief ; but he explained how he happened to be in such a plight.’’ ‘Yes ; but his story about the boat was all made up ; and that was where he caught him in the lie,’ said Andy. ‘‘I have an idea that he knows who blew up the upper dam.” ‘‘ What do you mean, Andy ?’’ demanded the engineer, stopping short in his astonishment. ‘If Dolph did not do it himself, he knows something about it,’’ replied Andy. ‘Don’t mention such an idea, my son; you will get yourself into trouble if you open your mouth as freely as that,’’ added the father cautiously. ‘‘ I say it only to you.’’ *This story began in the April issue of THE ARGOSY. The two back numbers well be matled to any address on receipt of 20 cents. GOMIGHOOKSHEO