The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

388 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. lost money, blamed me for suspecting him, and refused to listen to me further. He left mein a rage, and from that day to this I have never seen him,’’ Mr. Undercliff was silent a moment, while he sought to control his voice. ‘“ Howard, I couldn't believe him guilty. Monckton’s declaration over- powered my mind for the moment; but when poor Hdgar was gone I could not rest. I set detectives to work. One man followed your father in his flight. He had crossed the continent by slow stages and finally sailed in the ship Juan Fernandez for Australia. ‘The Juan Fernandez did not reach her port, nor was she ever heard from. We supposed him dead. ‘“ Meanwhile the other detectives worked upon the mystery here in Bos- ton. For two years I kept them in my pay. ‘Then, one day, while the offices were being repaired and the vault enlarged, a workman found a package wedged in between the metal sheetings. It was a package of bank notes, the very package your father had been accused of stealing !”’ Howard said nothing, but turned away his head, for his eyes were wet. ‘Oh, my boy, you cannot know the pain I felt. I had suspected my dearest friend unjustly. He had gone to his grave misjudged. I determined to do allin my power for his son, as I could not bring Edgar back. I had already taken you under my care. You had been in the charge of an old aunt of your father’s since your mother’s death. She was the only living relative you had, and she passed away soon after you came to me. I have tried to do by you as I know Edgar would have wished.” ‘“And you have done much for me, Guardy,’’ interrupted young. Thorne, brokenly. ‘Can you forgive me for so harshly judging your father ?’’ ‘“ Indeed, there is nothing to forgive,’’ cried Howard. He leaned for- ward and seized the other’s hand. ‘‘God bless you, sir! You’ve been nore than a father to me.”’ ‘“But this is not all I have to tell you,’’ said the older man. ‘‘I have had wonderful news today.”’ ‘ What was it} sir ?”’ ‘’ News which leads me to believe your father is, or was quite recently, alive. Captain Latimer, of the brig Naida, got in today. He made his te- port to me and then gave me a draft on an English banker at Aukland, New Zealand, for a thousand and thirty odd pounds, and this note.’’ As he spoke Mr. Undercliff drew from his wallet a folded paper and passed it to Thorne. The latter opened it and read: AUKLAND. N. Z., November 20, ’94, The inclosed draft is to reimburse Messrs. Undercliff & Monckton, Boston, U.S. A., for certain moneys which were missing from their safe on the morning of July 13, 1875, This money is not devoted to this purpose because the man accused was guilty, for he still declares his innocence ; but it is sent that the firm might not lose the sum through his carelessness or negligence. This is his last duty to a harsh world that will hear of him no more. ; ‘“ What does it mean ?’’ cried Thorne. ““Can’t you read ?”’ ‘But who wrote it ?”’ 5 Eom choo S