The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

392 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, You see, I paid so little attention to his yarn. Still, I know about where it was ; within a couple of hundred miles, or so.’’ ‘A couple of hundred miles !’’ exclaimed Mr. Monckton. : ‘“That’s not so bad at sea, sir,’’ said the captain? =" If Mr. Thorne gets a tidy little craft at Aukland—and I’ve little doubt he can—he’ll soon search a bit of water like that.’’ ‘It’s my opinion you’ve got a contract for all winter, Thorne,’’ said Car- ter drily. : ‘ Well’ said Thorne, with a sigh, ‘‘it does look a big undertaking ; but I'll find the island if it’s above water.’’ ‘ Little doubt, you think, of his getting the sort of a vessel he wants at Aukland?’’ inquired the merchant. ‘There, or at Sydney, sir. If he was putting in to Valparaiso I’d say that would be the port to pick up what he wants. But if we went there the Naida would be a long way off her course.” ‘That would never do,’’ interjected Monckton senior, sharply. ‘‘ Your last voyage was quite long enough, Captain Latimer.” “True, true,’’ responded Undercliff mildly. By this time Thorne was walking the office with nervous strides, and scarcely noticed what the others were saying. "It will cost a fortune,’’ he groaned. ‘‘ Do you realize it, Guardy?”’ ‘* Don’t you worry about that,’’ returned Charles Undercliff, quickly. ~ My last cent shall be spent, if necessary, in finding Hdgar and bringing him back.’’ ~ Pooh ! pooh !’’ exclaimed Monckton senior. ‘‘ Let us not have heroics, Undercliff. Young Thorne shows a deal of good sense. It wz// cost you a large sum for this venture which, I believe, will simply be wasted.’’ ‘“ Wasted !’’ cried Thorne. “Yes, sir. Despite the fact that Captain Latimer looks upon the search- ing of a portion of the ocean about as large as the Bengal Gulf as a small matter, / do not consider it such. It will cost a vast amount of money and a vast amount of time ; and the end will, I fear, be disappointing.’’ “Come, come !’’ cried Undercliff, ‘‘ don’t throw cold water, Monckton. As for the money, Howard, don’t let that wotry you. It shail be forthcom- ing. See here.”’ : He rose hastily and opened a safe which stood behind him—his own private one. Pulling out a drawer he brought forth a flat package and flung it down upon the table in front of Thorne. “That will do to start you off,’ he said. ‘‘It is the very money that was so strangely lost and found. I never felt as if I could use those notes.”’ The senior Monckton uttered a slight exclamation and sank back in his chair. Thorne sat down and took the package in his hand. “They are just as your poor father put them away,’’ said Undercliff as Thorne undid the wrapper absently. “ Somehow it seemed to be blood money—I could not touch it. I meant you should have it some day.”’ Thorne ran over the bills carelessly. Suddenly he stopped and scrutinized one closely. CONNIGLOOKS =}