The Argosy — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

106 Edina. “No one can regret more than I that I cannot pay them,” he said. “T have come here to-night to beg of you to be so kind as hold them over. The expenses, I suppose ——” “IT don’t understand you, sir,” interrupted Mr. Huddles. ‘“ What bills are you talking of ?” “The two bills for fifty pounds each—I have no others. Although I know how unjust it must seem to ask you to do this, Mr. Huddles, as you are only a third party and had nothing whatever to do with the transaction, I have no other resource but to throw myself upon your good feeling. I am quite unable to take the bills up; you have probably heard of our reverse of fortune ; but I will give you my word of honour to do so as soon as ” “The bills are paid,” cried Mr. Huddles, not allowing him to go on. “Paid 1” echoed Charley. “Paid ; both of them. Why—did you not know it?” “No, that I did not. Who has paid them?” ‘‘Some legal firm in London. The name—let me see—Symmonds, I think. Yes, that was it: Symmonds and Son, solicitors.” Charley could only stare. He began to think Mr. Huddles was playing a joke upon him ; perhaps to turn round on him afterwards. “‘T don’t know any people of the name of Symmonds, or they me,” said he. ‘“ How came they to pay?” “TJ think Major Raynor—I was sorry to see his death in the Zimes so soon afterwards—gave them the necessary orders.” Charles shook his head ; it was not at all likely, as he knew. He lost himself in a maze of thought. “The evening I saw you, I was running into the station to catch a train, having lingered rather too long at the inn over some late refresh- ment,” explained Mr. Huddles, perceiving that Charles was altogether puzzled, “when a gentleman accosted me, asking if my errand at the place had not been connected with Major Raynor's son. I replied that it had. This gentleman then said that if I would furnish the particulars of the debt to Messrs. Symmonds and Son, solicitors, of London, they would no doubt see that I was paid ; and he handed me their address. I sent the particulars up the next day, and in the course of a post or two received the money.” “Tt must have been Frank,” thought Charles, the idea flashing into his mind. ‘ What was this gentleman like, Mr. Huddles?” “Upon my word, sir, I can hardly tell you,” was the reply. ‘The train dashed in just as he began to speak to me; several passengers were waiting for it, and there was a good bit of confusion. It was dusk also. Nearly dark, in fact.” ‘A good-looking, pleasant-speaking fellow?” “Yes, I think so. He had a pleasant voice.” “Nobody but Frank,” decided Charles. “It’s just like him to do comicbooks.com