The Argosy — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. 87 Charles. When I said you were out—gone up to London, I thought —he seemed as if he’d hardly believe me. I began to think I shouldn’t get rid of him.” “Who was it?” asked Charles. “It was a respectable looking man, sir. Highly respectable, one might be tempted to call him, if his errand had not been to bother for money. Being near the neighbourhood, he had turned aside to Grassmere to see you, he said, and his business with you was particular. Of course I knew what it all meant, Mr. Charles, and I declared you were out for the day and couldn't be seen though he waited till night.” “I wonder which of them it was?” mused Charley. ‘Did he give his name ?” “Yes, sir: Huddles. “Oh, Huddles, is it,” interrupted Charley, his mouth falling. “I'm glad I didn’t see him. Is he gone for good, do you think, Lamb?” “T should say so, sir. I fully impressed upon him that his waiting would be of no earthly use. I even said, Mr. Charles, that there was no answering for your return when you went to London, and that you might be there a week, for all I could say. I told him he had better write to you, Mr. Charles. ‘Very well,’ he said in answer, and went off with a rapid step: no doubt to catch the next train.” ‘“‘That’s all right then,” said Charley, completely reassured. ‘ Any visitors been here, Lamb ?” “Sir Philip Stane called, sir. And some ladies are in the drawing- room now. Would you like some refreshment, Mr. Charles?” “No, I'll wait till dinner time.” But it wanted some two or three hours to dinner time yet. Pre- sently Charles went strolling out on foot, digesting the unpleasant item of news that his father had just hastened to impart to him—the sneaking behaviour (as he called it) of William Stane. Charles felt greatly vexed and annoyed at it for Alice’s sake. He was sure there was a mutual attachment, and had believed that they understood each other. Lost in reflections on this subject, and never giving as much as a thought to the matter imparted to him by Lamb, his eyes never raised, his footsteps wandering on almost as they would, Charley found him- self passing along the common, on the side of the bettermost houses. Some words of salutation greeted him. “Good afternoon, sir. A hot day again, is it not?” They came from Miss Jetty, the carpenter's sister. She was sitting at work at her open window. Charles lifted lis eyes to nod to her; and that enabled him to see some one who was approaching at a short distance. Huddles. Charley recognised him ; and on the Ftel of the moment, he darted into the carpenter's to hide himself.” comicbooks.com y