The Argosy — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Master of Greylands. 261 not John Bent.—And there's Miss Castlemaine of Stilborough crossing over the road !” Not less overcome by terror and dismay than Mrs. Bent had been by anger, Ethel rushed out of the house and burst into a storm of hysterical sobs. Mary Ursula, wondering much and full of concern, drew her arm within her own and went over to the hittle solitary bench . that stood by the sea. She stammered an incoherent word or two between her sobs, and at the best was indistinct. “YT understand, Ethel. Be calm. John Bent has been making a terrible charge against my Uncle James.” Ethel clung to her. She admitted that it was so. She said it had frightened her, though she did not believe it. “‘ Neither do I believe it,” returned Miss Castlemaine calmly. “TI heard this some time ago—I mean the suspicion that is rife in Grey- lands—but I am sorry that you should have been startled with it. That my uncle is incapable of anything of the kind—and only to say as much seems a cruel insult on him—I am perfectly sure of; and I am content to wait the elucidation that no doubt time will bring.” “But how wicked of John Bent!” cried Ethel. “Ethel dear, I have gone through so much misery latterly, that it has subdued me, and I think I have learnt the great precept not to judge another,” said Mary Ursula sadly. ‘I do not blame John Bent. I respect him. That a strange mystery does encompass the doings of that February night—so fatal for me as well as for poor Anthony—I cannot ignore: and I speak not now of the disappearance only. There's reason in what John Bent says—that Mr. Castlemaine is not open about it, that it might be fancied he knows more than he will say. Itis so. Perhaps he will not speak because it might implicate some one, Not himself, Ethel; never himself; I do not fear that.” “You know what they are foolish enough to say here,” breathed Ethel. ‘“ That the ghost of the Grey Friar, angry at his precincts being invade ” ‘Hush !” reproved Miss Castlemaine. CHAPTER XII. MADAME GUISE. Ir was the afternoon of this same day. The stage coach, delayed by the snow, was very late when it was heard approaching. Its four well fed horses drew up at the Dolphin Inn, to set down Mr. Nettleby. The superintendent of the coast guard, who had been about some business a mile or two inland, had availed himself of the coach for returning. John Bent and his wife came running..to the odoor. THe guard, hoping perhaps for sixpence or a shilling gratuity, descended CONE SOOKS.2cO