The Argosy — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

214 The Mystery of Allan Grale. main line train which was to take it to a manufacturer in the muidland counties ; who, through Mr. Grale’s intervention, had consented to give at practical trial. As the two young men entered the parlour, Lettice, already busy at the breakfast table, looked up to speak. “The post is in, Charles, and the scanty correspondence is all for you.” Many people in Dering, including Dr. Palmer, did not have their letters delivered on a Sunday morning. “T expect you will have a note from Webster, acknowledging the receipt of the hammer and graciously pardoning your ungracious delay,” observed Mark, laughingly, as he took his seat. There were only two missives—a letter, and a yellow railway notice. The first did not look particularly interesting, whereas there is always some excitement about a possible parcel, so Charlie opened the circular first. Of course it gave no particulars, except that a prepaid parcel was awaiting him at Dering Station. Briefly announcing this, and leaving Lettice and Agnes to exclaim and conjecture, he tumed to his letter. “Websters hand-writing,” commented Mark, looking at the envelope the other threw aside. “Well, to be sure!” exclaimed Charles. ‘Is there to be no end ef bewitchment about this implement? The parcel now waiting for me at the station contains the very hammer I sent to Webster last week. He returns it, because he says his own was duly sent to him last autumn! It was sent to his old address at Sladford, and was for- warded to him thence.” “Who sent it 2?” cried Mark. “He adds,” said Charles, reading on, “ ‘ It had been sent to Sladford by the post, at which I wondered, as its weight made the postage heavy, and there was no note either enclosed or accompanying it, which I also thought strange. Probably you will understand how the mis take was made, and I am sorry that you should have had the trouble _of buying and sending a new one.’” ‘“ Now, what can we make out of that, sir?” asked Charles, addressing the Doctor, who had entered the room while he was read- ing the letter. The Doctor sat down. ‘“ You absolutely cannot recall when you last saw the hammer?” he enquired. ‘“ But I remember you have already said you cannot. Who knew that you had borrowed the hammer ?” . “Qh, several people knew that. The clerks in the counting-house at the Works knew it; and Allan Grale knew it ; and—and Edgar Vivian also,” concluded Charles, with reluctant hesitation. “Well,” broke in Agnes, almost passionately. ‘“‘ Why do you shrink from saying that Edgar Vivian knew? What could be more matural ?’ Her father put his hand gently on her shoulder. She drew herself ECONMCOOOKS.CO mn