The Argosy — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

6 The Mystery of Allan Grale. that Allan did not meet you at the Black Pool, that he did not answer your note, that you had never made any application for a second loan, and that you have had communication with him since he went away. Enough to interest him, but scarcely to satisfy him, I think. He will probably seek an interview with you, himself.” Edgar said nothing. His eyes uneasily sought the distant horizon. “Tt is not for me to ask you to let Mr. Grale wholly into your confidence,” went on the Doctor. ‘That must be left to your own judgment. But I do ask you to be as considerate towards him as you can. He is an elderly man—and 1s somewhat tried just now.” ‘‘' Yes, I suppose so,” was the answer, spoken earnestly. “Edgar Vivian, I am thinking of you as well as of Mr. Grale. You have been clearly in some trouble, or you would not have been borrowing that sum of money. Are you out of that trouble yet ? Forgive an old friend’s interest.” ‘T am out of that trouble: at least I shall be, for I can now see my way to repay Mr. Grale, if he is in no hurry for it—and I only borrowed the money of Allan on that condition.” Edgar spoke almost haughtily. He was thinking of Agnes, and of the bad impres- sion he was probably creating in her father’s mind. Unconsciously Edgar had emphasised “ /Aat trouble.” The Doctor looked at him and shook his head slightly. “You have asked me a great many questions, Dr. Palmer,” said the young man. ‘I don’t resent your having done so; I honour your motives. But you must pardon me for asking one in return. Do you know on whose information Mr. Grale has heard this ? ” “Qn nobody’s information,” said the Doctor, quite eagerly. For if there was anything he counted desirable, it was to keep the atmos- phere of life free from suspicion of spies and hostile critics. “On nobody’s information, but on the simple evidence of a few facts. There was your note for instance, makiag the appointment for the Black Pool.” The Doctor paused in reflection. He felt that Edgar watched him narrowly. “One fact, bearing on these recent communications, was told by a quite unconnected person, told innocently, with no idea of its signifi- cance,” said Dr. Palmer. This referred to the letter which had come from Savoch, from Mrs. Gibson to her sister. “If I make a correct guess as to that person, will you tell me if I am right P” “Yes, most certainly,” said the Doctor, wondering. “Was it not the woman who lodges with Mrs. Massey—the strange woman who goes about in a yellow cloak ?” Dr. Palmer stared and then laughed. ‘No, indeed it was not,” he quickly said. ‘‘That’s a strange fancy. What could have put that woman into your head ? ” comniclooo ks (C(O)