The Argosy — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

’ 92 In the Dead of Night. for ever, but that his sister’s money also—the savings of many years— might be sunk beyond recovery in the wreck that now seemed so clos : at hand. Most people under such circumstances would have ele. craphed to their brokers to sell out at every risk ; but there was a mixtu of hopefulness and obstinacy in the Squire’s disposition that made him cling to his purpose with a tenacity that would go far either to ruin him or make his fortune, as the case might be. Tom Bristow did not reach London till long after business hours, but so anxious was he with regard to the matter which had taken him there, that he could not sit down comfortably and wait till morning before beginning his inquiries. After spending ten minutes at his hotel he took a hansom and drove off at once to the offices of the Alcazar Mining Company. The private watchman whose duty it was to look after the premises at night at once supplied him with Mr. Bird’s address, and half an hour later Tom found himself in the neighbourhood of the Regent’s Park. Mr. Bird’s house was readily found, but Mr. Bird him- self was not at home, as a rough- looking man with a short pipe in his mouth who, somewhat to Tom’s surprise, answered his impatens knock, at once told him. ‘‘Where is Mr. Bird, and when can I see him?” asked Tom. ‘As to where he is—I should say that by this time he’s some hun- dreds of miles on his way to America or Australia. As to when you can see him—why, you can see him when you can catch him and no before.” “Then he’s gone?” said Tom incredulously. “Ves, sir, he’s gone. The nest’s empty and the bird's flown,” added the man with a grin at his own witticism ;“‘ and the whole blessed concern has gone to smash.” “ And the Squire will expect a telegram from me to-night !” mutterec Tom. | CHAPTER XXVI. FOOTSTEPS IN THE ROOM. DurRInG the few months that elapsed between the murder of Per Osmond and the arrival of General St. George in England, Park Newton had been shut up, Pearce, the old family butler, being left as custodian of the house. Of the former establishment he wa‘ allowed to retain his niece, Miss Piper, who had been still-+room maid, and Finch, formerly a footman, but afterwards promoted to be } Dering’s body-servant; together with a woman or two to do 1€ rough work of the house. When the General fixed his nome at ‘Park Newton these people were all retained in their places, but their numbers were augtgetet b COME 900 S.COIr