The Argosy — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

252 In the Dead of Night. ‘“‘T think it is, sir—at least to me, and I am quite prepared to pay that amount for it.” ‘““T only gave nine fifty for it; and I thought that if I could get a clear thousand I should have every reason to be perfectly satisfied.” ‘“‘T have made you an offer, sir. It is for you to say whether you are willing to accept it.” “‘Seeing that you offer me two hundred pounds more than I ever hoped to get, I’m not such an ass as to say, No. Only I think you are robbing yourself. I do indeed, Bristow ; and that’s what I don’t like to see.” “T think, sir, that I’m pretty well able to look after my own interests,” said Tom, with a meaning smile. ‘‘Am I to consider that Knockley Holt is to become my property ?” “Of course you are, boy—of course you are. But I must say that you are a little bit of a simpleton to give me twelve hundred when you might have it for a thousand.” ‘An offer’s an offer, and I’ll abide by mine.’ “Then there’s nothing more to be said: I’ll see my lawyer about the deeds to-morrow.” Tom shook hands with the Squire, and went in search of Jane. ‘Perhaps I may come in now,” said Mrs. McDermot five minutes later, as she opened the door of her brother’s room. ‘“‘ Of course you may,” saidtheSquire. ‘‘ Young Bristow and I were talking over some business affairs before, that would have had no interest for you and that you know nothing about.” ‘It’s about young Bristow, as you call him, that I have come to see you this morning.” “Oh, indeed,” said the Squire drily. Then he took off his spectacles and rubbed them with his pocket handkerchief, and began to whistle a tune under his breath. Mrs. McDermot glared fiercely at him, and her voice took an added tone of asperity when she spoke again. ‘‘ I suppose you are aware that your protégé is making violent love to your daughter, or else that your daughter is making violent love to him: I hardly know which it is !” ‘‘ What !” thundered the Squire, as he started to his feet. ‘‘ What is that you say, Fanny McDermot ?” ‘‘Simply this: there is a lot of love-making going on between Jane and Mr. Bristow. If itis done with your sanction, I have not another word to say. But if you tell me that you know nothing about it, I can only say that you must have been as blind as a bat and as stupid as an owl.” o 7 “Thank you, Fanny—thank you,” said the Squire sadly, as he sat down in his chair again. ‘I daresay I have been both blind and stupid ; andif what you tell me is true, I must have been.” ‘Miss Jane couldn’t long deceive me,” said the widow spitefully. Gomicbooks: co