The Argosy — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

In the Dead of Night. 203 half an hour. In your possession I find a ring which was on the finger of Mr. Osmond the night he was murdered. Less than that has brought many a better man than you to the gallows: be careful that it does not land you there.” “If you know anything of the affair at all, you must know that the murderer of Mr. Osmond was tried and found guilty long ago.” ‘‘ What proof have you—what proof was there adduced at the trial, that Lionel Dering was the murderer of Percy Osmond? Did your eyes, or those of anyone else, see him do the bloody deed? Wretch! You knew from the first that he was innocent! If you yourself are not the murderer, you know the man who is.” Again Janvard was silent fora little while. His eyes were bent on the floor. He was considering deep’y within himself. At length he spoke, but it was in the same sullen tone that he had used before. ‘‘What guarantee have I that when I have told you anything that I may know, the information will not be used against me to my own harm P?” _“ You have no guarantee whatever. I could not give you any such promise. For aught I know to the contrary, you, and you alone, may be the murderer of Percy Osmond.” Janvard shuddered slightly. ‘I am not the murderer of Percy Osmond,” he said quietly. 3 ‘Who, then, was the murderer?” ‘‘ My late master—Mr. Kester St. George.” There was a pause which no one seemed inclined to break. Although Janvard’s words were but a confirmation of the suspicions which Lionel and Tom had all along entertained, they seemed to fall on their ears. with all the force of a startling revelation. Of the three men there, Janvard was the one who seemed least concerned. Lionel was the first to speak. “This is a serious charge to make against a gentleman like Mr. St. George,” he said. “I have made no charge against Mr. St. George,” said Janvard. ‘It is you who have forced the confession from me.” “You are doubtless prepared to substantiate your statement—to prove your words?” | “I do not want to prove anything. I want to hold my tongue, but. you will not let me.” ‘All I want from you is the simple truth, and that you must tell me.” ‘But, monsieur stopped. | “You are afraid, and justly so. You are in my power, and I can use that power in any way that I may deem best. At the same time, understand me. I am no constable—no officer of the law—I am imply the brother of Lionel Dering, and knowing, as I do, that he ” began Janvard appealingly, and then he connicloooks (SO)