The Argosy — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

252 The Mysteries of Heron Dyke. As matters, however, had now turned out, he must find Lennox at once and show him the necessity for the shares being disposed of without delay. In that, Philip anticipated no difficulty, as the shares were so much sought after. Or else he must get Captain Lennox to go with him to Lady Cleeve and Mr. Tiplady and explain to them how well the money was invested, and persuade them that, in view of the splendid profits sure to accrue before long, it would be folly to sell out just now. Evidently the first thing to be done was to find Captain Lennox. A little comforted in mind by the fact of having arrived at some sort of a decision, he made his way with hesitating steps to the office. It was a relief to him to find that Mr. Tiplady had started by an early train for Norwich, and would not be back till night. This gave Philip breathing-time, for which he was thankful. Getting his dinner away, he spent the evening with some friends ; and was careful not to reach home until sure his mother would be in bed. That night, on his Sleepless pillow, he decided on his plans. Early in the morning, before Lady Cleeve could be downstairs, Philip snatched a hasty breakfast and went out. He left a note for his mother, in which he told her that he had to go suddenly to London on business, and she was not to be surprised or alarmed if he did not return till the evening of the following day. Then he despatched a nearly identical note to Mr. Tiplady, which Philip thought a clever hit. Lady Cleeve would take it that he was away on business connected with the office; while Mr. Tiplady would be sure to imagine that it was on some affairs of his mother he was despatched to London. Making his way to the railway-station, Philip caught a passing train, and was whirled away to the metropolis. When in London, Captain Lennox generally stayed at his favourite hotel, the ‘‘ Piazza,” in Covent Garden ; this Philip knew, and he drove there direct from the station. The urbane individual who was fetched to answer his enquiries, and who had more of the look of a church dignitary than of a head waiter, told Philip that, although Captain Lennox was, as he surmised, frequently at the hotel, he had not been there lately. For the past six weeks, or so, they had not seen him, neither were they in a position to afford any information as to his whereabouts. ll that Philip could do was to dissemble his disappointment and go. This seemed to Philip a worse check than the one at The Lilacs the previous morning. Halting in the street, he bethought himself what he could do—where look for Lennox. Only one place pre- sented itself to his mind: and that was the office of the Hermandad Company. It was situate in the City, New Broad Street. If he did _ not see the Captain there, he should at least hear where he was to be found. But Philip thought he most likely should see him. Half an hour’s drive in a hansom cab took him to Broad Street; and to the proper number, at which the cabman readily drew up, Gomichbooks