The Argosy — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

O4 Mrs. Raven's Temptation. ‘‘ Because your advertisement was put in a Hampshire paper.” “Oh,” said Mr. Creed, quite sweetly. ‘‘ Perhaps a Hampshire paper is the only country paper of that date you happen to know about.” “The date is so significant,” said Philip, ‘ that—my _ friend— thought it worth while to follow up the advertisement in the London papers, defore knowing of that in the Hampshire paper. When known, it considerably strengthened the clue.” Mr. Creed bowed again. ‘‘Of course, you pardon my reserve,” he said. ‘‘I have to study the interests of my clients.” “Certainly,” assented Philip: ‘‘and, at the same time, I am zealous in the cause of my friend.” “This gentleman, I presume?” said Mr. Creed, with another bow m the direction of Frank. “Oh dear no,” Philip answered. The exclamation began with a genuine ring of disclaimer, but the final negative fell rather faintly. The young barrister had been off his guard for a second, but re- covered himself immediately. Why need he deny so strenuously if the solicitor chose to take up a wrong scent? But Philip was reckoning without Frank. ‘Oh no,” struck in Frank, candidly. ‘It has nothing to do with me, except that it is the date of my own birth—which made me notice it in the newspaper I brought away with me when I left Raven- stoke yesterday. This is not my affair at all.” The lawyer bent forward, and was listening to Frank with encour- aging interest. Philip gave a sudden tilt to his chair, which brought its leg sharply down on the floor, as if to put a full stop to Frank’s communicativeness. A pause ensued. ‘Do you think your friend would have any objection to give me a personal call?” asked the lawyer suavely. “T should not like to advise ity ” said Philip, ‘unless you give me some solid ground to work upon.” “Well,” said Mr. Creed, slowly, and toying between every word with a paper-knife, as if the revelation were a subject for painful con- sideration, ‘‘well—I think—I may say—this much: It is the case of—a missing child. ‘The matter concerns—the happiness and well- being—of a wealthy and honourable family—and I can give no detail until I receive details which justify me in thinking we are moving in the right direction. Total disappointment and failure will be preferred to—to any mistake. If those to whom this date and this advertisement can possibly mean anything do not think it worth while to state their own case, I am instructed that my clients will not say the first word.” ‘“Now we know where we are,” cried Philip. ‘Well, as I can make my story clear to you without mentioning names—as, indeed, names are its great want—perhaps it is fair that I should be the frankest. Then, in my story, this date is ascribed to the birth of a ‘certain person.” CONMIELIOO_ KS, (E)