The Argosy — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

118 A Mystery. scorned to pump a servant about his master’s movements. The answer tended to destroy his theory of Brook’s being concealed here, and to uphold the account given by Mr. St. George. Quitting the railings, we ran to catch up the Squire. And at that moment two or three railway passengers loomed into view, coming from the train. One of them was Ellin Delorane. She came along briskly, with a buoyant step and a smiling face. The Squire dropped us a word of caution. ‘“Now don’t go telling her of your stupid fancy about Brook, you two: it would only cause her disappointment.” And with the last word we met her. ‘‘ Ah ha, Miss Ellin!” he exclaimed, taking her hands. ‘‘ And so the truant’s back again!” ‘Yes, he is back again,” she softly whispered, with a blush that was deep in colour. The Squire did not quite catch the words. She and he were at cross-purposes, ‘“‘We have but now left your house, my dear,” he continued. ‘‘ Your aunt does not expect you back to-day; she thought you would stay at Worcester till Saturday.” Ellin smiled shyly. ‘‘ Have you seen him?” she asked in the same soft whisper. “Seen whom, my dear? ” “Mr. Brook.” “Mr. Brook! Do you mean William Brook? He is not back, is he ?” ‘Yes, he is back,” she answered. ‘I thought you might have seen him: you spoke of the return of the truant.” ‘“Why, child, I meant you,” explained the Squire. ‘‘ Nobody else. Who says William Brook is back?” ‘“Oh, I say it,” returned Ellin, her cheeks all rosy dimples. ‘‘ He reached Worcester yesterday.” ‘And where is he now ?” cried the Squire, feeling a little at sea. ‘He is here, at Timberdale,” answered Ellin. ‘ Mr. St. George drove him home last night.” *-Inere!” ened .T od with startling emphasis. ‘There, father, please not to disparage my sight any more.” Well, what do you think of this for another complication ? It took me aback. The Squire rubbed his face, and stared. ‘““My dear, just let us understand how the land lies,” said he, putting his hand on Ellin’s shoulder. ‘Do you say that William Brook reached Worcester yesterday on his return, and that St. George drove him home here at night ? ” ‘“Yes,” replied Ellin. ‘Why should you doubt it ? » It is true.” ‘Well, we thought St. George did drive him home,” was the Squire’s answer, staring into her face; “we passed his gig in Dip Lane and thought that it was Brook that he had with him. But St. George denies this. He says it was not Brook; that he has not © EOMICLICO<S CON