The Argosy — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

A Mystery. — | 199 sham, bidding me to go to him without delay. I had no scruple in complying, not being known at all in Worcestershire, and I started by one of the Liverpool trains. I had a portmanteau with me containing papers principally, and this I missed on arriving at Birmingham. The looking for it caused me tolose the Worcester train, but I went on by the next. Upon getting out there, I addressed the first person I saw after crossing the line—yourself. JI inquired of you when the next train would start for Evesham. Not for two hours, you told me: so I set off to walk, after getting some light refreshment. Barely had I left Worcester when, through the evening’s dusk, I thought I saw that the road before me branched off two ways. I did not know which to take, and ventured to stop a gig, then bowling up behind me, to ask. As you answered me I recognised you for the gentleman to whom I had spoken at the station. You offered totake mea few miles on my road, and I got into the gig. I found that you would have to go out of your way to do this, and I expressed concern; you laughed my apologies off, saying you should probably have chosen the way in any case, as it was more sheltered. You drove meas far as your road lay, told me that after I got out of the cross lanes my way would be a straight one, and I left you with hearty thanks—which I repeat now. I may as well tell you that I got to Evesham without mishap—in pro- cess of time. ‘The storm was so bad, the wind so fierce, that I was fain to turn out of the lane close upon leaving you, and shelter myself for an hour or two under a hay-rick, hoping it would abate. How it ° was possible for mortal man to see enough of me that night in your gig to mistake me for somebody else, Iam at a loss to understand. I re- member that carriage passing us in the narrow lane, the people in it shouted out to you: it must have been they, I conclude, who mistook me, for I do not think we saw anothersoul. You are at full liberty to show them this letter: but I must ask you not to make it absolutely public. I have purposely elaborated its details. I repeat my sacred declaration that every word of it is true—and I do heartily regret that I cannot yet testify to it personally.—R. W.” This letter set the matter at rest. Wenever doubted it was genuine, or aught but a plain narrative of absolute facts. But the one great question remained—where was William Brook? It was not answered. The disappearance, which had.been a mystery at the beginning, seemed likely to remain a mystery to the end. Another autumn had comeround. Ellin Delorane, feeble now, sat in the church porch, the graveyard lying around her under the hot September sun, soon herself to be laid there. Chancing to take that way round from buying some figs at Salmon’s for Hugh and Lena, I aw her, and dashed up the churchyard path. aw a “ You seem to have set up a love for this lively spot, Ellin! You were sitting here the last time I passed by.” ‘The sun is hot yet, and I get tired, so I come across here for a CONMMICMOOOKS.Cc©