The Argosy — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. IOI “No, probably he is only the victim,” answered the minister, drily. It was an immense relief to Frank to find his uncle so well prepared for the story he had to tell. He repeated it in haste, anxious to pass on to the secret portion he had hitherto kept to himself: which must be told and gotover. ‘The bare repetition of it seemed to him dishonouring to his dead father and to Mrs. Raven. “That was not all, sir,” he went on, after confirming in detail what Philip had stated. ‘“‘The woman said she could tell me a secret which I knew: but which in fact I had never yet known or heard. She said—she said ——’” He stopped from emotion. Perhaps the half-expectant, half-amused smile on Philip’s face served to restore his equanimity. ‘Of course it was not true—but she told me I was the child of neither my father nor my mother.” , The minister looked at him with a start. And evidently two or three thoughts or memories chased each other through his mind. ‘‘Impossible,” he said, shortly. ‘‘ You are a Raven to the back- bone, Frank. Not only do many a tone and gesture remind me of my brother-in-law, but you are really oddly like some of the old family portraits—my wife has mentioned one in particular. She noticed the resemblance the moment she saw you.” ‘Of course it was absurd,” said Frank, hurriedly, with a choking sensation in his breast. ‘‘ But, backed up by the descriptions she gave, and above all by that ring, it naturally made an impression on me.” “Naturally,” said the minister; ‘but I think, Frank, you need have no fear on that score. And, now, shall we proceed to open this packet ? ” He did not attempt to take it from Frank’s hand, which he saw trembled in touching it. Frank pointed silently to the im- pression on the seal before he broke it, then at his ring. He carefully lifted out the contents upon the table. There were three small tube-like enclosures, twisted up in silver paper. And each tube was composed of coins. They were golden coins ; sovereigns ; and there were fifty of them. But while Mr. Connell peered at them with short-sighted doubt- fulness, Frank caught sight of something still in the envelope. It was a small slip of paper, with some words upon it. They almost took the breath from him, the handwriting was so like his father’s —and their purport made the colour rush to his face and then suddenly leave it. He thrust the paper hastily into his pocket, and Mr. Connell at least had never seen it or his action. “It is very strange,” mused the minister. ‘ Philip, what do you think of it?” “TI can’t tell what to think just yet, sir. Wish somebody would forward me a few rouleaus of the same sort.” “The sooner this is investigated, the better,” said Mr. Connell. *“T will myself accompany you both now to the police office. There GOnlGaooks (CO)