The Argosy — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

The Wiute Witch. 87 ‘“T wonder he did not add that I was his brother!” retorted Godfrey, his lip curling with scorn. “You don’t believe it, Master Godfrey ?” ‘‘T certainly do not. Look here, Nancy—if he were thus related to them, why does he not come openly to the Abbey to see them ; instead of sneaking about the place incog. pretending to bean artist ?” ‘‘IT suppose he is really an artist,” replied Nancy. ‘ But, Mr. Godfrey, I think there must be some truth init. I took the letter to the Abbey, and Emily carried it in to Miss Dixon. In less than half an hour an answer to it came back here in Miss Dixon’s hand- writing. He told me he had his reasons for keeping himself in the back-ground down here, and that Mrs. Mayne and her daughter knew what the reasons were.” ‘‘T wonder,” thought Godfrey, ‘‘ whether they do know it yet—the real truth: that he is a detective from Scotland Yard, come down for the purpose of watching them?” One aspect of the case now puzzled him—the motive for wishing to communicate privately with Miss Dixon. Could the man be wishing to save her from the punishment that was threatening to overtake her mother, and would make terms with her? “Nancy,” he said with a sigh, “‘there are many complications surrounding this matter, and I cannot explain them to you. You must be very cautious—and so must J, or we might do incalculable harm. You must say nothing, and do nothing, and appear to know nothing. One thing I will mention to you; I suspect it was not Dick who got into the Abbey last night, and I don’t believe the lad has a cut or bruise about him.” “ That the bandages and sticking-plaster are all sham !” exclaimed Nancy, aghast. “Put, at any rate, upon sham places.” ““My goodness! Then, Mr. Godfrey, who or what is it that you do suspect ?” “I cannot tell you, Nancy; I say there are complications. And fam not sure. Keep strictly my confidence, as I will keep yours— and continue to believe in Dick’s damages. Good morning.” Godfrey knew perfectly well how much Nancy’s whispered news was worth, but he resolved to test it. At luncheon, he referred inci- dently to some pretty bangles of Mary’s: ‘“‘ Those, I mean, that your brother brought you from India,” he added. “Why I never had a brother,” she said, looking at him in surprise. “Ah no. Your cousin—was it?” “And I never had a cousin, either,” she said, laughing and un- suspicious. ‘‘ You must have misunderstood me in some way, Mr. Godfrey. I bought these bangles in London.” Godfrey accepted the correction, but he felt sick with alarm at what might be threatening her, and began to revolve all sorts of plans of action for her defence. Gomichoo (E@) m