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

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

92 The White Witch. much honour. I fear you are quite mistaken. Is it because I am SO very poor an artist that you have felt compelled to find another, and, I should think, more difficult profession for me?” said a as if much amused. Godfrey felt that he must make a bold stroke at once. ‘Well, I apologise for my mistake,” said he rising. “I can only say that, knowing the cleverest detective from Scotland Yard was down here, I wanted his advice in the matter of investing a little money—perhaps five hundred pounds, perhaps more, perhaps twice thatsum. And a very clever little trick which was practised at the Abbey last night by some person staying here at the farm, made me jump rashly to the conclusion that you, Mr. Cattermole, were the very man I wanted.” ‘And you thought you could bribe the detective,” observed the officer drily, after a pause. ‘*Oh, dear, no,” disclaimed Godfrey. ‘‘ But in the discharge of a detective’s duty, it may sometimes happen that a little delicate con- sideration on his part may spare people—never actually concerned in the case, but who may have been drawn into it unwittingly—great pain ; and of course the relatives and friends of those people cannot | do enough to show their gratitude.” | Godfrey was standing, with his hand busy among the china orna- ments on the mantel-piece. Hecould not see Mr. Cattermole’s face, as | that gentleman was sitting with his back to the very little light that | came from the window. JBut he was attentively studying Mr. ) Cattermole’s manner, and the more he studied it, the lower grew his opinion of the man’s integrity, and the higher his own hopes of success. ‘‘ And who is the person not concerned ?” asked the officer, with a stress on the word, ‘‘to be delicately considered in this case?” ‘A young lady.” Mr. Cattermole smiled. It was a smile that seemed to tell of conscious power. ‘ Unfortunately, instead of being unconcerned in the case, sir, that is the very person whom the business touches.” For a moment Godfrey’s head swam ; then he steadied himself and spoke quickly. ‘‘ On what charge?” “TI beg your pardon, Mr. Godfrey Mayne. I understood you to say that you knew the case.” ‘‘T know it so well,” said Godfrey slowly, ‘that I even know the young lady is taking upon herself the burden of a crime which she did not commit.” The words startled even the detective; and in a manner Godfrey had not thought possible with a member of such a profession. By a movement of the elbow Mr. Cattermole, who was sitting by the small fire-place, had brought the hearth broom down upon his feet ; curiously too, the fall of the light wooden handle made him wince with pain. Godfrey was not too much interested to notice this. GEomicbooks.co