The Argosy — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

246 The White Witch. Mayne; more so, indeed, for the latter was too bewildered to pay much attention. ‘Took here, Hunt,” he said, ‘‘ what is it that’s amiss at the farm ? What do they expect to find there? Tell me that.” Sir William looked bewildered: to answer the question was quite beyond his power. ‘The new man, Power, did not give him reasons for what he did; he was remarkably close and silent. “Tt is all about my poor son’s murder, and the people who are thought to be somewhere near, and who are dodging us,” said he. “*T say, Mayne, it’s a blessing my wife is away! She’d never let me have any more peace if she knew of this entrance into your house to-day.” Sir William Hunt, backed by the Inspector, stopped the search, and the men withdrew from the Abbey. The farm could not be entered, as no warrant had been obtained for it. Meanwhile Ben Griffiths drove the spring-cart cheerily along, and reached Cheston station before the train was up. Soon they saw it come in, and Mary despatched Ben to get her a ticket for London. *‘ First-class, miss P ” “Oh, any class, Ben, so that I get away,” she said trembling. ** Yes ; first-class, I suppose.” Ben got the ticket and came back to her. The train waited ten minutes at Cheston, but Mary thought she had better get into it at once, while few people were about. ‘‘ Ben,” she said, taking his hand into hers before she left the shelter of the cart, ‘‘ I shall never forget your kindness. I cannot reward it now, but 5 Don’t you talk about that, miss,” interrupted Ben with moist eyes. ‘‘I’d rather do things for you for nothing than for other folks at a price. I stole this here cart to-day,” he went on to confess, ‘and old Bowden will go on at me like a house afire; but I’d do as much again to-morrow for you, and a deal more.” Mary could not forbear smiling. She chose a carriage that had some passengers in it, and Ben placed her little bag beside her as she took her seat. An old gentleman and old lady were beyond her in the carriage ; they were talking and did not notice her. She drew the curtain before the window at her elbow, and sat back, hoping to escape observation. Passengers came up by twos and threes, and took their places in the train, and the time of its departure was at hand. Ben strolled about on the platform, leaving the miller’s horse to take care of itself. Dashing up to the station came the well-known brougham of Crox- ham Abbey. Barth pulled up his horses with a jerk, and Godfrey Mayne got out. Mary Dixon, cowering behind her blind, saw him, and clasped her hands in trouble, ‘‘ What shall I do?” she gasped to herself: “how avoid him ?” Godfrey had only time to take his ticket and dash into the nearest Gomicbooks (E(e)