The Argosy — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 95 you know, or have done. I expect that whatever you have done you have not done it alone ; probably you are but a tool in some much craftier hand. You must say whatever you have to say before you leave this room.” ‘‘T have nothing to say, Mr. Grale,” said Charles Carr again, with the same gentle firmness. ‘“ I scorn to say I am innocent, when I am absolutely ignorant of the whole matter. I do not know what is amiss, and I do not understand what you mean by saying you have evidence against me of which I do not even dream. Whatever it may be, it is false in itself, and is falsely misleading you.” The young man’s manner had gathered fire as he spoke and the last words rang out fearlessly. “You are convicting yourself,” said Mr. Grale with a pitying laugh. ‘Well, I have given you a chance, Carr. Had you made a clean breast of it, I might have had consideration for the feelings of your- self and the friends who are interested in you. Do you refuse to show me that paper?” “Ves, sir,” said Charles, with a swift blush. “Will you show it to Dr. Palmer ?” “Tf Dr. Palmer still asked it, after I had told him it was a private matter, that concerned myself alone.” “Very well,” said Mr. Grale. ‘‘ You may yet take an hour or two to consider whether you will not show me that paper yourself. It will be better for you.” | Charles had a great mind to dash out of the place and refuse ever to re-enter it. But sundry considerations restrained him. Mr. Grale had been kind in taking him into his office and conceding certain privileges to him: and if he was unjust and harsh now, he was acting under the irritation of loss and wrong. Charles felt no fear of the result. ‘‘ Am I to go on with my work ?” he asked. “ Certainly,” replied Mr. Grale. Allan had been home to breakfast, and was back again. He had been in time to see Charles’s desk opened and to hear the colloquy. He stood at a distance, watching, but saying nothing, a pained ex- pression visible on his brow. It seemed to say that he would willingly have stopped the proceedings if he had had the power ; and the clerks, one and all, liked him for it. Presently, after Mr. Grale had retired to his own private room, Allan went up to Charles Carr. “Carr,” said he, speaking with kindly consideration, ‘I left my letters on the breakfast table at home just now, will you kindly go for them.” Charles went, as desired, and came back in no time with the letters : which he handed to Allan. Close upon that, word was brought up that Mr. Edgar Vivian was waiting. Allan hastened to him. As they shook hands, Edgar asked if he could spare him five minutes for private conversation. CoOnnicloookks (SO