The Argosy — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 175 “Yes, sir. He told us that Mr. Bird, the architect, who had been with him, had gone across the country on special business.” “And did le speak as if anything had vexed him over r the building matters ?” continued the Doctor. ‘He did not say a word about them, sir.” “Can you recall any remark he made of any kind ?” Webster pondered. ‘“ Yes, sir,” he said at last. ‘‘The General asked if we knew any stranger in the neighbourhood—a woman in a yellow cloak. We told him we did not; and then he said that he thought she must be somebody a little out of her mind. I don’t remember anything else, sir.” “Little enough,” returned the Doctor. ‘Well, we must hope for the best.” _ * Are all well at your place ?” asked Edgar of Dr. Palmer, who was thinking of Charles Carr. “They were all well when I left this morning,” answered the Doctor, cheerily. ‘‘I haven’t been in my own house since nine o'clock. A doctor has a hard life, with but little leisure for domestic amenities. Good-bye, Edgar, you’ll see me again very soon; and I hope to find a change for the better,” he added, as he drove away. Edgar Vivian found his sister standing at the back of the hall. She did not say a word—did not ask one question : but she looked in his face, and then putting her hand through his arm, she laid her head on his shoulder and began to cry quietly. ‘“O come, sissy, this will never do,” said Edgar as brightly as he could. ‘We shall have you ill, next.” “We have none of us been really good to my uncle,” sobbed Maria. Edgar was silent fora moment. ‘ You, at least, have nothing to . blame yourself for,” he said, gently. “Vou don’t know,” she answered, looking up, the tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘‘I know he has been often sadly puzzled and troubled about me. But indeed, indeed, I could not help it!” Edgar thought he knew what she was thinking about. ‘‘ You must not look at things thus,” he said. ‘It was but natural my uncle should wish to see his favourite, his dear little girl, well settled in life. Yet he is the last man who would force anyone’s inclination.” Maria looked aside and said, ‘“‘ You will remember to let me know when Allan Grale comes this evening—don’t forget that.” ‘“Why, he has been here and has gone again,” answered Edgar, wondering. “I did ask him to stay; I said you wanted to see him. Though, indeed, I didn’t really think you would care to do so now in the midst of this trouble.” | “Is there no trouble about Charles Carr?” she asked in low, reproachful tones. ‘‘I—I”—-she spoke with hesitation—“‘ thought Allan might have told me the particulars.” | ‘Not much trouble, I fancy,” replied Edgar: “the Doctor has comicbhooks (CO)