The Argosy — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

202 Caramel Cottage. add that Edgar Reste had left, when Mr. Barbary came in. Captaim Amphlett turned to him and went on to explain: he was on his way to spend a little time in one of the Midland shires, and had halted at: Evesham for the purpose of looking up Edgar Reste—from whom he had been expecting to hear more than a week past; could not understand why he did not. Mr. Barbary, with all the courtesy of the finished gentleman, told him, in reply to this, that Edgar Reste had left Caramel Cottage a week ago. ‘Dear me!” cried the stranger, evidently surprised. ‘‘ And without writing to tell me. Was his departure unexpected ?” Mr. Barbary laughed lightly. That man would have retained his. calmest presence of mind when going down ina wreck at sea. ‘“ Some: matter of business called him away, I fancy,” he replied. “And to what part of England was he going?” asked Captain Amphlett, after a pause. ‘* Did he say ?” Mr. Barbary appeared to have an rmpulsive answer on his lips, but closed them before he could speak it. He glanced at me, and then turned his head and glanced at Katrine, as if to see whether she was. there, for he was sitting with his back to her. A thought struck me: that we were in the way of his open speech. “He went to London,” said Mr. Barbary. ‘To London!” echoed the Captain. “ Why, that’s strange. He: has not come to London, I assure you.” ‘“T can assure you it is where he told me he was going,” said. Mr. Barbary, smiling. “And it was to London his luggage was. addressed.” | “Well, it is altogether strange,” repeated Captain Amphlett. “I went 23 to his chambers in the Temple yesterday, and Farnham, the barrister who shares them with him, told me Reste was still in Worcestershire :. he had not heard from him for some time, and supposed he might be returning any day now. Where in the world can he be hiding himself ? Had he come to London, as you suppose, Mr. Barbary, he would have sought me out the first thing.” Whiter than any ghost ever seen or heard of, had grown Katrine as she lhstened. I could not take my eyes from her terrified face. ‘“T do not comprehend it,” resumed Captain Amphlett, looking more helpless than a rudderless ship at sea. ‘‘ Are you sure, sir, that there is no mistake ; that he was really going to London ?” ‘“ Not at all sure ; only that he said it,” returned Mr. Barbary in a half mocking tone. ‘‘One does not enquire too closely, you know, into the private affairs of young men. We have not heard from him yok “JT cannot understand it at all,” persisted Captain Amphlett; “or why he has not written to me; or where he can have got to. He ought to have written.” ‘Ah, yes, no doubt,” suavely remarked Mr. Barbary. ‘“ He was careless about letter-writing, I fancy. Can .I offer you any refresh- ment ?” GOMIGDOOKS (E(0) m