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

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

259 The Mystery of Allan Grale. man but for seeing the name in his desk. ‘There it was, in his own handwriting ; he can’t get over that. Give me time, Dr. Palmer.” “Have you the false bills and cheques by you, Mr. Grale? If so, do you object to let me see them ?” ‘Certainly not,” answered Mr. Grale, taking them from his desk and putting them into the Doctor’s hand. There they were, bills and uncrossed cheques—payable to Mark Bedell, or order. In every instance the name of Mark Bedell was written across the back. ‘They had all been paid within a very few days of each other, though in widely different places. The forged signatures of Grale and Company were so perfect that Mr. Grale him- self could not wonder the cashiers had never questioned them. ‘Give me time,” repeated Mr. Grale. “ I'll sift it if I can.” ‘ Meanwhile you will allow Charles Carr to return to his employ- ment here ?”’ ‘“No, that I won’t,” was the resolute answer. “Of course I mean only as a temporary thing; Charles never intended to stay here, you know, sir, and I am sure he would not now. But, any scandal that may have arisen against him in the neighbour- hood will be recognised for what it is-worth, when it is seen that immediately on your coming back he returns to his desk, even though it be for ever so short a time.” ‘No, no,” said Mr. Grale, with harsh decision. ‘‘ He would not show me those papers when I asked him, and when it was his duty to do so; he need not come back now. Let things stand as they are for the present. Nothing is cleared up. I did not dismiss him. I shall certainly not call him back.” ‘“Dr. Palmer took up his hat. ‘‘ Well,” said he, ‘‘I am sorry for Charles, yet I’m far more sorry for you, Mr. Grale. Good morning.” He hurried to Dering Court, for the General was the next patient on his list, in a perfect ecstasy of righteous indignation. Maria Vivian was in the garden, and came forward to meet him. “Mr. Grale is inexorably unjust,” he impulsively announced to her, forgetting all other greeting. And then he briefly related to her a small portion of what had passed concerning Charles Carr; but he did not give particulars, or allude in any way to the name Mark Bedell, contenting himself with enlarging upon his adversary’s preju- dice and “ hardness.” Rather to his surprise, Maria seemed inclined to excuse Mr. Grale. She offered a sort of apology for him. “He has only just got home, you see, Doctor, and is no doubt overwhelmed with business. And of course he feels sore at being wronged—he has been wronged, you know, and robbed of his money. Allow him a little time to get over the smart, and to enquire into things. I dare say it will come right in the end.” Dr. Palmer said no more. Perhaps she was right. He enquired after the General. ECORMICOOOKS EO m