The Argosy — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

Christobel. 125 baronet’s news, and now answered: ‘‘ If you allude to the meeting that Mrs. Chisholm witnessed the day before yesterday, the person I was then talking to was not Mr. Vandyken, but a man called Clarence Dare. I had known him very slightly, two years ago, in New York. I met him quite by chance on the moors, and was much surprised to see him, having no idea that he was in England. He told me that he was going to your house, Sir Edward, but had made a mistake in the line of railway and found himself at the wrong station. He had fancied the walk across the moors, and had consequently taken that road in preference to waiting two hours for a cross-country train.” ‘Did he mention his object in going to Meredyth’s?” asked Mr. Hillyer. “We know that he wished to see Vandyken,” interrupted Godfrey, looking steadily at Christobel. Mr. Sherlock turned and glanced at the young man, while Mr. Hillyer said petulantly, ‘‘ Let Miss Fane answer for herself, Verschoyle. It is impossible otherwise to understand anything clearly.” “T beg pardon,” replied Godfrey, good humouredly; ‘‘ my impatient curiosity runs away with me. Proceed, Miss Fane. Dare, of course, mentioned Vandyken to you ?” “Ves. Heasked if I knew for certain of his being still Sir Edward’s guest.” ‘Had you been acquainted also with Vandyken in America ?” re- sumed the host, and again Verschoyle interposed, ‘You introduced him yourself to Miss Fane in this very house, a week ago. A much more important question is: When Miss Fane separated from Dare, did she leave him at the Quarry ?” “Ves,” said Christobel, in a low voice, and for the second time betrayed some slight agitation. “Was he alone?” “When I met him he was quite alone.” “ And when you left him?” She clenched her hands tightly together, and looking at nobody but Godfrey, answered slowly, ‘‘ He was with Mr. Vandyken, who came up while I was speaking to Dare. He appeared as much surprised to see him as [ had been. Then—L left.” “¢So that is all you know ?” “ All,” repeated Christobel, firmly. ‘¢ And, consequently, the mystery is as great as ever,” remarked Godfrey, coming forward with a bored expression, as if disappointed at learning no more. I can see nothing for you to do, Meredyth, but to wait quietly until Vandyken gives signs of life.” Sir Edward rose to go. ‘There is the inquest to-morrow. I am afraid I shall have to ask Miss Fane to appear at it and give testi- mony as to Dare’s identity,” he said, courteously. Christobel answered that he could depend upon her, and Verschoyle accompanied Sir Edward to the hall door. CONnniclooolkks (CO)