The Argosy — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

162 The Mystery of Allan Grale. happened to my hamper,” she said. And nobody but Mary Anne knew what she meant, for the Doctor had quite forgotten that inci- dent. Dr. Palmer’s quick glance had made him aware of the presence of a stranger; a tall, limp lady, with an aquiline nose and strongly marked eyebrows. Lady Laura Bond had rushed across the hall from the drawing-room, and made herself very useful with her expe- rience and her sal-volatile. Dr. Palmer knew he should not like such a person fussing round himself. “Vou had better go to your room,” he urged his patient. ‘‘ You will be more comfortable there, and we will tell you all you wish to know.” ‘No, no,” persisted Mrs. Grale, “tell me at once; here. LEvery- body may as well hear now that I’ve never known where my son is, or where he went to. Mr. Grale seemed to know something, and that quieted me; otherwise I could have had no rest.” There ensued a slight rustle in the background. Without a word Lady Laura had gracefully withdrawn. She was not going to intrude and she had heard quite enough. Mary Anne followed her. “You know you let me believe you understood all about it, Richard,” repeated Mrs. Grale, reproachfully. ‘‘ And if Alny has been lying dead and cold all the time you’ve been feeling angry with him si Dr. Palmer had ever seen it. ‘“‘T knew of sufficient reasons why he might well wish to go fora time,” he said, with dogged sternness. ‘Though some others who ought equally to have gone have enough effrontery to remain.” ‘‘'What’s that?” asked Mrs. Grale, sharply. ‘“‘ Do you mean the Vivians? I don’t believe Alny was in anything that the young Vivians were not in also. He had no other friends here.” Mr. Grale looked at the Doctor, and muttered, ‘‘ Women’s random shots hit the truth wonderfully near sometimes.” “But what about the walking-stick ?” wailed Mrs. Grale. ‘‘ Why should Alny have left it lying there? If he drowned himself ———” ‘“People don’t get parcels sent to them after they have drowned themselves, Mary,” interrupted her husband, drily. Mrs. Grale was silent. She thought he alluded to the parcel which had been directed to the station at Corrabuin, and which she believed Allan must himself have fetched away. In that belief might lie consolation. Dr. Palmer spoke up. As yet there could be no certainty about the matter anyway, as to whether Allan was alive or dead; and his kind heart yearned with pity for the poor mother. ‘“T had come up to tell you about Allan’s walking-stick,” he said, gently, ‘and also about something else. Young Carr went over to Sladford to-day, and heard that your son had been seen there the Mrs. Grale broke down. Her husband’s dark face was darker than CONIC MOOOLKS (E©) Y 4