The Argosy — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 169 Edgar Vivian answered not a word; but he turned towards the manufacturer, as if to indicate ‘‘ I am ready.” “You called on my son the day that he went away, I believe,” began Mr. Grale, rather huskily. “T called on him one day about that time,” replied young Vivian. “T do not know if it was the day he went away. He was not at home, and I did not see him.” ‘“‘And you left a note for him ?” “Yes. I wrote it in your hall, and left it with the maid.” ‘Do you remember the date ?” asked Dr. Palmer. ‘““T believe it was the twentieth of October.” ‘Did you date your note ?” Edgar Vivian smiled faintly. ‘‘ Ido not remember,” he replied. ‘You did not date it,” interposed Mr. Grale, with some emphasis. “The note contained a request that Allan would meet you at the Black Pool. J understand you say that appointment was not kept.” ‘No, it was not,” said Edgar, speaking rather abruptly, as if not much caring to answer. ‘“‘I did not see your son at all, sir, after I left that note for him at your house.” “Can you remember anything connected with your call when you left the note?” argued the Doctor. ‘Tell us any little detail, how- ever unimportant it may seem to you.” Apparently with ready compliance, Edgar Vivian bent his head, as one is apt to do when trying to recall past facts to the memory. ‘‘ The maid told me Mr. Allan had but just gone out. She thought he might be gone to Dr. Palmer’s. A small parcel, addressed to Mr. Charles Carr, had been lying on the hall-table all the afternoon, she said, and as it was no longer there, she thought Mr. Allan might be taking it to him.” This was news to Dr. Palmer. ‘ Dear me!” he said, ‘‘ I have never heard anything of this. If Charles Carr had had any communication with Allan that day, I am sure he would have mentioned it to me.” Edgar sat silent. Fully detailed as were his answers, there was a want of candour in his manner. He waited for questions. ‘These are minor details, and may be left,” said Mr. Grale, his tone a stern one. ‘I was given to understand, Mr. Edgar Vivian, that you received a letter from my son after he left home. Can you tell me whence it was written, and what its date was ?” Again Edgar Vivian bent his head, as if considering his answer. “Yes, I did receive one from him,” he at length said. ‘“‘It was dated Glasgow ; the—I think—the twenty-fifth of October.” ‘And with what object was it written P ” ‘““It was—it was—asking me to forward to a certain address some- thing that I held of his,” replied Edgar, with the hesitating air of one who is in doubt whether he ought to speak or not. ‘That is, asking you to send to the station, at Corrabuin, a certain box which you had in your charge?” spoke Mr. Grale. CoOnniclooolkks QO)