The Argosy — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

242 The Mystery of Allan Grale. ‘Papa, I believe all that scene with poor Mrs. Grale was pure act- ing. Miss Tempest must have known there had been a disappearance —trouble of some sort—and she manipulated the word ‘play’ very carefully. ‘There was nothing at all in the individual messages. They could be made to fit most circumstances and most people.” ‘There was one thing which struck me in her remarks to George Vivian,” said the Doctor, thoughtfully, ‘‘and that was the way in which she dwelt upon his many happy years to come. Any sharp observer who wanted to make true prophecies would beware of doing that. I don’t like George’s looks—or his cough.” ‘‘Perhaps she wanted to please him, and so promised what she thought he was longing for,” persisted the sceptical girl. ‘‘ And the flattery she gave everybody else was positively sickening. While she was dwelling on the trials of Lady Laura, I could not help imagining a sheriff’s officer smoking a long clay pipe and sipping ale in her lady- ship’s back hall!” Agnes might have started had she known that her own errant imagination had hit the exact truth. ‘That sheriff’s officer sat just so till the following Monday, when Lady Laura’s Sunday’s letter to Mr. Grale brought an answer, with an enclosure ; after which, the sheriff's officer departed. ‘But there was something strange about her sudden mention of Edgar Vivian’s name,” said the Doctor, in a low tone of reluctance. ‘When I can see an explanation for everything else, I am sure there must be an explanation for that also. It was a wicked, wicked trick, done to satisfy people’s malice and suspicion, and done in a safe way, which cannot be challenged. I should have liked to make her tell what she meant, to order her ‘spirits’ to speak plainly or not to speak at all,” continued Agnes, vehemently. ‘“‘' These Mediums, or what- ever they call themselves, should be held responsible for what ‘comes through them,’ as their cant expresses it.” ‘“¢ My dear girl,” said the Doctor, mildly, ‘‘we must be very cool and patient in the elucidation of unknown or obscure facts.” ‘To be sure,” returned Agnes. ‘‘ We must be cool and patient in chemistry and anatomy ; but it is not being cool and patient to try experiments of blowing up our own houses, or plunging knives into our own friends. But, papa, what did you mean just now by saying you do not like George Vivian’s looks—or his cough.” “TI mean just that, Agnes. I think he looks ill, and I think that little, hacking cough of his may mean worse than it sounds to ordinary ears. George has never been strong, you know.” “You should take him in hand, papa. Ask him to let you.” ‘TI did ask him,” said the Doctor. ‘* That is, I hinted at it.” “And what did he say ?” ‘* Laughed at me; and said there was not anything the matter with him. I never found a young man yet who thought there was, until he grew too bad to fight against it any longer.” CORNICE OOO KS. (EC)