The Argosy — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

88 The Story of Charles Strange. ‘‘ My visit here to-night was to ask Major Carlen whether he had heard any further particulars.” ‘“T think he heard a few more to-day,” said Lord Level. ‘The Vengeance was wrecked, it seems, on this island. It is often sighted by ships going to the Colonies, and the captain was in hopes that his signals from the island would be seen, and some ship would bear down to them. Invain. After the convicts—five of them, I believe— had made their escape, he determined to send off the long-boat, in charge of the chief officer, to the nearest Australian coast, for assist- ance. On the roth of December the boat set sail, and on Christmas Day was picked up by the Verzon, which reached Melbourne the last day of the year.” ‘But how do you know all these details?” I interrupted in surprise. “They have been furnished to the government, and Carlen was informed of them this morning,” replied Lord Level. ‘‘On the following day, the 1st of January, the ship Zzghtnzng sailed from Melbourne for England; she was furnished with a full account of the wreck of the Vengeance and what succeeded toit. The Lzghtnzng made a good passage home, and on her arrival, laid her reports before the government. That’s how it is.” ‘* And what of the escaped convicts P” ** Nothing is known of them. The probability is that they were picked up by an outward-bound ship and landed in one of the Colonies. If not, they must have perished at sea.” ‘And if they were so picked up and landed, I suppose they would have reached England by this time P ” ** Certainly—seeing that the Zzghtnzmg has arrived. And the convicts had some days’ start of the long-boat. I hope Tom Heriot will not make his way here!” fervently spoke Lord Level. ‘The consequences would three parts kill my wife. No chance of keeping it from her in such a hullabaloo as would attend his recap- ture.” ‘ T cannot think how you have managed to keep it from her as it 1s.” ‘Well, I have been watchful and cautious—and we have not mixed much with the gossiping English. What! are you going, Charles ?” ‘Ves, I have an engagement,” I answered, as we both rose. ‘ Good-night. Give my love to Blanche. Tell her that Charley will see her to-morrow if he can squeeze out a minute’s leisure for it.” Taking up the old coat I had left in the passage, I went out with it on my arm, hailed a cab that was crossing Portman Square, and was driven to Lambeth. There I recommenced my watch upon the book-stall and the street containing it, not, however, disclosing myself to Lee to-night. But nothing was to be seen of Tom Heriot. ECORNIELOOKS © m