The Argosy — page 287: what you’re looking at

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

266 The Story of Charles Strange. “ Wish I could tell you ; don’t know myself,” said he lightly. “What was it you said to Lake about giving yourself up?” ‘Upon my word of honour, Charley, I sometimes feel inclined to do it. I couldn’t be much worse off in prison than I am here, Sick and sad, lad, needing comforts that can’t be had in sucha place as this ; no one to see after me, no one toattendtome. Any- way, it would end the suspense.” I sat turning things about in my mind. It all seemed so full of hazard. ‘That he must be got away from his present quarters was certain. I told him so. ‘But you are so recklessly imprudent, you see, Tom,” I observed, ‘and it increases the risk. You have had Miss Betsy Lee here.” Tom flung himself back with a laugh. ‘She has been here twice, the good little soul. ‘The old man came once.” ‘Don’t you think you might as well take up your standing to- morrow on the top of the monument, and proclaim yourself to the public at large? You try me greatly, Tom.” “Try you because I see the Lees! Come, Charley, that’s good. They are as safe as you are.” ‘In intention, perhaps. How came you to let them know you were to be found here ? ” “How came I?” he carelessly rejoined. ‘ Let’s see. Oh, I remember. Oneevening when I was hipped, fit to die of it all and of the confinement to this wretched room, I strolled out. My feet took me to the old ground—Lambeth—and to Lee’s. He chanced to see me and invited me in. Over some whisky-and-water I opened out my woes to them; not of course the truth, but as near as might be. Told them of a creditor of past days that I feared was coming down upon me, so that I had to be in hiding for a bit.” ‘* But you need not have told them where.” ‘Oh, they’ll be cautious. Miss Betsy was so much struck with my cough and my looks that she said she should make some jelly for me, of the kind she used to make for her mother before she died ; and the good little girl has brought me some over here twice in ajar. They are all nght, Charley.” It was of no use contending with him. After sitting a little time longer, I promised that he should shortly see me again or hear from me, and took my departure. Full of doubt and trouble, I wanted to be alone, to decide, if possible, what was to be done. What to do about Tom I knew not. ‘That he required nursing and nourishment, and that he ought to be moved where he could have it, was indisputable. But—the risk! Three parts of the night I lay awake, thinking of different plans. None seemed feasible. In the morning I was hardly fit for my day’s work, and set to it with unsteady nerves and a worried brain. If 1 had only someone to consult with, some capable man who would help me! I did think of Mr. Sergeant Stillingfar; but I knew he would COMMICEOOOKS.E@) im