The Argosy — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

180 The Village Blacksmuth. up his accusation by the circumstantial evidence of his wounded arm, as well as by producing Mrs. Ryot-Tempest’s letter which supported his case so strongly, that in the end the summons was granted, the warrant signed, and Mark sent home triumphant. Now he would have his revenge. Miss Vera had helped to separate him from Janet, now he would separate her from the Captain ; now he would have the pleasure of seeing her taken off to prison; and as he reached the Rectory his excitement was so intense he could scarcely contain him- self. ‘The Archdeacon is not at home,” said the butler as he opened the door. ‘‘We don’t want the master; it is Miss Vera we want for shooting me,” said Mark. ‘Pity she didn’t kill you if she had anything to do with it, which I don’t believe she had,” said the butler, leaving the policemen and Mark to conduct their own business whilst he went to the kitchen to tell the other servants he washed his hands of the whole matter. Mark, thus left to his own resources, went to the drawing-room to inform his mistress that the police were in the hall waiting for Miss Vera. Mrs. Ryot-Tempest turned a shade paler on hearing this, for she now began to fear the consequences if Vera refused to consent to her conditions. What would the Archdeacon say if he returned to find his daughter arrested in his absence? What would the neigh- bours say—the parishioners, Mrs. Grundy, Captain Raleigh, Captain Tempest; and last, but not least, Mrs. Canter P * Mark, if Miss Vera confesses where the diamonds are and that you are quite innocent of any part in the robbery will you agree not to prosecute her if I make it worth your while ?” Mark’s countenance fell; a look of hatred came over it, and Mrs. Ryot-Tempest saw she would have to pay heavily to stop this marriage ; but she was prepared to do this if only Vera could be persuaded to give it up. ‘* Fifty pounds is a nice little sum, Mark. Will you do it for that ?” ‘“No, ma’am. I’m sorry for you and the master, but I shall never be the same man again after this accident ; it is worth a good hundred pounds to me,” he replied decidedly. Very well. I will go to Miss Vera and see what I can do with her. If she agrees to my conditions I will draw you out a cheque for a hundred pounds on condition that you leave here to-day and withdraw your accusation. You understand ?” “Yes, ma’am,” said Mark surlily ; for, tempting as the offer was, he was more than half inclined to refuse it; but the fear of Freeman turning Queen’s evidence prevented him. Mrs. Ryot-Tempest left the drawing-room and went up to Vera’s sitting-room to try what effect the news that the police were in the hall waiting to take her to prison would have upon her, but to her CORNICE OO <Sneornn