Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

he % . DARKE DARRELL. 115 he followed by elaborate details of all that had occurred within the previous twenty-four hours; and it may justly be supposed that he had attentive listeners. Mr. Cassandra reciprocated by telling the story of Leo- tine’s abduction; how every trace of her had been lost; how he had tried in vain to conjecture what had Heme the motive. ‘* When [ looked into that coffin I understood it all,” he concluded, a hushed expression crossing his face. He made no further statement, and Darke was too polite to question him; but he said to himself: : ‘Revenge prompted it. The men were brothers.” ‘You said something about a woman,” reminded Mrs. Cassandra, ‘‘ Was she an Italian woman?” “So I judged,” replied Darke. ‘‘Did you hear her name?” Teotine called her Aunt Carlina,” rejoined Darke. Mr. and Mrs. Cassandra exchanged glances. They evi- dently knew the woman. ‘‘(Qan I induce you to take an interest in restoring our child?” Mr. Cassandra asked. “<T could scarcely be more interested than I am now,” Darke replied, with a smile. I spoke in a business way,” particularized Mr. Cassandra. - Your professional acumen on one hand, and my ability and willingness to compensate you.” «<T shall do all I can in your behalf,” assured Darke, earnestly. “But at once?” Determinedly, persistently. ‘In such matters, the ‘more haste the less speed,’ que | often,” rejoined Darke. ‘Tl wait,” and an impatient look crossed Mr. Cassan- dra’s face. ‘‘I wish to employ you, sir. I wish you to make it paramount to everything else—the only thing in hand. Name your price. Gomicbooks:.co