Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

178 DARKE DARRELL. “Old. enough to be your father,” a slight twinkle in the corners of his eyes. . “Any knowledge of the business?” ‘“None whatever. You can cheat him with his eyes open,” and Mr. Beaumont laughed. ‘“What is his name?” ‘‘Tt is as euphonious as your own. He will be here in an hour, and I’ll introduce him to you.” Darke made two or three turns around the office. ‘“‘“Mr. Beaumont,” he said, ‘‘this irritates me. It makes me feel unsettled. My relations with you were so pleasant——” «‘ And so were mine with you,” interrupted his partner. ““] yielded only after the most persistent solicitation. Be- fore the close of the day your mind will be quite at ease again.” Darke sat down, lit a cigar, then watched the smoke as it coiled away. He remembered that he had several times noticed a gen- tleman in earnest conversation with Mr. Beaumont. An elderly gentleman, tall, erect, gray-haired, sharp-featured, keen-eyed, sun-browned. He remembered having passed him on the stair-way, and that their eyes had met. He confessed that he had rather liked his appearance, though, of course, that did not give him an Beil into his disposition, capacities, or character. Within the hour the gentleman called, and an introduc- tion ensued. It seemed to Darke that no name had been used but his. ‘‘T didn’t quite catch the name, Mr. Beaumont,” he re- minded. «< Darrell,” answered the stranger, ‘‘ John Darrell.” Darke seemed rooted to the spot. | «John Darrell?” he repeated, a little dazed. Eomichbooks.com