The Dugdale Millions — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

PLAYING THE KNAVE., 105 “Well, I heard the name at the time, but I’ve for- gotten it now.’’ By this time Dick had taken the hook firmly. Ransom had played his part with great skill. He had not known too much, and he had not been eager to recollect too much. And it was just about what the recollections of a boy, having the relations to Dug- dale he described himself to have, would naturally have been. With no little excitement Dick asked if it were not possible for him to arouse his memory on that point, which he told Ransom was the essential point. **Perhaps,’’ replied Ransom doubtfully; ‘‘it’s a good many years since I thought of these things, Perhaps I might. Icantry. It runs in my head that » the man was a lawyer.’’ ‘“We have heard he was in the shipping business.’’ “‘Who says that?’ asked Ransom sharply and quickly. Had Dick not been so much engrossed with his own thoughts, he would have noticed the difference in tone and the sudden alertness of Ransom’s eyes, in sharp contrast with his carefully preserved expression of indifference. As it was, he did not even heed the question, but went on to say: ‘‘I wish you would try to recollect the name. And we should be very glad to—to pay you for—the trouble you have been put to.’”’ Ransom, however, refused this, and somewhat brusquely. He went away saying he would try to recollect, and if he did he would write to Mr. Mason. As he reached the door, he met Mr. Stanton enter- ing. Theold lawyer looked Ransom steadfastly in the face as they passed, and on joining Dick at his desk, said: *‘That is a thoroughpaced rascal, if there ever was one. Whois he?’’ ‘*Rascal or not,’’ lightly laughed Dick, highly Comiclboolkkss C@ 3