The Dugdale Millions — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

PLAVING- THE KNAVE. 109 they were boy and girl. This being the true interpre- tation of his meaning, it followed logically that he opposed even the possibility of an interest growing up between Bessie and myself. True, J am not nowa junior clerk. Iam the head of the most important department of the house, and, it is not too much to say, the trusted lieutenant of the house. I have been advanced rapidly, and by the favor of Mr. Hetlow. True also that within a few days I have been invited to his table upon terms of social equality, but you will please mark this fact—at a time when a most eligible suitor, who can offer to his bride the highest social distinction, is in the house, ostentatiously there with the approval of the father as a preferred suitor. ‘‘Now,’’ continued Dick, ‘‘as to the search. I did not seek to make it. I did not even offer my services. I was requested to undertake it, and in such manner that, had I refused to comply, my refusal would have been taken asa reflection upon Mr. Hetlow. I will confess to you that I was alarmed at the prospect of Miss Hetlow’s inheriting all this money. I saw that with such immense wealth she would move into cir- cles and into conditions which would put her beyond my reach. But whether or not that consideration had weight with me, the fact remains I was instructed to undertake the search—an energetic search, leaving nothing undone, and to protect the honor of Mr. Het- low against himself, who feared he might be betrayed into failing to exert all the requisite energy. The further fact is patent. Whatever may be the motives inspiring me to successful effort, the result of my labors is in the line of Mr. Hetlow’s desires and tends to an entirely proper end. I am not enough of a moral philosopher to get beyond the facts. It may be argued that having so direct an interest in the finding of Dugdale, I should not be engaged in the effort. If that is so, it is a matter which is between myself and my honor; it does not touch the end sought by Mr. Comicboolkkxs C@ 3