The Dugdale Millions — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

138 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “IT presume as a matter of proof? Well, I hardly know how to answer you. My own statement would be proof. Mrs. Tomlinson, if found, would be further proof. There may be other proof to be found after thought, but I can think of none just now. What need is there of proof?’ Dick hesitated before replying, and when he did, it was most cautiously. ‘IT have been commissioned by certain persons to make these inquiries. I have no direct interest in them for I am merely an agent in the matter. [If it can be established that Harold Pierson is Edmund Dugdale’s son, I imagine he will inherit some prop- erly ‘I presumed it was something of the kind,”’ said Pierson indifferently. ‘‘Indeed I have always thought that it might occur, if Powers’ story of the father’s high connections was true. Is the amount consider- able?’’ “‘Considerable is a relative term,’’ said Dick evasively, smiling to think that an annual income of a million dollars from invested property, apart from an enormous business, was termed considerable. ‘‘What might be very considerable to one of limited means, might be regarded as very little by others having much. However I could not state the exact amount. Do you know a man named Ransom?”’ he asked abruptly. » mansam: Kkansom! Jodo not think [ do, re plied Pierson, without the quiver of an eyelash. ‘It is unimportant,’’ said Dick, as he bade the old man good-by and left the room. He did not realize that, during the whole conversa- tion, Pierson had not asked his name, nor that he had not volunteered it, indeed that his own name or those in behalf of whom he had been acting had not been mentioned. Nor did he realize that Pierson permit- ted him to leave without assurances that anything more would be heard from him or those he represented. Comicbool< C@© 3