The Dugdale Millions — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

ORTON PIERSON, 139 As he left the room, the door leading into the rear of the basement was opened, and Ransom and Bob entered. But Pierson motioned to them most ener- geticaily to go back, for Dick had stopped upon the pavement in front, as if he were about to return. But he walked off in the direction of Third Avenue. When Pierson was assured that Dick had really gone he opened the door and called the two men in. To Ransom, Pierson extended his hand, grinning broadly. Ransom grasped it, a treacherous, trium- phant smile overspreading his face. In his dulcet tones, he exclaimed: “You are slick, Pierson—a very slick article! Nothing could have been better!’’ ‘‘He swallowed it without a wry face,’’ said Bob jubilantly. ‘‘Why shouldn’t he?’’ asked Pierson. ‘‘He got his information without pumping for it. I oozed it out, meandering around gently.”’ ‘‘Now,’’ asked Bob, seating himself astride an office chair, ‘‘what is the next thing to be done?’’ “‘Nothing,’’ promptly replied Ransom. ‘‘We must wait for their move now. It will come quick enough.”’ While this was going forward, Dick was making his way downtown. He wondered how Bessie would receive the news. He knew how Mr. Hetlow would take it. He would acquiesce in it, and as disap- pointed as he might be, assist the young man to the inheritance, being assured the right man had been found, bowing to the inevitable cheerfully, although the prospect of an alliance with the Mountchessington family was dissipated thereby. The effect of his news upon Merrimount, he thought, would be to promptly send that young nobleman home without a wife. The large question was how would Bessie treat him. now, the bearer of the news that she was not the Dug- dale heiress. Would she visit him with her displeas- Comicbockk C@© 3