The Dugdale Millions — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

204 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “Indeed, where?”’ asked Bob, apparently much interested. “In Jackson Street, ina hotel adjoining our ware- house.” “Oh, yes, did you indeed? Rum place, isn’t it? I never was there before.” His frank admission actually confounded Dick, who had prepared himself for a courteous denial. “So that big building is your warehouse?” returned Bob. “It is not particularly ornamental, but it cer- tainly 1s substantial and extensive. I don’t remember to have ever been in that part of the town before. A man named Ransom hunted me up, declaring that he knew my father—that is Dugdale, if Iam Dugdale— this having two fathers is confusing—where was I ?— Oh, he hunted me up and said he could help me prove my identity, and carried me over tothat place te see a man whocould give me proof. I don’t know whether there is anything in it or not, but he says he can substantiate father’s statement, that is Mr. Pier- son’s statement, that he received me from Powers, and that the child given up by James Powers was a child of Dugdale the dead lodger of Powers.” ‘““T saw Ransom ; he denied that you were there,” said Dick, hardly yet recovered from his confusion. “Denied it? What for?” Bob’s innocence was ini- mitable. “tam unable to tell’: “ That is singular,” mused Bob. ‘“ Why should he deny my being there? There was no reason for se- crecy. Perhaps he thought you were antagonistic to me and that he was serving me in denying my pres- ence there.” “Perhaps!” Dick said, and asked, “ How long have you known Ransom?” “Since last Saturday or Sunday—which was it? Saturday, that was the day.” Wick’s house was a house of cards and was tumbled Comicbooks.€© 3