The Dugdale Millions — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

226 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. In the meantime the others were speculating as to what was the meaning of the desire to take these boxes. “JT presume,” said Mr. Stanton at length, “some evil fellows were lurking about when we were handling these boxes last night, Mason, and saw us. Supposing them to contain valuables, they have broken into the house to get them. Well, they will make nothing by it. The sole resuit will be to incommode me.” Having reached this result, they separated to pre- pare for breakfast. With the breakfast hour came the mail. There was a letter for Dick, from which as he opened it dropped asmall key. ‘The letter was from Mrs. Jenkins and informed him that she had forgotten to give the key of the tin box, which she had left with Mrs. Stanton, to the lady, a fact she discovered on arriving in New York, and had therefore mailed it to him. Dick, much surprised, looked up from his letter and addressed Mrs. Stanton ;: ‘“‘ Was Mrs. Jenkins here yesterday ?” The suddenness of the question, which seemed to reveal her wrong-doing, utterly confounded the lady. Her face flushed, and she trembled visibly. Wallis, whose attention was caught by the question Dick had put, was astonished at the demeanor of her aunt, who after several efforts finally stammered out: “Why, yes—yesterday afternoon. I forgot to tell you about it.” ‘‘ Did she leave a box, of which this is the key, with ou fe He held up the key for her to look at. By a violent effort Mrs. Stanton took possession of herself, realizing that the fact of Mrs. Jenkins’ visit and her delivery of the box was now known, and, as well, that she was in a most unpleasant predicament. Comicloeo® cS C@ 3}