The Dugdale Millions — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

A BURST OF SUNSHINE. 254 is greatly strengthened, for they now know that the only connecting link we have with James Powers is without the knowledge which is within their possession. Yes, they are now in a position to go on boldly to the end, knowing just what to avoid. Such further proof as they may submit we will be unable tocombat. There will be a fight before us, and I doubt whether we can get Hetlow to make that fight, because he seems to be strangely inclined to submit to what he calls the inevitable.’’ ‘*Then we must rely wholly upon Captain Lawton’s efforts,’’ said Dick. ‘He is now engaged in hunting up the antecedents of the men who are in relation to this Matter, and 1f he can find, as he expects to, that they have been connected with some wrong-doing in the past, he will use those crimes as levers to compel them to confession as to this intrigue.’’ ‘‘We do not want to rush into the irrevocable con- clusion that Harold Pierson’s claim is fraudulent,’’ re- plied Mr. Stanton warningly. ‘*It may be that, notwith- standing what seems to be suspicious associations, Harold Pierson may be all that he pretends to be. However, you can rely that there will be a demonstra- tion of stronger proof very shortly.”’ Further conversation on the topic was interrupted by asummons to dinner. When the meal was con- cluded, Mr. Stanton announced that he was going into the village to attend a meeting in company with Mr. Hetlow and that the hour had already arrived. As he was about to leave the house, Wallis said to him that it was not necessary for him to tell of the arrival of Mr. Mason at Springhill. In answer to her uncle’s wondering inquiry as to why he should not, she said that she wanted to reserve the knowledge of Dick’s presence as a surprise to Lord Merrimount and Bessie, whom she was expecting momentarily. So promising that he wouid not inform them her uncle went off. Indeed he met the two on their way to Springhill. CoMmicboOoks.€©