The Dugdale Millions — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

HAROLD'S PROOF. 303 undoubtedly call you after this,” said the old lawyer, “vour proofs are strong. I confess recently I have not been of the opinion that you were the heir, Certain facts, gathered chiefly by Mr. Mason here, led me to believe that either you, yourself, were a victim, or that you were a swindler. It now appears that I have wronged you in my thoughts, Indeed I became convinced, when the assault was made upon Mason, that in some way it was connected with your claim.” “Great God!” exclaimed young Pierson, leaping from his chair in which he had seated himself, his manner and voice representing well simulated horror, “vou surely did not believe me guilty of such an act?” His manner made a profound impression. “For a time I did,” said Mr. Stanton coolly. “ Great God !’’ repeated young Pierson, seating him- self again. It seemed as if he were horror-stricken with the idea. So deceived was Dick by his manner that he said : ‘“‘T am sure, Mr. Pierson, that Mr. Stanton believes so no longer.” Harold looked at him gratefully. Turning to Mr. Stanton, he said: “You say certain facts, gathered by Mr. Mason, had led you to be suspicious. Will you not question me as to them? I will reply frankly, and as fully as I can. Perhaps I may entirely satisfy you.” “The first is,” said Mr. Stanton, grasping eagerly at the opportunity, “that running parallel with our search was another one, which we finally discovered to be conducted by persons with whom you were in close association. When Mr. Mason first found Mrs. Tomlinson he also found that a man had preceded him with precisely the same inquiry. When agents were employed in Newark to find trace of James Comicbookk<s C@ 3