In Sight of St. Paul's — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

150 A SHOT IN THE DARK. ‘What's wrong, gentlemen ?’’ asked the foremost, taking in the scene ata glance. ‘Quick, explain!”’ ‘This house is mine,’’ said Gridston, feeling that boldness was the card to play now. ‘“‘I heard a shot and cries for help. I came out and found that gentle- man lying upon the ground and this one,’’ pointing to Tom, ‘‘standing over him.’? ‘What have you to say to this?’’ asked the police- man, turning to Tom, who rose slowly to his feet. ‘“‘T don’t understand,’’ he: replied, slowly, trying to collect his bewildered senses. ‘‘I came here to- night on business with Captain Gridston. As I was leaving, I—I met my brother. I tried to prevent him entering the house. He attempted to strike me. We struggled, and then I heard a shot.”’ The policeman looked incredulous. It was not a very probable story, to say the least. Suddenly his eye fell upon something lying in the walk, something that glittered in the moonlight. He stooped and picked up the pistol Gridston had thrown there. _‘“The shot was fired by this, I suppose?’’ he said. Tom started in amazement. For a moment there was silence, broken only by the moans of Cynthia, who was still bending over Harry. Then Gridston spoke. ‘Why, he said, with an admirable simulation of GEomicbooks. co