The alternative . RRIAGE NO one opposing him, Mr. Van Pycke carefullymade his way to the door and disappeared intothe hall. Miss Downing continued to stare afterhim for many seconds, plainly perplexed. She was not sotransfixed, however, that she failed to note the grotesquemisfit of his trousers ; nor did his manner of locomotionescape her attention. Could this hobbling, ill-dressed per-son be the fastidious Van Dieman Van Pycke, of whomshe had heard so much ? And he was going upstairs to — by the virtue of all thesaints, what did he mean ? A blush raced into her fair cheek. She turned to youn
The alternative . RRIAGE NO one opposing him, Mr. Van Pycke carefullymade his way to the door and disappeared intothe hall. Miss Downing continued to stare afterhim for many seconds, plainly perplexed. She was not sotransfixed, however, that she failed to note the grotesquemisfit of his trousers ; nor did his manner of locomotionescape her attention. Could this hobbling, ill-dressed per-son be the fastidious Van Dieman Van Pycke, of whomshe had heard so much ? And he was going upstairs to — by the virtue of all thesaints, what did he mean ? A blush raced into her fair cheek. She turned to youngMr. Van Pycke with parted lips, half inclined to smile, halfto protest. She found him smiling, yes, more than that ;he had his hand over his mouth. Plainly, he was having astruggle of an inward character. I — I dont understand, she murmured, the flushgrowing. ^ And we dont understand, he responded after a mo-ment, waving his hand in the direction of the dummies. She smiled brightly. You ve noticed them ? [53]. The Alternative Noticed them ? he repeated. He intended to saymore, but a sudden, sickening doubt interfered. However,a quick, rather penetrating glance reassured him. Mr. Doxeyhad wrapped a rug about the unfortunate gentleman and wasnow engaged in making room for him behind the Steinwaygrand. The young ladys glance followed Bosworths. What is he doing ? she demanded, starting wax figures are not to be disturbed. Bosworth stayed her with a gesture. You must notinterfere with an officer in the discharge of his duty, hesaid with great gravity. But — Please dont pay any attention to him, he pleaded,stepping in front of her. Sit down and tell me about thedummies. She looked at the door through which Mr. Van Pycke hadpassed, Where has your father gone, Mr. Van Pycke ? Can you keep a secret ? Her eyes were expressive. Youll have to sit down — over here, he went on. I dont want the detective to hear me. They sat down side by side in a Louis Seize divan. He
Size: 903px × 2769px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublishernewyorkdoddmeadco
