That's a fact! And--it's no common book,
that. Look at it, Mr. Lauriston--you'd ought to know something about
books. Look at it!--s'elp me if I don't feel there's a clue in that there
volume, whoever it belongs to!"
Lauriston took the book in his hands. He had only glanced at it casually
before; now he examined it carefully, while Melky stood at his elbow,
watching. The mysterious volume was certainly worthy of close inspection--
a small quarto, wonderfully bound in old dark crimson morocco leather, and
ornamented on sides and back with curious gold arabesque work: a heavy
clasp, also intricately wrought, held the boards together. Lauriston,
something of a book lover, whose natural inclination was to spend his last
shilling on a book rather than on beef and bread, looked admiringly at
this fine specimen of the binder's art as he turned it over.
"That's solid gold, isn't it?" he asked as he unfastened the clasp. "You
know."
"Solid gold it is, mister--and no error," assented Melky. "Now, what's
inside? It ain't no blooming account-book, I'll bet!"
Lauriston opened the volume, to reveal leaves of old vellum, covered with
beautiful fine writing.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
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54
55
56
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58
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60
61
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66