The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

A Strange Revenue. 66
could have no possible motive in inducing the suitor for his
daughter's hand to perpetrate an injury. A vague apprehen-
sion that all might not be well, haunted every corner of the
thinking part of him, and refused to be allayed.
To Richard's surprise, the address given directed him
not to the fashionable district of the city, but to an obscure
hostlery in one of its unsavoury quarters. He was received
at the door by the landlord, a burly fellow, in shirt sleeves,
and smelling of the beer-tap. There was an unmistakable
stamp of the bully about him. It was evident from the
innkeeper's manner, that Richard's advent was not
unexpected ;
and though he was greeted with an amount of
deference, it was also apparent that the courtesy extended
to him had not the characteristic warmth produced by the
prospect of long custom and a fat bill.
" This way, young gentleman," he said, ushering Richard
into a barely furnished room ;
" Professor Somerton will
have the pleasure of joining you immediately," he added,
with a profuse bow, in the course of which he inspected his
visitor with an eye more for his physical than his gentlemanly
qualities.
" That will be an easy job," he muttered, with a grin of
contempt, after he had closed the door.
In a few minutes the door opened, and the Professor
confronted Richard. The latter rushed forward with
extended hand and a pleasurable greeting ; but the Pro-
fessor pretended not to see the hand, and with " Pretty
well, sir," walked to the far end of the room.
Quite taken aback at his reception, Richard could only
stand and stare, while his heart began to throb, and a sicken-
ing fear stole over him. Instinctively, he concluded that there
was some mystery to clear up, and that it was not a
pleasant one.
voice ;
" Pray, be seated," said the Professor, in a business-like
" you must be tired after your long journey, I am
sure."
The meditative, scholarly, and kindly hearted aspect of
the man had entirely disappeared ; he was now in the
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