The Argosy, Vol. 30

Catalog Description *The Mysteries of Heron Dyke* is a serialized mystery-romance novel appearing in *The Argosy*, November 1880, by the author of previous works including "In the Dead of Night" and "Under Lock and Key." The narrative follows Ella Winter, heiress of Heron Dyke estate, engaged to Edward Conroy, a newspaper reporter—a match her aunt Mrs. Carlyon considers beneath their station. A central plot concern involves disputed succession to the Heron Dyke property and Ella's inheritance rights. The excerpt depicts Captain Lennox meeting a mysterious new guest, Mr. Norris, at the Rose and Crown inn; Norris expresses interest in renting Lennox's cottage, The Lilacs. During an evening of cards, Lennox grows suspicious of Norris's professed inexperience at gaming, observing the man's unusual behavior and detecting something sinister beneath his country-squire appearance. The Captain experiences mounting dread regarding his guest, with troubled dreams haunting him.