Part 1 (1/2)
The Vast Abyss
by George Manville Fenn
This is one of the very best books by GM Fenn It has a good steady pace, yet one is constantly wondering how so Tom, whose father had been a doctor who had died in some recent epidemic, which had also carried off his mother Tom has been taken into the house and law business of an uncle, but he does not see on well there Another uncle visits, and takes To hiether they convert an old wind the glass lenses andup to the required standard In this they are encouraged by the daily visits of the vicar, while the housekeeper, Mrs Fidler, and the old gardener, make various ree whose behaviour is not good at all, and many of the episodes in the story are concerned with hi to spoil the story for you, ill sial uncle, and his rather nasty son
THE VAST ABYSS, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN
CHAPTER ONE
”I wish I wasn't such a fool!”
Tom Blount said this to hih stool at a desk in his uncle's office in Gray's Inn There was a big book lying open, one which he had to study, but it did not interest hih he tried very hard to keep his attention fixed upon its learned words, invaluable to one ould some day bloo pictures that were not illustrations of legal practice in the courts of law For there oneblack pond on Elleston Coe elms, and the fat tench and eels every now and then sent up bubbles of air, dislodged as they disturbed the bottom
At another time it would be the cricket-field in su ice on the winding river, with the skates flashi+ng as they sent the white powder flying before the wind
Or again, as he stue in ”Coopendale _versus_ Drabb's Exors,” the old house and garden would stand out frolass of a caht of the old happy days in the pleasant home For father and mother both had passed away to their rest; the house was occupied by another tenant; and he, Torateful to Uncle Ja hi to have hi his year of probation, he proved hi so dull,” he thought, ”or reeable, if I could get on--but I can't
Uncle's right, I suppose, in what he says He ought to know I'm only a fool; and it doesn't seeet on”
Just then a door opened, letting in a broad band of sunshi+ne full of dancing motes, and at the sae as Tohter of build, but all the same more manly of aspect He was better dressed too, and wore a white flower in his button-hole, and a very glossy hat One glove was off, displaying a signet-ring, and he brought with hi odour of scent, whose source was probably the white pocket-handkerchief prominently displayed outside his breast-pocket
”Hullo, bu on?”
”Very slowly,” said Tom ”I wish you'd try and explain what this bitto find you in brains Hurry on and peg away
Shovel it in, and think you are going to be Lord Chancellor soone on down to the Court Going out?”
”Yes; up the river--Maidenhead You heard at the breakfast, didn't you?”
Tom shook his head
”I didn't hear,” he said sadly
”You never hear anything or see anything I never met such a dull, chuckle-headed chap as you are Why don't you wake up?”
”I don't know; I do try,” said To I don't wonder at the governor gru at you You'll have to pull up your boots if you expect to be articled here, and so I tell you There, I'ton at twelve I say, got any money?”
”No,” said Tom sadly