A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, April 1950 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

26 A. MERRITT’S FANTASY to the cemetery and the top of the hill, a distance of about four hundred yards—more or less. Rime on the grass went to prove that the case had been thrown toward the bushes from the road, since it had fallen into position after the ground-frost had whitened the grass, and there were no foot- prints, except for those made by the con- stable himself, in the vicinity. In all prob- ability the case was thrown from a passing car, since, if a pedestrian had been carrying it, he would almost certainly have attracted notice from others using this road. A far greater number of people, both children and adults, is missing at any given time than is generally supposed, and, so far, no clue is available as to the identity of this unfortunate infant. The suitcase, a cheap, figer-and-cane article, well worn, bears no labels or distinguishing marks by which it might be traced. There is a possibility that a child belonging to some traveling men- agerie might have strayed too. near the cages containing savage beasts, and that the parents disposed of the body in this way to avert inquiries and subsequent trouble. Against this is the fact that no menageries are known to have been on the roads in this district for weeks past. Medical examination will, of course, re- veal more fully the way in which the child - came by his death, but it already appears certain that no human agency is responsible. Mt: BRANDON looked up. She said, “Very—badly—written,” rather shakily, and Gees saw that she had lost color. “T’d dissent, by the effect it’s had on you,” he said. “But with this—the ability to connect up these two things before any _ others make the connection, your trip last ae Ps paint ») J ieee Fg Mey FAL night was very far from futile, you see. It enables me to get on to Tony Briggs be- fore he can connect up.” “But—but what on earth do you mean ?” she asked fearfully. _“T don’t know myself.” he confessed. “Between the British Museum and my father, and what I already knew—and this Gieo Kefra herself—I’m utterly puzzled. Only—it’s all wrong—all wrong! Abruptly he snatched up the telephone receiver from its rest on her desk, put it to his ear, and dialled. “Mr. Briggs—Mr. Anthony Briggs, please,” he said, when he got his response. Then—‘“ Mr. Green.” After a pause, “Hullo, Tony. Gees speaking. I suppose you’re not available for lunch today?”’ He frowned. “No, I _ thought you wouldn’t be. Too bad. Well, look here. The nearest Lyonis to the Par- liament end of Whitehall—blow in and look for me in about twenty minutes, and I'l] buy the coffee. Right?” Miss Brandon watched him nod and smile at the response he got. “Ah! Yes, I see! Leaving you deso- late, is she? Well, that accounts for it. Yes. In twenty minutes.” He replaced the receiver, and again took out his cigarette case Miss Brandon took one this time. He said, “I can walk it in ten minutes, from here,” up for her and himself. “She ought to have been dark,” she said abruptly. “T believe the mummies go to show they were not all dark,’’ he dissented. ‘“‘The early dynasties. Besides—”’ he broke off, and lighted one thoughtfully. “Probably in all Egypt! to-_ day there are not more than half a dozen families—maybe not more than one or two —of the pure-blooded race that was, in the days of the Pharaohs. The present race is mongrel, more Arab than anything else, and she’s got no Arab blood in her, by my reckoning.” “Mr Green, you’re not thinking of con- necting her with the murder of that child ?” she asked, with sudden fear. “T tell you I don’t know a thing!” he exclaimed, with equally sudden irritation, ‘Sorry, Miss Brandon—lI didn’t mean to bark. I'll get along, now, and—do forgive me for landing you with that mess last night. won’t you?” “Why, of course, Mr. Green! It wasn’t your fault in the least.” Two minutes later, with his hat in his hand, he paused again in the doorway. “I may have another commission for you, Miss Brandon,” he said. “Tony Briggs tells me she’s going away for a few days, and I may want you to keep track of her, I'll know better after I’ve seen him, though. I'll be back in an hour or so.” Tony Briggs was prompt and unruffled, There was just a suggestion of pouter pigeon in his bearing, and his pink-and- white face wore the expression of virtue rewarded. “Quite a cheery party yesterday, wasn’t it?” he said, patting the tablecloth. “TI thought your Miss Brandon was looking remarkably attractive. Have you fallen for her yet?” “With you an object lesson in falling, I’m keeping on my feet,” Gees said grave- comicbooks.co > =-& » oo a < SS eet oe Ee ae ee or fe = -