Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

116 The matronly woman was unimpressed. She seemed to know all about the import- ance of rush messages from strange young men. “Zozomee,” said the maternal maid with great coolness, “will see no one. I can take your message.”’ This woman, who plainly had none of the bribable weaknesses usually found in maids, was suspicious and impatient. “Tell her,” he said rapidly, “it is known that Mrs, Harrison Webster did not visit a penobeke today.” “Just what do you mean?” “Miss Zozomee will understand—per- fectly.” His earnestness impressed her. asked— “You refer to Kase and the necklace?” She “Yes,” said Guinnell, surprized at her di- rectness, “Come in,”’ said the woman, opening the door wide and closing it gently as he came through, She said, “Wait,” and left him. She crossed the room to Zozomee, who sat before a mirror and was leaning a little to one side to catch his reflection. At first the room appeared to Guinnell to be in a litter of dresses and feminine things overflowing from opened boxes and trunks, but he had no attention for anything but Zozomee, who kept her back to him. The shimmering hair fell free across the em- broidered blue dressing-gown. The matronly voice was saying in a half- whisper— “Some kind of trouble, I know—that necklace—I warned you.” Zozomee stood up and turned. Guin- nell felt that he was seeing her for the first time. Erect and graceful she swept toward him, and was not affected or embarrassed. Her eyes were direct. There was not a shade of excitement in her manner. She - was a glorious woman. “T do not understand what is the trouble,” she said simply. Her voicé was smooth, pleasant. She seemed younger than he had thought and more beautiful. Guinnell was lost. He did not want to be cool and cautious. By nature he was im- pulsive; also audacious. He wanted to prove himself a dependable friend and have her gratitude. Explanations could follow then. There was now no time. Adventure ‘Tisten. That necklace~Mrs. Harry knows. The police will grab you after the last dance. L’ Apache. Take it easy. Treat ‘it as a-joke—part of the entertainment. Put it in the bill. Tl fix it some way so you'll get clear and see you tonight again. I can’t stop now——” Zozomee and the matronly maid ex- changed amazed glances; then Zozomee said— “T don’t in the least understand what you : are talking about!” He smiled reassuringly. “T don’t blame you. But you will, after L’A pache!l” “But Mrs. Webster herseli——” “Listen. Mrs. Harry would do anything to make a Roman holiday or a guest giggle. She’s planned it all. [ll see you again. <I must go.” He bowed to Zozomee; he bowed to the matronly maid and left them wholly mys- tified and half-alarmed, staring at each other, as he slipped through the door. In the hall he met Webster, excited, everr pleased. “T say, Guinnell, it’s all right. The Bourbon’s nearly gone. Ford was after that. I feel better. I can’t tell you how much better I feel!” “Whew!” said Guinnell. ‘“You’re ready to raise the roof over suspected petty lar- ceny but forgive the man who drinks your Bourbon!” “T don’t understand,” said Webster. “T don’t either,” said Guinnell. Five minutes later Guinnell had slipped down the street to where his low-slung, high- power roadster was parked and he drove rapidly away, heading for the Dunkart Block. fuses GUINNELL stealthily approached eee the door marked “Private.” A dim ~ « line of light lay under it, but he had heard voices in the manufacturing jeweler’s. It was there that the old “fence’’ changed and reshaped almost beyond possible iden- tification much of the loot brought to him. Guinnell slipped quickly into the little dirty room. He did not even glance at the big safe. That was for detectives, who came to look over the pawned articles and see if they recognized anything reported stolen. He pressed a spring that dislodged the window-sill, reached among the king’s ran- ° som that was carelessly strewn there, picked S CORMICLOO© (C©@)