Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

118 being good. She ee: given her guests a jolt at last. “Ts it supposed,” said Zozomee, following the eyes of the policemen and looking at Mrs. Harry, “‘that I took an old-fashioned necklace of coral and a rose diamond pend- ant?” ‘Vou see how well she knows it,” said Mrs. Harry carelessly. “T don’t understand—”’ Mr. Webster be- gan, gazing at his wife, rather dazed. “Shh-sh,’ Guinnell whispered. be it’s part of the show.” Zozomee’s voice was distinct and clear and vibrant with repressed anger. ~ “Certainly Mrs. Webster, you are playing “May- a strange joke/since you now wear the neck- — Jace I am accused of stealing!’ “That’s just what J thought,” said Web- ster wonderingly to Guinnell, Without more ado Zozomee walked be- tween the policemen, snatched up her cloak and scurried through the crowd. No one paid attention to her. She was the winner. Every ‘one could see that for every one’s face had turned toward Mrs. . Harry, whdse fingers lifted mechanically to her throat, where under the filmy tulle they fell upon the necklace supposed to be in the safe of Casper P. Kase; and Mrs. Harry looked as if she was dropping through space without the faintest idea of where she would land. But she came down lightly as a cat, on her feet and with a laugh. “The joke is on me,” she cried. “Zozo- mee has a magic act I made fun of at re- hearsal and wouldn’t let her use tonight. I thought she’d really stolen that—this neck- lace. I'll say she’s good!” People smiled and jested gaily. almost believed her himself. “And I'll say she is good!” he muttered. The orchestra struck up. Waiters ap- peared with trays of sandwiches, dishes of ice and drinks. People are happy when they eat. The party became quite cheerful. Guinnell, closely observant, caught Mrs. Harry’s whisper as’she passed Ford. “Can you beat it? Guinnell arbor. I’ll get away from here soon as I can.”’ GUINNELL, used to taking chances re of one kind and another, watched for the opportunity to get up-stairs un- observed and used it. This time when Zozomee’s door opened he me to,’ Wait for me in the. Adventure was asked inside at once. Both women stared at him gratefully as they poured out questions. ‘““My mother,” said Zozomee. Guinnell was a bit staggered and bowed low. It was a surprize to find Zozomee under maternal care; but of course even a thief may have a mother. “Now,” he said cheerfully, smiling from one to the other, ‘‘now how would it be to take that necklace from her—again?” “But,” said the mother, “Mrs. Webster gave my daughter that necklace—to pawn for her.”’ “Er—I say—what’s that?’’ Guinnell de- manded. “That's why I signed her name. name was Grace McHenry. “But,” he cried, ~ Kase is a crook, a fence! ‘Hew did “Mrs. Webster told me to go there. . Trevelyan Ford told her.”’ “Ah!” said Guinnell, rather dazed but beginning to see light. He realized that these were innocent, sim- ple folk who knew no more about stealing than he did of foreign missions. Miss McHenry was a young artist just emerging with a.bizarre name from years of hard preparatory work. Every engagement meant a great deal to her. She needed friends. ‘That was why she had been willing to accommodate Mrs, Webster by doing an errand. “You have the pawn-ticket yet, haven’t “Yes. She asked me to keep it. To- morrow she said she would send for the necklace.” “T thought so,’”’ said Guinnell. He understood. Mrs. Harry would stop at nothing. She needed money—two thou- sand eight hundred dollars to keep Ford out of jail. The matter of ruining the girl’s life did not trouble Mrs. Harry at all. “She accused you of stealing it. The pawn-ticket would have been found in your hands. Kase would have had to give up the necklace. Very simple. She would have both the money and the necklace. You, Kase and the police would then settle matters among yourselves as best you could. I’ll take that pawn-ticket if I may.” Both women were horrified, as they well might be. She told- ’ said Zozomee, whose unpr ofessional “How fortunate,” said Mrs. McHenry; < : Gomichbooks (C@