All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

ges By the time her hair suited her, she de- no right to it,” he docecved. controlling ‘his ee -_-- ¢ided-'to change her shoes and stockings. voice. a All these things and others, including a lit- tle touch of powder and the manipulation of a nail buffer, took time; and whatever time was necessary Miss Dean took. Then she went out on the porch. The Grouch dropped his watch back into his pocket and looked at her coldly. “You wished to see me?” she asked, returning his glance evenly. “Tt has become necessary,” said the Grouch. “ What a double pea tae Shall we be brief?” “ Very.” “Good! Begin.” Miss Dean seated herself, but she did not again invite him to find a chair. He re- mained standing on the grass, with his heels clicked precisely together. . “T’ve come for that picture,” he said. Then he added quickly: ‘“ And don’t an- swer by saying ‘ What picture?’ ” “TI wasn’t going to,” said Miss Dean. “The picture is conceded. It’s excellent, too. ? “T want the negative, also,” he contin- ued. “Yes; there is a negative,” she admitted. “And I want any and all prints that have been made.” Miss Dean nodded and devoted herself to a study of the Grouch’s scarf. “T want them now, if you please.” She tapped her slipper on the porch floor and smiled. “ At least, you talk to the point,” she said. ‘ You.just want one thing after an- other, don’t you?” “J do,” he answered without flinching. “Well, now here’s what 7 want,” said Miss Dean. “I want to keep the picture, and the negative, and any and all prints.” “ Why?” She studied his silk shirt. “Why?” he repeated. ‘““ Reasons not stated,” she said. “ Blackmail?” She laughed. Ge re making many suggestions, Mr. March. # ai picture is not yours, and you’ve “Ts it yours?” “Tm concerned in it.” | “Yes; prominently,” she agreed. The Grouch winced. ‘Let me see it,” he commanded. Miss Dean shook her head. _“ Not at present,” she said. s Really I cannot tell. far. 3) “What’s the price?” a “T haven’t thought of that, either. You get ahead very rapidly.” oe “Well, Pll pay that bet. Only youre. not entitled to it, for it wasn’t a legitimate ie one.’ Miss Dean laughed outright. = “ But you’re going to pay that anyhow,” she said. : ““ Don’t be sure. pair of slippers.” “But I’m going to get those anyhow. — I had already decided to tell you that (d accept them.” eee He shook his head: impatiently. ‘““Come, then; name your price. much money—cold cash?” ‘Make a bid,” she suggested. _“ The price!” he said, rapping his cane on the step. “T can’t name it until I know the value. I’m not at all sure what it’s worth.” She spoke thoughtfully. ‘“ And it may take me some time to learn.” “‘ How do you mean, to learn?” She shrugged and looked mysterious. =. The Grouch viewed her with a fixed stare, and she met it without wavering. aa = Well, I won’t stand here haggling,” he said abruptly. : ‘““T was sure you wouldn’t.” ‘“‘ But I want to serve notice.on you that I propose to get that picture.” “ Service acknowledged,” she said with a nod. ‘““ Meantime, I shall ask one thing.” ce Yes?” _ “JT want your word that you will show = it to nobody until we have talked further — about it, and that you will keep it ina place where nobody is likely to find it.” I haven’t got that | * | And T’ll throw in that — a How