Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

HOW MANY CARDS? ‘“‘ Eugene Creveling.”’ Cutter’s tone held just the decorous touch of serrow and re- gret. “ Trouble.”’ “Mental and imaginary, if any,” he re- plied as though te himself. “ Weakness.” “ Lack of restraint.” The figures which appeared on the pro- jection sheet now were almost stationary, and when they changed at all varied only slightly. It seemed to McCarty as theugh Cut- ter were imitating, perhaps unconsciously, the menotonous pitch of his interrogater’ S voice. “ Attack.” A bare moment elapsed before the reply, but it was sufficient to suggest a hint of hesitation. c¢ Guest. 93 “ Friend.”’ This time there was no pause, but the figures changed and flickered before their eyes. é¢ Gun. 2? | Cutter turned with an apologetic shrug to Terhune. ‘“ There’s only one thought which that word could bring to my mind under the circumstances and the only one word which expresses it is ‘ who’s ’?” Terhune nedded in comprehension. ‘* Passien.”” “ Curios.” Cutter’s veice lifted in relief to its accustomed level. 66 Anger. ’” ‘““Rage.”’ Was there a shade of studied carefulness in the precision with which the mere casual definition was uttered? é¢ Fear.”’ ‘ Apprehension.” “Deem.” For the first time Terhune lewered his own veice impressively, but Cutter only shrugged once more as he made his final reply. “ Fate.” “ That is all, thank you, Mr. Cutter.” Terhune slipped the paper upon which as befere he had been scribbling into his pocket and teek up the last remaining sheet. “IT shall net detain any of you gentlemen Jong now. Mr. Alexander, you have -heard 537 the words to which the others have replied: will you aid me now in my final test?” “ Willingly, although I must confess that I cannot quite see of what value these tests may be, nor what bearing they can have upon the distressing affair you are in- vestigating. Will you explain your purpose to us afterward? I am highly curious.” “Oh, yes.” Terhune smiled once more. “7 will make my meaning and purpose quite clear to you. You were Mr. Crevel- ing’s partner and closer to him, perhaps, than any one in this room. The words I mention to you will therefore be of more intimate suggestion than those offered: to the others as guides to their various trains of thought and will cover a much wider range. I trust that you will reply with the first thought which comes to you in connec- tion with them.: Let us take the word ‘ brother.’ “¢ oe Alexander started nervously, and during the utterance of that monosylla- ble the figures changed three times on the luminous sheet. Will.” Terhune studied the numerals attentively. , ‘* Document.” “ Ward.” “My niece.” Alexander spoke shortly and there was a certain dry note in his voice as though all at ence he ceased to find the experiment as interesting as he had: previ- ously asserted. c¢ Birth. ) “Lineage.” The slight, elderly figure drew itself up. with unconscious hauteur in the big chair. ‘“* Money.” ‘ Er—capital.” He wilted a little, but his head with its graying Vandyke beard was still held proudly erect. G¢ Loan. 9) “Debt.” Alexander caught himself up with a sharply drawn breath. “ Marriage.’’. | . , A pause ensued and then faintly: ‘‘ Orange-blossoms.”’ To McCarty it seemed a trivial enough rejoinder and yet for some reason it ap- peared to afford Terhune obvious satisfac- tion. ‘ Prosperity.” GORGE OOO Colin