Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

“488 It was slight, to be sure; hardly more than a tightening of the firm lips, the “merest indrawing of the nostrils, possibly a : slight contraction of the eyes such as a ‘man might show catching his breath quickly. “Tt isn’t Mr. Sands’s revolver,” an- swered Deston slowly. “ He has one which he keeps in the top drawer of his desk. It is most likely—” * Never mind looking for it now. “revolver, then—whose is it?” *“ It is the one I found lying just beyond Mr. Sands’s grasp, as I think I explained. I picked it up and laid it on the mantel.” This ‘“‘ Wondered how it came there,’ nodded ~ “We'll go on through the house.” — Craton. Deston led the way through the dining room into the kitchen and pantries. The — rear stairs went up from a hall off the din- © the telephone, got the connection and final- ‘ing room and kitchen. Before mounting to the upper floor Craton-excused himself and _passed out the back door. He was gone for - some time. When he returned he and Des- ton climbed the rear stairs. 7 Deston threw open door after door, ‘“My bedroom and sitting room,” he ex- “plained. ‘“ This is Akron’s room and these are extra bedrooms used when there hap- pens to be more guests than can be taken care of at the main house. This room is the chamber Mr. Sands used when he slept here. The room in front is a sitting room he also used. Miss Thurston is in there. 9 “We won't disturb her,’ suggested Craton. “Here is a bedroom and in front, the corner room, nearer the head of the stairs, “is another. I carried Mr. Sands in there.” Craton stepped back and motioned Des- ton to go ahead. As they entered the dark- ened chamber where the ashen-faced figure lay so. still and deathlike the detective’s glance was on Deston rather than the gray face on the smooth pillow, A white capped nurse sat silent, watchful, ‘Willet Sands’s huge hand in hers, her fin- ger resting upon the pulse. By the window Dr. Forbes and the two hastily summoned ‘specialists stood talking in low tones. It was a big room with many windows, --_and through them, thrown open to the soft night, a fragrant current of air stole in. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, a Craton crossed, spoke a few words with the physicians and came back to the bed. “His fingers closed over the limp wrist, and as he caught the faint pulse he lifted the “hand and turned it over. | Reaching across the bed he lifted Sands’s other hand and glanced at it. “ Have his hands been washed?” he ques- — tioned in a whisper. The nurse shook her head. CHAPTER YV. DESTON’S STORY. RATON and Deston rejoined Marsh. “ How about notifying the authori- ties?” questioned Craton. “ Never thought of it,’’ admitted Deston. Craton turned to Marsh, who picked up ly hung up. “TI was talking with Coroner Sutton,” explained the lawyer. “He said he’d be along at once and bring the sheriff with him. >? : Craton sank into a chair and settled back with a sigh. He had the appearance of be- ing quite unruffled and with ample time on his hands. Slowly he turned and looked at Deston. “JT want to say one thing before I have to be asking questions. What success I have is because of system. I can’t look a situation in the face and tell you offhand what has happened. I may be able to do some guessing—if I care to—but I can only be certain of the truth when I know. To know means facts, all the facts. Get the idea, Mr. Deston?” “In other words,” answered the younger ‘man, looking the detective over calmly, *“ you expect me to give you every incident I can recall no matter how trifling it may seem to me and allow you to judge of its value.” ‘““ Exactly. You get my idea because you can appreciate the sense in it. More, you are one who can read men and you know Pm not talking for effect—that I mean just what I say.” “Possibly,” admitted Deston with no change in expression. : oO (Q) com bOOKS.GO