Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

758 greater pleasure, but I didn’t dare to talk to him alone. ‘“Is your master upstairs?” I asked the butler. “ Will you tell him that Dr. Green- Slade is here? He is an old friend of his.” We had rather less than two minutes be- fore Medina appeared. ‘“T come from your wife,’ Greenslade whispered. ‘ She has told me all about the business, and she thought this was the safest plan. J was to tell you that she has news of Miss Victor and the marquis. They are safe enough. Any word of the little boy?” He raised his voice as Medina entered. “My dear fellow, this is a great pleasure. J had to be in London for a consultation, and I thought I would look up Hannay. I hardly hoped to have the luck to catch a busy man like you.” Medina was very gracious—no, that is not the word, for there was nothing patron- izing in his manner. He asked in the most friendly way about Greenslade’s practice, and how he liked English country life after his many wanderings. He spoke with an air of regret of the great valleys and the windy Central Asian tablelands where they had first forgathered. Odell brought in tea, and we made as pleasant a trio of friends as you could find in London. I asked a few casual questions about Fosse, and then I mentioned Peter John. Here Greenslade had an inspiration; he told me afterward that he thought it might bea good thing to open a channel for further communications. “T think he’s all right,” he said slowly. “ He’s been having occasional stomach- aches, but I expect that is only the result of hot weather and the first asparagus. Lady Hannay is a little anxious—you know what she is, and all mothers. to-day keep thinking about appendicitis. So I’m keep- ing my eye on the little man. You needn't worry, Dick.” I take credit to myself for having divined the doctor’s intention. I behaved as if I scarcely heard him, and as if Fosse Manor and my family were things infinitely re- mote. Indeed, I switched off the conversa- tion to where Medina had last left it, and behaved toward Tom Greenslade as if his ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. presence rather bored me, and I had very little to say to him. Whenvhe got up to go, it was Medina who accompanied him to the front door. All this was a heavy strain upon my self-command, for I would have given anything for a long talk with him—though I had the sense not to believe his news about Peter John. ‘Not a bad fellow, that doctor of yours,” Medina observed on his return. “No,” I said carelessly. ‘ Rather a dull dog all the same, with his country gossip. But I wish him well, for it is to him that I owe your friendship.” IT must count that episode one of my lucky moments, for it seemed to give Medina some special satisfaction. *“ Why do you make this your only sit- ting room?” he asked. ‘‘ The library is at your disposal, and it is pleasanter in summer than any other part of the house.” “TI thought I might be disturbing your work,” I said humbly. “Not a bit of it. Besides, I’ve nearly finished my work. After to-night I can slack off, and presently I’ll be an idle man.” ** And then the holiday?” “Then the holiday.” He smiled in a pleasant boyish way, which was one of his prettiest tricks. ** How soon will that be?” “If all goes well, very soon. after the second of June. By the way, the Thursday Club dines on the first. I want you to be my guest again.” Here was more food for thought. The conviction grew upon me that he and his friends had put forward the date of liqui- dation; they must have suspected some- thing — probably from Sandy’s presence in England—and were taking no risks. I smoked that evening till my tongue was sore and went to bed in a fever of excite- ment. The urgency of the matter fairly screamed in my ears, for Macgillivray must know the truth at once and so must Mary. Mercot was safe, and there was a chance apparent- ly of Turpin and Miss Victor, which must be acted upon instantly if the main date were changed. Of the little boy I had given up all hope. But how to find the truth! TI felt like a man in a bad dream COmicloOoks Probably (C@ inn