Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

724 sic. Eventually I found-a dirty little room with a window, and to my surprise looked down on a dancing hall. I know it, for I had once been there with Archie Roylance. That was queer enough, but imagine my surprise when [ saw my wedded wife, rad- dled like a geisha, dancing with an old friend who seemed to have got himself up to imitate a wax work.” She seemed scarcely to be listening. ** But in the house! ~ Did you see no one?” “IT saw one man and I heard another. The fellow I saw was a man I once met in the small hours with Medina.” “But the other? You didn’t see him? You didn’t hear him go out?” “No.” I was puzzled at her excitement. ‘Why are you so keen about the other?” ‘“ Because I think — I’m sure —it was Sandy—Colonel Arbuthnot.” This was altogether beyond me. “ Im- possible!” I cried. ‘ The place is a lair of Medina’s. The man I saw was Medina’s servant or satellite. Do you mean to say that Sandy has been exploring that house?” She nodded: ‘‘ You see it is the Fields of Eden.” ‘“ Oh, I know. I found that out for my- self. Do you tell me that Sandy discov- ered it too?” “Yes. That is why I was there. That is why I have been living a perfectly hid- eous life and am now dressed like a chorus girl,” “Mary,” I said solemnly, “my fine brain won’t support any more violent shocks. Will you please to sit down be- side me and give me the plain tale of all you have been doing since I said good-by to you at Fosse?” “ First,” she said, “‘I had a visit from a dramatic critic on holiday, Mr. Alexander Thomson. He said he knew you, and that you had suggested that he should call. He came three times to Fosse; but only once to the house. Twice I met him in the woods. He told me a good many things, and one was that he couldn’t succeed, and you couldn’t succeed, unless I helped, He thought that if a woman were lost only a woman could find her. In the end he. per- suaded me. You said yourself, Dick, that Nanny was quite competent to take charge ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. of Peter John, with Dr. Greenslade so close at hand. And I hear from her every day, and he is very well and happy.” “You came to London. But when?” “The day you came back from Nor- way.” “ But I’ve been having letters regularly from you since then.” “That is my little arrangement with Paddock. I took him into my confidence. I send him the letters in batches and he posts one daily.” “Then you’ve been here more than a fortnight. Have you seen Sandy?” “Twice. He has arranged my life for me, and has introduced me to my dancing partner, the Marquis de la Tour du Pin, whom you call Turpin. I think I have had the most horrible, the most wearing time that any woman ever had. I have moved in raffish circles and have had to be the most raffish of the lot. Do you know, Dick, I believe I’m really a good actress? [I have acquired a metallic voice, and a high, silly laugh, and hard eyes, and when I lie in bed at night I blush all over for my shamelessness. I know you hate it, but you can’t hate it more than I do. But it had to be done. I couldn’t be a ‘ piker,’ as Mr. Blenkiron used to say.” ** Any luck?” z “Oh, yes,” she said wearily. “I have found Miss Victor. It wasn’t very diffi- cult, really. When I had made friends with the funny people that frequent these places it wasn’t hard to see who was differ- ent from the other. They’re all manikins, but the one I was looking for was bound to be the most manikinish of the lot. I wanted some one without mind or soul, and T found her. Besides, I had a clew to start with. Odell, you know.” “‘ It was the green girl.” She nodded. “TI couldn’t be certain of course, till I had her lover to help me. Oh, he is a good man, your French marquis. He has played his part splendidly. You see, it would never do to try to awake Adela Victor now. We couldn’t count on her be- ing able to keep up appearances without arousing suspicion till the day of release arrived. But something had to be done, and that is my business especially. I have oO CORNICLO@ S (C@