Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 46: what you’re looking at

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836 wayward thought into blank verse. Winter dashed to the stairs, nor did he forbid the others to follow; even the placid mannered wavidson rose, closed his notebook, and ran with him. He did not forget, however, to bid Bates and the policeman remain. It was just in such a panic-stricken mo- ment that the hall might be left unguarded. ‘“ Where was the girl found?” was Win- ter’s first question. “At the foot of the turret stairs, sir.” ‘“ Straight up,” put in Davidson. ‘‘ There are only two main stories.” As they crossed the lobby a lighted ele- vator shot downward past a door of open iron work. It contained two figures. One was hidden. The other was apparently the mid-Victorian housekeeper, Mrs. James. Winter put a hand on Davidson’s shoul- der. ‘You don’t hesitate to do what you are asked,” he said. ‘‘ Will you hurry to wher- ever that elevator stops, and ascertain who is in it, and why?” The secretary turned on his heel instant- ly. Glen seemed to feel a sting of reproof in Winter’s words, because he seized the opportunity to display his knowledge of the castle’s interior economy. “This next set of stairs leads to a trans- verse corridor,” he explained. ‘“‘ The turret rises over the center of the building, and is reached by a winding staircase.” Winter nodded. He pretended to be rather breathless, whereas he owned a phe- nomenal activity of body, an attribute which had saved him from death or disablement in many a tough struggle with desperate evildoers. At that moment the sixth sense which every skilled detective must be en- dowed with was warning him that Victor Denasch had some motive in lagging behind the remainder of the party. Winter won- dered what the ultrapolished young man had in his mind, so he mounted the stairs with difficulty, watching Denasch with ears instead of eyes. They found Alice Romer laid on a settee near the door of the lift. The butler’s squad of searchers had discovered her almost im- mediately, and the presence of many of the maid servants showed that their bedrooms were situated in this section of the castle. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The girl’s body was inert, and her cheeks were ivory white, but Macgregor saw at a glance that she was still living. “Tell me exactly what position she was in when you picked her up,” he said to Mr. Pinkney. “Almost on her face, sir, with her left arm stretched out. Her head and shoul- ders were halfway through the open door, and her feet on the stairs.”’ “Looking exactly as though she had slipped and fallen, pitching forward?” "Yes; sir.” The doctor’s strong and capable fingers had been pressing the girl’s scalp meanwhile. Then he tilted her chin, and, holding each ankle in turn, moved each leg at knee and thigh. He tested her arms similarly. “Nothing broken, at any rate,” he an- nounced. ‘“ She may be suffering from a slight concussion, though I doubt it. My opinion is that she has fainted, and will soon recover her senses.” Mr. Pinkney sighed his relief. “That’s good news,” he said. “ We all thought she was dead. You see, sir, she was lying very awkwardly.” “I’m sure of it. The resultant compres- sion of certain arteries would help to keep her insensible. Have you any brandy and smelling salts?” “Mrs. James and a footman have just gone for some, sir.” A rising light and a slight clang pro- claimed the return of the elevator, which now held three passengers, Mr. Davidson having come with the others. ‘“Where is her room situated?” went on the doctor. “No. 17, in the left corridor, sir.” “Let us take her there. Then we can remove her shoes and stockings. Massage will help the restoratives. We'll carry her on the couch, just as she is. A couple of you girls come along, too. You can rub her wrists and ankles.” Winter bent close to Macgregor’s ear. ‘““ Pay special heed to the first words she utters, and before she has time to gather her wits, find cut why she fainted.” He turned to the butler. “Has the turret been searched?” asked. he oO “~EeEomicbooks CO