Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

HOW MANY CARDS? advancing along the hall, and behind her appeared the shorter, more rotund figure of a man evidently some years her senior. Both were dressed in the simplest of out- door attire, and their bearing betrayed their identity even before the woman spoke. “ Don’t you remind us that we're late, Frank,” she said sharply, “ we've had a dreadful night: fire in the flat below Rol- lins’s sister’s, and never a wink of sleep for any of us. I’m sure I wish Mr. Crevel- ing would have his parties somewhere else and leave us in peace—” - §$he stopped abruptly on catching sight of the stranger behind the valet and her close-set eyes seemed boring him through like gimlets. Before Hill could interpose the fat elderly man spoke over her shoulder: “Lizzie couldn’t ’elp the fire, but Sarah will have ’er—’ullo! Who’s this?” Hill darted a ‘swift glance behind, and for the first time McCarty caught a glimpse of the man’s countenance with the mask off. It was drawn and distorted and a gleam of incalculable cunning shone from the narrowed eyes. The next instant, with a twisted smile, he had stepped aside. _ “ Perhaps you’d like to tell them your- self, sir.’ He waved his hand toward the newcomers. ‘It’s Rollins and Sarah.” The two stood rooted to the spot as McCarty stepped forward. “Police headquarters,” he announced bluntly. ‘‘ You dre Sarah Rollins, the cook here? Did you telephone out to Broad- mead where Mrs. Creveling is staying dur- ing last night?” “ Police!” the woman gasped in a shrill whisper. ‘‘ Whatever’s been goin’ on? What would I telephone to Mrs. Creveling for? I’m one that minds my own business and makes no trouble.”’ ‘Unfeigned astonishment was blazoned upon her thin, acidulous face, but no sign | of apprehension, and satisfied. that he had been answered McCarty turned to her husband. “You're the butler? Did you telephone to. Mr. George Alexander about half-past four this morning?”’ ‘“‘Mr. Alexander!” Rollins repeated in evident stupefaction. “At ‘alf after four I was trying to settle to a bit of sleep again 5AT in my bed at my sister’s. The house she lives in took on fire at two, and-we were all routed out in our—as we were, sir. I ’ad no occasion to telephone to Mr. Alexander or any one else. What is it? What’s been going on ’ere, robbery?” ‘Mr. Creveling was shot to death here in his study some time during the night.” McCarty watched the effect of his words narrowly. “Do you know who was sup- posed to have had supper here with him?” “Shot!” It was the cook who uttered on her before she could continue. “We know nothing about it!” His ruddy face had paled, and the assertion, although seemingly addressed to McCarty, was as obviously intended for the woman. “This is terrible business, sir. "Ow—’ow did it ’appen?” “That’s what I’m here to find out,” McCarty retorted grimly. ‘“ Did you know why Mr. Creveling gave you a little holi- day yesterday?” “Why, yes, sir,” the butler stammered. “Td asked ’im for leave to run up to Bos- ton over night some time this week to see my brother-in-law on business, and yester- day Mr. Creveling told me to go last night, and take Sarah with me if I liked; I under- stood that Frank would be ’ere to look after the ’ouse.”’ “Why didn’t you go to Boston, then?” demanded McCarty quickly. ‘* Because my brother-in-law ’ad returned to the city. I phoned my sister to tell ’er we were going, and she said ’e ’ad come home; that’s why we went to ’er flat ’ere instead.” ‘And stayed over night instead of com- ing back here to your own rooms to sleep?” There was contemptuous incredulity in Mc- Carty’s tones. ‘‘ Why did you do that?” ‘* Because we talked late and my brother- in-law and I split a bottle that he’d got ’old of somewhere.” Rollins spoke sullenly, and then, as if in afterthought, roused himself to what was probably expected of him. “Mr. Creveling dead! This is ’orrible, sir, orrible! A fine, free-handed gentleman he was. Did a burglar break in, do you think?” - the exclamation, and her husband turned . “Im asking questions, not answering (C ric oe frc Gol NOOK CO NT