The Argosy, August 1905 — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

ae bc Ke _ Watched vigilantly by the bluecoats, Tapscott pulled a chair to the table and brushed aside the scientific clap-trap to make place tor his epistolary labors, Irom the shelf above he took a bottle of ink and a pen, and from the table drawer a pad of paper. His slightest movement claimed the closest attention of four pairs of eyes. The officers were on the alert to fore- stall a deed of violence, while Blinkers and 'Trenwyek were under thrall of a suspense that grew sharper by swift devrees. 'apseott, now calm and unruiftled, pulled a sheet from the pad, folded it carefully and divided it in half. Then he reached for the test tube and emptied its contents—a heap of brownish grains—upon one of the scraps of paper. With muttered exclamations, the of- fieers darted forward. Tapscott smiled at them. “ Do not be unduly exercised, gentle- men,” said he. “This is merely the fruit of one of my crazy experiments, and hence not of sufficient importance to cause alarm.” The officers drew back abashed and Tapscott proceeded with his’ work. With the pen point he counted out a number of the grains and slipped them to the other scrap of paper, after which he folded both papers into neat little packets. “ Now for the letter,” set himself to writing. A few minutes completed the task. Addressing an envelope, he placed the folded letter inside, together with one or both of the packets. Trenwyek was under the impression at the time that both packets went into the envelope and was sure the officers were of like opinion. Tapscott manipu- lated the matter so deftly that what happened was all the more surprising. “There,” said he, handing the sealed envelope to Trenwyck. “ Will you have the kindness to deliver that for me, Mr. Trenwyck? ” The letter bore the memorandum * For you, to be opened some time after you leave here.” said he, and - 7 a . , _ - * + 7 ™ ~ er. “We don’t want to be hard on ‘Trenwyck gave him a nod and put the letter in his pocket. “Thank you.” Tapscott removed another packet, wrapped in green paper, from the table drawer, and got up. * Of course,” he said to the officers, “I cannot go out on the street in a dressing-gown and slippers. Will you allow me to go into my bedroom and make ready to accompany you?” * You go with him, Pringle,” said one of the policemen to his companion. Trenwyck thought a shade of annoy- ance crossed Tapscott’s face, but it was only momentary. His vision cleared, and he started for the door of the rear room, followed by Pringle. Hand on the knob, he paused and looked back at Trenwyck. It was a ong look and a strange one, pregnant with deep meaning. Trenwyck was mystified. Only in the light of later events did the significance of that last look become clear. Heres .a ~ layout!” Blinkers, drawing a long breath. “Talk about your mysteries, Tren this is the clear quill, and no mistake.” ** Not much of a mystery here,” struck in the officer. ‘ The old gent is off his trolley, and has been for a year or more. Did you see that ‘ ad’ he put in the paper this morning?” * That’s what brought us here,” said Trenwyck. ‘ Curiosity, you know,” he hastened to add. “ Byngs is the best friend Tapscott ever had, if he did but know it,” con- tinued the officer, ** but Tapscott thinks Byngs is jealous of him. When one of these scientific codgers gets an idea like that in his head he’s . A wild yell burst from the other room. Trenwyck, Blinkers and the officer sprang up in consternation and rushed at the door, the officer leading. Pringle, his face ashen and distorted with fear and wonder, was leaning against the wall. Tightly clutched in his hands was 'lapscott’s dressing-gown. Tapscott himself was not in evidence. “Where is he?” cried the officer who had led the rush into the bedroom. “Wake up, man!” he added, grabbing muttered Pringle by the shoulders and shaking — him roughly. “ Where’s Tapscott?” = ~ : eat -# > , . ae 4 - ¢ ; tay At & pe Ao Be — = a +n -~ ~ comicbooks.com