The Argosy, August 1905 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

oo” a>. - & Cole did not Shattuck,” ** May Tam Major Craw- _ “My friend Sir Arthur intend to annoy you, Mr. said the major conciliatingly. I introduce myself? ford, of New York. You must pardon us for seeming inquisitive. You see, the man who has just escaped—through no fault of yours, I am sure—was 4 frjend of ours. We have traveled for some time with Mr. Mohun, and—— “Mr. who?” broke in the detective. “Mr. Mohun—Mr. Ralph Mohun— the man “So that’s the name, is it?” growled Zenas. “Why, what other? Do you mean he was traveling under am alias? ” “ What I mean or what I don’t mean iz no concern of anybody’s but mine and his. He’s the man I’m after, all right. I’ve seen him often enough in Boston to know him. And I'll get him, too, even if he has given me the slip for the min- ute in that measly black garden out there. Oh, I'll get him right enough! ” “Won't you tell us with what crime he is charged, constable?” asked Cole eagerly. “No, I won't. Is that plain enough? Tt’s none of your business. T’ve got a warrant for him and Ill get him. That’s enough for you to know. If Vd had sense enough to communicate first with the chief of police here, instead of trying to be a smart Alec-and play a lone hand, I'd never have let him slip.” “Do you know,” babbled Cole, his monocle sweeping the group with be- neyolent triumph, “I’ve always had my suspicions of that Mohun, Always said to myself he was a queer Johnny. He’d never talk about himself, you know. Always distrust a chap that won't talk about himself. Now, 7 am always glad to talk about myself. [-——” “Ym afraid you were right, Mrs. Sharpe, m the suspicions you voiced to- day,” said the major sadly. “J blame myself bitterly for bemg taken m by the fellow. And yet he seemed so straight- forward, 50 gentlemanly!” “Oh, don’t talk of my wretched sus- picions!” cried the poor old lady, cast- ing a frightened glance at May, who, at I’m a bad-hearted old creature ever to have had such thoughts or to have ~ spoken them. No doubt I was utterly mistaken. He may clear himself yet.” “Not he!” retorted the major with sorrowful conviction. “ An honest man doesn’t take to his heels when accused of crime or when accosted by a detective.” « But he may have lost his head.” <The man who had coolness and pres- ence of mind enough to plan and carry out the rescue of May and the groom from the quicksand isn’t likely to lose his head under a lesser emergency. No, no. Um the last man who would have believed in his guilt if he hadn’t given ample proof of it by running away.” “Always suspected him. Queer Johnny!” supplemented Sir Arthur, chuckling. “Tf you'll excuse me, uncle,” May, “1 think IV’ go to my room. very tired.” Zenas Shattuck looked keenly after the departing girl, noting the drooping lines of her figure and the set, hopeless look on her white face. “The only one of the whole crowd that hadn’t something to say agaist him,’ he muttered under his breath. “ She'll bear watching.” said I’m Early the following morning May Farrar came down into the terrace- room. The hotel was silent and the lower floors deserted in the gray of the Syrian dawn. The girl had passed a sleepless, mis- =“ night. The indoor air suffocated eT. She dreaded meeting her friends at the breakfast table, to hear their com- ments on her pallid complexion and black-ringed eyes. .She felt that she must get out of doors—anywhere—by herself, to think matters over and to get a fresh grip on her shattered nerves. Throwing a wrap about her shoul ders—for the morning was as chill as the noon would be hot—she passed the sleeping porter and let herself out into the narrow street. The thoroughfare was empty. On the roof of the gray Tower of David, to her uncle’s words, drew quietly away directly cpposite; a dro Turkish at __. from the elder woman’s protecting aL sng aaParnat aie Mov ae see S tinel paced. ‘Turning to 4 ig’ a “ Don’t talk of my wretched suspicions. , 5 io Se it, May walked rapidly toward the Jaifa Gate. oil 4 ° - * ~ comicbooks.com