The Argosy, October 1906 — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

BY ices OF THE BLIND eS He was not long in suspense. Some three or four minutes later Marsland’s voice came excitedly from the head of the stairs. “Mr. Bridger! up Here, Lae Se Mr. Bridger ! Come bound and made ior the siacaray. Three steps at a time, he rushed for the second floer—and on the landing stumbled into Marsland’s arms. “He’s been here!” aoe Yes, si sir, while we were talking about him!” “Marsland - gaught his breath. = Somehow, he must have become fright- ened and tried to leave in a hurry. _ “He brought down the curtain-pole in the rear bedroom and it ‘smashed © strarght _ through the sash!”’ — i= could ‘not have been one of the servants?” “There is no one on this floor. No, ~ Mr. Bridger, Tye been visited, too.” ‘But what has he taken? eS = “That I don’t know as yet.” Mars- land turned back quickly. “ “Come along, _ Mr. “Bridger. We shall doubtless learn within a-minute or two.” He led the way into the large rear bedroom, Bridger close at his heels, and turned on the lights. The place was in re as Tre- garded bureau drawers and closets. On the floor Jay an expensive set of furs— by the window a beautiful mink coat. Marsland darted for a half-opened drawer, and triumphantly fished out a red leather case. ‘“Mrs. Marsland’s jewels! ” “He missed them!” — ‘You're sure?” — “Yes.” Marsland, having opened the case, Closed it again “with a snap. “ They are all here, but——” _ He turned to the dressing-table.- ‘By Jove! Her watch and -a brooch are gone!” — ‘Anything else?” Marsland looked around quickly. “Not that I can see at the moment. But, Bridger- | "hen we'll get after him!” The detective was already half out of the window. Before -Marsland’s voice had died away, he stood on the roof of the rear porch, and there the owner of the house joined him hurriedly. he cried. EF of. = house.”’ _from here he went Sree was oe steak “Tf he left by that window—as he must have doné—the chances are that he walked straight to the edge of the roof. here, for he couldn’t have taken a corner He suited the action to the word. “ From here he must have— dropped. Are you coming, Mr. Mars- land?” Before the other could quite comipre- hend his design, the detective had swung himself easily over the edge of the porch- roof. For an instant he hung by his hands; then dropped lightly to the ground below. — It was-rather an effort for Marsland, but he followed without hesitation ; and having recovered from the shock of the drop, he stood beside Bridger. The detective. was bending low, in the faint light from the street lamp at the corner, shining between two of the de- tached houses, and examining the ground. : “ He landed here, too, as sure as he announced. ‘And see you're born!” Crouching still, Bridger made his way straight across the lawn to one of the cinder paths. A satisfied exclamation escaped him. “YT wasn’t wrong, Mr. Marsland! Here’s where he struck the path. Can you see?” “ Hardly.” “And from this point, he made for the rear of the grounds?” Marsland followed again, as the other hurried down the path. At the hedge he paused. “Well, this is the direction our man took, fast enough, Mr. Marsland. I pre- sume he crossed that open lot and made for—whatever street it is over there.” “ Bell Street.” “Where the first man was seen with the bundle? ”’ €t Yes.” “Then, by Jove, we'll follow him! In which direction is the blind alley?” “Up there, two or three blocks.” Bridger scratched his head. “It’s poor assumption, I suppose, and he may have taken exactly the opposite direction. But, it being: the only hint we have to work upon, we’re bound to use it | ?? Eomichbooks (EO)