The Argosy, October 1906 — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

a the man and blocked his exit. 566 “ Sure about that, are yoy?” ~ Why, yes, sir.’ “Tt’s curious, then,” muttered Bridger, turning back. — “ From the general ap- pearances of things in here and what I saw outside, I’d have been willing to swear that that fellow came in by the side door of this very room.” The professor interjected a smiling, incredulous “Tut, tut”’; Marsland wagged his head deprecatingly. Bridger, however, was still .uncon- vinced of his error. Scowling thought- fully, he stared about the place; there were no nooks or crannies which might have held the fugutive, but “ Professor!” he said suddenly. “ Just when did that big alligator die?” “It was—er—seven years ago last April, I think.” “ Then—here, you come back!” - He extended a finger toward the servant, who had edged toward the door. “ Just keep him here, Mr. Marsland!” Wondering, Marsland moved *toward Bridger took to doing surprising things. Very rapidly, he threw one leg over the railing of the alligator enclosure and stepped in; he jumped to the side of the great ‘gator and seized him bodily! He rolled the empty skin over without cere- mony—and a little man in groom’s ‘livery rolled out? He was furiously red and streaming with perspiration; his breath came in gasps and his eyes were wide and fright- ened. One hand instinctively went to his side pocket. And Bridger’s hand reached the pocket first. With a quick twist he produced a small gold watch and a brooch. “There, Mr. Marsland! Are those your wife's?” ‘ THE ARGOSY. ~ Well — upon — my—soul!” gasped Marsland. ‘ Yes!” “God bless me!” cried the professor, readjusting his glasses. ‘‘ James!” “ James is the man!” said Bridger grimly as he led the little fellow across to the others. A dramatic pause ensued. The gsoom made no attempt at escape; the other man stood sullen and silent in the cor- ner. After a minute Bridger spoke again. “One of your ‘employees, pistesor? ~ “My groom, yes.’ ‘He bears a very striking oe to.a person whose picture I have seen in the Rogues’ Gallery,” commented the de- tective. “ Well he turned to.the captive. i Yeu’re the individual who has been causing the trouble, eh? —And,..working in conjunction with your friend ever there, you had about the neatest hiding- place i in tewn, didn’t you?” He Taugshed shortly. —_ oe obody under the sun weuld have looked for-you in this house—except, perhaps, the scerned Mr. Danvers.”’ “ But, my dear Mr. Bridger,” put in the professor, _ whatever led you: to suspect that- Bridger iia again as he tightened his grip and walked toward the door. “Professor, I see that you’re near- sighted, and’ I -perceive also that Mr. Marsland wears pretty thick glasses. Tf your eyes had been as good as Mine, and you'd been used to looking for things ‘in unlikely places—well, it would have im- pressed you as just a little odd,-I believe, to find an alligator who died seven years ago breathing as if he had finished a mile sprint- at the very top of his speed! Wouldn’t it?” AN INSTRUMENT. A HUMAN heart, this was the instrument That many, dowered with cunning skill, essayed; Joy fingered it, and Fear above it bent, And Sorrow her pale hands upon it laid, Then Anger smote it, and Despondency, And Passion swept it with his touch of flame ; But it gave forth no wondrous melody — Till Love, the masterful musician, came. Clinton Scollard. CS (ere) Pomichoo —®.