The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

676 ‘“By no means!” I replied, with the chilly stiffness of an embarrassed man who is asked to compromise his own rights. “If your maniac friend can only be silenced by my parting with a watch. I will do so gladly. I suppose I should _ be grateful that his whim does not lead him into asking me to remove my wig or shoes or hose. Who will become cus- todian of the treasure? ”’ Peevishly I yanked the watch and fob from my pocket and thrust-them into the thick of the group. Then, sulkily, I turned on my heel and walked to the stage, leaning against the four-foot platform, bearing myself like one whose dignity has been grossly im- posed upon. André followed me, his handsome face flushed with genuine annoyance. “Dacre,” he exclaimed, “this treat- ment to which you have been subjected is abominable! I am sorrier than I can say. Digby is an ass! But I thank you for yielding so gracefully to his crazy demand.” “Don’t mention it,” I snapped. “I trust he is quite satisfied by now. I note that his howls have ceased.” “Hey!” cried a fat man in peach- blow silk. ‘‘ André, we’re in the deuce of a pickle! Where’s the watch? Vow haven't got it, have you?”’ “Saints and martyrs!” broke forth André. ‘ Digby isn’t accusing me, too, of stealing his possessions, is he? I must—” “No, no!” fumed the fat man. “ You don’t understand. Plague take it all: The watch has vanished.”’ “ Has—what?” gasped André. . “Vanished, disappeared—melted into thin air!” reiterated the other. “ Mr. Dacre handed it to some ome—no one seems to know to whom. And—no one’s got it.” 3 “Gad!” I groaned. “ Now the idiot will be wanting me to give over the rest of my jewelry. If this is a Mischianza jest, I can only regret—” “ Zounds!”’ interrupted the fat man. “Tis no joke, I can tell you. You hand- ed the watch to one of us. Yet, none will admit receiving it. You—vyou don't chance to remember to which of us you gave it, I presume?” “Why,” I reflected hesitatingly. “I THE ARGOSY. was a bit piqued, and I put the watch in the nearest man’s hand, scarce noting. I—my impression is that it was you to whom—” “No!” ejaculated the fat man, turn- ing purple. “It was not I. Of that I can take oath. But I distinctly saw you hand it to some one. And—”’ ‘“In the meantime,’’ I sneered, ‘I seem to be ‘out’ a rather valuable time- piece. I trust your insane friend, Digby, is quite content. By the way, was it he to whom I gave it? A search might be interesting.” “Oh, the whole thing is a disgusting mystery!’’ grunted the fat man, as Dig- by, breaking away from the rest, came again toward us. Now, you who are on the “ inside” of my story have probably long since solved the watch’s “mystery.” For those who have not, let me say it was a variation of the very simplest of all known con- juring tricks—one that every amateur learns at the vert} start of his practise. As I had thrust the watch forward into the group, I had deftly ‘‘ palmed’’ it. Then, to avoid drawing attention to my closed hand, I had attracted the notice of the others by the pettish manner in which I had flounced away to the foot of the stage platform. My back momentarily turned to them, I had slipped the watch in among the lace ruffles of my sleeve, where it still lay, ticking away honestly, and quite out of sight. Nevertheless, for greater safety, [ still dawdled with the unsheathed sword, neglecting to run it back into its scabbard. Digby was at me again, scarce re- strained by André’s barring arm from seizing me bodily. . “My watch is gone,” he howled, ‘but you are none the less what I said you were—a spy and a thief! And I'll expose you if it’s my last deed on earth! ”’ “Come, come,” urged André, with some authority, “ you have made mischief: enough. Must we take you away by force? When you are sober you will re- gret acting the fool like this. We—” “In the pocket of that coat you are wearing,” Digby shouted at me, “are let- ters addressed to me. My name is em- broidered on the silken lining of that waistcoat. I demand that you—” EO OO (©