The Argosy, Vol. 81, No. 4 — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

692 Helen, that you had dined at the Ritz, that you were not on Long Island?” “T did not say I was not on Long Island, mother,” replied Helen quickly. “I merely said we had dined at the Ritz, which is true. The count and these men met me in this city when I returned from Francois’s place and we went to the Ritz to finish our inter- rupted meal.” “But you said nothing about Long Island and Francois, as you call him,” protested Mrs. Granger. “Now, mother,” and Helen went over and kissed her, “you are so foolish about my motoring. Had I told you I was going down on Long: Island you would at once have been alarmed, and if I am to succeed in what I am doing, you must not worry or mistrust me. I hold your honor and mine in the highest regard—”’ “Certainly,” murmured Apponnetti. “And,” went on the girl, “believe me, I shall never do anything that will cause you to blush. I may ”—she smiled and kissed her mother again—‘I may of course do things that will strike you as unconven- tional, but—you must let me judge, trusting me always. Will you, mother dear?” Mrs. Granger smiled and patted her daughter’s cheek. “We are old women, I suppose,” she murmured fondly. “Girls did not act so when I was young—”’ “New times, new manners,” interposed the baron. “T suppose so,” smiled Mrs. Granger. “Well, at all events it is ended now, and as soon as we get rid of this—man,” nodding toward Lansing, “I hope we can settle down to more humdrum affairs. Only,” she added, with sudden thought, “why—why do you suppose he came to me with this story?” “There is no saying,” Apponnetti an- swered. ‘Perhaps when the detective ar- rives he will be so good as to explain to us this last phase of his evening’s activities.” Lansing, busy with his own thoughts, had hardly heard the talk that was going on about him. Now he looked up and asked: “Would you mind if I used your tele- phone?” | “T certainly should,” returned Appon- netti. “I think you had best leave such matters to the judgment of the officer.” Thus vanished Lansing’s idea of call- ing up Francois and squaring the obnoxious little affair with the waiter. Hardly ten minutes had passed when a THE ARGOSY. step was heard outside, and a second later the bell rang. Every one stood up. The count. walked swiftly to the door, opened it, and Lansing heard a murmur of voices preceding the entrance behind Apponnetti of two of the most ill-favored men it had ever been his misfortune’ to behold. City detectives! They had about as much right to be so regarded as being risen direct from the uttermost limbo of the infernal regions. Lansing knew the square- toed, broad-shouldered breed of Central Of- fice huskies. These newcomers suggested nothing so much as Apaches from the vilest penetralia of the Montmartre in Paris. Lansing glanced toward the door and shivered involuntarily. Then he squared his shoulders. CHAPTER IX. MANY THINGS HAPPEN. “| HE two ill-favored fellows stood survey- ing Lansing, who was by no means to be despised either in size or build. The latter now turned to Mrs. Granger. “Those men are not detectives,” he said. “T want you to understand I shall not be taken away by them.” “Aha! Guilt!” Apponnetti’s voice had an evil twang. “Guilt! Seize him, men; take him off to the police-station, where he may answer for his crimes.” “T shan’t be taken by them,” growled Lansing, the fervor of combat gripping him, despite the odds. And he had no doubt that the dark-jowled pair were armed, as he had reason to know Baron Rimini was. “You will be taken by them,” Rimini’s voice snapped. “Arrest him, you fellows. Why this delay?” Lansing leaned forward and seized the reading table, which was within his reach. This he pulled over the polished hardwood floor until he had it in front of him, where he stood in a little alcove where the win- dows were. He did this so quickly that he was estab- lished in his position before a move could — be made to restrain him. The table had moved as though on greased rollers, piling up a rug as it went. Then he seized by the head and neck a bronze statute of the Discobolus, which was standing upon the table. feet high, and its heavy metal pedestal made it an excellent weapon. (EO) OOO KK AMI It was about two. (E©)