The Argosy, Vol. 81, No. 4 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

700 “But I can tell you this: their getaway in- dicates one of two things—either that the mother has insisted upon their leaving this place of turmoil for quiet parts, or Appon- netti has not yet finished with his deviltry. One thing in favor of the last assumption is that the old fool doesn’t appear to have the slightest idea that we connect him up with what has been going on. But if he has another scheme under way and drags that girl in—” Griscom paused impres- sively. ‘“Apponnetti is gone now; he’s cooked, but—vwell, if you are able to do it you will save your lady friend a lot of trouble by prying her loose from her dis- tinguished cousin and keeping her loose. For the next time she mixes in, I warn you, she is going ‘to a place where she won’t have to worry how she dresses her hair.” “Well, where is she?” asked Lansing. “Vm willing to do my part.” “Do it, then,” replied the detective, not answering the question. “Now I must go. I only request you for your own good to advise me next time you contemplate bust- ing-up dinner parties.” He glided quietly out of the room and the hall door closed behind him. “Well!’”? Lansing lighted a fresh cigar. “That’s a queer sort of a bird. Confi- dential at times; at other times the reverse. He seems to think I can find that girl with- out turning a hair... . Well, not just now, thanks. I’m going to get Jim Nealis and I’m going to make him go to Newport with me. For I—I need a rest and a change of scene.” - In the meantime it will be of interest to follow Griscom’s movements for the first hour after leaving Lansing’s apartments. First he went to a hotel and got shaved. Then he waited about the lobby of the hostelry until three men entered. He joined the group and the four men went up-stairs to a private room. “T saw Lansing,” said Griscom as soon as they were seated and had lighted the in- evitable cigars. ‘I admit I don’t quite know what to make of him. I don’t think _ he’s in cahoots with No. 31745.” “Tf he is, he is pretty slick,’ commented another. “What do you think, Clarkin?” and Gris- com turned to the man who had witnessed the exciting events in the Granger apart- ment. “J don’t think Lansing is in this thing THE ARGOSY. for money, of course,” answered Clarkin; “but, as you know, money isn’t the only in- ducement. That girl has got him wound around her finger.” ‘““All of which shows what rotten detect- ives you all are,” scoffed Griscom. “Lansing is as innocent as you or I of any hand in this plot. He’s merely a victim of love at first sight—and as for No. 31745—she’s just a plain little fool.” “All right,” replied Clarkin, flushing. “The Grangers have lit out, we don’t know where—”’ “Thanks to you,” rejoined Griscom. “You were depended on to watch them and—”’ “T hadn’t slept for twenty-four hours,” rejoined the man. “But I’ll tell you—you believe in this chap Lansing: set one of the boys to shadow him, and if he doesn’t take him to No. 31745 within twenty-four hours I'll buy you a new hat, Griscom.” “You're on,” snapped Griscom. ‘Allison, shadow Lansing from now on, will you, and report what happens to me, care of this hotel.” Griscom winked at Clarkin and remarked that if there was nothing new to offer he would go up to the hospital and see if Rimini was in condition to listen to con- versation. And in this manner the confer- ence broke up. Allison got around to Lansing’s apart- ment in time to see that young man leave in his racing ear, and was close enough to hear him grumble over the missing rear mudguard which had sideswiped the tour- ing car on the narrow Long Island road the previous evening when Griscom was.at the wheel. Allison caught a taxi and followed him over to Fifth avenue and sat in it waiting while Lansing stepped out of his motor and ran up the steps of James Nealis’s home. Nealis was in the breakfast room, mulling over the Sunday newspapers when. Lansing entered preceded by the butler. He glow- ered upon the newcomer. “Well, Stew, what is your lie?” was his greeting. ‘It’ll have to be a pretty good one, old top, because you hung me up to the queen’s taste last night at the club.” Lansing sat down with a laugh. ‘‘When you’ve heard all, Jim, you’ll go down on your knees to me. I’ve been hay- ing adventures.” Whereupon he related the events of the day, following his parting with Nealis in (COMIC LOOKS (E@)