The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

HAMPTON OF " Exmoor caught his arm as he started toward the door. “Don’t tell her yet,” he whispered ear- nestly; “I want to talk with you five min- utes more at least, if you don’t mind.” Jerry was mystified, but he agreed, and they joined the old lady at the table. To save Jerry’s countenance, the guest started a lively conversation with the hostess and held her attention. Jerry ate in silence and reviewed in his mind the events of the past twenty-four hours with perplexity. The mystery of Exmoor was beyond conjecture. He had been canoeing on the Hudson, in sporting flannels, apparently a man of elegant leisure, yet men in the Middle West were hunting for him, and Milton Delroy wanted him particularly. Jerry would have considered the chance of a coincidence of names, but Exmoor had first roused his grave suspicions by the consternation he had betrayed at hear- ing Miss Delroy’s name, and that had hap- pened after he had tried to swear his res- cuer to secrecy regarding everything that concerned him. If he had been Delroy’s agent in the West, as Eugenia had as- serted, and was now “missing,” and des- perately wanted by Delroy, the logical as- © sumption was that he had embezzled funds, or committed some similar breach of the criminal code. But Jerry could not feel anything but a cordial liking for the man, even in the face of such grave suspicions. He was evasive at times in casual conversation, and he had made only the most perfunc- tory show of excusing his behavior, but there was nothing of the hang-dog air of the criminal about him. It was entirely possible that he might be the son or brother of the man so earnestly sought by Delroy, but there would still be left the mystery surrounding his recent ac- tions. Jerry gave it up. He had no wish to harbor a malefactor, but no more did he desire, in view of late events, to give any assistance to Milton Delroy, whatever the merits of the case might be. All in all, it was not a bad idea to let other people THE HEIGHTS. 19 juggle with their own mysteries; his per- sonal troubles were quite enough to oc- cupy his mind for a season, “That was a bully good pipe I discov- ered up-stairs this morning,” Exmoor re- marked cheerfully, as he finished the luncheon and leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction. “If you don’t mind, I'll go out and light up again.” “You have full permisison to smoke: right here at the table,” said the old lady graciously. “Smoking is one vice that can be tolerated.” “But I think I will smoke, too,” Jerry said hastily, “‘so it will be better to go out- side. We should fill your house with the fumes, grandmother.” She insisted upon their remaining at table, but Jerry affected a jocular humor and hustled the guest out of doors with a play of banter and merriment. The two men lost all semblance of joc und humor as soon as they were clear of the house. “It’s two o'clock,” remarked Jerry tensely. Exmoor did not reply, but lighted his pipe thoughtfully. ‘I have tried not to appear inquisitive,” he said slowly, “but putting this and that together I have made a guess that Milton Delroy is your landlord. Am I right? You needn’t answer, you know, if you object to the question.” ‘“There’s no secret about it; he is my landlord,” was the answer. . “T am acquainted with Milton Delroy,” announced the other dryly. “TI had gathered as much,” said Jerry frankly, “I may as well tell you now that I learned this morning that Delroy is searching for you. I didn’t learn why, and I am not asking the reason.” “Yes, he is searching for me,” assented Exmoor, rather coolly. “If you won’t think it too strange, Hampton, I will omit the explanation.” “Please let it go at that,” returned Jerry. “I certainly wouldn’t help him to find you.” “T believe that; I feel perfectly Secure — COPNICLOOOKS (E@)