The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

130 gown. She switched on the lights and then turned to survey the two men who had invaded her room. “Mr. Finch!” she exclaimed. Finch held up. two grimy, scorched hands and turned to her, laughing. “What are you doing here?” she de- manded, her eyes beginning to blaze. The detective started and then glanced from one to the other. “ Him?” he exclaimed, jerking his shoulder in Finch’s direction. ‘‘ Dvesn’t he belong in here?” “Why, of course he doesn’t,” Cecil re- plied. ‘‘ I—I—occupy this room alone. I was awakened by a crash and then I saw a flare of light.” ‘Well, it’s rather fortunate for you and for the hotel that I was here,” said Harold in an injured voice. ‘I am inclined to think I saved some persons’ lives.” “Well ’—the detective was _ peering about the room. “ Tell us all about it. Wait a minute, though.” He went to the door where several persons were clamoring for admission. “It’s all right,” he an- nounced, opening the door on a crack. “The young lady had a bad dream. Now all of you go to bed. Everything’s all G;E.? Finch: faced the man defiantly. “T was sitting in my room, No. 303, smoking,” he began. ‘‘ Suddenly a gust of smoke floated in. I didn’t think any- thing of it at first; then came another puff. I looked out the window and saw smoke coming from down below. I ran down the fire-escape and found these curtains blazing.” It sounded logical enough, and the de- tective seemed convinced. The girl, however, looked doubtfully at the two. How could the curtain possibly have _ caught fire? ‘T had nothing in the room that would ignite them,” she said. The detective mumbling that one could never be sure about women, asked her if she was sure about that. She replied by telling him to look for himself. Cer- tainly, there was nothing to give any hint THE ARGOSY. as to the origin of the flames. Finch, of course, had taken care to toss his match out of the window. ‘Looks funny,” the detective grum- bled. ‘ There’s certainly no reason for any fire starting. Not that I can see, any- way.” ‘“ There’s only one reason that I can assign,” put in Finch, “ and that is a very good one, I think. I noticed this evening as I sat smoking that people in the rooms above had a habit of dropping their ciga- rette butts down the fire-escape. Now, since all the curtains have been blowing outward this evening, what was to pre- vent one from landing upon one of these in Miss Hamilton’s room?” “Looks good to me,” replied the ae tective, “ But you don’t mind waiting a bit while the young lady looks about to see that everything is all right.” The detective barred his exit. “Why not at all if she mistrusts me,” Finch said. She gestured her confidence in him, adding that far from being suspicious she felt that she owed the young man a debt of gratitude. “You came to the rescue gallantly, Mr. Finch,” she smiled. “I am sure that everything is all right, and that you have done me and the hotel a service.” ‘“ Just the same,” insisted the detective, “you might look around.”’ ‘“See here,” stormed Finch, ‘ Miss Hamilton and I are friends. I object to your placing me in this position. Of course, I don’t mind having her do what you say; it is only the principle of the thing.” “I get you.” The detective grinned. ‘“ But I was raised in the New York po- lice force and am trained not to overlook any bets. So, if it’s all the same to you, we'll forget about the principle of the thing and have the young woman do as Tsay. It won’t take a minute. Go ahead, lady.” Thus adjured, the girl moved to the bureau. She opened a drawer and drew out her purse, laying it to one side. COMMICLOOOKS (C@