The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

26 there was really no reason why he should not dine—if the mysterious household really contemplated offering him a real meal. The puzzled caller, therefore, took his seat and looked after the butler, who had hurried out after handing him his napkin. Distantly, the clinking was renewed. The man reappéared with a temptingly iced grapefruit, arranged it, and stood aside, and Dr. Bowen looked him over once again. “See here, my man,” he said, “ this is quite all right, of course, and I appreciate it, but I want to know more about it.” ‘‘ We live very simply here, sir, but the fruit—”’ “T’m not talking about the fruit. I want to know whose hospitality I’m en- joying?”’ “T’m not at liberty to state, sir.” Dr. Jim smiled wearily. “Don’t begin that again!” he said. * And don’t feel, by the way, that you’re running any risk in answering a question or two, if that’s what troubles you,” he added softly. “ I promise you not to tell that you’ve been talking.” “ Thank you, sir.” : “Good! Did you take my card to ~your mistress?” “T took your card, sir.” “To your mistress?” snapped Dr. Bowen. “Tm not at lib—” . “Damn that!” the diner cried warmly. “T’m not trying to fathom the secrets of the household, if it has any. I’m not try- ing to force myself upon them or annoy them. I came here because I have under- taken to look after Miss Catterson’s wel- fare, and with her my concern begins and ends.” @ “ Quite so, sir,” the butler said steadily. “I want to know if she is safe and in good hands—and in whose hands, my man! I’m a physician, and if she needs my attention, I want to give it to her promptly. I want to know how long she contemplates remaining here, and whether she is being cared for properly while she THE ARGOSY. is here, and I want a few words with the person who is caring for her! You un- derstand that, don’t you? Well, turn into a human being, then, and say something besides your confounded ‘ not at liberty to state!’ ” The butler, with never a sign of aston- ishment or animosity, considered him very gravely. So far as one might judge from such a countenance, the man appeared to be thinking. He smiled slightly and there was some apology in his tone. “T quite understand, sir,” said he. “It’s most distressing, sir, I’m sure, that my orders are what they are. I’m in- structed to say, sir, that the young lady is in. the house and quite safe. I’m in- structed to ask the honor of your dining here, and the privilege of serving you, sir. | But I may say, sir—and I’m sure I crave your pardon—that I’m forbidden abso- lutely to answer questions of any kind.” . ‘“‘ And I’m instructed, sir, if you persist in asking them, not to detain you in the house, sir,” the butler concluded; and after a wait of three seconds, during which Dr. Bowen merely stared at him, he be- came as wooden as ever and bowed again, with: “ What will your preference be in wines, sir?” Dr. Jim shook his head, and, for the time being, gave it up. ‘None at all,” he said briefly. “Very good, sir,” murmured the butler, retiring to the farther wall! However puzzled its consumer might be, the grapefruit was excellent. Dr. Jim fin- ished it with relish and watched the silent mystery glide away to the door at the rear of the big room. After that, for a considerable time, he waited, watching the door absently, wondering why no sugges- tion of sound came from the upper part of the house. This, emphatically, was no quick-lunch establishment. Twenty minutes had passed, with an occasional clink at the back of the house, before the butler re- appeared, gravely bearing soup. Five more. he spent in arranging things and (EO) nOOLKS AMG (E@)