The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

O wey by awrence (BEE Author of “31754,”’ “Where All Clues Led,” ete. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS ALREADY PRINTED. AROLD FINCH, partner in the young real estate firm of Finch & Preston, makes the acquaint- ance of Cecil Hamilton at Narragansett Pier. Being in search of a wife with money, he follows her to Southampton, where Preston also turns up and makes a favorable impression on the girl, much to Finch’s chagrin, who finally persuades him to quit the field. Learning that there is some mystery in Miss Hamilton’s life, and determined to find out its nature, Finch even goes to the length of invading her room, where he learns that if she marries anybody but Swandorf, a man of sixty and one of her guardians, she forfeits her fortune. By chance Finch & Preston have business dealings with Swandorf, and, in a motor-car, follow him to his place in Larchmont. But he seems not to be about the bungalow where he sleeps, and with Miss Hamilton they all go down ‘there in the morning to investigate. Finally there is only one place left to look—his study—and in trepidation the butler opens the door. ——— vy CHAPTER XIV. pers and the fragments of a chair lay upon the carpet. eee eee In the back a window overlooking the * ELL,” Preston stepped forward, water was bereft of its glass. pushing the butler aside, “ we Near the desk was a small pool of might as¢well go in and have blood. The girl discovered this. this over with.” She was the victim of mingled emo- He stepped across the threshold, and tions. There was no doubt that serious then, after a glance, turned to the others assault had been committed and that her who were advancing to the sill. guardian probably had been murdered. “This is a case for the police all right,” She was fond of him, and he had always he said. been very kind and considerate to her, The study was absolutely topsyturvy. but what vistas of future happiness his The desk had been overturned, together death opened up! with the kerosene lamp which had stood In the mean time the men were peering upon it. The floor was littered with pa- about the room. With a cry Preston This story began in the October Argosy. 33% COMMICLOOOKS (C@