The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

THE MOTIVE. Silverman replied that he would come by automobile, that he had made the trip that way several times. “Then you know the way,” Finch went on. “T do,” was the testy reply. ‘“ Goot pye. Dell Miss Hamilton I be dere yust as soon as I can this evening.” Finch hung up and sought Miss Ham- ilton whom he found on the. veranda where she reclined in a hammock. He gave her Silverman’s message and she thanked him warmly. “Silverman is a queer old bird,” re- marked Finch. “I had some business dealings with him once. I think I rather preferred Mr. Swandorf.”’ She nodded, saying that she certainly did, although Mr. Silverman had always treated her considerately. “T don’t know how he will be now that Uncle Ben is gone,” she sighed. “ But if all goes well I shall relieve him of his duties of guardian as soon—”’ She paused, and the first bright smile Finch had seen since the discovery of Swandorf’s death overspread her face. Finch was about to reply when they heard the purr of a high-powered car coming up the driveway, and in another instant a big touring-car carrying six men stopped in front of the house. One of them, a brisk, keen-eyed young man, leaped to the ground and advanced to- ward Cecil, who arose to meet him. “T am the county prosecutor,” he said. “You have been having some trouble here, Miss—” ‘““Miss Hamilton,” supplied Cecil. “Yes. I am Mr. Swandorf’s ward. He was attacked last night in his bungalow near the water—” “Oh, not here then?” asked the county officer. ‘“ No,” and she shook her head. ‘“ If you'll wait just a moment I’ll show you where the bungalow is.” On the way to the scene, Cecil had briefly outlined the salient points of the case. When they arrived they found Preston seated on the porch. 330 “ Quigley and Black, you two go and get the body and bring it to the lawn,” directed the prosecutor. ‘‘ Be careful and disturb nothing. Lawson, you come with me and we'll go over the study. Quimby, snoop about the grounds and see if you can find anything, any article, pertinent to the case of any sort.” The party separated, and for an hour affairs hummed about the bungalow. Finally the prosecutor, whose name was Griffith, took Miss Hamilton aside and held a long conference with her. When she emerged her face was flushed and her eyes shining. Then the butler was examined, and after him the gardener was summoned from the main house. In the course of all this Finch and Preston remained seated on the porch. At length Griffith appeared and fastened them with his hawk-eyes. ‘“T have been given to understand, gen- tlemen,” he said, “‘ that you two were in this house before any one else this morn- ing.” ‘Sure, that’s right,” replied Preston. “Well,” Griffith said, “I shall want to have a talk with both of you some time to-day.” ‘“ Now?” asked Finch. ‘No, not now,” was the grim reply. ‘Perhaps it will not be before to-night. In any event I shall ask you gentlemen to remain within call—that is, do not leave here until I have spoken to you.” He turned abruptly and went into the house. CHAPTER XV. SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS. T was late afternoon before Griffith sent for Finch. The scene of operations had been moved to the main house, where the county prosecutor had taken up his quar- ters in the library. As Finch entered the man leaned back in the heavy oak chair ~ which stood at a big desk table in the middle of the room. COMMCOOOLK (C@