The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

out his hand, grasped that of the prose- cutor’s. ‘All right,” he said, “ and I want you to know that anything I can do or say that will help, you may count on me for. I’d like to have this thing cleared up. as soon as possible.”’ “Tt will be cleared up before long,” the prosecutor returned quietly. ‘I really think that before long—” He leaned forward and whispered con- fidentially in Finch’s ear, while Finch, nodding at every word, gave every sign of interest if not satisfaction. “T think that is all for the present,” concluded Griffith. ‘‘ Your headquarters are at this house, you say?”’ “Yes. Miss Hamilton wishes me to stay on,” Finch replied, ‘‘ and I have told her that after I have run down to the city in my car this afternoon to look over some affairs in the office I’ll return.” He laughed. ‘I hope you have no objec- tion.” “None in the least,” replied Griffith cordially. “‘ Go ahead, and I'll see you this evening. Meantime send Preston to me.”’ Finch nodded and left the room. He found Miss Hamilton on the ve- randa and Preston with her. “Preston,” he laughed, ‘I’ve been through the mill. Griffith called to me as I was coming out that he was ready for you. Go in and tell him all you know.”’ As Preston arose and went into the house Finch turned to the girl. ‘* Miss Hamilton,” he began, “I have talked with Mr. Griffith, and he seems to think that it would be well if I stayed around for a while. I have assisted him in sev- eral clues. Do you suppose [I might put up in the bungalow?”’ Cecil raised her hands. “By no means, Mr. Finch. I wouldn’t have any one I knew sleeping in that dreadful place. I shall instruct Sammis to make up one of the guest-rooms for you. I have already asked Mr. Preston to stay.” THE ARGOSY. “You have!” Finch looked at her in surprise. “Why, yes,” she replied. “ Surely there was no good reason why I should not. Can you suggest any?” ‘Oh, no,” Finch hastened to assure her. ‘‘ None at all. But you know how I feel toward you, and you also must be aware that one never feels at ease when he knows that a rival is in the house.” “Rival!” She blushed. ‘“ You are very frank, Mr. Finch.” “Cecil,” and his eyes burned into hers, ‘from the first minute I saw you I rea- lized that you were made for me. You may not realize it yet. But you will. It is in the books.” She rose angrily and stamped her foot. ‘“ Mr. Finch, if I hear you say anything more of this sort I shall ask that you take up your abode somewhere else.” : He smiled easily. “Ts it so outrageous for a man to de- clare his passion?” he asked. “It is outrageous when the other per- son does not wish to hear it,” she flashed. ““T must ask you, Mr. Finch, to stop it.” ‘You don’t wish to love me?” ‘““ No, I don’t—and I won’t. So there.” “Oh, ves, you will,” he insisted. “You will and you know you will. And our romance will not be cold and matter of fact. It will be the old-fashioned sort, the kind you read about. For I love you with no mild passion, Cecil. I could take you now and carry you to that motor-car and take you away to a desert island.”’ He arose, his eyes gleaming. “ And I would, too, if there were a desert island anywhere handy.” She could not resist the sheer physical magnetism of the man, much as she loathed him. A thrill swept over her, and her imagination carried her through the picture of her hanging resistlessly in strong arms and of being carried away willy-nilly—a willing slave in the hands of a master. But with all the force of her nature she desperately resisted the surging im- agery, forcing it out of her mind. CORMICGLOOOKS (C@)