The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

THE MOTIVE. ‘““ Unless we talk of something else,’’ she said weakly, “I shall go into the house and stay there. I am not well, and I don’t think you are at all fair to me.” Finch was instantly all tenderness. He dashed to her side, felt of her pulse, and insisted upon ordering the butler to bring her a cooling drink. He was very deft and very attentive and she lying back meekly suffered his ministrations. When she was resting comfortably Finch turned from her. “T must run down to the city to look after some office affairs,” he said. “I shall not be gone long. If you see Pres- ton tell him I shall return this evening.” She, glad enough to be rid of him, nod- ded and picked up a novel, while Finch descended the steps and began to crank up the gray motor-car. In another mo- ment. he was at the wheel and with a wave of his hand disappeared. In the meanwhile Griffith was question- ing Preston in rather a perfunctory way, going over about the same ground as with Finch and getting the same replies until the matter of Finch’s telephoning to Swandorf’s house upon their arrival in New Rochelle came up. “Finch phoned,” said Preston, ‘ and received word that Swandorf had gone sailing or motoring, or something, and would not be back until morning.” ‘The prosecutor eyed the young man with interest, recalling that this statement hardly jibed with Finch’s assertion that he had been informed over the telephone that Swandorf intended spending the night in his bungalow. ‘“ Are you sure,” he asked, “ that this was the message Finch received?” ‘“T don’t know what message Finch re- ceived,” Preston replied. “I am _ only telling you what he told me he received.” ‘“T see.” Griffith nodded. ‘Is Mr. Finch accustomed to saying one thing to one person ane another to some one else?” Preston grinned and then started to speak, but suppressed whatever it was he intended to say. 339 “You have not answered my question,” persisted his interlocutor. ‘‘ Does he say one thing to one person and another to another?” Preston grinned again. “Well,” he replied simply, ‘‘ Finch is a real estate man.’ They both laughed, but the lawyer seemed to make quite a point of this dis- crepancy.in the stories of the two young men. “Now,” he inquired, “if Finch knew Swandorf was at his bungalow, why did he tell you something else? Have you any reason that might be assigned for this?” Preston shrugged. No, he had not the slightest idea. He did not seem to think that the discrepancy amounted to much. Whether Swandorf was sailing or motor- ing or in his bungalow made little differ- ence so far as he could see. At all events he was willing to swear that was what Finch told him. ‘““ Where did you put the car when you went to the hotel last night?” asked Griffith. The reply was that Finch had attended ~ to its disposition. ‘“T suppose he put it under the sheds. . I’m not sure. Why?” ‘Oh, nOthing special,” the prosecutor said. Then he began a long series of questions concerning the firm of Finch & Preston, especially in so far as it had been concerned in a business way with Swandorf. ~“ You know of Isaac Silverman?” asked Griffith at length. Preston said that he did, although he personally had never had business deal- ings with the man, who was a money- lender. “How did you know of him then?” Griffith went on. Preston smiled quizzically, that he just happened to know of him and that was all. Griffith then asked if Finch had bor- rowed money from Silverman. “Don’t you think that is a question JOOKS: come replying » (C@