Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

132 THE flashy tastes, for the scarab, large, and of a bright, greenish-blue color, was not a quiet affair. A strong perfume clung to it, which also indicated a certain lack of refinement.” ‘“And you said untidy habits,” I re- minded him. ‘“ Because the pin was bent to crooked- ness. Also, it had been broken and mended, the break proving probable carelessness, and mending seemed to me to show that she was sentimentally fond of it, for it was skilfully mended and the cost of that would have bought a new one, I should judge. I assumed her to be somewhat intellectual to care so much for a scarab, and I de- duced her fairly well off to own and to care for the rather valuable trinket. ‘None of these deductions amounted to much by themselves, but the combination helped us to find a way to look for the owner. Of course, the cigarette stubs and the powder-paper helped, too. In fact, Miss Kent left pretty strong evidences of her call on Mr. Gately. But—she didn’t kill him. Now, who did? We are learn- ing lots of things, but not one shred of evidence have we yet found against any individual as the actual murderer.” “No,” I agreed. ‘“ You see, the shadow of the head that I saw on the glass door couldn’t have been Rodman’s.”’ ‘And so, it may have been anybody’s. I mean, it shows that heads look pretty much alike, when merely shadowed on a thick, ~waved glass.” “ Yes,” I mused, “‘ it may Have been any- body’s. But whose? It seems as if we ought to have a suspect, by this time.” ‘“‘T’li get you a suspect,’’ spoke up Case Rivers. “I’m going into this thing for all I’m worth. The way lies through the Rodman crowd. The Link sold her in- formation to Rodman and he took it to Gately, but of late, the Link became more bold and went straight to Gately herself. Now, there must be others concerned, and an interview with Miss Kent would give us an inkling of who they are. She’s lost some of her bravado, by this time, I’ve no doubt, and I’m going to chase her up. Then, too, I want to go to Mr. Gately’s office. I’ve never been there yet! Don’t ARGOSY. think, Wise, that I’m butting in on your game, but sometimes two heads are better than one, if one is a nameless wanderer on the face of the earth.” ‘All right, Rivers,” and Wise nodded genially, “go in and win. We’re together on this matter. And when it’s over, I’m going to take up your case, and see just how, when, and where you fell through the earth.” ‘“T wish you would,” and Rivers looked earnestly at the detective, ‘‘ for I see that trip every night in my dreams. I see my- self falling through—oh, I won’t bore you with that same old story!”’ “Tt doesn’t bore me, but just now we'll put all our energies on the present puzzle. We must get Gately’s murderer, and then we must get Amory Manning.” “* Zizi says—”’ I began. “‘ I know she does,” returned Wise, look- ing thoughtful. ‘“ Zizi says Manning is the murderer. But the kid has no reason to say it but a hunch. She’s a witch, though, for hunches, and I keep her idea in mind.” “No,” and Rivers spoke positively. “It doesn’t seem to me that Manning is the murderer. If he was in the secret service, he may be purposely in hiding now, for some reason entirely unconnected with Amos Gately’s murder.” ‘Very likely,” assented Wise, “ only as I say, I often remember Zizi’s notions because they so often pan out correct.” ‘¢ She’s a marvel, that child,” said Rivers; ‘‘ where’d you get her?” ‘“‘ She’s my model. In civilian life, I’m by way of being an artist, you know. I sketch her over and over, but never have I successfully caught her smile. She’s a witch child, a sprite.” “ ‘Yes; she seems gipsy born. But clever! And of a charm.”’ ‘All that,” agreed Wise. ‘“ And a good little thing. Devoted to.me, like a faithful dog, and yet, absolutely impersonal. Oh, I couldn’t get along without Ziz.” And almost as he spoke the door opened and Zizi came gliding in. Her mode of entering a room was one of her individual characteristics. She slid in softly and un- obtrusively, yet one was at once aware of her. It seemed to electrify the atmosphere, GOMIIG OOO S (CO