Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

TRACING THE SHADOW. sciousness going— at first, abnormally acute, my senses became dulled, and I had only a sensation of falling—ever falling— through the earth! | “There my memory ceased. And as I[ next remember finding myself in a bed in Bellevue Hospital, and as I have had de- tailed to me the full account ef my. being found fleating, nearly dead, in the East River, I can only accept the inevitable conclusion that I was carried by the rush of the sewer, straight out to the river, and picked up for dead. ' “Phat a sign of life was found, after I was taken to the Morgue, was of the na- ture of a miracle, and only the most des- perate efforts fanned that little spark mto resuscitation. The rest you knew. The shock, the exposure, the cold, and perhaps a blow or two on my head, all combined, resulted in a total loss of memory as to my identity or as to the events of my former life. “T had only remaining the positive recollection of that fall ”°—Manning shud- dered—‘ that interminable, that never- ending fall through the earth.” “ But you fell through water,” said Wise, his eyes staring at the narrator of all this. ‘Not to my knowledge. My realization of falling only lasted until I struck the water in the sewer. That, doubtless, knocked me out for good and all—mental- ly, I mean. I have to thank my wonderful vitality and strong constitution for the fact that I really lived through the catastrophe. Think what it means! MHurtled through that rushing torrent of a sewer half filled with melted snow water—flung out into the river, dashed about in the floating ice, and all with sufficient force to tear off my clothing—and yet to live through it all!” “Going some!” cried Zizi, and the sparkle of her dancing eyes and the delight on her small, smiling face, made the rude phrase seem quite fit for the occasion. ‘And so,” Manning went on quietly, ‘‘ — have accomplished my quests. I have been working hard te discover three thmgs —my own identity, the whereabouts of Amory Manning, and—the slayer of Amos 149 Gately. I myself am the answer to all three questions.” A silence fell, and then Olive spoke: ‘You are no slayer—you were no mur- derer. You shot Mr. Gately by accident, in the pursuance of your duty. You are not only exonerated, but you did a deed, in freeing the world of a traitor, that en- titles you te the Distinguished Service Cross! I respected my guardian—I was fond of him—but now that I know what he was, I have only contempt and hatred of him! You, Amory, are a hero—my hero!” Olive held out her hands with a beauti- ful gesture of affection, and Manning strode across the room to her side. ‘“} have the only forgiveness I care for,’ he said, and his face was radiant. ‘“ New, I must go at once, and repert. My duty lies to my country—to my government! Oh, there are so many things yet to think of! They—the government—offered a re- ward for me!” ‘“Which you have won yourself!” ex- claimed Penny Wise. Yes,” chuckled Zizi, “ and you’ve won the reward offered for Mr. Gately’s ”— hesitated—‘ for the man who freed the world of one more traitorous viper!’ “ And, incidentally,” I added, ‘“‘ you’ve cleared up the puzzle of the man who fell through the earth!” “Tt is well that Gately is no more,” Manning. said, musmgly; “he was es pecially dangerous because he was in suck a high position and so trusted by every- body. Rodman was an equal scoundrel, but he worked inconspicuously. Gately banked on his reputation for honor and probity—used his own well-earned fame to further the meanest cause on earth! ‘Whatever happens, I’m glad he is un- able to do further harm. I didn’t mean to kill him—it was an accident—but the world is well rid of him.” ‘““ Amen,” said Olive softly. | ‘Weli, the end justifies the means,” said Mrs. Vail, a little hysterically. “ Why, once I heard of —” Ruthlessly, I shut her off. ‘Accept my greeting, Mr. Manning,” I said, offermg my hand to our new found friend. “‘ I’m proud to~know you!” NOOO nn @) CO SS (CO)