Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

nw" oy nt] sve a is Ka “* 230 “Her aunt, in the city, was to have come out here and remained with her last night,” Elton explained. ‘ Doubtless she did, as we shall hear later. But Mrs. Elton managed to confuse the arrangements, somehow or other, and went down to stay with her aunt!” “Oh!” said William. ‘ Yes?” ‘* And I landed here this morning, instead of to-night, as I had expected—and the house was entirely empty. And just when I'd decided to call out the police and begin hiring private detectives, along she came, as cheerful and unconcerned as you please, swinging her—” He stopped suddenly, staring at the floor of the corridor. There was a little touch of the dramatic about Mr. Elton; he seemed given to gestures. Speaking of the trains, he had indicated the direction of the sta- tion; about to speak of Mrs. Elton’s grip, he had pointed an accusing finger at the satchel in question. But now, to William’s astonishment, his hand. had dropped. For a moment, he scowled and bent toward the tan leather THE ARGOSY. 4 affair; now he stood erect and gazed at his wife with an amazed: “Where'd that come from?” “That?” Mrs. Elton echoed. my bag, dear.” ‘“Tt—it isn’t!” Elton stammered, quite confusedly. ‘‘ But of course it is! is it, Jackie? What makes you look like that? Aren’t you well or—” Mr. Elton laughed suddenly, annoyedly, apologetically. “My whole nervous system must have been jarred like— TI say, Annabel, that isn’t the bag you brought in?” “Why, you saw me bring it in!” ‘Yes, and I—I put in down there my- self!”? Elton muttered. ‘‘ I—you’re sure that’s the one you carried?” “Tt’s my own bag, Jackie!” “ But it is not! That’s just the point!” Jackie persisted. ‘‘ That’s my grip! That’s the grip I took up-stairs not half an hour ago-and put in the maid’s room!”’ With which rather striking statement he reached for it! | “ That’s Why, what—what “ (To be continued NEXT WEEK.) “et es | +. > ‘ < a aos" 2 2 3 ee Z . 4 y A =a ad ae VE Beers ai roy y o) Yahi mY f = Ti ANS & pa any ey , : < tp iste af PS ORS Sete ONS e Se = ge > f: P <> é: ~ 3 x 4 Soe bt SS < . OS > = te yee he se" : . = TS . : > SS age? = s cs ys ¥ Rae , Charles ° Oll re 9, te e: 4 pa ~ i SE 5 4 4 <2, Se esley Sanders <ul ) $ ITH one hand tied behind my back I could do it.” Pete Blan- din made the assertion with a fierce look in his eyes and with a flourish of his big right hand. None of those who heard him disputed what he had said. —Pete was foreman of a paving gang. Three counties in Ohio had joined hands _and, with the aid of the State, had started to pave the main highway which crossed Eomichbooks: