Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

LISTENING EYES. In fact, it was that accidental discovery which first put me on the might track. Taken by itself, it was not conclusive evi- dence, I must admit, but it encouraged me to believe that I] was very close to the slayer of Wrigley.” Another cry came from Cecilie. ‘Good heavens!” she gasped. “ Are you accusing Ethan, my husband, of that hor- rible crime?” = - ‘“T hope not,’’ Hemment said fervently. “T am glad to be able to assure you, Mrs. Underwood, that we have nothing, on your husband, so far as either of those murders is concerned, beyond the fact that he is so closely associated with Lestrade. ‘It was Alton Lestrade—alias the Duke —alias Mr. Moncrief, who left that telltale package on your husband’s desk. It was Lestrade, alias Moncrief, who was respon- sible for the violent deaths of both those ill- fated men. Of that there is not the slight- est doubt. But I am hoping for your sake —and for his, too—that Underwood will be able to clear himself of complicity in those major crimes.” ‘“ Much obliged, Mr. Hemment,” said the accountant with an ironical laugh. “ It is good news, indeed, to hear that you have nothing on me, personally; but—” ‘‘ Nothing on you so far as the murders are concerned,” the newspaperman correct- ed him sternly. But there will be plenty of evidence to convict you of being the author of all those skilfully executed forgeries which have been giving police headquarters so much trouble recently. I am sorry to say that I can hold out no hope of your being able to clear yourself on that charge. [ wish to heaven I could, for the sake of this unfortunate girl, your innocent dupe, whose life you have so ruthlessly wrecked.” Cecilie sprang to her feet, her face tense with anxiety, but the light of faith still burning tn her eyes. “ [don’t believe it!’ she said, starting to cross over to her husband. “I have too much confidence in you, Ethan, to credit the terrible things this man has dared to—” But her husbancl’s friend, Mr. Moncrief, (id not give her a chance to get any fur- ther. Unintentionally she had given him the opportunity his alert, cunning brain 8 A 401 had been desperately seeking ever since he had found himself in his present disagree- able predicament. She had stepped between him and the weapon the Mercury man was pointing in his direction, and, with the spring of a tiger, Moncrief was on his feet and holding her close to him. Hemment sensed instantly what was about to happen. But he was powerless to prevent it. With fascinated gaze he watched the ugly, snub-nosed barrel of the gun that was suddenly thrust out past the body of the girl Lestrade was using as a shield. There followed two seconds of inactivity that seemed like a thousand years to the white-faced, helpless young man standing in front of the mantelpiece. Then Lestrade laughed coolly and_firecl three times, aiming straight for his target. The Mercury's star reporter did not hear the two last shots, nor the scream of a terri- fied girl which mingled with them. The first bullet had sent him crashing to the floor in a senseless heap. CHAPTER XXAIX, ONE MISSING, HEN Hemment regained conscious- ness he dicl not ask himself where he was or what had happened to him. The odor of disinfectants, and as much of his immediate surroundings as he could see without moving his head made him instantly aware that he was in a hos- pital, And with equal celerity came to him realization of why he was there. That ac- tive brain of his began to function imme- diately, even though there was a queer buzz- ing in his head and a strange numbness about his body which rather worried him. Kvidently Lestrade and Cecilie’s husband had hurried away without waiting to make sure that the former’s bullets had quite fin- ished him, he decided with grim humor. They must have been uncer the impression that he was dead, though. Having learned how much he knew about their affairs they would hardly have been so careless as to leave a spark of life in him intentionally. Had the girl gone away with them. he wondered? Of course. That was a foolish comicbooks CO