Argosy All-Story Weekly, December 2, 1922 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

oe et ale? “ned 522 chinery at your command. I rather fancy you'll get your man.” “Sure to,’ responded Corson. ‘I’m really interested in this case, and I mean to help the Queens people get to the bottom of it. Kirke was shot, and the revolver can’t be found. Obviously he couldn’t shoot him- self. A number of people were locked in his house and were there when the shooting occurred. One of them is guilty. I’m gam- bling it was Otis King.” ‘“ What disposition did he make of the weapon afterward?” inquired Fenwick quietly. Corson glared at him. “ Unfortunately,” he observed slowly, ‘“ King was not searched before he left New- town.”’ ““ Neither was I, ” reminded Fenwick un- perturbed. “f’m not overlooking that fact, either,” retorted Corson, making for the door. “ F'll see you later.” With a goeebhamnone smile and nod, he left them. “ Get down town right away, Seth,” or- dered Fenwick, “and follow out the pro- gram we discussed last night.” “YT ain’t bad any breakfast,” reminded the little man reproachfully. “True enough, yow haven’t. Well, after breakfast, then. It’s been rather an event- ful breakfast, hasn’t it?” he added, turning to Miss. Carewe. “ Rather,” she admitted, smiling wanly. She rang for Riggs. to serve Boyden. “ Just what are you going to do to-day, Mr. Boy- den?” she inquired. Seth reflected for a moment. ‘“‘ In the words of Isaiah, sixty-fifth chap- ter, verse twenty-four: ‘ Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speakin’, [ will hear.’ ” Her brows wrinkled in bewitching per- plexity. ‘He means,” interpreted Fenwick, “‘ that he’s going down to the Willmer Building to listen in on some telephone conversa- tions.” She laughed, a rippling spontaneous laugh that seemed to please Boyden. “There ain’t a thing about the telephone business the Bible don’t tell about,” he boasted. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ Unfortunately we’re not so familiar with it as you, Mr. Boyden.” “It’s a great pity,’ he announced. “I don’t know what the young folks is. comin’ to these days.” Lorraine searched his serious countenance and successfully located the mischievous twinkle in his. eyes that belied the lugubrious announcement. “You're a dear,” she decided, impetu- ously. “ And what do. you propose doing, Mr. Bell?” she asked, curiously. “IT contemplate spending the morning right here,” he told her. “ Perhaps we'll have some more mysterious messages, and if we do, I shall want to answer them.” “ That’s. splendid. I shall be here most of the morning myself. Mr. Willmer is not going to the office to-day. I told Riggs to let him sleep. I felt so sorry for him last night and this morning. He was like a noble old lion at bay; grim, determined, and yet fully aware of his helplessness. If he really has. enemies, they could choose no more opportune moment to strike than the present. Yow! watch carefully, won’t you?” she pleaded. “ He needs protection.” “ His. conditiom is entirely psychological,” declared Fenwick. ‘‘ You should use your influence to induce a better state of mind. He appears to me to be suffering from a form of mental cowardice. But tell me, have you no fears for the safety of Otis ‘““ None,” she advised, meeting his gaze tranquilly. “ Chief Corson’s hypothesis. is absurd and ridiculous! I'll grant that his sudden disappearance apparently strength- ens the chief’s theory, but I dare say Otis will turn up shortly, and with a satisfactory explanation.” “T think and hope your conclusions are correct, Miss Carewe.” “Thank you.” “It’s been kind o’ you two young people to keep. me comp’ny,”’ announced Seth, who had completed a hearty breakfastt. “ Dl be goin’ down town now. Shall I have your bag sent here f{’m the hotel?” “ Please do. I’m going to look over the switchboard and other telephone equip- ment,” announced Fenwick arose. GComichbooksreom as Lorraine -