Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

THE ADVENTURES OF PEABODY SMITH. ing officer has interviewed her and received the jewels.” The detective was annoyed. “There does not seem to be much use for me here. However, maybe Miss Brayton would like to make a statement.”’ She pouted. “T can only repeat what I have already told the inspector. I know nothing about the gems except that a package was handed to me just after I had boarded the Alba- tross and I was asked to deliver it to an address in New York. I took such small interest in the matter that I have already forgotten that address. However, it was on the package and you can obtain it from the inspector. I’m sorry I had anything to do with it, but I can assure you that I am in- nocent of any intentional wrongdoing, And I think it a shame to keep me here when I am anxious to get home. My mother, who is quite ill, is waiting for me. If there is anything further you can find me at the Hotel Aldine.” Captain Hanson looked at the young woman sympathetically. Then he turned to Peabody Smith. “There does not seem to be any need of detaining Miss Brayton.” The detective wrinkled his brows. ‘So far as I am concerned she may go. We’ve got the sapphires. At least, the in- spector has them, which amounts to the same thing.” A customs official who was passing was called and instructed to permit the young woman to pass the lines. As she pulled her fashionable coat around her she smiled arch- ly at the two men. “T’m in too big a hurry to bother with my baggage now. I’ll come later and look after that. In the meantime if you need me call up the Aldine.” As soon as she left the detective went in search of Inspector Kauffman, the boarding officer. He could not be found anywhere. One of the men said he thought he had seen him going down the wharf, but he was not certain. : Peabody Smith was in a boorish humor. He was dissatisfied with the way things were going. He turned to Captain Hanson. “Now, if you please, we'll take a look at Jimmie Tucker—and Ill promise you that he will not get off as easily as the girl.” But Hanson scratched his gray hair in perplexity. ‘“'There’s no one on our passenger list by that name.” For the first time that day Peabody Smith gave a hearty laugh. “Certainly not—Jimmie wouldn’t travel under his own name. But tell me, didn’t you notice any of the male passengers pay- ing particular attention to Miss Brayton?” “Oh, yes, Mr. Hart—Mr. Frederick Hart—was her constant companion.” “Then,” cried Peabody gayly, “ lead me to Frederick Hart.” They presently found themselves in front of a stateroom marked “ No. 16.”’ The cap- tain tapped on the door. There was no re- sponse, and he opened it and they walked in. The sight that confronted them caused Peabody Smith to stop short, with a gasp of dismay. On the floor lay a man with his hands and feet tied. He was stripped of coat and vest and a large cotton handkerchief was bound © around his mouth. He looked up with a startled glance as the two men entered the stateroom, and they noticed that his face was ghastly white. In an instant Captain Hanson was down on his knees removing the bandage and cut- ~ ting the rope that bound his hands and feet. The victim gave a sigh of relief, displaying a row of gold teeth. He had a gray, grisly mustache, and as he struggled toa sitting posture he passed a hairy hand over his face wearily. “ This is not the passenger who had this room,” declared Captain Hanson, “ al- though there is something strangely familiar about him.” “There should be,” grunted Peabody Smith, a melancholy smile stealing over his sad countenance. “That is Inspector Kauffman, of the customs service.” “ But—but,” stammered the perplexed seaman, “what about the inspector who confiscated the sapphires from Miss Bray- ton?” ‘*A crook and an impostor, dressed in the uniform of the United States Customs Service.” COMIC OO KS 605 — (EO)