Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

THE ADVENTURES OF PEABODY SMITH. Jimmie Tucker to-night, but the thing that is troubling me is how to make sure of get- ting our fingers on those sapphires.” The words had scarcely left his mouth when the doorbell rang and the next mo- ment Viola Craig was ushered into the room. Peabody was on his feet in a trice. Her presence lighted the room as if by magic, She wanted to know what progress he had made in his investigation. He told her in detail and explained what he proposed to do that night. “ The thing is to get the gems from their hiding place. Tucker is clever and it would be folly to nab him and miss the sapphires. If I only had some one to go there as a pre- tended messénger from Moffet we might pull off the trick.” The wistful gray eyes of Viola Craig brightened with excitement. She hesitated for a moment and then exclaimed: ‘“T'll be your emissary!” ‘Oh, Miss Craig!” protested the veteran. “ Think of the danger you will run.” “T like danger,” she smiled. ‘“ And be- sides I’Jl feel safe if you are near by.” There was much more talk, but in the end the detective yielded and an hour later they started for the far end of Riverside Drive. Peabody scanned the names in the letter boxes in the hallway and found that his gifted friend was registered as Percival Henderson. The three adventurers finally reached the- fourth floor and Miss Craig tapped at the door of the designated suite. It was opened on a crack by a woman. “T come as a messenger from Mr. Mof- fet,’ Miss Craig announced, ‘“ and would like to see Mr. Henderson.” That was the magic password which se- cured her admission. . Cleverly enough she managed to turn the deadlatch as she walked in. The woman who escorted her was none other than Olga Brayton, ravish- ingly attired. They passed through a small reception room and into what was evidently a living room. A large velvet curtain sepa- rated the two apartments and as they en- tered the far one Olga Brayton drew the curtain. At the same moment Peabody Smith and Tim Farley opened the outer door and tip- 9A | 609 toed into the reception room. The detec- tive parted the curtain slightly and was able to see all that passed. As the two women stood there a door in the rear opened and Jimmie Tucker joined them. Viola, calm and collected, anticipated his words: “Mr. Moffet was unable to come. He said that if you would show me the sap- phires I would be able to make you an offer. Iam familiar with gems and can act with authority.” “How do I know who you are?” asked - Jimmie suspiciously. She shrugged her fair shoulders and act- ually smiled—that winsome, wistful smile of hers. “J don’t know much about you, either, but here I am, ready to do business,” He hesitated for a moment, then turned abruptly to the telephone. He asked for a number—the number of Moffet’s shop. For a moment there was a look of fear in Viola Craig’s gray eyes, but it passed as rapidly as it came, and Tucker did not no- tice it. She must keep a stiff upper lip. Yet her heart fluttered while the crook wait- ed for a reply to his call. He was unable to get his number, and presently he hung up the receiver with a grunt of disgust. “Naturally,” she said with cheerful men- dacity, ““ Mr. Moffet has been called away on business—that’s why I’m here.” Still Jimmie Tucker hesitated. ‘You are not afraid of a poor-lone wom- an, are you?” she taunted. That was the final straw. He hurried into the far room, and returned in a mo- ment with two elaborate velvet boxes. He opened the lids and laid them on a small table. They were dazzling, Peabody Smith, peering through a slit in the curtain, could see the play of colors coming from every side of the sapphires. Viola walked over and pretended to ex- amine them critically. And all the while she could feel the wild beating of her heart. What would happen? Surely this was the cue for Peabody to enter, Suddenly a flash of recognition came t Olga Brayton. She was trembling as she pointed an accusing finger at the girl. She almost shrieked as she spoke to Tucker, EORMICL OOO —" (<0)