Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

858 ‘Did you hear Mr. Kent hurriedly en- ter the next room?”’ Of course Kent had made no such move, but Nancy was determined to learn if pos- sible whether Shoreham had heard the en- trances into the next room—was aware that any one had been there since Mr. Kent had left so precipitately. “ Kent return to the next room?” blus- tered the irate man. ‘‘ Of course, I didn’t hear him. Don’t you suppose I’d have stepped to the door between and asked him what he meant by keeping me waiting? I'm not such a doddering idiot as that. And I can tell you that I’m not in the habit of being kept waiting.” Indignation covered his face—indigna- tion and outraged dignity. As Nancy regarded him it was borne home to her that, extraordinary as his con- duct had first seemed, it looked highly probable that he was telling the truth. She vlanced toward the big oak desk. Papers were scattered about, a fountain pen lay with its nib unprotected. The desk gave every appearance of an unexpected inter- ruption and a hasty desertion of the busi- ness in hand. Shoreham’s eyes followed her glance. He made a quick movement as if to shield her searching eyes from the nature of the in- terrupted business. Steadily her clear gaze fell upon him. He paused abruptly. “Tt seems rather odd, Mr. Shoreham, that in business of so highly important and secret a nature you sat calmly here while the documentary evidence of your purpose lay unprotected and in full view on Mr. Kent’s desk.” “Not at all,” rapped the man. “I’ve expected him back momentarily. People in the Temple Building, either inmates or clients, aren’t in the habit of poking into private offices.” The truth of this remark was patent to Nancy. She took a tentative, tantalizing step nearer the documents on the desk. Mr. Shoreham stepped up angrily. “See here, Dr. Dayland, I don’t understand your business, nor why you are subjecting me, an old client of a reputable concern, and here on legitimate business, to such a cross- examination. But I must strictly forbid ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. your meddling into my private affairs— particularly when Mr. Kent isn’t here to prevent you.” “Were Mr. Kent here he could not pre- vent me.” *'W-what’s that? Why not?” “* Because,” the girl stated flatly, “ every- thing on this first floor, and all the prop- erty, is now under the strictest police sur- veillance.” ‘Police surveillance!” came the startled echo. ‘But why? I don’t understand. Has Kent done anything?” ‘Not to my knowledge, but some one has.” “Explain, please,” he asked harshly. ‘“* A man has just come to a violent death in the corridor of this building.” “Great Heavens!”’ Shoreham sat down suddenly. Perspiration dampened his brow. ‘‘ What a confounded mess! W- why,” he exclaimed, the full significance of the words finally piercing his consciousness, “why, you can even keep me here—”’ ‘* Precisely.” Shoreham’s wide glance went as though magnetized to the paper-strewn desk. Nancy translated the look. ‘“ Yes,’ she observed, ‘and the nature of your very secret business here may become police property. How long have you known Mr. Kent?” ‘Ten years or so.” Nancy was leading up to a vital ques- tion. ‘ You are known to the other firms on this floor?” “Certainly, most of them have dealings with the Second National.” “Do the law firms of Case & Strong and Cunningham & Winters?” “Yes, both.” “Do you know Mr. Cunningham well?” Plainly perplexed at the seeming irrele- vancy of these questions, he answered la- conically, ‘‘ Yes.” “Undoubtedly,” remarked Nancy slow- ly; “you are likewise acquainted with an old client of Mr. Cunningham—Mr. Hugh Cavendish ” With a queer look filtering across his face which she could not explain, Shore- ham returned, “‘ Yes, I know him.” ‘“Do you know him very well?” COMiclooe ©