Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

MARKED DOWN, had better have my hat fastened securely. I particularly remember starting both pins in their single holes. I am very careful about keeping the crown free from pin marks.” Again Nancy felt as if she were being stifled, buried in the extraordinary untied ends which kept cropping out. ‘You would not have worn two pins if your aunt had not suggested it?” The girl paused as though in thought. ‘“T don’t know, I’m sure,” she answered dispassionately. ‘‘ But what ought I to do? And why are you talking so much about a mere hatpin as though its loss mattered vitally?” Swiftly Nancy brought out a long en- velope. From it her still gloved fingers flashed the lost hatpin before the staring eyes of the quivering girl. ‘“Why do I place so much stress on this lost pin? Because it was found tightly gripped in the hand of your dead father.” Uttering a little broken moan, Dorothy Cavendish crumpled into a senseless heap on the floor. CHAPTER XII. WHAT THE MATRON FOUND. ANCY’S ministering fingers were soon rewarded by returning consciousness in the girlk When Dorothy Caven- dish opened her fluttering lids the shining hatpin had gone back to concealment in the leather case. At first the girl looked about her weakly. Then realization began to creep across her twitching face. ‘Tam sorry,” Nancy said gently. ‘“ The air is beastly here. Just as soon as you feel able, I will take you across the corridor to your aunt.” Somewhat pacified by the tones the girl stood up feebly. “It will be good to get out of this room, and to be with Aunt Ivy.” Then she paused irresolutely. ‘* B-but all the people out in the corridor. They will see me, and they may recognize me.” “It will have to come sooner or later. You are in no cgndition to be left alone here.” ‘““Can’t we go home, away from this ter- o A 365 rible building?” She shivered, and her face blanched again. ‘‘ Later, in a little while now,” Nancy’s voice soothed her. “ But you will be with your aunt until then.” So the jaded and weary watchers and waiters in the corridor were treated to a belated and mild sensation. The door of the Case & Strong reception room opened. A slight, girlish figure with a dropped veil appeared, leaning on the arm of Nancy Dayland. Mr. Strong started up from his settle. Then he sat down again with an expression of such deep surprise that his face looked positively idiotic. Mr. Kent seemed high- ly distressed. And of the two partners of her father’s law firm, Mr. Cunningham ap- peared amazed, while his junior seemed mildly surprised. “Well, Vl be flabbergasted!” mur- mured Loring to the officer beside him. ‘“A mysterious lady cooped in the office here all the while. Now I guess the chief will be hopping when he realizes that his tight-fisted order for me to do nothing until Miss Dayland told me has ended in such a find. Just like a girl not to have the offices searched at once instead of giving orders that no one can enter, and that the men see that it is carried out.” “But,” protested the policeman, “ you yourself told us to guard the doors and to see that not a soul entered.” “Oh, you mind your business, Smith. You're getting altogether too officious. You don’t suppose I’ve been acting without any orders, do you?” The reprimanded man in uniform sub- sided into a sheepish silence. Then the door to the Fulton & Kent suite barred any further view of the two figures. Without a word the girl’s aunt took her to a chair, and gently stroked her wrists. They seemed to be in perfect accord and understanding, these two, and quite ob- livious of those about them. With a quick nod at Jenkins, Nancy went swiftly back to Mlle. Mignonne’s private office. Here the matron awaited her with the medium whom she had long finished searching. But the faces of the two women were studies in contrasted expression. The po- COMmiclooe (©