Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

THE TATTLING THING. ' “Now, if you will please sign and swear that this is the truth, the whole truth—” he suggested deprecatingly. “Certainly I swear,’ glibly answered Rainham. | : With an inward sigh of mighty relief, he affixed his signature. The man in uniform stepped forward sternly. “Hand over your watch,” he demanded. Shaking palpably Rainham complied. Glancing at the timepiece the officer pocketed it. He placed a hand on Rain- ham’s shoulder. © “Rupert Rainham, I hold you for the murder of John Cranhouse. You have sworn that the car went over the curve at 8.10. Every wound on Cranhouse’s body U U 71 was found bloodless. . That means that he was dead before his car leaped the curve. But that isn’t all! The clock on the dash of the wrecked car stopped at 7.25. The dead man’s chauffeur has testified that he set the clock in the dash by Western Union shortly before Mr. Cranhouse left his gar- age. The dead man was particular about the exact time. I saw your secretary be- fore ringing your bell. He swears that you set your watch by his, late this afternoon. His time was also identical with Western Union. Your watch is still correct. The clock in the death-car did not lie—but you did. Why? Toconceal your guilty knowl- edge and to provide yourself with a time alibi if necessary. For you were at the curve at 7.25!” vu u OO es ——- «BUT WHO WILL? _— | (In metaphor libre) “"PHERE is no rose without a thorn ”— CL | ; No life without its sorrow; i -_ -Of Hope Despair is often born ’ Yo blast our sweet To-morrow. Plant where you will the tree of Bliss, Its blossoms are a chain; _ The fruit emits a serpent’s hiss, And your reward is Pain. ‘Ah, you had joy the other day,. My overblissful brother; The Penalty you did not pay— It fell upon another. Impulsive souls cannot resist - Debauchery of Mirth _ ¢ Who, wantonly, on being kissed, . To direst Woe gives birth. Then seek Discretion’s equipoise, Which balances emotion And weirs the stream of rippling Joys Before it joins Grief’s ocean. James S. Ryan, COMmicbooa <S.EQ asi