Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 17, 1924 — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

308 in the dark. The case has all the earmarks of the usual one in which a baby is in- volved. In that case it will at once appeal to the woman that here is an opportunity to take care of her baby likewise.” The letter of introduction that Mrs. Zea gave me to the various editors procured me immediate attention and acquiescence to my requests. : There was nothing to be done now until the answers to the advertisement should come in the following day. About mid- morning I made the round of the news- paper offices, collecting the bales of replies, and carted them to Washington Square. Z seized the pile and shuffled through them swiftly. Without opening them, glancing merely at the superscriptions, she tossed them onto the desk in swift succes- sion. Midway through the pile she gave a quick exclamation of satisfaction. The envelope she held in her hand was a common, white one—the kind that is sold by any neighbor- hood stationer at ten cents a package. To me it was quite commonplace and indistinc- tive. “ Here is our lady, unless I am very much mistaken,” Z declared. ‘ Notice that peculiar back-handed swing—certainly the writing of a left-handed person.” She ripped open the envelope and drew forth the sheet within. The note read: In reply to your advertisement I would ap- preciate most highly an interview. I have never acted on the professional stage, but I have on occasion dressed and passed as a man, with great success, and feel absolutely certain IT could satisfy you. I am anxious to leave town at once and will be very reasonable as regards salary. Please phone meat the above address for an interview. Z looked up triumphantly. “ Note the eagerness to leave town, to the point of making salary secondary. She does not claim to have had even amateur theatrical experience, but observe: ‘1 have on occa- sion dressed and passed as a man, with great success.’ Oh, this is the person we want, I feel certain.” She drew the telephone toward her and called the number given in the letter. In a few moments she had arranged for the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. unknown to call at our study at once. And a few moments later she had also phoned Captain Wigginton, requesting his imme- diate presence. The captain had barely entered the room and seated himself when Hester announced “Mrs. Raber,” and ushered in a pretty, blond, bob-haired girl. Her youthful face was strained and her eyes were haggard. Every feature of her face and her tired, Sagging body spoke of some terrible strain. Z waved the girl to a chair. For several seconds silence hung heavy above us all. Then Z spoke. “ Mrs. Raber,” she asked gently, “ you probably had your own good reasons for shooting Charles Frayne—he may have deserved it—but was it fair of you to let Mrs. Frayne bear the blame?” A terrified gurgle came from the girl’s throat. Her face went gray and her eyes popped. She half started to her feet, then sank back limply. “Deserve it!” she cried. a thousand deaths!” Her face dropped into her hands. After a few minutes of unrestrained sob- bing, she calmed, and her face lifted a bit defiantly. z She looked from Wigginton to me ques- tioningly. “I suppose you're detectives,” she said. “This is Captain Wigginton,” Z intro- duced the officer. “Well,” the girl began, “ you are right. I killed him. My name is Ethel Raber: Three years ago I met Charlie Frayne in Troy, and he urged me into marrying him, but insisted we keep it secret. When he got things settled in New York, he promised, he would bring me here to live. His family was opposed to his marrying, and there was an estate involved that he might lose if it became known. Some stuff like that he told me. “ Well, things drifted along, I seeing him only when his business brought him to Troy. After a while there was a baby. The mar- riage being secret, I had to get away from my friends; so I disappeared, going to Al- bany, calling myself Mrs. Raber. “From then on I saw there was no chance for me. He had always been fairly “ He deserved S CORnICGLOO (©