Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

Low as it was, her voice rang with an open defiance that was like a declaration of warfare, and for a moment the two strange antagonists, mother and daughter, faced each other in silence. Then Mrs. Cayley replied with sudden suavity. “Our oldest and closest family friend. He will take charge of everything for us. Bear that in mind, my child, when -he ar- rives. I will not reproach you now for your past attitude; you know, of course, what your future one must be. Your uncle’s death has rendered it inevitable that his last wishes shall be obeyed.” The girl’s rosebud lips curled over so slightly. “We are not living in the Middle Ages now, mother, (nr not going to pretend any orief that I don’t feel, nor acknowledge any absurd obligation for the future. What- ever else Uncle Joe may have been, he was no hypocrite, nor will I be. Tf Mr. Lane is coming to act for you as a family friend, my attitude toward him will be becomingly grateful, I can promise you. I wonder—I wonder who—’”’ ‘* Here’s your coffee, ma’am.” Letty ap- peared at Mrs. Cayley’s elbow with a tray, and the latter directed: “Take it into my room, please.’ Then to her daughter she added: “ We will have a little talk later, Mildred. Meanwhile, if you cannot feel any natural grief over the tragedy which has come upon us [ must at least insist that you show to every one a decent respect for your uncle’s memory.”’ She glanced meaningly toward the room occupied by their guest, Vera Sherwood, and turning, vanished within her own door. Left alone, the young girl took one tenta- tive step toward the railing of the gallery as though to follow her mother’s callously ‘given advice and look down for herself at the scene. The next moment, with a little shiver, she covered her face with her hands and fled back into her own room. Meanwhile Geoff Peters had lingered at the stairs’ head until he saw Letty emerge from below when he had hurried down and Out to the terrace where he busied himself gathering up the loose sections of board . puand scattered implements left from his work ai ils ~ self, but clad in the blue and brass 0 ha es on. A . a rs acs o. Bi. of the previous a Soon attle ancient car tie oreak — over the new-cut private eee hasten to. the driveway. A stout man of perhaps fifty sat | at the wheel, and beside him was @ yO man as lean and lanky as the mason wt pe nge r ofa . metropolitan police lieutenant, a unifor which seemed as he clambered down | clothe his awkward frame with almost Tudi- S, crous incongruity. _ “Hey, Geoff Peters!” He bustled fom ward officiously. ‘ What’s been goin’ on here? Murder?” a “ Stopped by at the station house for Zeke Foster,” explained the stout man 4 he shut off the engine. ‘ Thought from what Mrs. Cayley said that he’d be needed. Be You got my message, Geoff? Been keep- a ing every one away from the body?” & Geoff nodded. Be “Got the place all round where it was” oes found roped off, doc,” he ccawiodi “ Reckon I was the first to see it after the | old butler and the hired girl, and neither ‘of MK, them would have gone a nigh it for their — x lives. It’s right inside the terrace doors.” He turned to lead the way around the $ 3 house, but Zeke Foster hurried ahead, and Dr. Hood laid a detaining hand on the ma- son’s arm. ‘“ Geoff, you’ve been working here prea regular since before the family moved — “ down from the city, and you see a lot more — than most folks give you credit for. Tl aS 4 want to talk to you about them later, but what’s this Iook like to. you?” “T aim to ’tend to my own affairs, doc.” ae Geoff shook his head. “ You better r up your mind when you see what’s hap-— pened to Mr. Benkard. If a man cot Id smash the back of his own head in wlan off and hide the weapon somewheres, and — then come back and lay down and d ie right in front of where he’d been settin’, — Vd say it might be suicide, but — a ain’t offerin’ no. opinion.” & ‘““Humph!” the doctor ejaculated. that was the way: of it! It’s = ok you thought to rope off the ae all ai ir Rae it, in case of footprints.” ae pi. Something like the aie ‘of a ae com icbooks ks.com ones ai ae &