The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

112 Miss Travis. Jeffries is gone, I shall be confined to the house for two weeks, and the work cannot go on without you.” “T will remain, then—for the pres- ent.” “Thank you,” said he. “I under- stand what all this is costing you, Miss Travis, but I think the ordeal will be less trying if you remain right here, where you can keep track of events as they occur.” “Perhaps you are right,” she an- swered slowly. “Do you think my brother had last night’s work in mind when he came to the works to seek a position? ” “T have no doubt that he came a the instigation of Jeffries.” “Did he take part in the murderous attack on you?” “No; Jeffries and Chombo did that.” ‘You must have known that trouble was brewing or you would not have taken precautions to protect the bul- lion.” “T was forewarned.” “In what way?” Cassidy’s pocketbook was under the pillow. It had been in the breast pock- et of Whipple’s coat and had escaped a drenching in the cyanide solution. As he drew it forth she noticed a ragged cut in the leather. ‘What caused that?” she asked, her mind curiously alive to everything con- nected with the dread affair of the night. . ““Chombo’s knife,” he replied. “ The pocketbook deflected the blade and saved my life.” Opening the wallet, he took out the playing card and handed it to Amy, using his left hand. “Was this in the purse when you took it from Tom?” Amy asked. “ce Yes.” “Tf vou had arrested Tom and Jefi- ries on Friday, you would have saved yourself that frightful experience Saturday night? ” She was growing analytical, and the fact did not please the manager. ‘“‘T was careless, and those two rascals caught me napping,” he returned depre- catingly. “ Otherwise there would have yeen a different story to tell.” THE ARGOSY. “There would have been a different story to tell if you had not granted my request to wait until Monday before causing the arrest of Tom and Jeffries. Will you tell me why you did that? ” The blue eyes were bent searchingly upon his face. “Some time,” he said; “ not now.” She got up, laid the card on the bed beside him, and stood for a second with her hand on the back of the chair. “I was in the hall outside during part of your conversation with the sheriff, Mr. Whipple,” she went on, “and I heard you defend me against - his aspersions. I am grateful to you for that, and very sorry that I persisted in misunderstanding you.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she held out her hand to him. He clasped the little palm in his left hand and held it for a moment. “T have tried to place myself in your position, Miss Travis,” said he, “and I have so far succeeded that I blame you for nothing. You are a brave girl, and I hope your courage will not flag, what- ever happens.” “The detective who is to come from Denver,” she answered, “ may not be so charitable as you are.” Thereupon she withdrew her hand and left the room. “Why is she so blind?” thought Whipple. “Surely I have done every- thing but tell her outright. When she knows the truth, what will she think of It was a_ disagreeable chain of thought, and Whipple was glad to have if interrupted by the entrance of Teresa, bringing his breakfast. CHAPTER XVII. A CALL TO ACTION. It was Sunday morning. That may have been an excuse for the little extra touches which Teresa had given her toilet, for she was never more charming than when she came tripping into the manager’s room with the breakfast tray held high in her small brown hands. “ Buenos, sefor,” she said, smiling and blushing rosily as her eyes met his. “You are better, yes? ” COL ElOOO (COL