The Argosy, June 1904 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

BY THE ENEMY’S WILL. | DAT “Not? I take it you don’t believe in spiritualism—how then?” “ Through the skylight.” CHAPTER XXX. DEDUCTIONS. Iw possession of some of the facts, or supposing myself to be so, ] was but little astonished at the theory put for- ward by Watson Ward. What I lacked in the way of exhibi- tion of surprise was made up for by Kane. At the detective’s statement that the skylight had been used, he blurted out: “My dear sir, that’s impossible!” Kane’s impetuosity did no harm. Simply brought about a new edition of that amused smile of Ward’s. Seeing it, Kane continued: “Tl soon prove that to you! = Plainly he was annoyed. “Come with me.” He walked triumphantly into the room in the roof of which was the sky- light. We, of course, followed him. “Do you see that padlock?” he in- quired. “ That was so rusty from want of use that I had to drop a quart of oil into it before I could turn the key to open the skyhght when I put that cat outside!” He let this off as one would explode a rocket, expecting astonishment at its outburst. But it failed—like a damp firework—of its effect. As Kane ceased speaking, Ward’s lips shaped as before its delivery. It was an irritating smile to Kane, evidently, for he continued with some heat: “ My dear Mr. Watson Ward, at least pay me the compliment of not thinking me an ass of the thistle-eating type! Moreover, there’s not only my testi- mony; there’s that of the police!” The creases round the detective’s mouth deepened. I noticed that they generally did when there was any refer- ence made to the regular police. Evidently Watson Ward’s opinion of the intelligence of the force was not a very high one. “1 told the police just what [ have told vou about the locks and kev. They at once went to the only means of en- trance—apart from a ladder—and ex- amined the skylight. There were cob- webs on it, actually leading from the glass itself to the frame-work, and they tried in vain to get the padlock open! What do you say to that?” “ Nothing.” “Ah!” Kane laughed trrumphantly. “T thought I should convince you!” “But you haven’t.” “No!” The laugh came to a speedy termination. ‘* Not——” “T have told you that the body was brought through that skylight. It was. I will tell you more; about the person who carried it. It was a very strong, big, muscular man who carried the body into your rooms.” “My dear sir “Now, come, Mr. Kane, rid yourself of the belief that I am romancing, if you can. And accept my theory—tor what it is worth, if vou hke—that the skylight was used.” “But, my dear sir, let me tell “No, don’t.” The detective looked at his watch. “Time is a thing which there is no profit in wasting. Don’t think me rude, but you did not bring me to hear your opinion, did you? I am under the impression that you want mine. “T have asked you about a wealthy man living in this block of buildings who would be likely to smoke very ex- pensive cigars, and you have given me the names of three gentlemen. I have those in my book. Let us sift them. We have perhaps got a little nearer. You can help perhaps a step further. You know these men? Tell me, which of them is of strong, big, muscular build ? ” “Not one of them,” Kane answered promptly; adding: “I know them all.” That would have been sufficient to disconcert an ordinary man. But Wat- son Ward disconcerted would have been a curiosity worth notice. “ Very ‘well then,” he spoke compla- cently, “then we must look further afield.” With that he turned to me and asked: “You, I suppose. don’t know such a man as I have described? ” A negative answer was ready to my 3) PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG COMICOOO® ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ©