The Argosy, June 1904 — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

BY THE ENEMY’S WILL. bol in my chambers,” said Kane, address- ing me, “and we will come back here to your place in thirty minutes.” There was nothing for it but to agree. On the road I had taken there was no room to turn back. We went out, leaving Watson Ward alone; went into Jane’s chambers; smoked like chimneys for the ensuing half hour. We were full of talk as well as smoke —or rather Kane was—during that time of waiting. He had unbounded confidence in Watson Ward, and what had occurred in his chambers largely increased that admiration. “ My dear sir,” he said to me, “ if he’s half as successful in finding clues in your rooms as he has been in mine, f believe that the whole mystery will be solved quicker than you can peel a ear.” Myself, I did not think so. Because the absence of a ladder from the sky- light would, I thought, prevent Watson Ward from endeavoring to examine it. I had not taken the correct measure, did not know the astuteness of the man. The knowledge was to be mine later. At the expiration of the appointed time, we relighted cigars, put on our hats, and walked to my rooms. Watson Ward had heard our ascending foot- steps; was waiting with the door open for us. We entered. “Well?” inquired Kane eagerly the moment we were inside. “ Have you found anything? ” “1 can’t say that my search has proved altogether fruitless.” “You think,” continued Kane per- severingly, “that you will be able suc- cessfully to probe this matter? Is that what you mean?” “Well ?—with a smile—“ you see I always think that, or I should never undertake a case. I explained to you before, with me it 1s a matter of prin- ciple: my predilection for success; my dislike at being linked with failures.” Then for the first time I spoke. Since our return I had been terribly anxious to hear what he had found out, and yet reluctant to ask. “You think,’ I said tentatively, “that in this case, from what you have discovered, vou will not be linked with failure?” “That’s so. [ imagine that there will be no very great difficulty in boring to the bed-rock of this affair.” “You don’t mean to tell us then,” said Kane, the note of disappointment loud in his voice, “what you have found? ” “Well now, I have shown you so many of my methods, haven’t I? PU let you know all later! And—as the con- jurers say—show you just how it’s done!” When?” “Well, I need to pick up another link or two to complete my chain. Then [ will write to you to come and sec ime. Now I must hurry back to keep my ap- pomtment. You have nothing more to say to me?” “We shall hear from you?” replied Kane, still disappointed. “ You will write?” “ Undoubtediv. Good-by.” He shook hands with both of us. I was rather glad he did do so with me. Had he suspected me of murder he would scarcely have gripped me by the hand as he did. I instinctively felt that he was not that kind of man, and was comforted by it. The shades of evening were falling. I had a few more minutes’ conversation with Kane—declined his invitation to dine at the Holborn—and then I was what I sorely needed to be: alone. My first act was to shut both doors; to shoot the bolts so that they could not be opened by the possessor of any keys. Then | determined to finish the reading of the paper I had found in the pocket of the coat, the starting of which had so excited me. Down on my knees, I turned back the carpet, lifted the loose board, put my hand in and drew forth the coat. Felt in breast pocket, side pocket, tail pockets. No papers! On oath I could have sworn J put the papers in the breast pocket. JT felt again, but they were unmistakably not there. Neither were they in any of the others. To mv horror all the pockets were empty! PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG COMmicoooe ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED —— CO