The Argosy, June 1904 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

BY THE ENEMY’S WILL. Surprised that he should call me, then thinking that he wished to take note of my name, | turned my head, an- swering Inquiringly: ce ONT 3? 2? 1€8 “ Tixcuse me a moment, sir, please; Mr. Watson Ward left a letter for you. If vou will kindly wait, PH give it to you in half a minute.” There was nothing for it but to turn baek at that. The clerk, having noted the message which the other caller wished to leave, that interview termi- nated. The visitor went away, and the clerk turned to me. “This way, sir.” He spoke briskly as he moved to- ward an inner door. As I reached it he paused for a moment, said apologetic- alls rs You see, sir, Mr. Watson W: ard’s at home this sfremoon to you only.” 1 smiled—understanding then. walked to the end of a passage; clerk opened another door. Kntering, £ found Watson Ward In smoking jacket and slippers, reclining Ia, lounging- chair. “Well!” he exclaimed cheerily secing me. We the on “You got my letter, I see. Sit down: make vourself comfortable there. Try one of those cigars: yowll find them palatable; a wealthy client of mine sent me a big case of them, as a— so his letter said—token of his apprecia- tion of my services in a case of his.” Taking the offered cigar I lighted it, and sank into the chair “indicated. This was evidently the detective’s private room, where, apparently, he did not usually transact business. It -was fitted up comfortably, indeed luxu- riously. Was in striking contrast to the desk and stool severity of the office part of his suite, through which IT had been ushered. Somehow I augured well from the cigar and admission to this sanctum. liven as straws show the direction of the wind, so did the weed convince me now that Watson Ward’s feeling toward me was one ot amity. * Well,” he said, “I suppose after re- celvying my letter you are filled with curiosity to know what it is [ have found out?” PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG COMMiclooo ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED dod “T couldn't very well be otherwise than consumed with it!” “Quite so. Curiosity! Human na- ture’s full of it. But in your case, you have good ground for being even more than curious.’ “What have you discovered? ” ‘There was no resisting the asking of that question. If he really had not found out anything against me, I wanted to be put out of the misery of thinking he might have done so. “ Discovered?” he said. ‘ Oh, many things. Do you know, I am inclined to think that in this interview of ours I shall startle vou a little?” “Startle mer” “Yes—more than vou think.” “Why me personally?” “Well, because you are personally so mixed up in what I have found out.” Breathing became difficult for me. My old fears—despite the cigar and the sanctum-—were returning. I said: “Tell me.” “ Well,’ he answered, “to take the last part of the matter first. I do that because [ was instructed by Mr. Kane chiefly to find out how the body came into his room——” “Well, I have found that out.” “You have!” Leaning over in my chair, I almost rose to my feet, so great was my eager- ness to ascertain how much he knew. “The body was carried along the roof and brought therefrom into his rooms through the skylight.” “Yes, yes,” £ could not help im- patiently interrupting. “ You told us as much. as that when you were in Kane’s chambers.” * Precisely.” ‘The detective was [eis- urely flicking the ash from his cigar as he spoke. “ But I didn’t tell you that I had found out who the man was who carried it on to the roof.” White—very white—I must have grown just then. I knew that it was with difficulty I could shape words to * You—found—that—out ? ” “ Precisely,” answered Watson Ward quietly. “ He was carried out of your room, thro ugh your skylight, by you vourself!” CO