Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

118 passed her, too, returned to the latter’s mind. Terror had been written there, and bewilderment, as though a crushing blow had descended upon her, yet she had dis- played lively interest rather than appre- hension before the arrival of her husband. Was she clever enough to have dissembled? He remembered her odd hesitation, that momentary flash of shrewdness which had darted from her eyes, but shook his head doubtfully. What was the matter with everybody, anyway? Alexander, the valet, Mrs. Crev- eling, Douglas Waverly, Mrs. Kip, and now the Fords! All of them seemed to be kolding back, concealing something, block- ing him at every step of the way! Was it a conspiracy of silence, or had each of them a separate secret? On a sudden impulse he turned west- ward once more to Fifth Avenue and back to the Creveling house. It was there the whole thing had started, and there, per- haps, that the key might be found. ‘Mrs. Creveling is ill, sir. The doctor and her maid and Mrs. Waverly are with her, and I don’t believe she can see you,” the butler informed him. There was an obvious increase of servility in his man- ner, and McCarty wondered with an in- ward chuckle of amusement whether any intimation of his former cooperation with Terhune were responsible for the change. “ Please say I won’t keep her except for a minute, and Ill not be bothering her with anything that will harrow up her feelings,” McCarty announced. “I just want a little general information.” “ It’s a terrible shock.”’ The butler lin- gered conversationally. ‘ A fine gentleman to work for, Mr. Creveling was; I doubt but that there’ll be great changes in the ‘ousehold now with ’im gone. Sarah and me’ll be looking for another place as soon as things get straightened out ’ere, and no mistake about it.” “Whye” McCarty demanded. not going to keep on your positions with Mrs. Creveling?”’ “Not any, sir!’ Rollins shook his head emphatically. ‘‘ She’s a grand lady, but too interfering with the ’ousehold accounts to suit people that ’as a reputation for be- — explained. and have attended Mr. Creveling lately, I~ would like to know if ’tis your opinion that . “You're | Oe t { e- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ing ’onest, and she’s ’ard, sir: unf I’d call it. But you saw ’er this morn 1 a\ ’earing the news and never turning a ’airY -- The way she treated Ilsa shows what she'd: - do to a body she was down on!”’ ‘Who’s Ilsa?” asked McCarty quickly. “ ‘‘ A ’ousemaid, sir, and as pretty a trick as you’d find in a day’ s walk. Not that a ‘old with square’eads, but she was a win-- ner and no mistake. Worked ’ere for four months and most satisfactory, but when the jewels disappeared—!” himself. up suddenly. the message, sir.”’ McCarty glanced about for the source of the interruption and beheld a gentleman._: carrying a small black bag descending the Rollins drew * “Ves, sir. Ill take’ -_ ix, stairs. He stepped forward as the latter - reached the bottom. ““ Excuse me, sir, but are you Mrs. Crev- eling’s doctor?” “Tam. May I ask—?” The other paused, regarding him with questioning’ but not antagonistic gaze. “I’m connected with the investigation into Mr. Creveling’s death, sir,” McCarty “Tf you’re the family doctor, anything was preying on his mind?” The physician frowned, and his neatly — pointed black Vandyke beard thrust itself out slightly. ‘* My dear sir!”’ he began. al ethics—”’ | “I know all about them, sir. -Many’s the time I’ve run up against them,” Mc- Carty interrupted wearily. ‘ You'll not be betraying Mr. anything you tell now, and we’re bound to get at the truth. Has he seemed like him- self to your” The physician started. “You are suggesting that the wound which caused his death may have been self- inflicted?”’ he demanded. “That’s the opinion of the medical ex- aminer, though I know Mrs. Creveling doesn’t hold with it,” McCarty responded. ‘When did you see Mr. Creveling last?” ‘About three weeks ago; nothing serious physically, just a slight cold.” The physician glanced about him, “ Profession- CONMUG <S IOO Creveling’s confidence in > there was - CO