The Argosy, April 1916 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

10 “F was told by the chief that @ guest was missing from this house. There are finger- prints on this door that seem fresh, and are undoubtedly the prints of the fingers of a young woman. Is the missing guest a young woman?” “Yes,” blurted Mr. Raymond, “and to my mind a very strange young woman, too. She arrived here late yesterday afternoon, armed with a camera. I believe she had had an invitation sent to her by my daugh- ter to attend the wedding, which was to be this morning. Nevertheless, she came as an uninvited guest, for she has been away from her home, wherever that may be, and received no invitation—so she says. “She knew nothing about my daughter’s engagement or proposed marriage—so she says. As a matter of fact, none of us know anything about her or her people. She isa school acquaintance of my daughter’s.”’ “What is her name?” “She calls herself Beverly Wayne.” Blake, Raymond and Greenland faced Yale, who stood ready to meet their anger or physical blows if they came. “You cannot, Mr. Raymond,” he said, “take away the character of a young girl in my presence without giving her a chance to be heard. I sympathize with you in your misfortune. Your deductions, however, smack of hysteria. “T myself came to Utica ignorant of George Greenland’s impending marriage. I did not know you, mor one of your family. Greenland insisted that I should come here as his guest, and yours, till after the wed- ding. / knew of these silver wedding pres- ents now missing. I did not know of any jewels. You might just as well accuse me as to charge Miss Wayne with the robbery without a hearing.” “FT may, before I’m done,” thundered Raymond, beside himself with rage. Blake looked at Yale with eyes that were reduced to narrow slits. “Tyon’t talk too much,” he said. ‘Youth is liable to mistakes of the tongue. Did you spend all night in bed?” ‘“‘Between the time I went to bed and the time I got up, I was in bed,” answered Yale coolly. “Don’t get impudent to me, or you'll go visit the chief.” ~-“T expect to before I leave Utica. was my father’s friend.” Mr. Raymond had stiffened visibly as He THE ARGOSY. ~ though he had received a shock. It was ‘clear that Yale had furnished him with a fresh idea. “You and Miss Wayne were out last night when we all retired.” “Ves, we went out because we knew the family had much to do, and we were too much outsiders to help.” “What time did you come in?” “T don’t know, exactly. Sims may know. He admitted us. I saw Miss Wayne enter her room. I went to mine, to bed, and right to sleep.” “But you were the first to hear the maid scream. You were the first down-stairs, ex- cept the maid.” “T am an early riser. out for a walk.” “You took a walk with Miss Beverly Wayne. How long have you known her?” asked Blake. ‘Since about five o’clock yesterday aft- ernoon.’”” ‘‘What do you know about her?” “She is a very pretty girl, and a camera fiend.” I intended to go “This is no joking matter, Mr. Yale,” | said Blake with rising anger. out of place here.” ) “fT am not trying to be facetious. You asked me what I know about Miss Wayne. I have told you all I know.” “Where do you live now?” asked Blake, cooling a little. “New York.” ‘““Where does Miss Wayne live, do you know, Mr. Raymond?” “New York.” “Ah! And you wish to have it under- stoed that you did not know Miss Wayne in New York, Mr. Yale?” “There are several millions of people in New York. There are a few that T have not met.” At this moment Mrs. She and Naney, now properly dressed, came down the broad stairs. Nancy went at once to Greenland and put her arm in his. Mrs. Raymond crossed to her husband’s side and turned to face the others, but she showed extreme nervousness and lack of guiding force. For a moment there was silence. The entrance of Mrs. Raymond and Nancy ended the interrogation of Yale. “Well,” exclaimed Mr. Raymond, turn- ing to the detective, “in Heaven’s name why don’t you do something?” “Levity is comicloool (©