The Argosy, April 1916 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

12 “But I don’t see why we should. Just because some silverware has been stolen, why should we postpone our wedding? It isn’t necessary at all, my love.” “Not necessary! That’s the man of it. All you think of is getting married and hav- ing it over with. What condition am I in now to go through the ceremony? And by the time I have explained to twenty or more guests that all my presents have been stolen I won’t be worth a rag. It must be done, dear. Now, please.” “But the guests will be here at eight, and all the breakfast stuff is in.” “T’m all in, too,” she answered, with a wan sort of smile at her lapse into slang. “T think myself,” boomed Mr. Ray- mond’s voice, “that it will be better to postpone the wedding. We may have a house full of police by eight o’clock. Any- way, you could not leave on your trip, be- cause we shall need Nancy here to identify the articles when they are recovered.” “Do you mean to tell me,” demanded Greenland, with rising choler, ‘“‘that we can’t be married till that junk is found?” “Junk!” screamed Mr. Raymond, “I am amazed at you, George. That junk, as you call it, came from Nancy’s friends, not yours.” — “Thank God, I haven’t got so many fool friends,” answered Greenland. ‘So far as identifying the presents is concerned we could be married and stay home.” “No, no, no!” Mr. Raymond paced the floor again. ‘‘That.-won’t do at all. My daughter’s wedding, when it does take place, must not be marred by unpleasant inci- dents. Be good, George, and I will double the check.” “First time I’ve heard anything about a check,” growled George. ‘I am not marrying your check-book. Damn your check. I want my bride.” “Vou shall have your bride—anything you want. Fine house, plenty of money, servants, automobiles, anything. But be good now, George.” | And George subsided, and was good. A few minutes later he passed close to Yale. ! “What Sherman said war was isn’t a patch to a postponed wedding,” he whis- — pered. ‘I’ve got to hang on here, I sup- pose. So must you.” “That depends on how Miss Wayne oC at the hands of the police,” replied ale. THE ARGOSY. “Why? What the devil is Miss Wayne to you?” ‘“‘At half-past six this morning she was a new acquaintance. Now that a calumny has been sprung against her good name she is everything.” “You are a fool!” “Same to you, Greenland. If you wish to quarrel because I am standing up for fair play for an absent girl, go ahead and quarrel. I can take care of myself.” Greenland muttered something under: his breath and moved away. Blake took his place. : “Mr. Yale,” said the detective, “I have been watching you. You have the only cool head in the house. Permit me to apol- ogize for the way I spoke some time ago. Now, tell me your honest opinion. Do you connect the absence of Miss Wayne with this robbery?” ‘No, I do not,” answered Yale promptly. “‘Nor-do I connect the absence of the front door-key with the robbery. But I do con- nect the absence of the front door-key with the absence of Miss Wayne.”’ ‘Please explain your conundrum.” Yale laughed. ‘‘Miss Wayne is a camera fiend. For an amateur photographer there is a lure in a clear, bright, early morning light. Have _Miss Raymond ascertain if Miss Wayne’s camera is in her room.” ““But—the hour!” exclaimed Blake. ‘The discovery was made at half-past six. There would not be light enough for an outside picture before seven or eight.” ‘““Miss Wayne may have planned a long walk to get her views. It was light enough for that at half-past six.” “You are a stanch defender of Miss Wayne.” ‘“‘And when you see her you will not be * her enemy.” ‘‘Suppose, now, that this rich aunt should prove to be a myth. Suppose Miss Wayne should have no visible means of support, but lives by her wits. What would you be- lieve?” ‘‘A man must believe anything that is proven beyond a doubt. I should require absolute proof.” ‘“Let us go out into the hall. I want to know more about your meeting. You must have had considerable conversation during that long walk.” : Blake led the way, and stopped near the front door. COmiclboo S (©