The Argosy, April 1916 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

14 “T will. Those presents you saw last evening, and which you do not see now, have been stolen. I am asking you if you know anything about the matter.” “Do I understand that you are asking me if I am a thief? I did not come here to be insulted. I came here to visit Nance. I did not know that she was to be married, but she tells me that she sent me an invita- tion. So it’s all the same, Mr. Raymond. I would have been here anyway. But, as I came, I will go.” She started with regal stride toward the door. | “One moment, Miss Wayne,” interposed Blake. “I must have a few words with you. am a detective.” “Oh!” she said dryly. were a guest. Well?” She stood a moment looking straight into Blake’s eyes. Then as he seemed to be stricken speechless she started for the door again. “Wait, Miss Wayne,” Blake commanded. His face was rather flushed. ‘‘Don’t compel ~ me to use harsh measures. Will you answer me a few questions?” “No, I will not. I have understood from friends who know that it is a dangerous thing to answer questions to a policeman or detective. If you want me to answer questions take me before a magistrate. I'll answer him.” : While this dialogue was going on Miss Raymond sat slumped down-in a_-heap, with her eyes fixed in a wild stare on Bev- erly’s flushed face. When Miss Wayne had finished her defiant speech Nancy cried: “Bev! Oh, Bev! Don’t break my heart! You know I don’t believe you know any- thing about it. You couldn’t!’ Miss Wayne waved her hand as though brushing aside all entreaty. “You say you asked me to come to a wedding. I came without being asked, to see you because I loved you so.. Now I am “T thought you accused of being a thief. Break your heart! What about mine, then?” . ‘““Miss Wayne,” spoke up Blake, “his- trionics won’t help. If I take you before a magistrate I must first place you under arrest.” ‘“‘Go ahead and do it. first time.” _ This speech, hurled with all the defiance that -could be expressed by flashing eyes and red, writhing lips, was a staggerer to all that amazed group. It wouldn’t be the THE ARGOSY. They all stared at her aghast. That this beautiful girl, scarcely more than child in years, with a form like Diana, and a crown of red-gold hair like Aurora, could stand there defying the representative of the law, and brazenly make the announcement that arrest now would not be the first one, was enough go shatter any one’s belief in anything like goodness in the world. ‘For what were you arrested the other time—or times?” asked Blake, when he had recovered his breath. “T told you that I would answer none of your questions. Do as you please. I be- lieve, though, it is not customary to let a prisoner go hungry. I’d like something to eat before I am locked up.” She spoke with superb disdain and cool- ness. To Yale she presented a picture of queenly grace and beauty that fairly swept him off his feet, mentally speaking. She stood erect, facing Blake. Her cam- era strap ran from her right shoulder across her swelling breast, and the camera rested against her left hip. Yale felt that the camera might have been a sword, and she an honorary colonel of hussars. Oh, she was rich in her defiance, and all the chivalry of Yale burst into flower. Blake seemed nonplused. Whether this was the bluff of guilt, or the natural stub- bornness of a wilful woman, or the out- burst of injured innocence, was a problem that seemed to have him up a tree. _ . He. looked at his watch. “So far as breakfast is concerned,” he said, “there is plenty of time. I presume, since the discovery of the robbery was made so early, that Mr. Raymond’s family has not yet breakfasted. I can wait while you eat.” | “Wait! What, here? Do you think I would eat in this house? Not a crumb!” There was infinite scorn—scorn of the hottest kind—scorn that burned and scorched and seared in her tone, in her manner, in the words as she flung them out. Her beautiful red lips writhed with passion. The tigress was roused. CHAPTER VIII. - A SURPRISE FOR YALE, ISS WAYNE’S oucburst of scorn was followed by a moment of absolute silence that was a better form of praise for her dramatic talent than any panegyrics. connicloool C@