The Argosy, April 1916 — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

A MYSTERY OF ROSCOE CONKLING PARK. “Ves?” he said, his interest sharpening. “What about?” “Mr. Raymond is convinced that you and I stole that silver.” “You and I? Did he say that?” “Ves. He had one of his inspirations. Blake was at the house. This was about noon on the day—the day after we were in court.” “The day you disappeared. Yes, go on, dear wife.” ‘“‘Now, none of that when we are alone. Wait till I reach that point and you will understand. Blake and George Greenland and Mr. Raymond had a confab about the robbery. Blake, I rather think, would like that fifty thousand dollar reward.” “Undoubtedly. Nobody would turn his back on it.” ‘“‘And I’ve read of people being railroaded to make a police record.” “T hardly think that could be the case in Utica.” “A frog is a frog in a swamp or a lake. A policeman is a policeman no matter where you find him. I am not saying anything against Blake. But he is after that reward. “Now, I am no eavesdropper. But I heard your name mentioned, and I—yes— I listened. I am not ashamed, either. It developed that Mr. Raymond had got an idea crosswise in his head and it stuck like a fishbone in your throat. “He said you were too quick about offer- ing your farm as pledge for my bond. He said there were not many farms up this way worth twice the amount of the bond, which you swore this farm was. And he insisted upon the point till George Green- land agreed with him.” “Greenland did?” “Aye, strongly.” Kenneth mused. His old suspicion re- turned, but he remembered that at the time it was born it was based upon her conun- drum about the elephant, and he half be- lieved that she knew something about the robbery “Go on,” he said. to do?” ‘Blake said he could not arrest you with- out some evidence. He did not want to muddle the thing. He said that he would endeavor to connect you with the case.” “He has my gratitude. You knew better.” - ‘Fhe strange girl looked long and earnest- ly into his eyes. “What did they plan looking back at the water. 4) “T knew that you were not my partner,” she said. ‘‘Wh — what — does that mean?” he gasped. ‘Keep still, or I will never get my story of adventure told. Blake went away. The house became intolerable to me. I took my camera and went to Roscoe Conkling Park to get some pictures. I took several in the park, and found myself suddenly on the bank of a little lake with a fountain in it.” “That’s the reservoir. The fountain is a spout to purify the water in the air.” “How funny! And water gets stagnant in the air? I’m an ignorant goose, I sup- pose. Well, I snapshotted that fountain. Then I went back to the road, and stood Then some- thing happened.”’ “’Two men happened.”’ ‘Just so. Is that more of Mrs. Jarratt’s information? She told the truth. A cloth was suddenly slapped over my face so that I could breathe only a stifling drug that took my senses away. They held me tight till I was quite helpless. All my will power was gone, but I still had a certain amount of muscular power. Not enough to make a fight, but enough to walk feebly. ‘‘T knew when one held me and the other . took my camera. He threw it in the road and jumped on it. Then they each got on one side of me and walked me till we met two women with a carriage. They put me in, and the women took me away. The men disappeared. ‘“‘After we had driven about an hour we stopped at a hotel and I heard the women talking to a man. I didn’t see the man. I ate a sandwich. The woman who was sit- ting with me drank something that smelled of whisky and lemon. I was awfully sick and helpless then. “But the effect of the drug wore off, and I began to take more notice of things. I realized that I was being taken away some- where. ble road.” “TI know,” said Yale. “Williams and I— but go on. This is your story.” ‘‘Almost finished now. You remember, you told me, that evening before the rob- bery, that your farm was on West Canada Creek, and somewhere near Trenton Falls. Well, I pretended that I was still sick and helpless. I played those wemen all right. If they ever get their claws in my hair— Bang! 1OOOLK We got into a rough road, a terri- | C©