The Argosy, April 1916 — page 59: 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, But the curiosity of the man was well developed, at least. He peered into every closet. He went up to the attic, and after being there some time came down. ‘“Who sleeps in the raftered room at the top of the house?” asked the careful ap- praiser of the lovely Mrs. Owens. “Adolphus, our hired man. He is the son of the cook. You saw her in the kitchen.” “She seems to be a very uncommunica- tive sort of person.” “She cannot understand English.” ‘“‘Where is Adolphus, may I ask?” “Gone to Utica to buy himself some Sunday clothes.” “How long have you lived here, Mrs. Owens?” “Well, we hardly seem to be living here even now. We came, oh, about three weeks ago. We have purchased no farm- stock as yet. We buy everything we need.”’ “You surely have a horse and carriage.” “No, my husband has an automobile. He taught Adolphus to run it, and the man has it now.” “Ah! Well, I will bid you good day, Mrs. Owens. I thank you for your courtesy.” . “Don’t mention it.” She saw him depart, and hastened to re- lease Yale from his hiding place. He was weak from suffering, and she almost faint- ing from suppressed excitement. ‘They supported each other to a room. ae ‘What can it mean? What is he after? What do you know about him?” she gasped, sinking into a chair. ‘Kenneth, we must leave this house.” CHAPTER XXIV. WHAT’S AFOOT NOW? er DP you never—think now, our lives “ may depend on it—did you never see that man before?” asked Yale. “Never, Kenneth. I am sure of that.” “Nor heard his voice?” “Never. I could never have heard that voice and forgotten it.” “Do you know the kind of voice it is?” ‘““Why—hoarse—he speaks with an evi- dent effort.” . ‘Yes, but a short time ago the effort was greater. That man hasn’t been out of jail a month, and he has escaped at that.” “Kenneth! You know him, then!” 4A 49 “No, I don’t know him, but I have seen him and learned something about him I thought you knew. When you told me your experiences after you had been put in the surrey you said that at a village hotel you heard one of the women talking to a man, but you did not see the man.” “That is so, Kenneth. But it was not this man. The voice I heard was full and hearty.” ‘“‘Well, there were two men there, and our appraiser was one of them.” ‘How did you learn this?” “Didn’t I tell you that Williams and I stopped at the hotel in Whitesboro, and I learned that you had been there?” “Oh, yes.” ‘Well, the man at the hotel and I agreed that this fellow was a jailbird. We saw him there—he was evidently there to spy on me, and I believe he tampered with the automobile and brought on the wreck. Now, could you not identify either of the men who seized you at the reservoir?” ‘Honestly, no, Kenneth. I did not see them at all before the attack. ‘They were not on the road. They must have rushed out of the woods in the park.” “They did, undoubtedly. Well, more will come out of this. I am eager to learn what the next move will be.” ‘“‘We must leave this house, Kenneth.” “Mrs. Owens, we will stay in our own home.” “Mr. Owens, we shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think I want to be murdered in my bed?” “That’s as good a place to be murdered as any other. But seriously, Beverly, I do not think the gang mean to commit murder. At first they might have had it in mind. The wrecking of Williams’s car would indi- cate it. But something has changed their plans.” “Have we unconsciously played into their hands, do you think?” ‘“‘We may be playing their game for them. But I can’t see what good it would do for us to leave here now. We could easily be - traced. A man with a bandaged foot, who can scarcely hobble, is not forgotten along the way.” “‘That’s true enough.” 3 “And you! Do you suppose that you could go ten miles without fifty people knowing how you look?” | “That’s so,” she said. “And if we hire a conveyance, that would give us away.” comiclboool C@