The Argosy, April 1916 — page 71: 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. quiries about the reward of fifty thousand dollars Mr. Raymond has offered for the first clue or evidence that leads to the ap- prehension and conviction of the thieves. Instead of holding him in custody I wrote down his information, and let him go.” “Were you not afraid that he would escape if this investigation did not turn out his way?” “No. It has turned out his way so far except that both Miss Wayne and Yale were in the house, and he said nothing about that. Moreover, one of my best men is about twenty feet behind him no matter where he goes, and there is no danger of | his escaping.”’ “Good. Where is that man—Adolphus, come here.” The big blond strode with heavy feet and imperturbable face to the bench. “What is your name?” “Vell, de laty, she call me Adolphus.” “T know, but what is your real name?” “Karl.” “Karl what?” “No, Karl Wenn.” “Don’t dare fool with me!” thundered the judge. ‘Don’t spring gags about what and when on this court. What is your name?’”’ “Vah! You mak foolishness yourselluf! I tells you my name iss Karl Wenn! Vat I care about diss court?” eal fd | Cee “Don’t get mad, judge,” said the chief, smothering a: laugh. “T have heard the name among a certain set of foreigners near Trenton Falls. They are Bohemians or something—glass workers in the new fac- tory.” “How do you spell it?” “W—_E—N—N.” “Oh. Now, Karl Wenn, did you drive that big bay bony horse into Mr. Yale’s farmyard?” “No.” “Did you carry a black bag in there?”’ “No.” “Why did you leave the Yale house on Friday?”’ “Ha! I gif dem split heads ven I catch 7em. Taman!” “Tell us.” “Vell, I go vor to veed dem horse ant my chickens. My mudder, she sday all de time mid dem mans ant womans. Vell, I am in de parn mit de horse, ant two mans gome in, knock me town, ant tie my hants ant legs.” 61 “Yes, go on.’ “Den dey a me out ant trow me in de woods.” Vag Pp”? “Well, my mudder gets avraid by me bein’ away, ant gomes to look. She ton’t find me. She sday all night in de shandy ant finds me in de mornin’.”’ “Go sit down.” The judge, amid a silence that was pain- ful, studied the manuscript before him. “From whom did you get the informa- tion that the two prisoners were in Yale’s farmhouse?” the judge now asked the chief. “From George Greenland.”’ “‘George Greenland!” “George Greenland to the bar!” thun- dered the clerk. Greenland, looking far from happy, walked before the judge. “You visited Yale’s place and tried to enter the house. What was your object?” “Mr. Raymond’s arguments had con- vinced me that Yale was a party to the robbery. Naturally, I believed hee would go to his own place, since that was his _primary object in leaving New York. I hung about until I was sure Miss Wayne was there. I did not see Yale. I did try to get inside the kitchen, and nearly had my head broken by an old hag with a broom- stick, and my face almost smashed in by Karl. Wenn.” “Did you know anything about the black bag?” “T did not, sir.’ “Now,” said = judge, cgonisbody put that black bag in that house, and I am going to know who did it. There is some queer mystery in this case that seems baffling but which will be simple enough when we find the key. Mr. Raymond!” Mr. Raymond rose and moved slowly down the aisle toward the judge. But the strong man who had controlled thousands of workers and millions of money had van- ished. He had aged ten years in a week. His face was seamed and furrowed, and : he tottered. An expression of pity came — upon Beverly’s face, and upon Yale’s. “Mr. Raymond,” began the judge kindly, - “you have heard all this testimcny. Pro- duce that bag.” The chief nodded to a policeman, who brought forward a bag. “Mr. Raymond, do you identify these articles as some of Miss Raymond’s wed- ding presents?” MICLOOOK C©