The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

16 “Come on, Mr. Calhoun,” said Low- ney. ‘“ We must make a thorough job of it this time.” The bedroom was, it seemed to me, like a fairy dream. The furniture was of white-enameled wicker, with pink satin cushions. Everywhere were the most ex- quisite appointments of silver, crystal, and embroidered fabrics; and a bed fit for a princess. It seemed profanation for the little de- tective to poke and pry around in ward- robes and cupboards, though I knew it must be done. He was not only looking for Vicky, but noting anything that might bear on her disappearance. But there was no clue. Everything was in order, and all just as a well-bred, re- fined woman would have her belongings. The bedroom was over the dining-room, and back of this, over the pantry extension, was Vicky Van’s dressing-room. This was a bijou boudoir; the dressing- table, chiffonier, robe-chest, and jewel- caskets all in keeping with the personality of their owner. The walls were paneled in pale rose color, and a few fine pictures were in absolute harmony. A long mirror was in a Florentine gilt frame, and a chaise longue by a reading-table bespoke hours of ease. Ruthlessly Lowney pried into everything, ran his arm among the gowns hanging in the wardrobe, and looked into the carved chests. Again no clue. The perfect order every- where showed, perhaps, preparation for suests, but nothing indicated flight or hid- ing. The dressing-table boxes held some bits of jewelry, but nothing of really great value. An escritoire was full of letters and papers; and this Lowney locked and put the key in his pecket. ‘Tf it’s right,” he said, ‘ there’s no harm done. And if the lady doesn’t show up, we must examine the stuff.” On we went to the third floor of the house. The rooms here were unused, save one that was evidently Julie’s. The fur- nishings, though simple, were attractive, and showed a thoughtful mistress and an appreciative maid. Everything was in order. Several uniforms of black and of THE ARGOSY. gray were in the cupboard, and several white aprons and one white dress. There were books, a work-basket and such things as betokened the life of a sedate, busy woman. We left no room, no cupboard unopened; no hall or loft unsearched. We looked in, under and behind every piece of furniture, and came at last to the unescapable con- clusion that wherever Vicky Van might be, she was not in her own house. Down-stairs we went, and found Coroner Fenn and Inspector Mason in the hall. They had let Doctor Remson go home, also Garrison and Miss Gale. The waiters, too, had been sent off. “You people can go if you like,” Fenn said to Mrs. Reeves and myself. “ T’ll take your addresses, and you can expect to be called as witnesses if we ever get anything to witness. I never saw such a case! No ‘criminal to arrest, and nobody knows the victim! He must be from out of town. “We'll nail Mr. Steele to-morrow, and begin to get somewhere. Also we'll look up Miss Van Allen’s credits and business ac- quaintances. A woman can’t have lived two years in a house like this and not have somebody know her antecedents and rela- tives. I suppose Mr. Steele brought his friend here, and then when this thing happened he was scared and lit out.” ‘“Maybe Steele did the killing,” sug- gested Lowney. “No,” disagreed Fenn. “TI believe that dago waiter’s yarn. I cross-questioned him a lot before I let him go, and I’m sure he’s telling what he saw. Ill see Fraschini’s head man to-morrow—hello, who’s that?” Another policeman came in at the street door. ‘“What’s up?” he said, looking about in amazement. ‘“ You here, Mr. Fenn? Low- ney? What’s doing?” It was Patrolman Ferrall, the officer on the beat. ‘Where you been? asked the coroner. ‘Don’t you know what has happened?” ‘““No; ever since midnight I been han- dling a crowd at a fire a coupla blocks away. This is Miss Van Allen’s house.” “‘ Sure it is, and a friend of hers named Somers has been bumped off.” oO comicbool< CO