Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

156 The crowd was in a turmoil, and for a moment order was again forgotten, and the judge shouted vainly for silence. But it was only for a moment—they were anxious to hear what else the prisoner would have to tell them. Only a few of them knew who Karl Faeter was—and none of them knew who Victor Kent was. That was the absorbing question to which they demanded an an- swer. Father Quinn was on his feet, trem- bling with weakness and triumph and ig- noring the proffered support of his two In- dian attendants. His voice was a thin scream, and he shook his finger at the Judge and officers. ‘This is Charles MacPhey, ye blind old mole of a judge. Charles MacPhey—if ye know who he is; and here you are trying him for murder—for the murder of the vil- est and most powerful and most dangerous spawn of the devil ever set free on earth to plot the ruin of states and empires and churches and homes. Charles MacPhey— that’s the name he signed in the register.” Father Quinn sank back in his seat ex- hausted. The inspector rushed to Victor and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Ts this true?” “Every word of it is true. And here comes official confirmation, I think.” The man on guard at the door had opened it to permit the entrance of a sergeant of the Mounted Police. He was fur-clad and frosty and his face was red from the slash of the cold. He was breathing heavily and appeared to have come some distance in a great hurry. He headed through the crowd toward the officers standing at the upper end of the hall, saluted, and handed two telegrams, one opened and the other sealed, to Inspector Dunne. The inspector ran his eye over the open message. Then he ordered his men to clear the hall of all save the witnesses and offi- cials. The order was executed despite in- dignant protests from the excited and curi- ous general public and from the representa- tives of the press in particular. One of the young men uncased a folding camera and stationed himself on the opposite side of the street with the intention of securing at all costs at least one snap-shot of the principal ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, actor in the dramatic court scene when he should emerge. He seemed quite ready to wait an hour in the numbing cold if that should be necessary. Dodson’s body was laid upon a bench and covered with a coat. Lee Smith, subdued and handcuffed, ap- peared to be too dazed with fear to take any interest in the proceedings. He stood with head bowed and shoulders slumped be- tween the constables who guarded him. CHAPTER XXV. LADY MACPHEY, HIE unopened telegram addressed to Victor Kent was handed to Victor by a bewildered and respectful con- stable with the compliments of Inspector Dunne. Judge Robson was completely out of his depth now and the inspector and Captain Farley were running things. The names “‘ Faeter ” and ‘“‘ MacPhey ” had act- ed like awakening bugle calls upon the two officers. Victor read the telegram, smiled and flushed and handed it to Flora. When she had read it she, too, flushed, and the eyes she lifted to his were smiling through the moisture of tears. Heedless of judge and court he stooped and kissed her. Father Quinn was engaged in animated talk with Edmund Scott, who was listening eagerly and at every few words turning to gaze in love and admiration at the pair of whom his friend talked. Little Joe Sabatis did not understand the details of the events that were transpiring around him, but he was perfectly satisfied that things were going well for the boss—his friend— Victor Kent. He surreptitiously nudged Sam Trent, and having borrowed his plug of chewing-tobacco, bit a large chew from it. The constables on duty in the hall strained their ears to catch every word that was spoken. The inspector read, in a voice thick from excitement, from the slip of yellow paper that he held in his hand: Work under Victor Kent’s orders to finish his great task. Give him full authority and all assistance in your power. The welfare of Canada depends upon his success. comicloool C©