Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

284 “Take down my statement, sergeant,” he said. ‘“‘ This man who stands before me is my nephew, Stephen Marney, and the son of my late brother Neville. I acknowledge him as the heir at law to the Marney title and estates.”’ Stephen, his eyes on the dying man’s face, remained silent. The doctor gazed blankly around. The sergeant took down the statement in his notebook. “‘ Have you got that?” “Yes, sir,” said the sergeant stolidly. “He came to me a short time ago, and made this claim. I thought him an impos- tor. Since then, however, proofs have been forthcoming, and I find he is, without any possible doubt, my brother’s son. His claim is perfectly genuine, and all the evi- dence is available. It will be placed in the hands of these whom it concerns.” The sergeant completed the entry. “IT give this the first place,” said Piers quietly, ‘‘ because it is of chief importance, and concerns the living, whereas I shall soon be dead. What you wish to know, however, is the manner in which I recerved this fatal injury. Stephen Marney had no part in it whatever. “ My niece, Beatrice, and I, in company with Richard Maxon, were discussing inti- mate family affairs in the privacy of my upper library—the matter of Stephen Mar- ney’s Claim. He was net present. It was then that this marshman burst into the room without warning and attacked me. I be- lieve him to be insane; he considered him- self to have some grudge agamst me, and 1 know that he has more than once made threats against me. “T have lived abroad, and it is my habit to carry a pistol. One is entitled to defend onc: self. But the man’s attack was so sudden and furious that he overpowered me before I could use it against him. I only know that I fired the pistol. With what effect I cannot say—and I knew nothing more till I found myself in this room. That, sergeant, is all I am able to tell you.” The sergeant laid down his pencil and produced the pistol. “Ts this yours, Sir Piers?” “Yes, that is mine.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ““ One cartridge has been discharged from the magazine, sir. It was certainly that which struck Richard Maxon.” “Then it was my hand that shot him. You understand? There is no doubt that Maxon owes his wound to me. It was an accident—a pure accident—that he was shot.” “Let me get this quite clear, sir,” said the sergeant. ‘‘ Being attacked by the marshman, you tried to defend yourself with this pistol. There was a struggle. All you know is that the pistol was fired. The bullet struck Maxon.” “You have put it very clearly, sergeant.” “Pure accident,” repeated the sergeant as he wrote. “ You had—I’ve got to set down the fact, sir—no intention whatever of shooting Maxon?” “Neither reason nor intention, then or at any time,” said Piers quietly. ‘‘ There was nothing I desired Jess than Maxon’s Geath.” He turned his eyes slowly upon Stephen, who met his gaze in silence. The ghost of a smile seemed to flicker on Piers’s lips. “We are Marneys—all of us,” he said. ““T have nothing toe add, sergeant, but this—” ' There was a faint knock, and the door opened; the constable’s face appeared. “‘ Sergeant, Mr. Whitehouse is here. He is very anxious to see Sir Piers. I thought I'd best—” ** Whitehouse?” murmured Piers. “ Law- yer Whitehouse? Admit him at once.” Broken, dying, Piers’s personality yet seemed to dominate the others. The law- yer entered. Imperturbable as he was, the sight that met him gave Mr. Whitehouse a visible shock. ‘“T do not know what brings you here, Whitehouse,” said Piers. ‘‘ Were you aware of what has occurred?” ‘‘T was informed by telephone,” replied the lawyer gravely. “I came with all pos- sible speed.” ‘You could not possibly have arrived more opportunely. You are the very man I want. Sergeant, have the goodness to give Mr. Whitehouse that statement of mine which you have written down, and allow éim to read it.” comiclbooolx C©