Marion Marlowe's Skill, or, A Week as a Private Detective — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

22 laughed softly as she replied: ‘You see too much. Your eyes must be X-rays, Dr. Reg- inald Brookes, but I promise to tell all— every wordto-night.” “Then au revoir,” clan, said the young physi- “And I have a story to tell, too, Marion, but it will keep until this, even- ing,” The tender look in his eyes was not to be mistaken, and with a blush the young girl took leave of him. Dr. Brookes had loved her for a long time, she knew, but for weeks now he had obeyed her wish and said nothing about it. She wondered if once more he was going to put his fate to the test. smiling. CHAPTER XII. THE VISIT TO THE CRIPPLE, When Marion reached the hotel she found both Mr. Merton and his sister on the look- out for her. Mr. Merton’s face looked almost haggard from worriment, and his voice was husky with emotion as he opened the conversation. “The little ball you started rolling has grown enormously,” he began, sadly, “and I can assure you, you have given our detect- ive a lot of business! Why, do you know, even some of our cashiers are in that deal! We are simply overflooded with dishonest employees, Miss Marlowe.” “Tt is simply dreadful,” broke in his sister, eagerly. “And yet, even now, Tom is mourning because he must punish them.’ “Oh, but they deserve it, the most of them at any rate!” said Marion, warmly. “This is not impulsive or necessary thieving ; it is just cold-blooded, deliberate trickery.” “Téxactly what I told Tom,” said Miss Merton, nodding. “Put some of them are actually very poor ignorant,” said her brother, sorrow- “They are in some instances even the of thieves; their very natures are bhesmirched with the taint of viciousness. There is that Miss Day, for instance. She lives. vou might say, in the slums. And they she supports a crippled brother.” ane fully. children tell me “That 1s said Marion, no reason why she should steal,’ firmly. “Her salary [ am sure / MY QUEEN. will cover the expenses of an apartment in such a locality.” “Of course you are right,” said Mr. Mer- ton, smiling. “It is just as sister says; my heart runs away with my judgment.” Marion looked at him gratefully. She was an admirer of such feelings,’ still in this case he should be firm; it was absolutely neces- sary. “Now let me tell you the result of my de- tective work,” she said, laughing. “I have found the shabby wornan, only she wasn’t shabby a bit, Mr. Merton!” To say that her listeners were surprised does not express it. They both simply stared at her as she related her experience. ‘Stealing, or as good as stealing, when she is rich!” cried’ Miss Merton, when the story was finished. Tom Merton was silent from something more than surprise, for Marion’s identifica- tion of the woman had brought with it a reyelapem. When he did finally speak, it was Marion’s turn to be astonished, for his words ex- plained the whole situation. “Mrs. A. D. Sampson owns a large retail. store in one of the most flourishing towns in New Jersey,” he said, slowly. “She lives in this city and is worth about a hundred thou- sand dollars. “T think I understand her game,” he went on, thoughtfully. “Her shopping is done usually in our rival stores, but the goods that she buys over our counters are our own special novelties that she cannot get else- where, No doubt she wants them for her store, and has an arrangement with the clerks whereby she gets a good deal more than the usual discount.” “T should imagine she might almost re- plenish her stock if she does that in all the stores,” said his sister, sarcastically, “Well, her game is ended now, thanks to Miss Marlowe,” said Mr. Merton. “T shall have her watched constantly, and of course we shall look after the clerk that waits on her, very sharply. Oh, it is surprising what tricks some people will stoop to!” he added, sadly. “And as Miss Marlowe says, when there is no ‘necessity.’ ” | Marion left them a_iittle, later with Mr, | Comic =Boo SCO