A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, April 1950 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

THE NINTH LIFE 17 and I’d go a long way to keep him out of trouble. And that girl—woman, rather —spells trouble for him.” “She is—unusual,” she conceded thoughtfully, “but what have you against her? What is there to justify interfer- ence P”’ He stubbed out his. cigarette, and lit another. “JT don’t know. She hails from Egypt. She’s paid old lady Benderneck to get her an entry into the circles Tony fre- quents, but she’s—she’s no background, really. At the best, an adventuress, and at the worst—but I want more than the mere impression I got at lunch before saying anything about that. Did you like her?” She smiled. “We detested each other on sight,”’ she answered. “There you are! Intuition—on both sides,”’ “T don’t understand any of it, yet,” she said, “except that you seem deter- mined to do exactly what you tell me Inspector Tott asked, merely because Mr. Briggs has—well, because he’s in love with her rather than loves her. You see, I must discount my own dislike of her.” “Trying to be fair—yes, but—” The telephone interrupted him. It was his father’s voice he heard. “Qh, it is you, Gordon? Can you dine with me tonight?” “With all the pleasure in life, Father.” “Good. Ill expect you at seven-thirty.” “Thank you very much, Father. I'll be there.” He replaced the receiver, and nodded thoughtfully. : “May get a line on the lady,” he said. “That was my father, asking me to din- ner.” “And you think—yes—over his having met a relative of hers.” “Ym not so sure about that,” he dis- sented slowly. ‘In fact, I’m not sure about anything. But I want you to do some scouting for me, round Gravenor Mansions. A little work for a change.” “Not to interview Miss Kefra?” she asked quickly, doubtfully. “Far from it. No. Just nosing around. Maybe there’s a caretaker with a thirsty wife, or a man on the lift who'd take you to the pictures in his off time—anything, as long as you find somebody with a wagely tongue. And then—anything at all about Miss Kefra. People who come to see her, the establishment she keeps, how she impresses the underlyings—but don’t run the risk of meeting her, She’s seen you once—had you sitting facing her, and. those eyes of hers would look through anyone.” “When do you want me to go?” she asked. “Well, unless you’re doing anything this evening—”’ “TI hope to have something to report tomorrow morning,” she said. “And don’t talk any more about giv- ing notice,” he said emphatically. “I'd never get another secretary to fit my ways as you do.” “My dear—” she whispered it to the closed door after he had gone out—“I wonder which is the greater, my folly or your blindness.” 66 ELL, Father, it’s good to see you again, and it must be quite a while since I had the honor of putting my feet in the family trough.” The general frowned, heavily. “I de- test this modern slang, Gordon, as I think you know,” he said. “I’m sorry, Father,” Gees apologized, — with—for him—unusual meekness. The old man stared uncomfortably at his plate, puffed out his cheeks, raised his eyes to his son’s face. “Gordon,” he be- gan abruptly, “I wanted a word with you about that luncheon party of yours today. Perhaps you may be able to tell me something about that—er, that re- markable resemblance I noticed. About the lady with Mr. Briggs, I mean.” He cleared his throat loudly, and Gees held grimly on to his own patience. “I have the highest regard for Anthony Briggs, as I think you know,” the old man went on. “You have given me that impression,” - Gees admitted. “Yes. Yes. And—er, on thinking the matter over, after ringing you this after- noon—but was today your first meeting with the lady ?” “My first sight of her. Yes.” “Ah! Then probably, as far as she herself is concerned, you know little more than I do. As I was saying, on thinking. comicbooks.com