Adventure Magazine Cover, February 3, 1921 — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

; Zozomee “Great party,’ said Guinnell. ‘And great cannibal maid. Who is vs “Come with me,” said Mrs. Harry, pulling him along. “T’ll tell you something. That dancer—did you like her stunt?” ‘“‘Immense!”’ ‘Her last dance is L’A pache and police in uniform—I insisted on the uniform—are to arrest her.” “Oh, great!” said Guinnell, clapping his hands. ‘Everybody will think it real.’’ ‘No. Everybody will think it a clever stunt and look bored. It will be real.” “Real!” “T couldn’t lose the chance—have her ar- rested in plain sight of everybody. Be- sides, she’s a good dancer. I couldn’t spoil my program. She’ll be a surprized woman, I can tell you! Anybody tries to get the best of me——”’ . Mrs. Harry snapped her sharp little teeth. “But what has this red-haired ss “She hennas it,’ said Mrs. Harry vic- iously. ‘‘And she is a thief. My necklace —one of Harry’s heirlooms. Couldn’t spoil my party over a paltry neckla¢e. I said nothing. Let her think she was getting away with it; but I put L’A pache last on the program. It’s the worst—best—whichever you like—and called for the police.” Mrs. Harry led him through groups and down the walk. If he paused, she pulled. He wanted to get away from her and medi- tate; but she had fastened on to him and at last, with her arm through his, came face to face with Harrison Webster. “Oh, Harry, where have you been? Mr. Guinnell and I have been together this whole hour looking all over for you—Oh, there, I must see that woman.” And Mrs. Harry darted away, leaving two uncomfortable men eying each other. A clever woman, Mrs. Harry. She had deftly established an alibi which she knew Guin- nell was too much the gentleman to repu- diate. But it had been only a few minutes since the men had exchanged greetings and each was wondering what the other thought of her deception. Harrison Webster held out his cigaret- case. “Thanks,” said Guinnell, getting out the matches. “Pleasant evening,”’ said Webster. “Very,” said Guinnell heartily. “Time goes quickly,” said Webster, in- haling deeply. II5 “Doesn’t it!” said Guinnell, exhaling slowly. nite “Let’s go have a drink. I need it.” He laid a friendly hand on Guinnell’s shoulder and they went into the house. “Come this way. Keep it up-stairs in my room—small stone bottle. Fifty-year-old Bourbon. [ma bit selfish about it.” “Vou’re prodigally generous to mention ify man with a bushy head and a full, flabby face. His eyes were a lus- terless blue. He walked with just a sug- gestion of jerky stiffness and bowed slightly as he passed. Webster went on without a sign or word. At the top of the stairs he turned abruptly and grasped Guinnell’s arm. | ‘What ought I to have done?” he asked tensely.. ‘‘Did you ever see such—such nervel Yt didn’t faze him. As if he had a right to be up here—in my house!” “T thought he looked a little shaky, old man.” “Guinnell?” (Ven “T want to know—I’ve got to know! But I can’t be a spy or hire such a thing. Tell me honestly, what do you think about Trevelyan Ford?” “He’s just a bunf that happens to have a dress suit.” = ‘‘Maybe he was up here to see Zozomee.”’ “Whore” “That dancer. She’s using that room— dressing-room. Why else was he up here?” Webster was almost pathetic in his hopeful- ness. He wanted any explanation but the one in which he had faith. Guinnell said: “Go to your room and wait. I'll find out. Tell her I’m looking for Ford. Has she seen him?”’ Webster pressed his hand gratefully and hurried off. “Poor devil,”’ said Guinnell. sorry I am the less I like him.” He looked up and down the hall, knocked, then listened and heard movement and voices. A matronly woman in a maid’s cap and apron opened the door and eyed him with cool inquiry. “T must speak to Miss Zozomee at once, alone. It is of extreme importance.” “The more ON THE stairs they met a tall eomieboo (C@