Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

HOW MANY CARDS? pleted even his once enormous capital. He demanded an accounting from you of the money left in trust with you for his wife and you are in no better position now to render such an accounting than you were when she was a girl; worse, in fact, for whereas she, for the sake of the family name, would have hushed the affair up, Creveling has threatened to expose and disgrace you, if not prosecute. “He has been particularly abusive late- ly and yeu did not know what to do; humiliation, perhaps prison, stared you in the face. Did not a way out suggest itself to you, say, on Wednesday, Mr. . Alexan- der? ‘You changed your mind, though; you put the pistol back, but the next day you took it out once more and this time it disappeared with you. The next day, a few hours before Mr. Creveling was found shot.” “This is -infamous!’”’ Alexander ex- claimed. ‘“ You are practically accusing me of the murder of my partner, my niece’s husband! You go too far, sir—’’ “TI am prepared to go further!” retorted Terhune. ‘“ After leaving your office you went directly to your rooms and did not leave them until dinner time. at your club, played a rubber or two of bridge with yeur usual group of friends, and returned to your reoms once more at eleven. But you did net remain there, Mr. Alexander! You went out again at mid- night and did not reappear for two hours or more. Where were you during that period?” ‘As though warding eff a blow Alexander raised his hands to his stricken face and in the gesture there was semething at once so helpless and se deeply humiliating that John O’Rourke sprang impulsively te his feet and placed his hand upon the older man’s sheulder. ‘Leek here, sir!’”’ he cried expestulat- -Ingly te Terhune. “ You.-are carrying things a little teo far! I dent know what you mean abeut the pistol and all that, but I do know Mr. Alexander and I know that what yeu are trying te accuse him of is not to be thought of fer a minute! ” Alexander looked up with a faint tinge You dined 539 of‘color in his cheeks and a sudden flash of fire in his eyes. “T thank you, my boy. After all, blood does tell, doesn’t it?’”’ Slowly he rose to his feet and confronted the criminologist. “ I did take Grayson’s pistol to my rooms on Thursday afternoon; I did go out again at twelve and I remained out for two hours or more. I do not propose to offer any explanation of my conduct to you; in fact I decline absolutely to speak further in your presence, but if Inspector Druet and Mr. O’Rourke will accompany me to my roems now I will produce the pistol which Gray- sen can identify, and I shall account for my actions to the proper authorities.” ‘You will explain here and now!” thun- dered Terhune, but the inspector, who had ‘alse risen, touched his arm significantly. a | wouldn’t press him, if I were you,”’ he said rapidly in an undertone. “If he can produce that pistol your case falls to the ground, you know, and you'll get us, as well as yeurself, in a mighty awkward position. I'll go with him as he suggésts and phone the result to you.” Terhune shrugged. “ I do net need nor desire any credit in this case, if that is what you fear!” he said with cold displeasure. ‘ The po- lice department are welceme to whatever public acclaim may be forthcoming, but having alone worked out the solutien of the affair to this point I should naturally _ like to complete it!” ‘Have you one scrap of real evidence against him, Mr. Terhune?” asked Inspec- tor Druet earnestly as he led him aside. ‘ The pistol that killed Creveling is down at headquarters, you know. Have you one witness who can testify that Alexander was near the Creveling house at the time of the sheeting? Remember his standing in the cemmunity! Have yon any proof at all against hime” ‘Nothing tangible that I could bring to your bureau and place upon yeur desk, perhaps!”’ Terhune conceded with a sneer. ‘* After all, the case was extremely simple, and being quite assured of the outcome I am willing to leave the mere details in your hands. My interest in it was purely psy- chological. Accompany him to his rooms COMIC OOCKS. COR