Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

GRAFT. she felt that she had successfully completed a neces ry task. She had, that is to say, securéd both the financial future of the kindly ex-warden and had also established, through Brown, the hotel clerk, a perfectly good alibi, so far as any active participation in Phil’s escape was concerned. She went to the elevators, and sank wear- ily into the seat of one of the cars. Phelim followed her. As they a&cended, she felt for her handkerchief and/gave a little excla- mation of dismay as shetfound that it, and the reticule that contained it, were both missing. “T had it—that little, black bag of mine —when I came to the hotel,” said she. “I must have laid it on the desk, when I was talking to Mr. Brown, and forgot to pick it up. There are papers in it that I wouldn’t like to lose, Phelim. So won’t you just run down and bring it up to me?” They had left the elevator. Phelim turned. “ I'll be back, ma’am, in t’ree-fift’s av a second flat,” said he, and ran lightly down the stairs. Phelim’s words, of course, were intended rhetorically rather than as a literal state- ment of his intentions. As a matter of fact, he was gone for a good deal longer than he intended. When he arrived at the desk, an influx of travelers was engaging the clerk’s attention and when the wants of these had been attended to; more time was spent in locating the missing reticule, which had been found tucked away for safekeeping and tem- porarily forgotten. Thus it happened that Phelim was not on hand when Dunning arrived at Aunt So- phronia’s rooms. As the district attorney intended to see her, and, if possible, accom- plish his mission, with or without her con- sent, he did not go to the desk to have his name announced by the house telephone. The lift which had borne Dunning up- ward arrived just as Phelim went down the stairs. Aunt Sophronia had entered the fiving room of her suite, but before she had time to close the door, the district attorney was at her heels. Turning, she faced him, and frowned when she saw who it was. She would have spoken, but raising one hand in a gesture that requested silence, Dunning forestalled her. “ That was a real silly sort of lie. ‘to the next—and try to make it a better 761 “Wait!” said he. “I wish to speak with you, and I think you will hear me, be- cause what I have to say is of life-and-death importance to Phil, your nephew.” Dunning did not mention any importance that his intended communication might have for Aunt Sophronia herself, and in this he was wise. Had he done so the old lady, fatigued as she was, would assuredly have refused to listen, while, on the other hand, his reference to Phil’s ‘welfare would have ensured him a hearing had it endan- gered her life. She allowed him to enter. Seating herself, she waved him to a chair and waited for him to speak. *‘ T’ll be as short as I can can, Miss Her- ondene,”’ said he, “‘ but even so I will have to use more words than I could wish. Some of those words, moreover, will be of a na- ture that won’t please you, but nevertheless ‘they will be as important as they’re unwel- come. To begin with, I may as well state that the fact that your nephew’s escape is owing to you is a thing perfectly well known ' to the authorities.” “Ti that was true, you wouldn’t come here to talk, Wash Dunning; you'd be here with ‘@ warrant for my arrest,” observed Aunt speaking for the first time. Pass on Sophronia, one.” There was no asperity in the lady’s tone; she spoke merely as one states a fact and offers a mild criticism. No attitude could have been less encouraging, but Dunning, in his position, could not afford to be re- buffed easily. Therefore, assuming an air that doubtless was intended to convey the impression of injured and somewhat threat- ening dignity, he resumed. “‘ A warrant can be issued at any time, if it is desired,” said he. ‘“ At present, how- ever, it is not desired. No one desires un- necessarily to add to the misfortunes which already have fallen upon you, Miss Heron- dene. Quite the contrary. That is why I’m here. The proposition that I am going to bring to your notice should have been made by Horton, the mayor. He came here for that purpose—”’ “* He didn’t come to me, ” here interposed ‘Aunt Sophronia. CoOMmicoooks (E@)