Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

"MARKED: DOWN, 3 Loisad how many years?” __ Again Mr. Cunningham seemed to search his memory. “ About ten, I should say.” “What was the average time between wills?” —“ Roughly, shout two years.” “ Yesterday’s document then was drawn more quickly on the heels of the last will than any other?” *“T believe so.” 7 “Mr. Cavendish in no way, by look, word, manner or inference, conveyed te you even a hint as to the reason for his act?” — “He did not, A lawyer does not gen- erally inquire into matters of so private a nature.” “Mr. Cunningham, did Mr. Hugh Cav- endish ever disinherit his daughter and her aunt in any previous will?” “No.” ‘The answer was labored in com- ing. ‘Why were new wills made so ei cally then?” “YT am not a mind reader, I do not fathom the mental processes of my clien ‘“ My question was clumsy. In what re- spects, then, did the other wills vary im their bequests, since you have declared that the chief beneficiaries, Miss Dorothy and Miss Greenwood, always came in for the bulk of the fortune?” “The various wills differed merely in the matter of minor bequests, their dis- tribution, and other technical matters.” “You know Miss Dorothy Cavendish?” “Since childhood. I have always been the family attorney.” “What type of a girl is she?” : “ Really, Dr. Dayland, your question is not in order. You can, since vou represent the law, force me to answer interrogations which have a direct bearing on the case. But I cannot enter into a discussion of per- - sonalities.”’ ~Nancy’s face flushed. She raised her dark head proudly. “ My question does not strive to get at cheap personalities. It is necessary that I try to find out why Mr. Cavendish made a new will the day before _ ‘his sudden death, and in this instrument disinherited his next of kin. It may prove te have some decided EEA on his sud- = den death.” Be at a loss to = your client’s ehasty act == of no recent trouble existing between. = _ dish noticed it he simply ignored the fact.” a - Ss - play, you know one may have bitter nee E Pardon me,” said the — aa = misapprehended your motive, — “Miss = Dorothy is a very uncommon young woman, of great charm, strength of character, and generosity. She is very like the late Mrs. = = Cavendish, whom I also had the honor to serve in. the matter of her considerable — —— estate.” = “Your words,” supeested Nancy, “lead - = me to the conclusion that you areas much = = « Precisely. = SS —— “ And Miss Greenwood?” meee the = “ She is very close to Dorothy. She re ee been for the last ten years since Mrs. Cay-— — = endish’s death. In my judgment she is a woman of the highest sense of honor.” = “Then,” questioned Nancy, “‘ you know = | by nh eau Cavendish and these two ladies?” == ““ Absolutely no. I was completely. at sea when he caused me to draw up such a docu- =: ment yesterday. I am sure that my sur= prise showed through. But if Mr. Caven-_ | “¥F think that is all, Mr. Contam. = You can suggest no motive for suicide ‘on ee the part of your late client?” == “None whatsoever.” ——— 2 “ Had he any enemies?” See ‘Many, as any one has who. possesses = = strength of character, firm convictions, and = the ability to climb above his fellows. Be-— = sides, Mr. Cavendish was Sn sae eee ia i sic You can’t think of any ‘specific enemy or mene “No. If you are trying to suggest foul in business, enemies of that nature, , who Would ‘not wish t0-take Hig? ===== — “Thank you. Now, will you please ask Mr. Winters te come here?” Cunningham bowed courteously. “ Dr. Dayland,” he said, whimsically, © Fs should he a eeemmnal lawyer.” 3 “Mr. Cunningham,” the girl flashed back, “you should be a judge.” Se As he walked away, the door < pposite opened a crack. Tt was. the entrance to the Tecepion2 room: of Fulton & Kent, where oO = = —— com <boo aks ‘com