Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

THE PASSING OF that the Greek republicans have driven the king into exile, and Polo thought that fact might tend to alter Mr. Lanson’s views.” ‘“When did this become known—about the Athens revolution, I mean?” “Not long ago. Probably Polo would be the first man in England to hear of it.” ‘‘ Before the Embassy?” “Oh, yes. We never trouble about Em- bassies. These big financial deals are all cut and dried Jong before the diplomats know anything about them.” “You told Mr. Sevastopolo that Mr. Lanson was dead, of course?” “Naturally. To have withheld such a vital fact would have argued distrust of my colleague.” “He was greatly shocked, I suppose?” ‘He was nearly stunned. For a while he could only stammer unintelligibly in Greek, which [ do not understand.” ** Not a word?” “Not a word of what he said. I read some Greek at Oxford, but the classical language differs widely from the modern.” “Did Mr. Sevastopolo imply that he was speaking from the Park Lane Hotel?” “No, but that is his London address.” A sharp click from the wall behind where he was standing caused Winter to turn rapidly. It was the signal from the gate. “Tt will take me some time to get used to that wretched contrivance,” he cried, with a momentary note of irritation in his voice. ‘The doctor has returned with the nurse, I suppose?— Mr. Glen, if you are Mr. Lanson’s nearest male relative I shall be glad to see you exerting some au- thority in the castle, not superseding Miss Lanson, of course, but deputizing for her. Will you go now and meet Dr. Macgregor? When he has disposed of the nurse, I want you and him to arrange for Mr. Lanson’s body to be removed to his own room. I think he could be carried there easily by a couple of men servants.” Glen hesitated. ~ “T feel I ought to tell you,” he began, but Winter stopped him promptly. “Mr. Lanson probably said things to- night which he might have regretted later,” said the detective. “If he threatened you with total exclusion from his will, for in- CHARLES LANSON. 847 stance, it is most unlikely that he carried out his intention before he died... . Is Mr. Lanson’s will among the papers filed here, Mr. Davidson?” “Most certainly it is not. One copy is in a safe downstairs, and another is de- posited with his London solicitors. Will it be a breach of confidence if I say that Mr. Glen is one of the trustees?” “Tt!” cried Glen, looking astonished. “Yes. Mr. Lanson had set his heart on seeing all his plans carried out during his lifetime.” “But what on earth do 7 know about finance?” Winter interfered again. ‘““So, Mr. Glen, there is literally no rea- son why you should not do as I request— now,” he exclaimed brusquely. Glen seemed minded to say something, but evidently thought better of it. Once more did the war-time habit of soldierly obedience come to his aid. He walked out in silence. Winter uttered no word till the door was closed behind him. Then he turned to Davidson, who had sunk listlessly into a chair. Placing a friendly hand on the young man’s shoulder he said so quietly that the policeman could not overhear: “There cannot be the least doubt that Mr. Glen and Miss Temple are an engaged couple. It will save a lot of heart-burning if that fact is accepted by every one con- cerned. I have faith in you, Mr. David- son. You have a wise head on your young shoulders. Very well. Let it con- trol your heart. No, no!”—because the other gazed up at him with the blank eyes of despair—‘ this won’t do at all! Pull yourself together. We have important work before us. While you and I are here undisturbed we must search Mr. Lanson’s pockets for any papers they may contain. Then, when the body has been taken away, you will help in going through the docu- ments on the table. *“* Surely you grasp the necessity of this! Your employer was killed because of some action he had resolved on—an action which was so totally opposite to that which some individual, or a group of people, desired, that his death alone offered the sole means CO KS oO AMNICLO©O@ C@