Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

326 “Was it a Turkish bath that made you late?” Chilton asked. The other cast a rapid, furtive glance at the woman making tortillas, at the gray whiskered posadero, at the sawdust cov- ered floor, and at the big window which re- vealed Times Square. “What has sobered you up so complete- ly?” Chilton repeated. Without removing his hat or overcoat, Dr. Rivers stepped to the table, clutched the other’s arm. ‘““Come into this booth—over here— quick.” ““Why? What’s wrong? What’s hap- pened?” | | “‘ Into this booth so they can’t hear. I’ve got something to tell you!” Chilton could not fail to see the anxiety on the doctor’s face. He made no protest, but left his seat and followed to the seclu- sion of a booth at the end of the room farthest from the Mexican woman. “ Don’t raise your voice. Answer quiet- ly,” the doctor said in a low tense whisper: “ Have you seen Morduant since you struck him this afternoon?” “Certainly not!” Chilton replied in amazement. ‘‘ Why do you ask?” ‘Why do I ask? Good God, man, you'll know why! It’s unbelievable; this damna- ble trick of fortune! You struck him— knocked him down—threatened to kill him the next time he crossed your path! And now—”’ Chilton looked up with a start. He felt as if a chill blade had cut him. “ And now what?” ‘“He’s found murdered—a bullet in his chest.” Chilton straightened. It was as if he were defending himself from some invisible blow. His lips were set. ‘‘ Go on, tell the rest,’”’ he said softly. “Tt was in his room up there in the club. Not long after our spat. In fact, it. was discovered shortly before you left the club. Do you understand what that means?” “Perfectly.” Chilton seemed to collect himself. The first shock had passed. He began to reflect. ‘I will be suspected— * until they find the real murderer.”” He said ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. this as if to himself, then turned abruptly to the doctor. ‘“‘ Look here, Rivers! You don’t mean to say you’re in doubt about me!” The doctor swore. He returned the fierce Stare of these gray eyes and said angrily: ‘We can’t get anywhere with nonsense like that, Chilton. If you had murdered him, you’d have done it in the open.” The Mexican proprietor returned with another dish. Chilton explained that they had changed their seats because of the draught. Casually opening the husks of the tamale, he waited for the Mexican to leave. Then: “It looks serious, doctor, but I’m not go- ing to grow hysterical over it.” “You aren’t—no! Of course not! You'll take it all as a joke. But look at me!” Chilton had not thought of that. The doctor was a participant in that ugly little fracas. “You don’t mean to say, doctor, that you're afraid—” “Hang it all, Chilton, of course I’m afraid! I’m in a worse position than you are! Morduant was found murdered. I went up there to his room shortly after our scrap with him.” “What! What’s that you’re saying?” Chilton exclaimed. “IT, of course, wanted to demand pay- ment for the sums I’ve been losing to him the past month.” “You went to his room!” Chilton held up his hands in despair. “Look here!” the doctor cried angrily. ‘““T’ve been losing steadily because of his cheating. Any man would have made him Chilton nodded. There was no argu- ment on that point. ‘‘ You went to his room. I take it, this was before he was murdered?” The doctor nodded. ‘‘ Morduant was there. He gave no argument whatever. Paid me. I left. Next thing I knew there was a big rumpus in the club about Mor- duant being found dead in his room!” Chilton nodded his head. His big mouth hardened; the black eyebrows knitted. “Ves, I see now. You will be ques- tioned of course. No doubt about that. COPMiclooOolkSse@