Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

392 3 Cynthia could do nothing of the kind; in- deed, had her very life depended on it, she could-not have spoken. ‘The first terrific concussion had passed now; all the damn- ing bits of circumstantial evidence were leaping up before her and mocking her. She was innocent—yes; but three pairs of eyes had seen that incredible pin drop from her handkerchief, had seen— ‘““They’ve been telling me since child- hood that I was more or less of a brute, but I’ve always tried to be just, at least,” Mrs. Stone was saying, and her stare roved to Towner. “ Um—” “Well, I won’t telephone for any po- lice!” that person cried spasmodically. “ll give notice before [’ll do that, ma’am; I couldn’t sleep o’ nights if I had that to think of! Whatever they are when they go into prison, ma’am, they’re done for when they come out, and a young girl like this ain’t past saving or—”’ “TJ haven’t said she was!” Mrs. Stone snapped. ‘“ Miss Blair!” “ W-what?” “Ts this your first slip or isn’t it?” <4 Why, SE - “ Answer me—yes or no!” cried the in- quisitor, and emphasized it with a thump of her cane. “* Then—yes / that! ° I mean—”’ “No, perhaps?” “ Not—-not that, either!” Cynthia cried. “Don’t try—try to confuse me with your trick questions! J—I—” “ Small need of trying to confuse you!” Mrs. Stone laughed dryly. ‘ You're pretty well confused as it is. Not exactly an in- dication of spotless innocence, eh? ‘Too bad—too bad! And still, fool that I am, I'll go the very limit in the way of giving you the benefit of every doubt!” she cried, in a burst of magnanimity. ‘‘ Towner— and you, too, Graves!”’ They inclined their heads attentively. “I’m going to talk to this young woman alone. Meanwhile, until I give you per- mission, if ever, I won’t have a word of this mentioned! Understand? Not one solitary word, even between yourselves, Remember that—and get out!”’ They went. The door closed and the No, no! I don’t mean ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. latch clicked; the soft sound of footfalls died away down the corridor, and still Mrs. Stone merely gazed moodily at her guest. But a change was coming over her. Her cynicism faded out, as did the dreadful quality of her gaze. In her eye keen amuse- ment twinkled—just the sort of amusement, perchance, that was wont to twinkle in the eye of the red Indian as his victim com- plained of the scalping knife’s feel. Mrs. Stone sighed enjoyably. “ Stupid, eh?” she said. “What?” Cynthia faltered. “You made the sad blunder of calling me that, didn’t you?” chuckled Mrs. Stone. “What do you think about it now? Were you right or were you wrong?” Belated illumination flared upon Cyn- thia’s clean young mind. “Oh, you did that!” she gasped. ‘ You put that pin in my pocket when you were patting me!”’ “‘ And thank you for having the pocket. They’re rare enough these days, I’ve no- ticed. Well? Do you still insist on leay- ing?” “Yes, I do!” flamed Cynthia! “I think you're unspeakable! I think you’re beast- ly and horrible and—and vile! I wouldn’t stay in your loathsome house now if—” “ By crickey! You’re not nearly so in- telligent as you look!” Mrs. Stone put in. ‘What if you have no choice about stay- ing?” “Oh, but I have! You daren’t detain me here against my will!” “True enough, my pretty one,’ said Neville’s grandmother. ‘ Then again, I can’t do less than point out what ’ll hap- pen to you if you go before I wish you to go.” What?” Mrs. Stone leaned forward; from the soles of her substantial feet to the topmost hair of her plain coiffure, she was all cold- blooded business! ‘“‘ Cynthia,” she said steadily, “ you and that boy are in love—and engaged as I take it. Lord only knows why or how he’s sworn you to secrecy, and I’m not bother- ing to guess my way to the truth. But I do know that I made up my mind this afternoon to get that whelp married to a \ (E@) oO GComichbooks