Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

MOORS END. Uncle Gregory glanced at me curiously. “Tt must have been he who locked your door. How on earth did you ever get out?” “T crawled aeross from one window to another, and came ouf through the room. next to mine. Then I came down-stairs, and seeing some one standing by the safe, naturally thought you were the burglar, and pitched into you.” “‘ If Shirley hadn’t interfered, either you or I would have been a dead man,” ob- served Uncle Gregory grimly. ‘ When you sprang on me from behind I naturally thought you were the man returned, and so put out all my strength against you.” ‘Which isn’t inconsiderable—you nearly had me down. Did the man get what he came for?” “Ym afraid so. I have been looking through everything to see if the paper I told you about was there, and I can’t find it. He has destroyed or taken it, curse him! PD] ‘ . His voice vibrated with bitter anger, and his face was convulsed with one of his sud- den rages. He took up a handful of papers arid tore them across viciously, as if seek- ing to vent his anger in this way. Shirley, who had been watching him quietly, now spoke for the first time. ‘‘ Are you sure that the man has gotten away?” My uncle turned on her with an evil gleam inf his eyes, as if glad of an excuse for an outburst. “He kas got out safely,” he snarled, “which will be good news to you, no doubt.” The ready color sprang to Shirley’s face, and I guessed that Uncle Gregory would meet his match. © ‘““What do you mean?” she asked quietly. — My uncle’s anger vanished instantly, and was replaced by an airy contemptuousness that was even more irritating. ‘‘T imagine that you might have some special interest in this man, seeing that he is such a close relative of yours.” Shirley’s face went white but her voice was steady as she spoke. ‘A relative of mine? Do you mean—”’ Digitized by (Go ogle A21 He nodded. “Precisely. Our night visitor is no other than your father. I don’t think I - have surprised you.” I hated to look at Shirley, but something drew my eyes to hers as she stood motion- less, the pistol hanging limply by her. side. Through the varying shades of anger, con- fusion and dismay that succeeded each other in her face, I saw nothing that gave a sense of reassurance. She was not sur- ““ My father?” she repeated, as if to gain time. ‘“ Why would he come here?” “T regret we must assume it was for no good purpose, since he has just blown open my safe. His knowledge of the house has certainly been remarkable.” I was beginning to hate my great-uncle for his sly innuendoes. They struck home to Shirley at last. “Do you mean to insinuate that I am in league with my father?” she asked in a curiously quiet vioce. Uncle Gregory shrugged his shoulders. “* Filial devotion has been knewn. to go far,” he observed. ‘‘ There are times when One puts aside one’s principles for another; especially when that other is one’s father.” ‘“‘One’s father?” repeated Shirley, in a voice that vibrated with intense feeling. “You probably won’t believe me, but I tell ‘you that, if my father were drowning before my eyes, I wouldn’t raise a hand to save him. J tell you I hate him and have good reason to wish him dead.” Uncle Gregory fixed her with a curious stare as if he would read the very inmost center of her mind. She returned it stead- ily, and at last he turned away quickly, as though satisfied. His shoulders drooped as if he were suddenly tired and his voice was flat and toneless as he answered: . “TI do believe you. remarks. Now, will you both leave me here for a while, I wish to make a more thorough search for the paper.” Shirley turned toward the door without a word, but I lingered a moment. “Are you sure you don’t want me to- make a further search for this man? He may still be hanging around here some- where, and it is safer to make certain.” Original fre ome : Pio AMER IIA! E J | iS I apologize for my . DOO S CO