Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

HOW MANY CARDS? sarcasm in the crisp tones which made the honest face of the ex-roundsman flush, but he responded quietly as he shook hands: “Inspector Druet has taken me on as special deputy, Mr. Terhune. I happened to be on hand when the body was discov- ered. ?? “ As usual, eh?” The noted criminalist smiled a trifle wryly. ‘‘ Really, if the word had not been so much abused I should call you aD opportunist, my dear McCarty! I have accepted Mrs. Creveling’s commission to investigate the affair in her behalf, and I presume that we can count on your co- operation? If you were here when the crime was first discovered, perhaps you will be good enough to give me the de- tails; I have learned nothing as yet except that Mr. Creveling was found shot through the heart, and my client refuses to entertain _ the theory of suicide.” McCarty complied willingly enough, but with certain reservations. He led Wade - Terhune first to the study and described © the finding of the body and the episode of the burglar, but made no mention of the blood-stained playing-card, nor of the re- sult of his second search of the rooms up- stairs. It would be time to impart that information to the private detective when he had first laid the facts before his chief. In the breakfast-room they came upon Rollins hastily removing the débris of the supper which had ended so tragically, and as Terhune paused to question him Mc- Carty slipped away and, rejoining the croup in the hall, led Inspector Druet aside. “The cook and the butler are back, sir, and I think if you don’t need me for a while I'll be getting on; there are a few things I want to look into. “You'll be holding that valet, Frank Hill?” “Of course; until he gives us some sort of an alibi that we can establish. He’s our one best bet now unless you’ve got” some dope you haven’t told me about.” The inspector glanced at him shrewdly. McCarty’s eyes. twinkled. “ [ve had no time, sir, and besides I’ve nothing definite as yet; but if you'll be going back down-town soon, J’ll come in and make my report. When you frisk this 549 man Hill at headquarters, if you find a pair of gloves on him, keep them aside till I get there.” ‘“ Gloves on a warm spring night!” The inspector’s own eyes narrowed. ‘For a valet, he must be some classy dresser! There were none on him when he came to the door of the breakfast-room.” “You'll find them in one of his pock- ets, most likely,’ McCarty remarked care- lessly. ‘See you later, chief.” As he turned to go, the telephone in the study shrilled in subdued insistence, and Rollins appeared in the door of the break- fast-room, but, at a sign from the inspector, McCarty was before him. Crossing the study, he lifted the bronze ornament from the telephone and held the receiver to his ear. “ Hello! Can I speak to Mrs. Creveling, please?”’ It was a man’s voice cultured in its intonations and yet with a note of in- herent grossness. “Who is it, sir?” McCarty asked cau- tiously. “Mr. Douglas Waverley.” McCarty pondered for a moment, and then spoke with his voice carefully modu- lated. “‘ Mrs. Creveling is indisposed. Can I take a message, sir?” . ‘This isn’t Rollins talking! Is he there or Frank? My wife just telephoned to me that some sort of an accident had happened to Mr. Creveling, and I want to know if there is anything I can do. Please convey that message to Mrs. Creveling.” “Very good, sir.” McCarty waited for _a brief space, and then spoke into the mouth-piece once more. “ Mrs. Creveling Is sending me down in person with a mes- sage, sir. It is most important, and she doesn’t want any one here just now. Where can I find you?” “At the Belterre Hotel.” The reply came after a moment of evident hesitation. “Tl expect you in about half an hour. Who the devil are you, anyway? What happened to Mr. Creveling?” “Tl tell you, sir, when I come.” McCarty hung up the receiver and, re- turning to the hall, made his way out by the tradesmen’s entrance. It was still too early for much traffic, but a huge green bus Ol rigina a AC nas INGOREL - ER (C =) DOOK CO