Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

342 dentially, ‘‘ that she makes a lot of money that way.” Bob suppressed 2 smile. Poor lady! Her husband apparently was a colonel in India, commanding a cavalry regiment. Her two sons were at public schools, and Mrs. Betherton lived alone. “By the way,” said Bob, “have you any other strangers staying here?” The landlord nodded. ‘‘We have two gentlemen who have come down for the fishing—London gen- tlemen, too.” ‘Will you do me a favor?” proceeded Bob. “I ama detective officer, and I am particularly anxious that nobody should know that I have been making inquiries in the village.” The landlord was only too pleased to oblige. “ And especially,” emphasized Bob, “ I don’t want you to tell anybody that I have discussed Mrs. Betherton, Mrs. Bether- ton’s house, or her chance of being burgled, to a soul,” He had not, of course, discussed the chance of burglary at all, but he planted! in the landlord’s mind, by this very sug- gestion, just the impression he wished to create. After breakfast he strolled into the vil- lage, not unconscious of the fact that he was being watched. The little town consisted of one large and two subsidiary streets. In the main thoroughfare were the principal shops, anc on a corner lot in the very center were the premises of the London, Devon & Cornwall Bank. Into this he turned, showed his card to the manager, and passecl through to that worthy’s private office. “T have a card of introduction from your genera] manager which you had bet- ter see. It is a general introduction to all your branches,.”” said Bob, and showed his credentials. The manager scrutinized it and nodded. ‘What do you want me to do, Mr. Brewer?” ‘In the first place, [ want to know what is the state of Mrs. Betherton’s account?” town to-night.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The other stared at him in astonish- ment. “It is overdrawn about two hundred pounds,” he replied. “In the second place— By the way, do you live on the bank premises?’’ ‘““T live up above,” said the manager, with a smile. ‘I am a bachelor, and have very good quarters.” “Where do you feed?” asked Bob, to the other’s surprise. “As a rule, I have my dinner at the George, over the road; but my supper is sent into my room on a tray. There’s a side entrance to the bank, as you probably noticed.” ““T want you to do me a favor,” contin- ued Bob, after a few moments’ thought. “ Arrange to get some biscuits into your room from your grocer, eat no supper, clear the tray as best you can, and send it back empty. Drink no beer, or wine, or water, or any liquid whatever that you~ cannot draw from your own tap.” ‘But what is the idea?” asked the man- ager. ‘* How long is this to go on? Iam quite willing to do it,’ he added hastily. Bob smiled. . ‘It won’t be for more than a week, I think. I have one more request to make . of you, and it is that you put a card ”—- he looked round the walls of the manager’s office and saw hanging a calendar, a mod- erately sized red card—‘ that will do,” he said, pointing to it. ‘ Will you be good ‘ enough to put that calendar in one of your windows up-stairs where I can see it | when- -”" : “When?” riously. “When Mrs. Betherton’s account is well. in credit.” ; ‘“ But that is an extraordinary request!”. smiled the manager. “Jsn’t it?” said Bob. “I am noted for: making extraordinary requests.” | ‘Are you staying in the village?” Bob shook his head. “No,” he said. “I have to be back in a a F echoed the manager cu- ; “But what is the idea of the card?” | “T leave behind me my little guardi angel, a cherub who sits up aloft.and . Comlcl» CLIOO|KSAO)