Argosy All-Story Weekly, December 2, 1922 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

‘Can you tell me where the doctor lives who is your medical examiner for—for crim- inal cases?” Her low, bell-like tones faltered for an in- stant, and then went on quickly: ‘“ My chauffeur and footman do not understand English very well, and they could not quite grasp the directions given them.” ‘You mean Doc Hood, ma’am?” Geoff paused, cap in hand, as though considering the matter. “ ’Tain’t far, but if you’re a stranger dunno’s I could describe the turn- in’s to you, though I could p’int out the way easy ‘nough by standin’ on your runnin’ board, and I don’t mind the walk back a mite.” “ That is good of you.” A smile flashed at him through the meshes of the veil. ‘“ Of course you will let me pay you—” “No, ma’am.” Geoff smiled back in simple deference. ‘‘ Doc Hood’s a friend ©’ us ’round here, and it ain’t no trouble.” He was careful to direct the wooden- faced chauffeur by a roundabout route to the doctor’s cottage, and all the way his blood ran swift with elation. Youngish- looking, handsome, brown eyes and _ hair, rich color, voice like the soft, vibrant echo of church bells—there couldn’t be any mis- take! Lyons must have done his work con- vincingly and well. The coupé stopped before the doctor’s gate just as that individual himself ap- peared upon the porch. He stared round- eyed when Geoff stepped from the running- board and advanced toward him, leaving the footman to open the door. “Lady to see you, doc. That is, I reck- on it’s you, bein’ as you’re the med’cal ex- aminer. That’s who was asked for when IT met up with the ottermobile just now at the crossroads.” Geoff turned as the lady descended and came up the path toward them, and the twinkle vanished from his own brown eyes as his tones deepened in gravity. “This here is Dr. Hood, the med’cal ex- aminer, Mis’ Dawn. We been awaitin’ for you to come and help us for nigh onto a week.” The woman halted and stood very still while she looked from one to the other of them. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The doctor gasped and then bowed, but she addressed Geoff. 7 ‘Who are you?” Her voice was metallic now, yet clear and steady. ‘ How did you know my name?” “Pm a special deputy o’ the doctor’s, ma’am, workin’ on this here Benkard case with him. Geoffrey Peters my name is. I recognized you right away from your pic- tures, and as I say, we been waiting ever since we found out ’bout what friends you and Mr. Benkard used to be for you to come and tell us all you could that might help us to find out who killed him.” “That’s true, Miss Dawn,” the doctor supplemented in his gentle, almost fatherly tones. “Suppose we three come into my private office and talk things over?” The woman shrugged, but followed in si- lence as he led the way into the little office sitting room and shut the door. Then she turned upon them both, throwing back her veil, and her great eyes glittered with a yellow, feline light. “Yes, I am Zoe Dawn!” she cried. “I don’t know whether this is a trap or not, nor why you should think I could help you to find out who murdered Joseph Benkard, even if I wanted to, but I’m here to tell a few facts that you may use as you like.” “Sit down, please,” her host urged. “This isn’t any trap, ma’am. We’re plain- spoken folk out this way, and when we learned about you we figured it wasn’t any use to bother you unless you came to us of your own free will, for nothing could compel you to speak. Isn’t that so, Geoff?” There was a more significant appeal be- hind the doctor’s seemingly casual request for-corroboration than appeared on the sur- face, and his ally recognized it and took the situation in hand. “That’s why we waited.” Geoff nod- ned. ‘‘ We needn’t to tell you, Miss Dawn, ‘bout the row between Mr. Lane and Mr. Benkard here at Sunny Beach last Wednes- day night when Mr. Lane went tearin’ in town to you, to git your help in crushin’ the man he’d just broke with, the man who had played him for a sucker and then swore he’d ruin, same’s he’d ruined others that I reckon you know of. CommicoookS. COR