Argosy All-Story Weekly, December 2, 1922 — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

a 530 ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. where I can help. These gentlemen, Mr. Bell and Mr. Corson, will tell you that I have helped. Why, even now, I have brought Riggs here because he knows some- thing that may help us.” “Indeed?” queried Willmer, noticing the servant for the first time. “‘ What is it, Riggs?” “Tt’s about the person who just escaped, sir. I understand that he claimed he knew no one in this house, and had merely been passing by when he conceived the notion of—er—borrowing Mr. King’s car. So I have just been telling Miss Carewe that the man had been in this house before.” “What?” demanded Willmer. ‘ When was this?” 3 “Early this morning, sir. After I had shown the gentlemen to their rooms, and every one was retiring, I was making the rounds, assuring myself that the doors and windows were properly fastened. As I was about to secure the front doors this Italian chap sauntered down the stairs, cap in hand and a cigarette in his mouth. “*« Match?’ he says to me, cool enough. “IT was sg taken by surprise I hastened to oblige him. He struck the match, lit the cigarette and walked past me. It was not until he was halfway out of the house that I grew suspicious. “¢ Who have you been seeing, sir?’ I asked, knowing I had not admitted him. “¢ Mr. Willmer,’ says he. ‘I’m from the telephone company. Good night.’ “With that he shuts the door and goes down the steps. I finished locking up, and then went to my room. He must have waited outside for about five minutes, sir, for it was fully that long before I heard Mr. King’s car pull away from the house.” “ Weren’t you suspicious then?” asked Fenwick?” ? “No, sir. There have been so many strange happenings lately that I’m afraid to question anything that occurs.” Willmer dropped into a chair weakly, moistening his lips. “ Did this man really call on you, Mr. Willmer?” asked Corson. “No,” murmured the financier faintly. “Do you know anything about him, Bell?” ‘Not a thing,” responded Fenwick. ‘I shall not compel Mr. King to lie by asking him the same question,”’ announced Corson. “It is logical to conclude that the man who allowed him to escape is the man he came to see.”’ “Thoughtful of you,” rejoined King, ‘but I’m not tremendously interested in gaining your good opinion. I am account- able to my partner for my actions, however, and feel that the occasion demands that I register a denial in his presence. Mr. Will- mer, to my knowledge I never saw this man until I found him in possession of my car iat the Grand Central this morning.”’ “That is all that is necessary, Otis,” ad- vised Willmer. “I believe you, my boy.” “You are too gullible, Mr. Willmer,”’ warned Corson. ‘ The fellow who escaped knows something about Pendleton Kirke’s death, and is undoubtedly the owner of one of the voices.” “‘T should like to ask Riggs,” piped up Boyden, ‘ whether this Eyetalian talked with a foreign accent when he was leavin’ the house this morning?”’ “No, sir, he did not,” answered Riggs respectfully. “ He talked as well as you ord.” “Did you make a search to see if he took anything?” persisted the little man. “Yes, sir. I am quite sure nothing is missing.”’ “That will do, Riggs, unless the gentle- men have some other questions to ask,” advised Lorraine. Both Corson and Fen- wick indicated that they had no desire to question him further, and Riggs withdrew. The girl turned to her guardian. “I have been of assistance, haven’t I?” she asked. “Yes, my child; you have shown me that the voices have intruded on the pri- vacy of my home. Iam not safe anywhere. I am going to my den.”’ He raised himself feebly from the chair and walked slowly to the door, where he hesitated. ‘* Bell,” he said, as if to deliberately snub Corson, “ I am relying on you. You prom- ised to clear this matter up within forty- eight hours. You’ve been on the case twelve hours. If you can prevent further startling Comic oookS . COnn