Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

In ee a ee AOE ae w = pte, ae PP rw ae eS THE LEDBURY FIST. “You mentioned that when you first found the pendant in your pocket there was a length of broken chain attached?”’ “There was.” ‘“‘ Are you aware that a part of that chain —which had evidently been torn from the neck of the dead woman—was found close beside her body?” “Yes, I read that.” ‘Have you the portion which you say was attached to the pendant when you first discovered it to be in your possession?” “No. The envelope in which I had placed it was left in my pocket, but the piece of chain was missing as well as the pendant.” ‘“ How long would it have been?” “{ couldn’t say, exactly. Perhaps about five inches. Just a fragment.” “Thank you, Mr. Ardell. In view of some evidence we already possess, which has not as yet been published, this is most use- ful and interesting. Will you please give me Miss Harland’s address? We shall require a statement from her.” ‘What for?” Dick exclaimed. ‘Her address, please,’ Inspector Lewis replied, rather tersely. CHAPTER XII. SIFTING EVIDENCE. HE next day the gruelling was con- tinued, and this time Jimmy Creigh came in for his share of it. Evelyn Harland—attended by her mother—and Dr. Thatcher, were also present, and there are no words to do justice to Mrs. Harland’s feelings. The pendant had been shown to the real Marchesa di Trevi, who identified it as her property. Dr. Thatcher described the injury to Mr. Ardell’s head. He had been told by Mr. Creigh, he said, that Mr. Ardell had slipped ona piece of orange peel and fallen back- ward on the stairs of Charing Cross under- ground station. The nature of the injury was quite compatible with such a story and he had accepted the explanation without question. He had known Mr. Creigh about ten years. Mr. Ardell, he had never met before he was called to Mr. Creigh’s rooms to attend him. Then came the turn of Jimmy Creigh. ‘“May I ask,” was one of Inspector Lewis’s first questions, “why you took it upon yourself to make up this story of how Mr. Ardell hurt his head?” Jimmy, it may be supposed, was not feel- ing any too comfortable. His round moon- face looked the picture of dejection. ‘“ Well, you see, inspector, it’s like this— if a chap’s your pal, why—” ‘“ Just a plain answer if you please. We can save a lot of time by sifting out these things before the magisterial inquiry. Why did you make up the story?” ** Because I didn’t want Mr. Ardell to be arrested,” Jimmy said bluntly. “You thought it likely that he had com- mitted that crime?”’ ~ “T thought it jolly unlikely.” ‘“ Did you believe his various statements about the pendant?” ‘No, not all of them. JI thought he was off his head, and I still think so.” ‘Do you realize that in taking the liber- ty of making up that false story you have laid yourself open to a very serious charge ?”’ “‘ T suppose so.”’ “You sent a wireless telegram to another of Mr. Ardell’s friends, a gentleman who might know something about this affair?” “Yes, ¥ aid.” ‘“‘ And that telegram was so worded as to convey a warning or a double meaning.” Jimmy drew in a long sigh and mopped his forehead. ‘Well, why don’t you arrest the whole blooming lot of us and get it over with?” he exclaimed. ‘‘ This isn’t a court of law, I take it.” ‘No, and if you prefer to answer ques- tions in a court of law, you are at perfect liberty to do so,’ Inspector Lewis said severely. ‘“ I can arrest you on a very seri- ous charge. It is within my discretion to do so. To be quite frank with you, Mr. Creigh, the only reason why I’m not issuing a warrant for your arrest, is because we want. to save ourselves unnecessary bother.” “Thank you,” said Jimmy, hoping that his voice sounded humble enough. ‘Very well, sir. In short, you went to CORME OOO cS (Eo)