Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

850 Chief Hutchins to discover the truth in this affair.”’ “ Nancy Dayland!” The woman’s voice went into italics. Obviously the name was not unknown to her. It was not strange. For rich and indigent, guttersnipe and haughty aristocrat, had been signally captivated by the solution of the uncanny mystery of Voodoo Manor. So every walk of life had followed the case with bated breath. The name of Nancy Dayland was fresh in their memories, ‘“T am sorry,” observed Nancy soberly, “that you have only added to the sus- piciousness of your conduct by attempting to bribe your way out. Perhaps you do not know the penalty for attempting to bribe an officer of the law.” Miss Greenwood wrung her hands. ‘ Oh, oh!”’ she wailed. ‘‘ Everything I have done this morning has turned out wrong and ill- advised. But I swear to you that there has been nothing criminal behind my ac- tions and my intentions.” With a little gesture of dismissal Nancy help up her hand. ‘“‘ Please,’ she admonished, “no more now. I shall have to talk with you later.” She took up the desk phone and called M. Renaud. “But, yes, mademoiselle, with the great- est of pleasure,” the voice buzzed back. “TI will come on the moment.” “Knock on the door Mignonne when you arrive. instruct you further.” Miss Ivy Greenwood watched the girl’s every movement with terror-stricken eyes. There was something alert and efficient about her, something which seemed to whis- per that this sensitive-faced young woman saw far more than the casual observer could even suspect. How she herself had blun- dered! ‘“ Are—are you going to arrest me?” she quavered fearfully. Again Nancy held up one slim hand im- periously. ‘‘ Please don’t question me as to my intents. You should know that I can’t answer.” The woman subsided into a helpless heap, plucking nervously at her veil. Again Nancy called a number. ‘“ Please,” labeled Mlle. Then I will ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. she stated tersely, “ send your most efficient police matron here at once.” As she put up the receiver Miss Green- wood half rose from her chair. ‘““ A police matron!” she shrilled. ‘ Are you going to have us searched?” Silently Nancy regarded her. Finally she said without answering the question: “You will remain in here, please, until I advise you further. It will be first neces- sarv, however, for you to accompany me to the next room.” Horror transfixed the ‘“‘ Oh, please,” she begged. ‘You won’t be seen. that,” hastened Nancy. “Then why must I go with you?” “TI do not wish to leave you out of my sight until some one replaces me. I am afraid you need a guardian.” The sober tone of the girl robbed the words of any note of sarcasm. ‘‘ Believe me, I am sorry. You may drop your veil again if you wish.” So the two walked into the outer room. Nancy kept her eyes on the woman as she opened the door a crack without revealing the gray figure behind it. She beckoned to the nearest policeman. Sharply she shut the door behind him. “Well, I'll be flabbergasted!” he ex- claimed. ‘ A new skirt—all dolled up in veils—”’ ‘“* Hush, Jenkins,” Nancy admonished severely. ‘‘ Your comments are entirely out of order. ‘This lady is to be treated with all courtesy. You are merely to guard her for the present in Mr. Fulton’s private office. You are to see that she makes no suspicious movements until you are re- lieved.” Jenkins bowed and followed the woman in gray into the office, closing the door be- hind him. Margaret Seavers was pacing restlessly up and down the reception room of Mlle. Mignonne’s offices. Relief swept across her face as Nancy entered. “I thought you’d never come,” she de- clared. ‘It is so dark and dismal in here with the room all draped in mourning.” “You are Margaret Seavers?” began Nancy of the slight girl with the student- like, black-rimmed spectacles. woman’s face. Ill take care of COMiICcloOo (©