Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

stood up feebly. MARKED DOWN, had better —— my hat fastened securely. I particularly remember starting both pins in their single holes. I am very careful about keeping the crown free from pin marks,” Again Nancy felt as if she were being stifled, buried in the extraordinary untied ends which kept cropping out. “You would not have worn two pins if your aunt had not suggested it?” The girl paused as though in thought. <4 don’t know, I’m sure,” she answered dispassionately. é But what ought I to do? And why are you talking so. much about a mere hatpin as though its Toss mattered vitally?” swiftly Nancy brought out a long en- velope. From it her still gloved fingers flashed the lost hatpin before the staring eyes of the quivering girl. “ Why do I place so much stress on this Because it was found tightly lost pin? gripped in the hand of your dead father.” Uttering a little broken moan, Dorothy Cavendish crumpled into a senseless heap on the floor. CHAPTER XII. WHAT THE MATRON FOUND. ANCY’S ministering fingers were soon rewarded by returning consciousness in the girl. When Dorothy Caven- dish opened her fluttering lids the shining hatpin had gone back to concealment in the leather case. At first the girl looked about her weakly. Then realization began orders, : = The estimated man in “iniiorm ae = Then the — = to creep across her twitching face. “J am sorry,” Nancy said gently, “ The air is beastly here. Just as soon as you feel able, I will take es across tne corridor to your aunt.” Somewhat paciied by the tones the cal “Tt will be good to get out of this room, and to be with Aunt Ivy.” Then she paused irresolutely. “ B-but all the people out in the corridor. They will see me, and they may recognize me.” “Tt will have to come sooner or later. You are in no condition to be left alone here.” “Can't we go home, away a this ter- 2. = — - rible building?” face blanched again. “ Later, in a “little while now,” voice soothed her. “ But you will bs with your aunt until then.” Se the jaded and weary watchers aa = She shivered, sad: het a waiters in the corridor were treated to a belated and mild sensation. The door of the Case & Strong reception room opened. A slight, girlish figure with a dropped veil — appeared, leaning on the arm of Nancy Dayland. Mr. Strong started up frou his settle. = = ‘Then he sat down again with an eee = of such deep surprise that his face 1] == positively idiotic. Mr. Kent seemed high- ly distressed. And of the two partners of - her father’s law firm, Mr. Cunningham ap-— peared amazed, while his junior seemed — = mildly surprised. Well, Vl be flabbergasted!”’ “A mysterious lady cooped in the office here all the while. Now I guess the chief will be hopping when he realizes that his — tight-fisted order for me to do nothing until Miss Dayland told me has ended in such a find. Just like a girl not to have the offic searched at once instead of giving a = 2 that no one can enter, and that the men see that it is carried out.” - “ But,” protested the policeman, you = yourself told us to guard the doors and to see that not a soul entered.” = “Oh, you mind your business, You're getting altogether too officions. You don’t = pp ose J ye: been — ——— sided into a sheepish silence. door to the Fulton & Kent suite barred any further view of the two figures... Without a word the girl’s aunt 00k —— to a chair, and gently stroked her wrists. They seemed to be in perfect accord at understanding, these two, and quite ob-— livious of those about them. With a ee nod at Jenkins, Nancy went swiftly back to Mile. Mignonne’s private office. Here the matron awaited her with the medium — whom she had long finished searcl caine: = —— =€ Se mur- oe = mured tore to the officer beside jhua. “Suit = SS 7 ——