Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 6, 1923 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

_ MARKED DOWN, means of her own, some one oles might be furnishing the money. Again the strange and inexplicable transfer of property sacred- ly inherited by Dorothy Cavendish from her dead mother, limned across her thoughts. What vitally pressing and im- perative thing had caused the girl to at- tempt the transfer of such a bequest? Sighing deeply, Nancy at last turned to the summoned Kent. She was now striv- ing to tie up the business and occupants of — each office and bundle them out bodily, clearing the way for further vital investiga- tions. | “Mr. Kent,” she began, “do you know why Miss Cavendish wished to transfer her mother’s property to this Mlle. Mignonne?” “* Certainly not.” “Was Mr. Shoreham with you from the time of his arrival at eleven thirty until you _ left him in your office, when you hurried out ~ upon hearing the chauffeur’s cry for help?” ce He was. 3? “ Were you expecting Miss Dorothy Cav- endish?” ‘“ Naturally, her signature was neces- ag 2 At what time was she totcome?” _ “At her convenience between eleven thirty and twelve.” “Were you expecting any one else at that time?” “No. pointments for the same time.” “Why didn’t Mr. Shoreham rush out with you when you heard the cry for help?” “T didn’t ask him. But I presume, since he is a very cautious man, that he shrank from any unnecessary publicity.” “Was the reception recom in darkness when you hurried through it in response to the cries?”’ Mie ‘Kent appeared to think. “ Why, - yes,” he replied in surprise. “ I hadn’t re- called it before, but it certainly was, I remember because I hit my shin sharply.” ‘“ Was your waiting room unlighted when Mr. Shoreham arrived?” “Jt was not, nor when he entered my affice. I was expecting Miss Dorothy mo- - mentarily. My reception room would not be without lights with her coming.” TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK head vi Boed as a prison bird. Naturally I do not make = ap- E 4 Where was = Mr Fulton?” “He left just before Mr. Shoreham’s are = = riva! at’ eleven thirty.” “Have you a secretary?” “ Yes, but she has been out for three ie = : with a severe cold, which has left us badly handicapped.” “Mr. Kent, when you plunged through your darkened waiting room you saw noth- ing of any one that was waiting or lurking — there?” The question eal to startle Mr. eat. “Certainly not. “ Ah!” he breathed — as an idea flashed into his mind. “ So that was where the extra veiled woman was, whom the matron just escorted to the door | with Miss Dorothy! = Nancy did not reply. Her silence was 2 — = broken by the knocking Jenkins. As she — i ee stepped alertly to the Goer he shook his = = = + The grocer already wore — his hat and coat preparatory to dismissal. — Py Again, as one door closed on a witness, — another opened: this time to admit the Tat- faced, self-styled Joseph Graham, alias — Slippy Gates, whom M. LS had iden- | = tie cathy dieSed indvidal ake ainiest on the rebound by the swooping — : hand of Denby, was wizened and onheathy cing, The prison pallor still sponged all - traces of color from his face. shaped head was closely cropped and- = weasel-like face was weak rather than — vicious. Nancy studied him thoughtfully. Slippy Gates watched her sharply, con- sternation and surprise racing over his -fea- — tures. Obviously he, too, had been ge = derstruck by the manner of girl the famous — Nancy Dayland proved to be qn close view. He squared his narrow shoulders and held 2 up a defiant head. = A little smile quivered over Nancy’s = = : to die away instantly. She read the actions __ as truly as if they had been deciphered for _ <= her. Slippy Gates had set her down as a_ mere girl, not of the underworld, and there- | = a fore unable to fight him with his own weap- : ons, to cope with his ratlike cupidity. “Terrence Gates,” she began, “what — have you against the ain ae Caven-- ae dish?” His bullet- — = = Ni ny Land MN Ey Wain 4 Ta P ii ctu au Bh aL a t OR Rei Gey Pa yy DV Al heer ate ¥ } re AS aR) Eomicboo cS com