Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

258 Devonshire. Chaworth found some old engravings in a print shop and his photo- graphs of them were adequate representa- tions of Seumas’s villa in Italy and his chateau in Brittany. After the official photographers had com- pleted their equipment, Harlowe and I took Jervis in hand with the interview that we had concocted. This included all the ques- tions that a bright young newspaper wom- an was likely to ask a distinguished visitor to our shores, together with the answers that a modest man of genius would be ex- pected to make. As a newspaper man, I looked after the usual material of such an interview, comparisons of our country with the decadent nations of Europe, and all the customary pilffle. Harlowe, however, had the hardest part of the work, for he had to invent a com- plete outfit of opinions on a great variety of subjects, seeing to it that the great author vividly described his methods of work in composing, writing and painting. He had some interesting ideas about censor- ship, to which he was opposed, and he eluci- dated his theories of self-expression in literature and the arts. Nearly all of Har- lowe’s contribution to our dummy _ inter- view had to be explained to Jervis, and I must admit that some of it was over my head; but the big blond had a first class memory, and after a few rehearsals he gave a most convincing performance, reeling off Harlowe’s long words’ and complicated sen- tences, looking as wise as a parrot. We tried to cover all possible questions; but realizing that Nell might think of some not included in our routine, we supplied Tom with a number of evasive replies such as “I fear I cannot answer that question without seeming egotistical,’ or “ Really there is so much to be said on both sides that I have formed no definite opinion.” As his broken wrist prevented his furnish- ing any samples of his playing, painting, or writing, all signs pointed to his coming out of the interview with flying colors. I stayed away from the office for two days during the preparations, to avoid Nell Teller, as I knew she would ask me what I had accomplished in the way of dis- coveries to help her. I wanted to have ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. everything arranged nicely before her questioning began. When I reappeared at my desk, I knew that the complicated machinery of our diplomacy «was well oiled and running smoothly, and soon after my arrival, Nell made a breezy entrance. She wore a dress and hat that had not been pre- viously exhibited to my admiring gaze, and she looked so pretty that I was tempted to confess everything then and there. “ Well,” she started, looking me over with calm disapproval, “ is this the way you lend a helping hand to the poor working girl? How about your promise to be here yester- day with thrilling information about your friend, Seumas Shayne? If that’s the way you city chaps are going to treat our Nell, I’m going back to the little farm in Boston.” ‘Just a minute,” I protested. ‘‘ You don’t seem to realize that Old Sleuth is very sensitive and, if his feelings are hurt, his precious secret is likely to perish with him.” “Oh, of course, I know you have been terribly busy,” she said, seeing that much might be done by the power of kindness. “TI really didn’t expect you to help me. I know how men make promises just to be pleasant. I’m going right ahead in my own way, so please don’t bother about it at all.” ‘Have you discovered anything new?” I asked, in order to make sure of my ground before going any further. ‘Of course not,” she said. “ Didn’t you ask me to leave it to you to put me on the right track? I suppose you haven’t given the matter a thought.” I was telling her how dreadful it was for a girl to have such a suspicious nature and assuring her that she would live to regret those cruel, scornful words, when the tele- phone rang. I glanced at the clock and knew pretty well who was calling; but I kept right on chatting with her till the office boy interrupted by telling me that I was wanted. Pretending to be greatly an- noyed, I asked Nell not to go away as I had something important to tell her; and I could see that she was listening while I talked on the phone. It was a brief conversation, but my part of it, which she heard, was filled with sur- prise and excitement. In the first place (E(0) NOOLKS ANU con