Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 3, 1924 — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

A CROWN ment tnat made me so ravenously hungry. Bunch and I went upstairs. As soon as we were in my room I told her what had hap- pened. And then [I asked her help- lessly: ‘“ Bunch, what are we going to do?” And as soon as I had asked the question I collapsed in a dead faint. CHAPTER XIV. NEAR THE BREAK. VEN in my unconsciousness I think I must have realized that everything depended on me, because Bunch said I came to almost at once. To me it had felt like plunging into a black void and fighting my way out of it again. Bunch would not let me talk until I had eaten something and drunk a little wine. “It’s the dickens of a business, Liz,” she said. ‘ Come, let’s put our wits to- gether.” We evolved a plan. Everything was clearly thrashed out. To begin with, I must receive a message about the king’s accident. We could ar- range that by pretending that it came after the servants had gone to bed, while Bunch and I sat up talking. Soon the household would retire. Nobody would be any the wiser. We need not be precise about who delivered the message. Betty Fane would not be mentioned by name. But, naturally, King Peter would know that it must be she. As far as I was concerned, it was plain sail- ing. Fortunately, Prince George of Hillen- land had not been able to come to dinner. He had sent word in the afternoon that the yacht was obliged to leave earlier than they had contemplated. My household imagined that I had been out with friends on a long expedition and that a breakdown had delayed us. They would not for a moment connect my move- ments with those of the king. ‘“‘ Now, let me do all the talking, Bunch said about an hour later. ‘“ You're tired out, Liz.” She had satisfied herself that the servants had all gone to bed, and, for form’s sake, FOR SALE. 891 descended to the vestibule to receive the imaginary message. She was back in my room, and at the telephone. I listened to her fascinating voice; it was quite perfect— calm, just sufficiently concerned. “Ts that you, Laline? Sorry to ring you up so late, but we have just had some bad news. I don’t know whether you’ve heard it yet. King Peter has had an accident. Yes—up in the mountains—at Tenda. He is in the hotel there. A doctor is with him. Oh, yes—and a sister of mercy. You haven’t heard? I expect you will. Who brought the message? I don't really know. Yes—it was a young woman. She was very much upset and I didn’t keep her. I hardly got a look at her. What? Danc- ing girl? I really don’t know. Oh, well— you know young men will be young men! A joyride occasionally—no great harm.” And therf that naughty Bunch winked at me, and, in spite of my distress’ and anxiety, I could not help smiling. ““ No, I don’t think it would be at all necessary for you to go,” she went on. “Elizabeth will start off to-morrow morn- ing. Oh, of course! She is very much upset, poor child. Oh, well—you know she was brought up awfully sensibly. I am quite sure she will want to be on the spot. Oh, yes, I think so—it’s her place. You see, he has no women folk. I shall go with her, of course. Yes, I will ring up and let the King of Maronia know at once. How did the messenger know where to come to? Oh, I suppose everybody knows about the engagement. I think the young woman be- haved with great presence of mind.” Another wink from Bunch. She was real- ly in her element. She put down the receiv- er with a grimace. ‘* She’s crazy to know who brought the message, Liz. Do you know that she hit on Miss Fane right away?” I told her about Mr. Govan having seen me dancing with the king at the Jetée Promenade; and she screwed up her eyes anxiously. “But, Bunch,” I said, “ Betty Fane is going to disappear now. She’s had a very lucky escape from being found out. She’s feeling quite twittery about it. She now fades off the map.” comniiclooo! (©