The Argosy, March 1907 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN SUSPICION STRUCK HARD. ““T haven’t the slightest idea,” Dunn returned. “If I had, T should most certainly not inform you.” “ Vou know this Catterson pretty well, then? ”’ The proprietor looked angrily at him. “That is immaterial. There are times when one can judge pretty clearly. of another man’s character and stand- ing by his appearance.” ‘““And there are times when one can be mistaken. Was Catterson ever here before—did you ever see him before in your life?’ the druggist asked earnestly. ‘“T—what on earth does that mat- ter?” “Only this stopped short. He had been on the very point of ac- cusing the absent man of the Bondville murder. Now he @held his’ tongue. What good could it do, after all—save to involve himself in further trouble? Instead, he adopted another tack. He shifted his position and looked rather dryly at the. important owner of the house. “Do you mind telling me,” he said again, ‘just what I happen to be ac- ” Radford began, and cused of—just why-I’m so horribly for-- tunate not to be in jail?” Dunn rose with an impatient grunt. The clerk, however, stepped forward, unexpectedly, if deferentially. “ Perhaps, Mr. Dunn, the man is en- titled to that?” he remarked. ‘“ He— he looks rather respectable.” ‘“A person who enters this house dis- guised with a false beard—who goes to the room of one of our guests and creates a disturbance, not to mention threaten- ing his life—is entitled to nothing at all,” said Dunn, as he walked to the door. ‘ Driggs, see that this man dresses and gets out of the house as rap- idly as possible. I am leaving it to you.” He walked out heavily and disap- peared down the stairway. Radford smiled somewhat forlornly after him. ‘“So I’m supposed to have threatened. Catterson’s life?” “Well, I—I—HI think you may have done so,’ the clerk stammered uncer- tainly. ‘‘ Everything seems to point toward the truth of Mr. Catterson’s story.” ‘And what was the story?” ‘Well—er—to the—er—effect, you know, that you have been cherishing an old grudge against him and followed him here.” ; “Ah?” Radford remarked. ‘He stated that you followed him to his room, disguised and under an as- sumed name, and threatened to shoot him unless he complied with certain condi- tions.”’ ‘Did he mention the conditions?” 6é No.”’ “TI hardly please.” “There is little more. He said that he managed to circumvent you and knock you senseless before you accom- plished your purpose. The pistol ex- ploded and made considerable noise and excitement about the house.” “TI don’t doubt it.” “Jt was all hushed up, however, by Mr. Dunn, -who called a physician. He said that you were suffering mainly from shock, and he gave you something to put you to sleep, and—well, I suppose, revive you. Mr. Dunn, who cherishes the good name of this hotel more than he does his life’’—the clerk smiled slightly —‘“‘implored Mr, Catterson not to prose- cute you or have you arrested in this in- stance, on account of the notoriety that would attach.” “Eh?” The news almost took Rad- ford’s breath away. “And Mr. Catterson, although he was reluctant at first, finally agreed not to have you arrested here.” “ Well—really!” Radford sat back and breathed hard. How utterly kind of Catterson it had been! And how beautifully this little incident chimed in with the rest of his recent misfortunes! He had been spared jail only on the condescension of the real murderer ! ‘Well, if I should tell you thought so. Go on, ” he ‘ began thickly. The clerk hurried toward him with upraised hand. ‘IT must go below now,” he said. “There are your clothes. You will find the pistol in one of the pockets, al- though Mr. Dunn ordered it emptied and your pockets searched for the other cartridges. The—the beard is down- stairs, also. Shall I get it for you?” ? COLMIG DOO Sa( C0) 687