The Argosy, March 1907 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

doubt that if the truth were known the number would be doubled. See; here is my evidence.” He drew a packet of papers from his pocket and handed them to the other. Mr. Stonefield glanced through the letters and affidavits, and then laid them down with a groan. 3 ‘Yes, yes,” he admitted, “these are incontrovertible. I had been hoping against hope that he might not have told the truth when he confessed to me to- day. I would have liked to go to him, to try to comfort him, if his hands were not stained with blood; but he has raised a bar between us which even friendship cannot Cross. “ However,” controlling his feelings with an effort, “this is not what you came to see me about, Mr. Davis. We are together to talk business, and in order to relieve you of any embarrass- ment I will tell you that I have my res- ignation already made out and ready to hand to you. I will ‘s “But, bless your soul,” interrupted Gardiner, “ we don’t want your resigna- tion. Your administration has been most successful, and the new interests in charge will be only too well pleased to have you gtay on.’ The old man almost broke down under this generous offer, tendered by one whom he had so greatly wronged; but the flood-tide of his appreciative re- marks was broken in upon by a sharp peal at the bell, and a moment later a servant announced: ‘“ Mr. Burns.” “Oh, I can’t see him,” quailed Stone- field. “ Tell him that I am busily en- gaged.” But before the man could withdraw, old Sylvester’s step was heard. It was evident that he did not intend to be de- nied. Gardiner had just time to whip out _of sight~behind the portieres before the old man entered. ‘Ah, Stonefield,” was his ereeting, as he paused with unaccustomed hesitation at the threshold. His face was gray and lined, his eyes haggard; but it was evident that he was trying to assume an air of urbanity. ‘Ah, Stonefield,”’ nervously clearing his throat and beginning again, “ they did down us to-day, after all. It was THE ARGOSY, the old story of the pitcher which goes too often to the well. But,” breaking off abruptly, “I didn’t come around to hold any fost mortems with you, or to mourn over what can’t be helped, but to set you right on that fool joke I per- petrated down at the office. Thinking it over afterward, I got the idea into my head that you had half believed it.” ‘What fool joke?” demanded Stont-~ field. “Why, that I had had any hand in the disappearance of Gardiner Davis. Of course, though, you didn’t believe it?” “Yes,” replied Stonefield, ‘‘ I did be- lieve it, and I believe it still. In fact, I know it.” ‘ But,” protested the other, “.Gardi- — ner Davis has not disappeared. He was waylaid by some scoundrels out in the mountains; but he escaped, and is now in New York. The evening papers are ~ full of it.” ‘Yes, and those scoundrels out in the mountains were acting under your orders, as they—had. done before. I have not only your confession for it, but here are the proofs, which Gardiner Davis himself gave me not fifteen minutes ago!” ~ What?” .The ‘old ~ man’s — face changed in a flash from the ingratiating’ expression he had worn to one of eager craving. ‘‘ Those are his proofs?” pointing to the papers. “Then give them to me this instant! Give them to me, I say!” He jerked a revolver from his poeket, and with a gleam of murder in his eye pointed it toward the other. Gardiner sprang quickly from his place of concealment, his own weapon drawn; but before he could act the des- perate man, seeing that the game was up, had turned his pistol on himself. A single shot rang out, and the old financier dropped a huddled mass upon the carpet. By the time Gardiner and Stonefield had reached his side he was dead. A Pennsylvania sheriff, who forced his way into the room almost immediately after the tragedy, drew Davis aside. : “He,” with a nod of his head toward the recumbent figure on the carpet, ‘and his boy were the only ones that ¢ cComicboo! —<_— ee See Fe ia ~ Lx yan 7} , at “..¢ < -