The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

THE MOTOR-BUS MYSTERY. ‘““T don’t see why not,” she retorted. “We can show that he was seen on Bayside Drive running after that omni- bus the night of the murder, and, con- sequently, that he is lying when he says that he was in Europe at that time; we can show that he was so agitated by the sight of the weapon with which the murder was committed that he threw the knife overboard, and we can point to the fact that he has a villainous face, and looks just like a person who would commit a horrible crime of that sort. Surely that is enough proof to satisfy anybody.”’ | “Hardly,” commented Edwards, with another smile. ‘‘ Those points will help a whole lot later on, of course, Miss Sudbury, when we have discov- ered other evidence; but by themselves they do not constitute legal proof that he is the assassin of Colonel Reynolds. We must wait until we are able to back up our accusation with hard facts, enough to convince the authorities of his guilt.” But how are we going to get those facts?”’ she demanded impatiently. ‘““We have got to act quickly. By the time you have built up what you con- sider a complete case against that fel- low it will be too late. My poor brother will already have been put to death.” “We must endeavor to get a stay of execution,” said Edwards. ‘“ As soon as we reach the other side I shall take the necessary steps to obtain a reprieve. I think that I can confidently promise you that I-shall be able to ac- complish that much, Miss Sudbury. While we haven’t as yet got enough of a case against Selling to justify the authorities in arresting him, I believe that we have at least enough of an argument to persuade any judge to put off your brother’s execution for a few weeks, so as to give us a chance to get the evidence we need.” ‘‘And we’re going to get it, too,” broke in Meador confidently. “ Don’t you worry, Miss Sudbury. Frank and I are going to work like a couple of 183 a bloodhounds to prove that scoundrel’s guilt. By the time we get through there won’t be a doubt in anybody's mind that he committed the crime of which your brother is accused.” “ Couldn’t you scare him into con- fessing?” suggested Mrs. Meador. “I know that Chester Selling is a coward. It ought not to be a difficult task to break down his nerve.” “By Jove!” exclaimed her husband, “That’s not a bad suggestion. We might try a little third-degree work right on this trip, eh, Frank? He fell into your first trap so easily that it ought to encourage us to set another.” “A confession from him would save us a lot of work, of course,” agreed Edwards, “but I scarcely think that we could manage to bring it about, and, if we failed, we should be worse off than we are now, because he would know then that we suspect him and would be on his guard against us hence- forth.” “YT don’t think we should fail,’ re- plied Meador. “ The fellow showed that his nerves are on edge by the panic-stricken manner in which he pitched that knife overboard. “T believe we could scare him out of his wits if we can hit upon the right means. How about haunting him for the rest of the voyage with the ghost of his victim? I have heard of mur- derers being forced into confession by having their fears of the supernatural played upon.” “But where could we get the ghost?’ inquired Edwards with an amused smile. “That would be easy. I'll gladly volunteer for the job myself. Re- member what a success I was as a ghost when we played ‘ Hamlet’ at college? Wrapped in a sheet smeared with phosphorus I could parade the decks or visit him in his stateroom every night, and Pll wager that I’d soon have him in a state of collapse.” Edwards shook his head. “No, I’m afraid that wouldn’t work. Selling doesn’t impress me as being the oO cComicbooks CO