The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

WIZARD OR CROOK. “Tt’s your problem,” he - said. ‘“ Handle it any way you choose.” After the other had gone, though, he sat for a long while pondering with his chin in his hand. “Wizard or crook?” he mused. “T'll take my oath he’s a crook; but what the game is, or what he’s up to, I’m blessed if I can make out.” CHAPTER VIL. ON A NEW TACK, RAMSDELL, had scoffed at Brady’s theory that Miss Felix was the thief of the Wickliffe Bible. He had betrayed not the slightest interest in her during his talk with the commissioner. Yet, strangely enough, the one idea in his head when he left the police de- partment was to see and obtain speech with her. Realizing that he would almost in- evitably be shadowed on leaving the commissioner’s office, he circled around half a dozen blocks or so, hopped on and off surface cars, Subway, and Elevated trains, and dived in and out of office- buildings, until after about half an hour of this sort of thing he was satisfied that he had shaken off any possible pur- suit. Then he directed his steps toward the block where the fire had occurred the night before. No. 86 was, of course, a mere heap of smoldering ruins, and he had no idea to what new address the young woman had betaken herself, having feared to ask the commissioner, lest he should be- tray his intentions. But, since the street along here was a row of boarding- houses, he had a pretty shrewd sus- picion that she had not moved far from her former location. Fven that, however, most people would not have considered much of a clue. He could not very well go along from door to door, ringing bells, and inquiring for the object of his search without soon having police headquar- ters acquainted with his actions. Be- 207 sides, such a task bade fair to be end- less. Ramsdell appeared not a whit per- turbed, though, at the difficulties in his path. Slowly he strolled down the side of the block opposite the burned No. 86, past the long, granite stretch of the library, and back again, peering at the numbers across the way. Finally, with-every air of confidence, he crossed the street to No. 92, mount- ed the stoop, and rang the bell. Then, when the maid appeared in re- sponse, he boldly presented his card, and asked to see Miss Felix. | The result showed that he had made no mistake. The maid, although she gazed at him in haughty rebuff, did not deny the presence of the young lady in the house. “Are you another of them report- ers?”’ she inquired loftily. “ Well, Miss Felix is lying down, and said she wasn’t to be disturbed for nobody.” Deftly Ramsdell interposed his foot so as to prevent the door being shut in his face. “T think Miss Felix will possibly make an exception of me,” he said pleasantly. “ Tell her it is not a news- paperman, but the gentleman who was able to be of service to her at last night’s fire.” Instantly the girl’s manner changed. The papers that morning had made a good deal of Ramsdell’s feat, and her opportunities had been few for behold- ing a real hero, and speaking to him face to face. “Oh, sir!’ She flung wide the door with trembling eagerness. “ Excuse me, sir. I’m sure Miss Felix will see you. Walk right into the parlor, sir, and I'll run up and tell her you are here.” The prediction proved to be correct, for almost immediately the heroine of the previous night’s adventure came fluttering down the stairs. “Mr. Ramsdell? ” she questioned, a trifle uncertainly, for like most board- ing-house parlors the room was dark. oO cComicbooks CO