The Argosy, April 1916 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

18 “Are we going to the same hotel where we had supper last night?” Miss Wayne asked Yale. “No,” he answered, with an air of pro- prietorship. ‘I have chosen the Butterfield House. I choose it because it is convenient to the city hall and police headquarters. You will need a headquarters of your own, and convenience is to be considered. You want a room immediately. You can’t lug a suitcase, umbrella and camera into a court- room.” “No; that would look as though I was a runaway and had been arrested en route.” Blake attended to the business of obtain- ing a suitable room for Miss Wayne, while Yale ordered breakfast for the three. They were soon cosily ensconsed at a table in a corner of the dining-room. “T tell you what I’d like to do if we have time,” Miss Wayne observed when breakfast was nearly over. “I’d like to find a photographer’s place. I mean one who deals in supplies. And one who develops films. My reel is exhausted, and I want a new one, and to leave this one to be de- veloped.” “TI know a good one who will treat you right,” said Blake. ‘“Phrey, of Broad Street.” In a short time the three, with Miss Wayne in the middle, carrying her camera in the usual fashion, were walking down Genesee Street toward Broad. Mr. Phrey, fortunately, was in the store beneath the studio, and leaned far across the counter looking into such eyes as he had never seen before, while Miss Wayne told him what she wanted. | “Certainly,” he said. ‘I will put in a cartridge at once. Are you in any particu- lar hurry for the developed films?”’ “Oh, no,” answered Miss Wayne non- chalantly. “Take your time, Mr. Phrey. I shall perhaps be a guest of the city for some time. My plans for the immediate future are in the air—I mean in the city magis- trate’s head.” The astonished photographer stared at the retreating figure, paying no attention to her male companions. “Where the devil did that bundle of diz- ziness come from?” he asked himself: ‘If she walked up and down Genesee street Saturday night the mayor would have to call out the Fourth Battalion to clear the way.” Oblivious of the commotion she had THE ARGOSY. created in the breast of the seasoned pho- tographer, Miss Wayne walked between her escorts up Genesee once more, and glanced at the clock in the tower. ‘What a funny City Hall,” she said. ‘Is that clock right? I’ve just time to leave my camera and. things in my room. Mr. Yale, will you get my suitcase and umbrella from the clerk?” ) This was done, Miss Wayne carried her traps to her room herself, and rejoined her companions. were in the city court. CHAPTER X. A STARTLING ADMISSION. | was a barren enough interior. The wooden benches had done service for many years. The only person in evidence beside themselves was a doorman. They took seats in front. The first to enter after them was the stalwart chief. , “You didn’t run away, did you,” he said to the prisoner. “Oh, no. I may, though, if I get fright- ened.” A quizzical look came into the chief’s eyes. . “ That danger is not very imminent,’’ he remarked, and sat down by Blake. A clerk came in, then a policeman. Per- sons who had heard something of the arrest of Miss Wayne strolled in to have a look at her. There are always a few who make a practice of hearing all cases, whether inter- ested personally or not. These are not as a rule very important persons in the world, and took the rear seats. Finally the rotund, great shouldered judge entered. “Oh, I’m glad,” whispered Miss Wayne. “Glad of. what?” asked Blake. “You know what I said. . He never has indigestion like Mr. Raymond.” “By the way where is that gentleman?” asked Blake. “If he doesn’t appear there will be no case.” . ‘“How sad!” murmured the prisoner. At that moment Mr. Raymond, accompanied by Greenland, arrived. It was clear that the millionaire was suf- fering agonies of mind. Excitement and nervousness had him in their coils. He was pale, flustered, ill at ease, and evidently felt himself out of place. MICLOOOK In three minutes more they . (C©@