The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

108 THE “ Dear me!” Trent murmured ironical- ly. “The fact-of the matter is,” said Hal- lock: ‘‘ Mr. Hartley Stuart Trent is no longer mentally responsible for his acts. I regret to inform yqu that his mind is un- balanced.”’ . “T don’t know whether I should regard that as news, or not,” said Trent. ‘Qh, have a heart, Mr. Trent!” pleaded Hallock. ‘ Think of the poor chap, with so much to make him happy! It is sus- pected that his mind has been failing for a long time—and so many people have blamed him, you know, for little so-called eccentricities, when he really wasn’t re- sponsible at all!” “Thank you for coming to bring me the news,” Trent said with mock gravity; “but would you mind telling me where I come in? ")o you think that I should send flowers, or write the gentleman a simple note expressing my deep sym- pathy?” Hallock made a gesture of despair. “ Please be serious, Mr. Trent,” he im- plored. ‘I really have important busi- ness with you. It is now necessary to have poor Hartley Trent confined in some priv- ate institution, and the necessary proceed- ings must be got over as quietly as pos- sible. I’m sure you will be willing to tes- tify .before a board of alienists that you have been a victim of the poor man’s in- sane ideas. It will be practically a kind- ness to him, don’t you see? Judge Waring is his guardian, and almost a father to him, and the judge will pay you liberally for your trouble. “You see,” he went on earnestly, “ everything that the unfortunate man has done indicates an unbalanced mind. Even now he is talking of becoming the coionel of this regiment, and he might as weil think of being the Pope of Rome, you know.” ‘“T believe it is a fact that he is to be the colonel,” said Trent, “so it appears that the military authorities have not re- garded him as a dangerous lunatic.” “Oh, of course, ke still has tremendous influence,” Hallock explained; ‘no one likes to believe a popular millionaire any- ARGOSY. thing worse than eccentric. But I know what I am talking about, I assure you. All we shail ask of you, Mr. Trent, is to come to the appointed place when we send for you, and give your testimony in a simple, straightforward way.” ‘“‘Y think I shall have to conduct a lit- tle investigation for myself first,’ Trent Said gravely. ‘What now? What are you driving at?” the other demanded nervously. “Vl tell you,” said Trent. “I am get- ting a little too much fed up on mysteries, and I want a few facts for a change. It occurs to me that I have to deal with secret agents and go-betweens in all the mysterious business that is thrust upon me. I shall be off duty for four hours this after- noon, and I have just decided to call upon Mr. Hartiey Stuart Trent—” “ What!’ Hallock almost shrieked. “YT shall then be able to see for myself whether he is insane to any marked de- gree,” Trent explained simply. “If he is rational, he will be interested to hear my story, 1 think, and I shall find out if he has really issued all the orders that you have attributed to him. I will show him the letter that you say he wrote, and—” ‘“‘ Stop!” cried Hallock, trembling with a sort of ague. ‘‘ You—you will do more harm than—you will make a frightful mess of things.” ‘“ Good!” Trent exclaimed. make a mess of things! It’s my turn to mess things up a bit. You other fellows have been having all the fun.” “Don’t do it to-day!” Hallock begged. “Wait until I have seen’ Judge Waring. He may want to see you and talk with you.” \ “YT have decided to make my call to- day,” Trent insisted. ‘“‘ You see, I am naturally worried about my distinguished namesake.” | “Youll regret it!’? declared Hallock desperately. ‘I'll venture to say that if you don’t agree not to go there, you won’t be able to do so this afternoon. There’s more at stake than you know anything about!” “T shall go,” said Trent. ‘“My God!” Hallock cried explosively, “T want to oO Comicbooe S CO