The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

130 “Now,” he admonished, standing above her, not without solicitude, “ don’t make a move and don’t say a word. I’m going to show you how a first-class crook operates. It won’t do you any harm, and it may do you some good.” She hid her face in her hands. ‘““Mr. Prince,” she moaned, “ they’ll prosecute you to the very limit of the law!”’ He heard the steps on the lower stairs now. ‘Give me back that ring,” he demanded. “ Quickly.” She started to refuse, but saw the intent look on his face and did not dare. She took the match-box from her bosom and handed it to him. He hardly had time to get it into his pocket, which was a difficult operation with his hands tied, when a loud knock sounded on the door. “Come!” he called gruffly, and stood in the center facing the Harlingoods as they filed in. He managed it so that he stood between them and Una, and as she cowered low in her chair they did not observe her at once. Mrs. Harlingood advanced to meet him with suavity. “ Sir,’”’ she said severely but with an at- tempt at a smile, which gave her mouth the effect of a dog’s when the lips are pulled over his teeth, “‘ we have been considering everything in connection with your case and have decided to release you.” The captive lurched in front of her, his manacled hands held out menacingly be- tween them. “So!” he growled. “Yes,” she answered with a desperate attempt to be sweet. ‘And Mr. Lenox here ’’—she called Arthur up with a gesture —‘ will return your check; so there will be no evidence against you.” Fane was suffering, as she afterward told Jack, the worst torture of her whole exist- ence as she realized that her mother was going to let that thief off while he still held her precious ring, but what could she do? She must remain, it seemed, for a while longer, a sacrifice on the altar of the family. But the taker of the ring was in no evi- dent hurry to be off with his ill-gotten gains. For answer tg the magnanimous THE ARGOSY. proposition he thrust his bound hands in front of Mrs. Harlingood’s face and shook the irons at her.” ‘How about these?” he demanded roughly. ‘‘ Who'll take these off?” This was a facer for Mrs. Harlingood. She bit her lip. “Don’t you want your liberty?” she de- manded. “It’s no liberty with the irons on me,” reasonably replied he who evidently was determined not to be set free. ‘“* Ar—Mr. Lenox here will go with you and assist. He will assure you of protec- tion and no danger of police interference.” As she spoke she got no reassurance from the dour countenance of the man who op- posed her. He seemed hardly to hear what she was saying, but instead was listening carefully for sounds in the outer hall. He was rewarded, for before he could make any further reply to the proposition Jack Welling hastened into the room, breathless from running up two flights of stairs. “You won’t have to wait long!” he cried. “I’ve phoned for the wagon. The police will soon be here.” ‘“* Police!” cried Mrs. Harlingood and Fane in a simultaneous shocked and abhor- rent breath. “ Certainly! paperhanger ?”’ For the moment no one except Una noted the grim satisfaction with which the man in manacles greeted the announce- ment. What did you expect, the CHAPTER XXVII. HORROR UPON HORROR. ACK was in high good humor with him- self. His interview over the telephone with headquarters had been eminently satis- factory. He regretted now that it had not occurred in the presence of the Harlingoods, or at least that Mrs. Harlingood had not overheard. He had been quite professional about it, direct in his statements, not nervous or excited as might have been ex- cusable in a young investigator who still had his spurs to win. And the man at the desk had treated oO cComicbooe S CO