Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

PEMBROKE’S PARTNER. “ What do you mean?” he faltered. “ Are you quite certain that you—that neither of us could have done more to save poor Nyles—if he had been willing?” “Ah!” he exclaimed. ‘So you know— do you?” “Yes; I know,” I answered, sadly. “I didn’t mean. to let it out; but—somehow I felt just now as though I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer. You needn’t be afraid, Marvin. So far as I am concerned your wretched secret is safe. But, ever since that day that Davidson came here I have been aware of the identity of the man who came through this window.” He laughed sardonically. ‘‘ Well, go on,”’ he said. ‘“ That isn’t all, is it? You have found out that I was on the scene at the time of the shooting. What else?” “ The rest I can guess. I would give my right hand to be able to think that I am wrong, but from your subsequent behavior I am compelled to believe that it was you who—”’ I did not finish the sentence. At that moment the door of our private office flew open, and Dorothy Boynton staggered into the room. Her face was white and drawn, her eyes wild and pre-naturally bright. As she sank into a chair both MclIlvaine and I gazed at her commiseratingly. It was evi- Gent at a glance that she was on the verge of collapse. ‘““Miss Boynton,” If began, “what on earth—” ‘““T had to come,” she gasped. “I was in court this afternoon, and I—I followed you here. I can’t stand the suspense any longer. I can’t wait for the jury to bring in a verdict. Whether they pronounce him innocent or guilty, I must tell. It was I who killed Hollender! give myself up, Mr. Pembroke.” “You!” I exclaimed, incredulously. “You don’t realize what you are saying, little girl. If you will let me get a cab and take you home, we—” “No! No!” she interrupted me, wildly. ‘IT won’t go home until—until you have heard my confession. It was I who killed him. You must believe that. Ask Mr. McIlvaine. He was there and saw me do it. He advised me to go away, and say I have come to—to. 543 nothing about it, but I—I can’t keep quiet any longer.” Still incredulous, I glanced inquiringly toward my partner. ‘It’s true,” he said gruffly. ‘‘ I suppose you might as well hear the whole business now. I was in there, cleaning the window of Hollender’s private office, when she came in, and began to blaze away at him almost immediately. I tried to stay her hand, but there wasn’t time. ‘Then I did some quick thinking, and contrived a little ruse which I hoped might draw suspicion from her. Without stopping to ask any questions I persuaded her to make her escape through the door of Hol- lender’s room which opened into the hall. Then I went back and beat it out of the window and across the fire-escape into the window of Davidson’s office. I wanted him to notice me, of course. The idea was to have him come forward later and tell about “the mysterious window-cleaner who, I hop- ed, would be blamed for the shooting. Un- fortunately I did not figure on the possibil- ity of-the clerk being accused. That pre- sented a complication J had not foreseen. Otherwise the plan would have gone through according to schedule. ‘The fellow, I understand, had another business besides insurance,” Mcllvaine ex- plained. ‘‘ Blackmail was his side-line.” He glanced pityingly at the girl. “ This little lady, as she has since informed me, had the misfortune to get into his clutches some time ago, and he had driven her half crazy with his extortions and threats. He had some letters of hers which he threat- ened to send to the family of the young physician she is engaged to marry, and—” . Engaged to be married to a physician!” I cut in, blankly. _ Yes, ”” said my partner, with a sad smile. ‘‘ And we had better lose no time in getting her under his care now. It is evident that she is in urgent need of his professional services. If you will telephone for that cab you were speaking of, Bob, we will ride up-town with Miss Boynton together.” “ But I must dictate a confession first,” the girl cried, hysterically. ‘I must free myself of my terrible secret. I can’t keep quiet a minute longer, Mr. Mcllvaine. 1 mn (C(O) NOOK