Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

FINDINGS IS KEEPINGS. ten instrument was deposited in his own office safe. Andrew Maywell might have thought he had the decument when he made his boast to Mr. Wilmot and his cousins, Allan and Allaine. But in some way Allan had over- reached the criminal lawyer. Vale had carefully examined the will that Allaine had dropped in the burning studio. He was confident that it was no forgery. It was a legally executed instrument and no copy. If it were produced it would supercede the one which Mr. Wilmot, the family attorney, now held,-and which gave Allan possession of his great-uncle’s estate. After this interview with.his skipper, Vale was again -tempted to.go to the Maywell family attorney and give up the paper he had by chance secured. He believed that Andrew Maywell had already set in mation machinery to ‘get’ him because he had refused to identify Allan as the lurker in front of the Maywell house the night of the robbery. It was not to be wondered at that Vale wished to protect himself. just as much to him as the next man’s did. The threat of being sent up before the police commissioner for trial on the complain from headquarters had its effect on the policeman’s mind. Yet, while he held onto this strangely acquired will of Colonel Hardy Maywell, he actually had “ the whip hand” in the mysterious affair. The other characters in the drama did not know his power over them. But, if he wished to use the paper, even Andrew Maywell must bow to his dictates. Just how Allaine stood in the matter was the principal puzzle in Vale’s mind after all. He desired very much to see and speak to the girl again. But it was Allan he met first. And to tell the truth, the atti- tude young Maywell assumed rather balked the policeman in his desire to learn:the facts regarding the robbery of the safe at No. 97 Trevorth Street and the incidents connected therewith. Vale was passing the Maywell house on tour when he chanced to run into Allan. The policeman was instantly convinced that Allan would have escaped an interview 6 ARGOSY His job meant $1 with him could he have done so. He had no appearance of being grateful to Vale for what the latter had done for either his sister or himself! - He was about to pass Vale with a cold nod. But the latter wanted something, and he was not easily snubbed. ‘Just a word with you, Mr. Maywell,” he said rather grimly, stepping before the young man. “ Just what were you doing hanging around here the other night when I passed a few cheerful remarks with you?” Allan flushed, and he eyed Vale in a belligerent manner. “IT thought you told ‘Drew you didn’t see me?” he stammered. ‘ Are you going back on your statement?” ‘“T don’t know that I am,” rejoined the policeman coolly. ‘‘ But to satisfy my own curiosity I want to know what you were up to. One sure thing, you were not wait- Ing for an interview with that housemaid across the street. She’s not your color.” Allan grinned suddenly, with a flash of roguishness in his eye that reminded Vale of his sister. Then his face quickly as- sumed a sullen expression. “Come now!” continued the policeman; ‘“T don’t believe you really had a thing to do with that safe robbery. Perhaps that is the reason I refused to help your cousin hang the job on you. But I want the facts for my own private satisfaction.” ““T suppose that you consider you have a right to interrogate me because of that favor,” grumbled Allan, turning away his countenance. ‘“T am not presuming on any favor you think I did you,” rejomed Vale more sharply. “ But this is not the end of the matter. It is only the beginning.” “T’ve got an alibi "Drew can’t break down,” said Allan flatly. “You only thmk that,” said Vale pa- tiently. ‘‘ Your cousin is going to get you if he can. A blind man could see that. He may be at me again. Be open with me, and I may be able to do more for you.” “Well, Ill tell you,” hesitated Allan again, and turning once more to look at the policeman. “If it comes to a test I shall deny having been here at all that night.” cComiclbooks.com