Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

162 Brent couldn’t share the policeman’s en- thusiasm. “‘ The captain said the tramp had been killed Friday morning,” objected the doctor. ‘‘ It was some time Saturday night or Sunday morning, you know.” “Yes,” agreed Collins, as they stopped in front of headquarters. ‘“‘ But there are tricks in all trades. -The main thing is that he couldn’t possibly have been in town at that time Thursday night—which means that Madden was lying. Coming inside?”’ Brent shook his head. He came peril- ously near uttering the hope that he never would have to cross that threshold again. The doctor managed to answer Collins’s cheery good-by, then climbed into his car. Brent found Peggy and his sister on the sun porch at the rear of the house where there was a wide lawn and four old cherry- ~ trees. “Nan, would you mind?” he suggested. Both women had been quick to read the concern in his face. His sister patted his arm as she passed him to enter the house » through the French windows. Peggy wait- ed for him to speak. “Tt’s about that dinner engagement,” said Brent. The girl looked puzzled, “Pendleton has given the Press what he calls an ‘ explanation ’ of it.” A questicn came into the blue eyes. “He says,” continued Brent, “ that it was evident to him that you had come with the idea of getting him to promise that he would drop the case. And that he played up to you for the purpose of find- ing out what you knew about it. I believe the explanation says that ‘a woman will talk more freely in a friendly chat than when compelled by law.’ ” Peggy closed her eyes. Again she seemed to Brent to be very tired. But it was with surprising assurance that she said: ‘‘ If Mr. Pendleton says that he had any other purpose than dining with me, he doesn’t tell the truth.” “Why do you say that?” Brent asked quickly. ‘‘ He claims he was just leading you on.”’. The girl shook her head. . “ No matter what he says, his only idea was to have dinner with me. I’ve known a great many THE ARGOSY. men, Dr. Brent. Pendleton wasn’t doing the leading.” “Then you did go there to get him to make some kind of an agreement?” Peggy rose abruptly. ‘“T did not. What was there to come to an agreement about? My only reason in going was to thank him for his kindness.” ‘“ He says you suggested the dinner.” “It’s possible.” “But why?” “I told you this morning.” “IT don’t believe you!” Really!” The girl’s eyes flashed. Brent found himself becoming fearfully confused. Peggy had started to enter the house. ‘IT think, Thornton Pendle—” ‘“ Oh, don't say it again!” begged Brent. He was utterly miserable. The girl stopped and faced him. Brent avoided her eyes. He was thinking that whether it was the truth or not a man was a good deal of a cad to offer any such explanation as Pen- dleton had. Brent felt the girl’s hands on his shoul- ders. He resisted, but after a moment looked up at her. ‘“T know what you're thinking,” said the girl quietly, “but I don’t know that I blame Mr. Pendleton. After all, he must look to his own interests. And the day of a woman having any special claim to con- sideration has passed.” — There was a hint of nervousness in the girl’s voice. She paused for a moment, then proceeded as surely as before: “ If Mr. Pendleton imagines that I called for any other reason than courtesy he is mis- taken. While I was there no such idea oc- curred to him. Perhaps it came as an afterthought. But you must admit, Phil, that it’s rather a good excuse.” Brent heard only one word: “ Phil.” He tried to catch her hands, but she had already drawn them away. Her eyes were closed so that the dark lashes quivered against the white cheeks. ‘‘ Rather a good excuse!” As the whis- per wavered into a laugh that was slightly hysterical she swayed toward the doors and passed into the house. NOOK C@