Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE TEMPTING TANGLE. habitually hold them with the palms con- cealed. What she had thought might be a mere precaution that day at London was unmistakably a fixed habit. The talk for many moments drifted along inconsequentially, Ruth innocently taking the lead. She, apparently, had noticed nothing out of the way in the attitude of the two men. She was elated at having brought them together and made no effort to conceal her satisfaction. Grant presently excused himself and joined Mrs. Ferintosh at the farther end of the long room. Cassilis was left with Ruth and Miss Adair. Ruth and Cassilis were in the very midst of an eager conversation. The man’s embarrassment seemed to have quite passed off. Glory Adair, quite outside this conversa- tion, except for a chance word or two, let her eyes stray toward Grant. Grant, she observed, was whispering earnestly to Mrs. Ferintosh. The latter looked up and fixed her eyes a moment on Cassilis. She seemed to dissent from something Grant had just said; what words she uttered came to Glory’s ear as a low, placating murmur. Grant insisted. Mrs. Ferintosh rose. For the first time she spoke above a whisper. “Very well,’”’ she said in a tone so clear that all the room could not help but hear her, ‘ we will ask Mr. Cassilis himself.” Cassilis was on his feet already. It veri- tably seemed as though he had anticipated attack, and was in bristling readiness to meet it. As Mrs. Ferintosh came up he bowed to her deferentially, and stood silent, awaiting what she had to say: The lady tumed to Captain Grant. Grant smiled suavely. “TI am afraid, sergeant,” he said, “ there has been a trifling misapprehension on my part. I understood from Miss Ferintosh that you claimed to be an old pal of mine, and that you were with me in the Somme fight?” Cassilis spoke, not to Grant, however, but to Mrs. Ferintosh: “It is quite true that I told Miss Fer- intosh I was with Captain Grant at the Somme.” - 11i “Then,” said Captain Grant significant- ly, “that must have been after I was wounded, when I was delirious.” His meaning could not be mistaken. Cas-: silis still spoke, however, to Mrs. Ferintosh, his tone low and even: “Tt is true I talked to Captain Grant while he lay wounded, but he was quite himself. I am positive there was no de- lirium.”’ Grant kept his composure. He even smiled. His next words, though quietly spoken, came, however, like a thunder- clap: ‘“T am sorry, Mrs. Ferintosh, to create unpleasantness in the heme where I am your guest. Still, I considered it a duty to speak to you and a privilege to do so privately—and I can only repeat before this gentleman what I told you just now. I never met him before, at the Somme or — elsewhere, much less spoke to him. I do not say he is an impostor, but-d do say that you are entitled to see this credentials.”’ An embarrassed silence followed. The sound of Robinson moving softly about in the butler’s pantry, the clink of dishes in the distant kitchen, the ticking of the grandfather’s clock in the vestibule, all struck loud into the tragic stillness. All eyes were turned on Cassilis. drew a step closer to him. “T said Captain Grant,” returned Cassi- lis hotly. “ You are not Captain Grant.” A moment Captain Grant regarded him with evident bewilderment. “No?” he countered with an amused smile. ‘“‘ Then, tell me, who am I?” His flash of amusement passed; he turned grim- ly to Mrs. Ferintosh. “ This is a very se- rious charge. I am sorry this unpleasant- ness had to arise after our very pleasant dinner. I am quite prepared to prove my identity, if this gentleman is prepared to Ruth prove his. I will match credential against credential. Will you examine fhis, Mrs. Ferintosh?”’ This was his discharge certificate. The woman turned it over and over in her hands. For once in her life she seemed at a loss. She handed the paper mechanically to Glory Adair. Go NOOK (C@ 5}