Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

THE SIGN OF THE SERPENT. “ How is she?” said Stephen, like a flash. “ Miss Marney? She is suffering from shock. There is nothing to be feared now —she must be kept quiet for a while,” said the doctor. ‘“ Sergeant, I have just seen Sir Piers. He is now fully conscious; he asked me if the police were here, and I think he wants to make a statement. If you are to hear it, you had better come at once.”’ The news relieved the sergeant immense- ly. He hurried downstairs, taking Stephen with him. In the hall they found the con- stable. “ Ferne, take charge of this man; keep him here till I come out,” said the ser- geant. ‘“‘ Am I arrested?” asked Stephen. “ Ves,” replied the sergeant, and followed the doctor into a room to the right of the hall. It was a large apartment that had been used in the past as a ground-floor bed- room. On the bed lay what remained of Piers Marney. CHAPTER L. REPARATIONS. IERS’S face was as the face ofa dead man, save only for the eyes, which were bright, clear, and almost uncan- nily alive. They followed the movements of the two men who so quietly entered the room. The doctor seated himself beside the bed. ‘“ Are you in charge here, sergeant?” said Piers in a clear, thin voice. His lips scarce- ly moved. ‘Yes, sir.” “T have a statement to make to you. Doctor!” c¢ Yes?” “ What is my chance of recovery? Have I any at all?” The doctor did not answer. Piers read the reply in his eyes. “Thank you, doctor,” said Piers quietly. ‘“‘T am infinitely obliged to you. I see that I have none.” The sergeant, looking very troubled, moved nearer to the bed. “That is better,” said Piers. “ Sit near 2835 I have time, I suppose, for the little that needs to be done. It 1s, of course, impossible to move me.” He paused. ‘What has become of that man who attacked me?” “He is dead, Sir Piers.” Piers’s eyelids drooped slightly. He seemed about to speak again, when a voice became audible outside in the hall, and again the eyes opened. “Who is that I hear speaking?” he asked. “ A man I found on the premises, sir,’ said the sergeant, ‘“‘ who calls himself Ste- phen Marney.” Another pause. “ Bring him in here,” said Piers. The sergeant hesitated, but the doctor, with a glance at his patient, rose and opened the door. A few moments later Stephen stood at the foot ofthe bed, and saw that the shadow of death lay over the man who lay there. They looked at each other in silence. ““Where is my niece Beatrice?” asked Piers. : The doctor explained quietly. “IT understand,” said the level, toneless voice. “ My brain is perfectly clear. She is not injured, then? Where did you find her, sergeant?”’ ““T have not seen her yet, Sir Piers. She is in the doctor’s hands.” Piers made no reply. For quite a min- ute or more there was dead silence. The Sergeant seemed about to break it, but the doctor made him a warning sign. They waited for Piers to speak. “You have not seen her?”’ he said at last. And then: ‘“ Richard Maxon— He was in the room with me when I was attacked by that madman. What has become of Maxon?” “He is lying unconscious with a bullet wound in his chest,’ said the sergeant, “but the doctor says he will recover. It’s impossible for me to question him. It is to you I am looking for information, Sir Piers.” There was a third and longer pause. The eyes of the dying man, shining from the immobile face, were extraordinarily intelli- gent and alert. me, both of you. DOOK C©