Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

si a ll -~ = y n 3 : oe ett cine i ” — ’ ~ Jess aching. But it was very ~ “i ; was keeping it hidden away down there rom force of her will. But she knew that it was there, waiting to force its way up and overwhelm her—the instant that she was alone. However, she was able to smile, in spite of it. She was able to chatter about thing—to jest—to flirt. “a was 14 strange to her — that she should be sitting there, playing a part as though she were an actress in a play. And knowing all the time that this was not she —as she would be. She had to struggle constantly against the mad desire to rise and pound the table and scream: ‘* Listen—all of you! There is a dead man upstairs—and they think I killed him!”’ The desire to tell all the world about the dead man was—at times—almost irresis- tible! It was only by thinking of Garry’s Steady gray eyes that she could control it. The thought of Garry gave her strength —confidence. He was so cool, so absolute- ly safe and sane and dependable. She felt suddenly very tired, and wanted to creep into his arms and rest. But—the lights went up; the negroes bowed themselves out of view: the band struck up another popu- lar number; and smiling, Katherine got up to dance. Meanwhile, holding her ermine coat care- lessly about her, Joan Olcott crossed the floor and found Garry in the hallway be- yond. There was a vague look of anxious expectancy in her strange eyes. “ You sent for me? You've something to say to me—about Guy da Costa?” “ Yes,” he answered quietly. “ Will you come upstairs a moment, please>” “Is that necessary?” ori Yes.” Her frown deepened, but without further question or protest, she followed him. He threw open the door to the little French drawing-room for her. She passed in. And as her glance flashed from Silvers—round the little room—she saw the covered body. By some strange Instinct she sensed that it was he. She stif- an firmation. — “Yes— Guy!” he admitted | “What do you know about it?” — He threw back the cover 1 sh screamed-—hoarsely, in agony. It ¥ dreadful—the most dreadful cry they had al ever heard—the shriek of a soul in tor- ment. ‘“ My God!” she cried, then, dropping on her knees beside him. ‘ Murdered!”’ Her lips just framed the word. She bent over him — touched him— as though to make sure that she was really seeing this! Then—for an instant—she was motionless. Garry touched her shoulder and urged her to rise, while Silvers restored the white covering. She got up mechanically. “ Guy,” she whispered, as though to her- self, “ dead—murdered—and only a half hour ago—or less—he spoke to me!” She looked at Garry. “It isn’t true! I can't believe it! It can’t be true. I can’t realise el “You don't know who could have done it?” asked Garry. She gazed toward the covered figure again—startled. “Of course,” she murmured. “ Some- body has done it. Somebody killed him!” Here was relief for her pent up feelings —here Was an outlet for the violent pas- ~ that strained at their bonds within er. “Whoever it is—well find him!” she cried, with clenched fists and blazing eyes. “ae must find him—do you hear? [’]} give every cent I’ve got to bring him to Justice'”’ ‘‘ Have you any idea who he is?” asked Garry, studying her. She hesitated—looked up, frowning. " No,” she said slowly: ous of him. Or women he has lance into her eyes: her red lips scornfully. ~ All are not li “4 Eom 5 o Keto There came a strange bril- might be half a dozen. Men who aa .