The Washington times., 1913-10-01
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE FLYING COURTSHIP + 1KyArH
lin and
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.,ly beyond my comprehension, unless
1t was all a part of some quickly
formed design that he wished to cover
He was polite. even deferential; yet ]
was convinced that inwardly he was
laughing at me.
My WISH was not going at all as
had expected. 1 was beginning u gel
angry at myself. although / resolved
not ID make a display of temper.
You stand right where you are. VIM
ton,''- said, turning the automatic In
his direction. III do you the compIi-
ment to say that l think you'n bear
| watching. So don't move"
| Il WON'T he answered obediently.
| He doesn't dare shoot in this hotel"
put in Purvis. but l noticed that he
was circumspect- in retaining the pose
had ordered for him.
Wrong, Purvis,'' said Vinton. "Mr.
Mansfield would certainly shoot IL he
had to. He would much rather shoot
than have the two of US on top of
him. In his position. certainly should
1 Put yourself in his place, man. There
are two to one. Why shouldn': he
J shoot?'
| He seemed to find diversion in dis
cussing the affair from a hypothetical
standpoint.
! If you don't mind getting down to
business" he added. almost apologetic-
. l trHnKIy.
l want my breakfast
/; I'm not here about the compass"
answered, controlling my anger, which
was only increased by the mans brszen
calmness.
so? And what are you here about?'
Just at present I'm representing the
| estate Of the late Rufus Jennings" I
said.
so you were in the house last
night!' he remarked quietly That's
interesting. I knew I smelled a cigar
This man Is clever. Purvis,' and he
turned to his companion with a nod.
He fooled me last night. Good work.
Mansfield. And did YOU happen to be
in that rear room. upstairs?"
/ nodded.
BY Jove. but he fooled me, Purvis,
Ny compliments. SIR" Vinton bowed
at me satirically. I'm sorry we didn
have the pleasure Of meeting therein
the dark" he added smoothly.
As looked at the size and poise Of
him l wasn't sorry: I was exceedingly
glad. There was cold, steady look in
his eyes that made me uncomfortable.
if we had 1 said. but somehow his
attitude made me feel that I was only
a braggart.
Ready for me. eh? That was good.
Now will you believe that I have in
around and walked me out Of that
room. You don't believe In instinct.
Purvis. but I do.
The fat man in the chair grunted
so You want the will?' he asked.
turning to me again.
Exactly, Mr.. Vinton.
Assuming that it is in this room.
suppose?" 49,,
And you're correct, he replied, with
a nod. 1T is here. Do you wish 10
make the search?"
I'll let you do that, il you please.
"He doesn't trust US. Purvis. said
yinton, with mock dismay. We'll. l
don't blame him. I suppose you re
authorized to obtain this WILL MANS
field?" .,,hor,,v
I answered.
"A little irregular. but considering
the circumstances it seems sufficlent:
he observed. :. Il Issnss;sld guess Ne II nav"
Tbs mans astonishing acquiescence
was nnttinr me more than ever upon
smard Al every instant l expected
I 1T is in that grip at your LEFT left dnn.f near
the bed.' he went on. Ii sou me
want to lose sight OF Purvls ana ie.
Won can easily locate 1t with your ioo'
before you stoop to get II.
Without for an instant taking my
eves off Vinton. / did as ne susSesteu'
and found the bag. Keeping the AUTO
n,a,e steadily ,Ptsa PSa'thh the b bag S and placed
~ on the bed. Then my fingers began
fussins with the eaten. :. :.
"pnsh it the other way. That's It,
said Vinton, as the bag opened L
7 turned it upside down and poured
the contents ,e IS Tue mostlR GH tnI papeps. ps''
..1,hor. n is right under your hand,
directed Vinton.
7 cropped until my fingers came IN con-
tact with a paper that seemed to be
topmost on d pile.
That's it," his voice went on.
raised the document to point |
,,bors 7 could examine it without let !
ting Vintor and Purvis out of the line |
of INV glance 1t was will, all right |
When | shook 1t open / saw red seal /
ut the bottom of the third sheet and
the curious scrawl. Rufus Jennings.
And then | knew my mission had been !
fnIdlled. 1t had all been so easy that
I puzzled over it. l could not tell what
10 make of Vinton's manner, of his
surrender. In fact, the ease
with which had accomplished the job
unsettled me a bit. l felt that there
must be something wrong about it.
Putting the will into my pocket.
reached down again and began gather
ing up a handful of others papers.
"Oh. now. / say said Vinton. rs
that quite proper, Mansfield? I don't
think so. You just came for the will.
you know
7 hesitated. 1t did seem somewhat un-
fair to make any further seizures. l,
had no scruples about the will. but this
smacked a little of larceny.
'.I assure you there's nothing there of
value to YOU" he went on. ''and the
loss Of the papers would simply involve
.n anroyancc tC NE.
IT guess I've annoyed YOU enough"
said. dropping the handful and resuming
nv position against the doo-.
THANK you." he replied. bowing
q gain. Ard now can ] ask YOU 10
hid US good morning. Mansfield? It's
we'll after 9 o'clock, I haven't break
tasted. ard Purvis and have a busy
Law. What time was that appointment
- yNo- DNno p,1ryfa 1