Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-02-05
The Argyle Case On: s,s Of E; Bc' w 2;,<sF
By J. w. McoNAUGHY.
j. w. M'CoNAUGHY.

WISE ne began earnestly, and
cropped the hand suddenly as the door
clicked and Manning entered.
governor, the lady from Tolworthy's is
mere, ne announced without ceremony.
kayton, inwardly amused at what he
imagined would be the state of his ador-
ing disciples mind if he even remotely
guessed the character of the conference
he had interrupted, nodded brightly
Just minute, joe" he said Then
ne turned again to the girl
Miss Mazuret. this may be important"
he said, opening a door that led into an
inner office. II want you to wait in
the office here and be sure and not go
until l see you"
The girl murmured her Willingness to
obey his commands and passed in through
the door, which he promptly closed after
her
Where's that deep ink well. Joe?'
kayton demanded briskly. as If he had
never heard of a girl. Have we any
clean blotters?"
Joe was instantly busy and in a few
moments Kayton was ready.
See that we're not disturbed-for
anything" he warned Manning, as the lat
ter went to act as herald for the lady from
Tolworthys.
AS the door closed noiselessIy behind
the woman and Kayton was left alone
with her, he took her in from shoes to
hat in one swift scrutiny. What he saw
quickened him with thrill that was not
usual with him-the sense of a foeman
worthy of his steel. This was no ig-
norant money-hunting creature In age
she might have been anywhere between
38 and As years. She was dressed we'll
hut M civ 4
taste. Her eyes were large and dark,
and Kayton saw in them something that
made him suppress a gasp of surprise
In manner and appearance she was the
well-bred woman beyond all doubt, and
she still held much of beauty that once
might have been unusual
Kayton pretended to be busy at his
desk after this one swift glance and he
kept up the pretense until after she had
seated herself facing him and Joe had
departed
You have been referred TO me-" he
said slowly, going on with his writing as
if her errand were of no especial i'm
portance, ''by Mead & Tolworthy?'"
yes" she replied quietly, studying his
face as 1t bent over the desk IT an
swered their advertisement"
Kayton went on with his writing
you have some information concern
ing the person advertised for?"
Yes"
81 Am Nellie Marsh"
Then you know the name those mi
tials stand for?"
The woman did not reply at once, and
he raised his head and looked directly
at her for the first time.
You understand we took that means Of
avoiding publicity he said, courteously
You're not newspaper woman?"
mo" was the low reply. I'm Nellie
Marsh"
Not a ripple of the tiniest muscle be-
trayed Kayton's triumphant eagerness.
oh he said. with indifferent surprise,
and bent over his writing again. IT sup
pose you have some proof of your iden-
tity beside your knowledge of the name"
MY name is now Martin" replied the
visitor, taking card out of her bag and
laying it on his desk He glanced at it
with mild interest
This is your present address," he in
quired.
Eyes, 1 rent furnished rooms" she
said.
Furnished rooms2"
Yes"
Kayton laid down his pen and looked
up. well, Mrs. Martin, Mr.. Argyle has
left a considerable sum of money to Nell
lie Marsh for reasons that you doubtless
know, and nobody else appears to; so we
have taken this rather unusual means of
getting in touch with you"
Mrs Martin indicated that she under
stood and volunteered an explanation.
THE legacy has been left to me be-
cause of an obligation on Mr.. Argyle's
tod
him at a time when he greatly needed
money. There are personal reasons
why" she hesitated and showed faint
signs of suppressed emotions-'why 1
don't want to make myself known to the
family And if l can receive this money
without any inconvenient curiosity l
should be very glad Of II"
THAT can be arranged" declared Kay
ton "All we need is a proof of identity.
Have you received any money from him
before?"
Yes; for good many years"
Did you sign receipts?'
No
Did you ever write to Mr.. Argyle?''
The woman hesitated for an instant be
fore she replied.
Not recently"
Legal Red Tape.
II ask because II may save great deal
OF legal red tape If we could establish the
identity by signature" he explained.
otherwise, l suppose you will have to
obtain a copy of your birth certificate,
make affidavits and procure witnesses to
satisfy the executors and the probate
court ="
Wouldn't that involve a good deal of
expense?" inquired the visitor, uneasily.
Il suppose it would-yes, admitted
Kayton DO you think your signature
could be found among his papers,"
Mrs. Martin thought in silence for
moment and then exclaimed eagerly:
why, yesl My Endorsement of checks
if he kept them"
well then, If you'I leave your sigma
ture with me- said Kayton, rummagng
around on the top Of his desk. "I'll turn
! it over TO the lawyers.
THANK you,'' she replied, gratefully,
| and took off her glove, kayton pushed
in ~