Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-09-16
The Mystery Of
theSilver Dagger
BY Randall
Parrish
Author Of
"The Strange Case
Of Cavendish"
Copyright. sy R.nAan Parrish
cs,yr,sA.. ~ ..nA.n f..r.sa

| parlor of the McAlpin, on the mezza-
nine fioor-a friend wishes to see you"
| But really, do not recognize your
voice"
(which is not altogether strange, as
| am only the clerk on this floor. am
making this request in behalf of
| guest"
"A man or a woman, may l askr
| She laughed good-humoredly
Really. / am not at liberty to say.
You will come?'
Yes, of course"
| Before had really finished my SEN
tence the connection had been severed.
However. there was no doubt now in
my mind but that II was Harris.
took the subway and was at the en-
trance within twenty minutes, eager
to learn what had actually transpired
during the past twelve hours. With
out using the elevator passed up the
marble stairs to the mezzanine floor,
pausing in uncertainty at the top to
look about In search of some familiar
face. A number of people were con-
gregated about the rallied opening look
|
| were scattered around on convenient
divans, or at small writing desks.
From the recesses of the ladies' room
at the left came the strains of piano
music, and the sound OF a soprano
voice singing The song ceased to
clapping of hands. The faces l was
able to distinguish were all strange
and l moved forward in search
l had attained the opposite side of
the room before came TO a halt, sud
denly arrested by vision as startling
as unexpected. Leaning over the rail.
gazing intently down on the jostling
crowd to the lobby below, apparently
unconscious of all else, was Marie
Gessler There could he no doubt;
stood motionless, looking at her in
tently, satisfying myself that l could
not be deceived. No. 1t was certainly
the same girl / had talked with the
evening before, dressed more elaborate
ly, changed somewhat In appearance
by more careful toilet, yet assuredly
the same. She must have felt the
intensity of my stare and thus sensed
my presence, for she suddenly looked
about with little start. saw me In
stantly and arose to her feet. There
was II second of hesitation, barely per
ceptible. before she ventured step
forward, her lips smiling, her gloved
hand held out. l r.a. .-.t.,...
You were very nice to come" she
exclaimed quietly. Especially In re-
sponse to SO ungracious a message Of
invitation"
"It was you then who sent for mef'
"Of course. Did you imagine some
one else?'
II came rather blindly," admitted.
unwilling to mention Harris. "Your
messenger refused to satisfy my Gu
riosity even to the extent Of telling the
sex Of the one calling"
She laughed, quite at her ease now.
and seemingly amused.
''She was duly warned. l confess
feared you might hesitate to respond
If you once knew what awaited you"
mo fear of that
But didn't know" her voice more
earnest, her eyes on my face ques-
doningly. "You have not thought very
well of me. have you? Let us go over
there in the corner. where we can talk
without being overheard-there are
two vacant chairs"
We reached there and seated our
selves iu silence. / felt the necessity
of restraint, the desire to permit her
to lead the conversation In whatever
direction she thought best She ap-
peared younger in the bright light
her face even more attractive than in
my memory.
"You are thoroughly puzzled, are
you not?' she asked gayly. well
SO was l., last night. 1t is only right
/ should pay you back In your own
coin; that is perfectly fair, am sure
Now l know who you are, but / an
still an enigma. You accepted me OF
blind faith before; I wonder II you
are willing to do 1t againT
~ can hardly refuse"
Answered like gentleman. But
suppose | tell you nothing and yet
Would you risk your life for me. moi
even asking who am or why make
the request?"
There was a grave earnestness tc
the voice. an entreaty in the eyes not
to be ignored. This was no idle ques
ton TO he thrust aside with a smile
II believe I can make the pledge
to you" replied soberly. at is very
unusual. but
but you are Philip Severn" shs
interrupted, with an expressive ges
ture. Had you not been l wouic
have never asked"
ut is very nice Of you TO put It in
that way. l am sure. but how do You
chance to know that I am Philip
Severn?'
Suppose insist that also is my