explaining how it all happened when he himself was seized and died
instantly."
"And Stephanie?"
Pendleton turned sharply to the butler, who was standing open-mouthed
behind them, and said:--
"Tompkins, call up Dr. Hubbard at once and ask him to come over
immediately."
He waited until the man had gone and the door was closed behind
him--then he lowered his voice.
"Stephanie was here through it all--she had fainted on the couch."
"Where is she now?"
"In the piazza-room!"
"How much does she know?"
"Everything."
"Who else knows it?"
"No one."
"Not even Tompkins?"
"Not even Tompkins. He and the other servants were at dinner--their
dining-room is in the rear downstairs."
"You are positive? They," with an expressive gesture toward the floor,
"must have made considerable noise."
"If you had seen Tompkins' face when he came to answer your ring, you
would not doubt," Pendleton replied.
"Then why bring Stephanie into the affair? Let her know nothing--let
her be upstairs--anywhere--so long as she isn't on _this floor_.--How
did _you_ enter?" he asked suddenly.
"Through the piazza-room."
"Are you prepared to take the risk of being--implicated--to relieve
Stephanie?" Cameron asked.
"I understand," Pendleton answered. "I am willing to take the risk."
"And Stephanie can--if the extremity arise," Cameron went on, "tell
the facts and relieve you. We may have to confide in the front office,
but I think even that will not be necessary. Fix up the story with her
while I notify the police. I'll use the upstairs telephone."
"What do you want me to tell?" asked Stephanie, entering the hall from
the dining-room door.
She had regained her composure--and save for a slight flush on her
cheeks she appeared as calm and self-contained as ever.
"We want to save you the painful experience of having to relate what
happened--there," Pendleton replied, with a slight motion toward the
living-room. "You can say that you were upstairs asleep--lying down
after dinner--that you heard nothing of the fight until something
aroused you and you descended to find Cameron and me here, and the----"
"How will you account for _your_ presence?" she interrupted.
"By the truth--that I came to call, entered the house by the piazza and
the living-room just as Lorraine delivered the fatal blow, Lorraine's
explanation of the deed, and his own sudden death."
Slowly she shook her head.
"Do you think the police will believe it?" she asked.
"Certainly--why should they doubt it?" he answered.
"Do you think the public will believe it?"
"Of course!--And what have the public to do with it anyway?"
"They might ask, both the police and the public--and the police will
_have_ to ask if the public demands to know--what you had to do with
the killing? Your friendship to me in the past; your--devotion in
the present; my--love, they will say, for you; the coincidence of
Lorraine's and Amherst's visits, coupled with your own, and that
_you_ survive while _they_ died--all, all will make most startling
inferences, don't you think, Montague?"
"Not in the least, dear!" he smiled, though he knew she spoke the
truth--at least so far as the public was concerned. To it there would
always be something unexplained about the tragedy; something that
either he or Stephanie could have made plain--and would not. "My
reputation and standing in the community, and the reputation of my
family before me, is sufficient answer to such inferences," he added.
Again she shook her head.
"No man's reputation should be taxed--where murder has been done
and self-interest can be imputed--when the truth can be told by an
eye-witness," she decided. "I shall have to speak eventually, so it is
much the wiser to speak at once--to delay will only breed doubt of my
tale. I shall tell the story, dear."
"No--you shall----"
"Yes, dear; I shall tell the story."
It was final. Even Pendleton realized it.
"Am I worth it, little woman?" he asked.
"It is _I_ who am not worthy," she replied--"I never have been worthy
of your--love."
He held out his arms.
"Sweetheart!" he cried.
She went to him, with an adorable smile and a sigh of supreme content.
"If you wish it, dearest," she whispered, "if you wish it--after a
little time."
FINIS
_New Stories by John Reed Scott_
Since the publication of "The Colonel of the Red Huzzars," Mr. Scott
has written continuously for an increasing audience. His stories of
American life as well as his Valerian romances have pleased thousands
of readers, and each new novel from his pen shows the versatility and
skill of a master of fiction. "The First Hurdle and Others," his latest
work, is Mr. Scott at his best.
The First Hurdle and Others
By JOHN REED SCOTT
_Author of "The Colonel of the Red Huzzars," "The Princess Dehra,"
"Beatrix of Clare," "The Woman in Question," "The Impostor," "In
Her Own Right," etc._
_Frontispiece in color by James Montgomery Flagg 12mo. Cloth, $1.25
net. Postpaid, $1.37_
"It is the one book of short stories that is worth reading from
cover to cover."--_Pittsburg Dispatch._
"The stories are entertaining, live and well written."--_Chicago
Tribune._
"Mr. Scott's ability has grown remarkably as a writer of fiction.
They are written with skill and humor."--_Indianapolis News._
"The same vivid imagination and rapid manner that was liked in 'The
Colonel of the Red Huzzars' and the 'Princess Dehra' are manifested
in Mr. Scott's briefer work."--_Hartford Courant._
"They are all interesting."--_New York Sun._
_Illustrated booklet, "The Writing of a Series of Great Romances," sent
on request_
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
PUBLISHERS PHILADELPHIA
_John Reed Scott's Most Dashing and Spirited Romance_
THE LAST TRY
By JOHN REED SCOTT
_Author of "The Colonel of the Red Huzzars," "The Princess Dehra,"
"Beatrix of Clare," "The Woman in Question," "The Impostor," "In Her
Own Right," etc._
Three illustrations in color by Clarence F. Underwood. 12mo. Cloth,
$1.25 net. Postpaid, $1.37.
This is a totally independent story, complete in itself, but in effect
is a sequel to "The Colonel of the Red Huzzars" and "The Princess
Dehra." In it for the last time the Duke of Lotzen tries to win the
throne of his forefathers. Not openly nor in kingly fashion does he go
about his work, but sneakingly, with all kinds of murderous designs
upon the life of the rightful ruler of Valeria. Then, when everything
else has proved futile, Lotzen plays his last card--he abducts the
lovely Dehra, Queen of Valeria.
How Armand meets this Last Try of Lotzen--which is played out to a
finish in the capital of the Kingdom with peace and quiet on every
side--how he and Lotzen fight a duel to the death in Ferida Palace, is
told with a vividness, a finish and a dash, which Mr. Scott has never
surpassed. It is the last of the trilogy and, we think, the best.
"Spirited, graceful and absorbing at all times--hats off to John
Reed Scott."--_Boston Globe._
"A novel none should sidestep, for it would be missing the best one
of the season."--_Grand Rapids Herald._
"Romantic, ingenious and stirring fiction."--_N. Y. Times._
"A tale of adventure that never slackens its headlong pace. It is
a lively and altogether satisfactory piece of fiction."--_New York
Tribune._
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
PUBLISHERS PHILADELPHIA
"_'The Lady Doc' is a stirring and deeply-appealing volume._"--_Boston
Globe._
The Lady Doc
By CAROLINE LOCKHART
_Author of "Me--Smith."_
_Illustrated by Gayle Hoskins. 12mo. Cloth, $1.25 net._
The Lady Doc is a woman physician graduate of one of the "diploma
mills" who settles in a typical little "cow-town" of the Far West. The
town is in process of booming and the "Lady Doc," being a woman of
strong personality and more than average looks, enters with avidity
into the difficulties which arise. She allies herself with the local
"Ward McAllister," who has his own troubles when he attempts to draw
social lines among the crude Westerners, and many humorous and tragic
events follow. There is also a merry little "biscuit shooter" with an
unusual history who gains a lover in the young Easterner who arrives
just when things are beginning to get interesting.
"The humor is at times irresistible."--_Philadelphia Press._
"A compelling story--one so absorbing that hours slip by unnoticed
until the end is reached."--_Chicago Tribune._
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
PUBLISHERS PHILADELPHIA
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|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. |
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