Detective and mystery stories; Stone, Fleming (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
"Yes, he's a very high-class affair. Handsome chap and fond of dress. But
he's invaluable to me. Speaks almost perfect English, and knows
everything there is to know,--and then some. Knows, too, everybody who
has ever been in Cairo or ever thought of coming here. And he possesses
the proud distinction of being the only dragoman here-abouts who hasn't a
letter of recommendation from Hichens. You haven't that, have you, Ahri?"
for the Arab had just reappeared.
A marvelous set of white teeth gleamed in the sunlight, as the response
came quickly: "I had one, Mr. Loria, but I sold it. They are of use to
others; Ahri needs none." His self-conceit was superb, and he spoke with
the air of a prince. But warned by Loria, Pauline gave him no answering
smile, rather a patronizing nod, and Ahri's respect for the newcomer went
up several points.
"Come along, girlie," commanded Carrington and he took Pauline's arm as
he hurried her to the boat-train.
Watchful Ahri showed them to the compartment he had secured for them, and
soon they were on their way to Cairo.
"Now, tell me everything," said Carr Loria, as they sat alone. "This is a
three-hour trip and I want to know the whole story. Just think, Pauline,
I've had only a few letters, and they were--well,--they were almost
contradictory in some ways. So tell me all, from the beginning."
Pauline did, and by the time they reached Cairo, Loria knew as much as
she of the death of their aunt and the subsequent search for the
murderer.
"Wasn't it strange," he mused, "that that Bates person should go in to
kill her, the very night somebody else had the same intention?"
"Well, but, Carr, Bates didn't start out to kill her, you know; he went
to steal the jewels, and he knew they were all in the house that night,
because Estelle told him so. Now, of course, whoever gave her the poison,
must have known it too----"
"Oh, I don't know. Why didn't somebody want to put her out of the way to
get a bequest? Not necessarily the Count gentleman, but maybe one of the
servants. Maybe that Estelle? Didn't she receive a legacy in Aunt Lucy's
will?"
"Yes, but nobody has thought of suspecting her."
"Don't see why not. I thought of her first clip. I don't think that Stone
paragon amounts to much. Hey, what are you blushing about? Sits the wind
in that quarter?"
"Don't tease me, Carr. I _do_ like him better than any man I ever saw,
but----"
"And so you ran away and left him! Out with it, Polly. Tell your old
Uncle Dudley the story of your life!"
"There's nothing to tell, Carr, about Mr. Stone. But I came to you,
because some people suspect me,--_ME_--of--of killing Aunt Lucy----"
"Pauline! They don't! Who suspects you?"
"All the police people, and Gray and Anita Frayne,----"
"They do! You poor little girl! I'm glad you came to me. I'll take care
of you. But, Polly, whom do _you_ suspect? Honest, now, who is in your
mind?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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