_The_ MOVING FINGER By NATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN The Moving Finger The Nameless Man The Official Chaperon The Lost Despatch I Spy C. O. D. The Man Inside The Trevor Case D. APPLETON & COMPANY, NEW YORK [Illustration: “Object--matrimony,” he retorted. [PAGE 168]] _The_ MOVING FINGER BY NATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN AUTHOR OF “THE NAMELESS MAN,” “I SPY,” “C. O. D.,” “THE LOST DESPATCH,” “THE TREVOR CASE,” ETC. [Illustration] ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES L. WRENN D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1918 COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY THE FRANK A. MUNSEY COMPANY Printed in the United States of America TO MR. AND MRS. THOMAS E. NEWBOLD THIS YARN IS SPUN WITH INFINITE AFFECTION CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. VISIONS 1 II. TRAGEDY 8 III. TESTIMONY 23 IV. MORE TESTIMONY 40 V. DOROTHY DEANE, “SOCIETY EDITOR” 66 VI. THE WALL BETWEEN 81 VII. AT THORNEDALE LODGE 98 VIII. MANY INVENTIONS 114 IX. IN THE ATTIC 138 X. THE BLACK-EDGED CARD 154 XI. MRS. PORTER GROWS INQUISITIVE 170 XII. DETECTIVE MITCHELL ASKS QUESTIONS 186 XIII. THE RED HERRING 205 XIV. PRO AND CON 224 XV. EDGED TOOLS 243 XVI. HARE AND HOUNDS 259 XVII. VERA RECEIVES A LETTER 279 XVIII. THE COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTE 293 XIX. THE FIRST SHOT 313 XX. KA 322 XXI. BLIND MAN’S BUFF 329 XXII. “THE MOVING FINGER WRITES--” 344 XXIII. OUT OF THE MAZE 352 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS “Object--matrimony,” he retorted _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE “Yes, I heard,” Millicent could hardly articulate 16 “Who’s there?” she called, as heavy steps approached 142 “Hush!” he whispered. “No noise. Look----” 256 THE MOVING FINGER CHAPTER I VISIONS THE swish of starched skirts caused the man in the bed to roll slowly over, and for the first time patient and nurse regarded each other. The silence grew protracted. “Well?” The man’s tone was husky and the short interrogation was almost lost among the pillows. He made a second attempt, and this time his voice carried across the room. “What--what do you want?”