The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Case and The Girl, by Randall Parrish

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: The Case and The Girl

Author: Randall Parrish

Release Date: May 15, 2004 [EBook #12357]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CASE AND THE GIRL ***

Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

THE CASE AND THE GIRL

BY RANDALL PARRISH

1922

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE

II A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT

III THE COOLIDGE HOME

IV MISS COOLIDGE EXPLAINS

V WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND

VI UNTANGLING THREADS

VII A VISIT TO THE INDIGENT

VIII A NEW MISS COOLIDGE

IX AN UNEXPECTED DISMISSAL

X THE BODY OF A SUICIDE

XI SUSPICION VERIFIED

XII AGAINST A STONE WALL

XIII 238 WRAY STREET

XIV TRAPPED

XV THE EDGE OF COMPROMISE

XVI WEST MAKES HIS CHOICE

XVII FACING DEATH

XVIII UNDER COVER

XIX THE COMING OF A MESSAGE

XX WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD

XXI THE YACHT "SEMINOLE"

XXII KIDNAPPED

XXIII THE FATE OF A PRISONER

XXIV THE SINKING YACHT

XXV FREE OF THE YACHT

XXVI THE COMING OF DAWN

XXVII LOVE BREAKS SILENCE

XXVIII AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT

XXIX THE HOUSE IN THE BLUFFS

XXX HOBART FORGETS AND TALKS

XXXI McADAMS BLOWS IN

XXXII A BRIDGE OF LOVE

THE CASE AND THE GIRL

CHAPTER I

THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE

West, still attired in khaki uniform, but wearing the red chevron of honourable discharge on his left sleeve, sat in the Club writing room, his feet comfortably elevated, endeavouring to extract some entertainment from the evening paper. The news was not particularly interesting, however, and finally, obsessed with the feeling that it would soon be time for him to seriously contemplate the procuring of suitable employment, the young man turned the sheet about rather idly, and ran his eyes down the columns devoted to classified advertising.

Half way down the first column, under the head of "miscellaneous," he paused and read a paragraph with some interest; then read it over again, emitting a soft whistle between his teeth.

"Well, by Jove!" he said to himself slowly, "That doesn't sound so bad either; out of the ordinary, at least. Say, Thompson," and he turned to a tall young fellow busily writing at the adjoining desk, and shoved the paper under his eyes, pointing at the paragraph which had attracted attention, with one finger, "What do you make out of that, old man?"

The other, rather sober-faced, and slow of speech, read the advertisement word by word, with no change of expression.

"Rot," he said solemnly. "Either a joke, or some scheme on. Why? interested in it?"

"In a measure, yes. Sounds rather business-like to me. I've got a good mind to answer, and take a chance."

"You're a fool if you do, Matt," decisively, and turning back to his writing. "That is some game being pulled off, and the first thing you know, you'll be in bad. Likely as not it means blackmail. Besides there is no address."

"That's one thing I like about it," retorted the other. "They are in earnest, and taking no chances of having their purpose guessed at. There is a way to reach them, if the one answering is sufficiently in earnest. By Jove, I don't see how any one can get in bad, merely by finding out what it all means."

"Well, do as you please; you would anyhow. Only you have my advice."

West read the item again. He had been eighteen months in France, and his discharge from the army had left him bored and dissatisfied with the dull routine of civil life. He dreaded to get back into the harness of a prosaic existence; even his profession as a civil engineer had someway lost its charm. He had tasted the joy of adventure, the thrill of danger, and it was still alluring. This advertisement promised a mystery which strangely attracted his imagination.

"Wanted: Young man of education and daring for service involving some personal peril. Good pay, and unusual reward if successful. May have to leave city. Purpose disclosed only in personal interview."

As Thompson had pointed out, this was not signed, nor any address given.

West crossed over to an unoccupied desk, and wrote a reply, changing the wording several times, and finally making a clean copy. Thompson glanced across at him, but said nothing. The answer read:

"To Advertiser: Am 26; late captain of Engineers; University graduate adventurous disposition. Would be glad to consider your proposition. Address, Box 57, University Club."

He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing the boy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office.

Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small envelope, addressed in a lady's handwriting apparently, and mailed from one of the sub-postoffices. West tore it open rather eagerly, and read the contents with surprise. The words within had been written by the same hand which appeared upon the envelope, but the language used gave him no clue to the purpose of the writer. The brief note read:

"Box 57 University Club.

"Your answer to advertisement makes a good impression, and I am willing to put you to the further test of a personal meeting. If you are in earnest in this matter, and quite prepared to assume the necessary risk, you will be at the north-west corner of Spaulding Park at 5:30 to-morrow afternoon. Do not come in uniform, but it will be well to bring evening clothes in a bag. Be sure of yourself, and be prompt.

"Very truly yours,

"The Advertiser."

West read this over, again and again, smoking furiously, and endeavouring to weigh each word. He saw Thompson in the other room, but decided not to submit the epistle to his criticism. The letter sounded honest and sincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was selecting an agent with great care and secrecy. No hint as to what that object was would be revealed blindly—he must be tried in every way first; thoroughly tested as to both character and courage. Undoubtedly steps had already been taken to do this. The delay in reply would have afforded opportunity for some investigation, as his address would give the necessary clue