Part 28 (1/2)

'Aha,' I says, or words to that effect. I opened it. What do you think was in it?”

”I don't have to think--I know,” said Magee. ”Money. In the name of heaven, Peters, tell me where you've got the thing.”

”Just a minute, Mr. Magee. Let me tell it my way. You're right. There was money in that package. Lots of it. Enough to found a university, or buy a woman's gowns for a year. I was examining it careful-like when a shadow came in the doorway. I looked up--”

”Who?” asked Magee breathlessly.

”That little blinky-eyed Professor Bolton was standing there, most owlish and interested. He came into the refrigerator. 'That package you have in your hand, Peters,' he says, 'belongs to me. I put it in cold storage so it would keep. I'll take it now.' Well, Mr. Magee, I'm a peaceful man. I could have battered that professor into a learned sort of jelly if I'd wanted to. But I'm a great admirer of Mr. Carnegie, on account of the library, and I go in for peace. I knew it wasn't exactly the thing, but--”

”You gave him the package?”

”That's hardly the way I would put it, Mr. Magee. I made no outcry or resistance when he took it. 'I'm just a cook,' I says, 'in this house. I ain't the trusted old family retainer that retains its fortunes like a safety deposit vault.' So I let go the bundle. It was weak of me, I know, but I sort of got the habit of giving up money, being married so many years.”

”Peters,” said Mr. Magee, ”I'm sorry your grip was so insecure, but I'm mighty glad you came to me with this matter.”

”He told me I wasn't to mention it to anybody,” replied the hermit, ”but as I say, I sort of look on it that we were here first, and if our guests get to chasing untold wealth up and down the place, we ought to let each other in on it.”

”Correct,” answered Magee. ”You are a valuable man, Peters. I want you to know that I appreciate the way you have acted in this affair.” Four shadowy figures tramped in through the dining-room door. ”I should say,”

he continued, ”that the menu you propose for dinner will prove most gratifying.”

”What--oh--yes, sir,” said Peters. ”Is that all?”

”Quite,” smiled Magee. ”Unless--just a minute, this may concern you--on my word, there's another new face at Baldpate.”

He stood up, and in the light of the fire met Hayden. Now he saw that the face of the latest comer was scheming and weak, and that under a small blond mustache a very cruel mouth sought to hide. The stranger gazed at Magee with an annoyance plainly marked.

”A friend of mine--Mr.--er--Downs, Mr. Magee,” muttered Bland.

”Oh, come now,” smiled Magee. ”Let's tell our real names. I heard you greeting your friend a minute ago. How are you, Mr. Hayden?”

He held out his hand. Hayden looked him angrily in the eyes.

”Who the devil are you?” he asked.

”Do you mean,” said Magee, ”that you didn't catch the name. It's Magee--William Hallowell Magee. I hold a record hereabouts, Mr. Hayden.

I spent nearly an hour at Baldpate Inn--alone. You see, I was the first of our amiable little party to arrive. Let me make you welcome. Are you staying to dinner? You must.”

”I'm not,” growled Hayden.

”Don't believe him, Mr. Magee,” sneered the mayor, ”he doesn't always say what he means. He's going to stay, all right.”

”Yes, you'd better, Mr. Hayden,” advised Bland.

”Huh--delighted, I'm sure,” snapped Hayden. He strolled over to the wall, and in the light of the fire examined a picture nonchalantly.

”The pride of our inn,” Mr. Magee, following, explained pleasantly, ”the admiral. It is within these very walls in summer that he plays his famous game of solitaire.”

Hayden wheeled quickly, and looked Magee in the eyes. A flush crossed his face, leaving it paler than before. He turned away without speaking.

”Peters,” said Magee, ”you heard what Mr. Hayden said. An extra plate at dinner, please. I must leave you for a moment, gentlemen.” He saw that their eyes followed him eagerly--full of suspicion, menacing. ”We shall all meet again, very shortly.”