Books › Blue Book v035 n05 [1922-09], 1922 › scan 126
Scan 126
Blue Book v035 n05 [1922-09], 1922
44 lines. Read by computer on 17 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1inspiration when she spied an empty violin-case in a pawnshop window on her way downtown, "just the ticket to get me past the butler at the door;" after she had strolled up Wyandotte's glittering "Great White Way," with more than an hour to kill before the party began, and was wondering whether to kill it at the Royal movie theater or in the Palace, just across the street; after she had finally decided upon the Palace, because it advertised an exhibition of "the very latest thing, the color organ," and had cast her half-dollar into the booth and had entered to view that "very latest thing" with all due eagerness—after all this, and after she had been watching there for two or three minutes in the murk and the silence, while upon the screen the clavilux played its "color notes" of red and green, red and sapphire—then it was that Mamie got the big idea, literally in a flash.
3Red—green—red—sapphire—red again!
5Once more she found herself trying to imagine how she would feel, what she would be thinking about, were she in the murderer's shoes. Suppose he were sitting here now, where she was, watching in the dark silence. How those colored lights would torture her with reminders of her crime! How vividly she would see and hear it all again, that scene at the street crossing. . . . The green light on the traffic tower fades—the red flashes—the police-whistle shrills and the sapphire gleams. Now she must do it—now she plunges the knife into her victim's back—now that awful scream! In a flash she had it, then—her big idea.
7She hurried out of the theater, to a cigar-store next door, consulted a telephone directory for an address, then hailed a taxi and sped to the residence of Professor Alonzo Biggs.
9In the book-lined study of the Professor's house she unfolded her plan. As she talked, the Professor gazed at her in solemn silence over the top of his glasses, and at the end nodded in approval.
11"Sound psychology," he agreed, "sound and modern. Moreover, the attachments you suggest are perfectly practicable. A few cams, such as you use along the White Way downtown to make the electric light signs flicker, and you can cause the three bulbs to flash alternately: red—green—red—yellow—red. The tinkle of the bell is simple, too. But about the whistle—"
13"Get one off of a peanut-stand."
15"Good! That ought to be easy, too. How soon must you have it ready?"
17"By tomorrow evening, if you can possibly manage."
19"Count on it, then; we shall start to work immediately."
21"Thanks, Professor. Same to you! Now I've got to run along; I'm on my way to a party."
23On she dashed in the taxi to Hyde Park. At the Hallend house she alighted, and with the violin case containing the black hood under her arm, ran up the steps and punched the bell.
25"Orchestra!" she told the butler breathlessly, tapping the violin case. "Am I late?"
27"Yes, miss; sorry, but I fear you are," he answered. "They've already played the first number. Leave your things in the little hall room, second-floor rear."
29She hurried up the staircase.
31In the hall room she took out the black hood and slipped it on, then hastily stowed the violin case out of sight under the bed. A minute later she had joined the guests waiting for the second number in the big ballroom downstairs.
33THE orchestra struck up. It was sweeter music than any to which Mamie's ear was accustomed; the gowns were richer and more beautiful; the lights were softer. She was Cinderella, and her heart fluttered at the prospect of adventure.
35She edged past the dancers to the high casement windows opening upon the garden. She must have a moment to plan. . . . A fragrance of lilacs floated in on the spring air. She breathed deep of it, and gazed thoughtfully out into the night. What should she do to attract a dancing partner? At the West Side Social Club the trick would be easy. Well, maybe it would work here just as surely.
37She threw back her hood, so that the light shimmered golden on her hair. Now she had only to toss her head a certain jaunty way—like this—and Prince Charming would step up and ask Cinderella to dance with him. She waited.
39She felt some one touch her arm. Hastily she drew down the black hood and turned.
41"Can't fool ol' frien'. Knew you right away. That hair—nobody else like that, 'cept—hic—'cept—"
43Prince Charming appeared to be having a little difficulty with his speech. The
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