Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 152: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

778 comparing their fingers with those prints, until we strike the right man. What can we do?” “Compare ’em with the finger-prints at Police Headquarters,” answered Jack. “The man is most likely a crook, who has had his finger-prints taken there. If not— well, we'll think up something else, that’s all. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Tl get the car; you get your lid, Peggy, and Iet’s beat it down to the Courier office.” As stealthily as though they were on some errand of crime, in order that their news might not reach Aunt Sophronia until it proved itself to be worthy of telling, they whirled away to the office of the Courier. There they waited with what little patience they could command for the enlarged prints to be finished. But though their patience might be small, their spirits were high, be- cause they had high hopes to ride upon. Peggy’s eyes were very bright, her cheeks pink, and both were exceedingly becoming to Peggy. When the city editor, in person, scenting the possibility of a story, came to see these representatives of his paper’s own- er, she flirted with him unblushingly; a pro- ceeding to which he was in no way averse, and which amused Jack enormously. No flirtation, however, could for long side-track the city editor’s professional in- stincts. Even while flirting with Peggy he managed to draw from her a hint of the mission that brought her there, and then all other considerations were instantly rele- gated far to the background. “But how are you going to get at those finger-print records at Police Headquarters, Ayres?” he objected. ‘“ The people there aren’t likely to go out of their way to do you a favor; that’s one sure thing. You'd bet- ter let me handle this. Il give the en- larged photographs—they’re ready now— to our lawyer. His offices are next door, and the police have nothing against him. We can save no end of time, that way.” This plan was far too good to meet any- thing but ready agreement on Jack’s part. The photographs therefore were despatched —and then he and Peggy waited. It was hard work—that waiting. Desperately hard work. To Peggy especially, unused as ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, she was to this sort of thing, it was almost maddening. Her nerves strained almost to the break- ing point, Peggy nervously paced the room. Knowing her of old, Jack had the deep dis- cernment to leave her alone in her present mood. There followed a long period of waiting before the city editor reappeared, and in a state of excitement such as city editors rarely permit themselves to show. “Tt just has been telephoned from Police Headquarters that the finger-prints are those of John Dugan, alias James Wilson,” he announced, with breathless haste. ‘‘ He was accused of larceny and committed for trial in default of a thousand dollars bail. But don’t go, Ayres. Something big— something that concerns you—is about to break. I don’t know what—not yet. But you wait! He vanished. The door slammed behind him, and once more Peggy and Jack were left alone. Suddenly, then most unexpect- edly and utterly without warning, she flung herself upon Jack and began to cry as though her heart would break. “No,” she stammered, between her sobs, as he tried to comfort her, “ —l—lemme alone! I’m just h—happy. That’s all. Jimmy’s f—f—found. I’m so sure that ev—everything will be all right that I d—don’t feel wuw-wicked to be happy any more.” So Jack laughed, and kissed her—not on the ear, this time. They became so oblivi- ous to all else happening in the universe that they were recalled to a realization of such things only when a door was flung vio- lently open. Springing apart, and turning as they did so, they beheld an office boy, fiery-haired and freckled, who grinned upon them from the open portal. “Gee!” he remarked. ‘“ Yuh needn’t mind me. But dere’s some udder guys what'll be here in a minute. Say, but dere won’t be no story in dis old rag—oh, no! It’s Senator Reynolds what’s comin’, and some high-toned cops from Washin’ton, an’ alot more. Dey’re bringin’ Jimmy Wilson —an’ say! Them Washin’ton cops has pinched de mayor an’ de district attorney! It’s straight! about dat!” COLT Ghooaks Now whadda yer know COL