Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

THE MILLIONAIRE PIKER. keeping company ‘with me regularly for months?” “ But, Miss Long, I know fohn Garret- son, and I know that the man who tells you he is Howard Andrews is lymg to you. Perhaps he has led to you in other particu- lars. Did he tell you that he has ten mil- lion dollars in his own name?” — “Ten million dollars! Ten million! You're crazy, man. Why he’s so hard up now that I have to keep my job downtown to earn money to help pay for the furnish- ings of the apartment we’re going to have after we get married.” “Then, Miss Long, he’s as tight as he is rich.” “You can’t be right, but, if you are, he’s’ some piker, that’s what he is. How do you know who he is?” “Miss Long, ve known John Gareei- son by sight for a dozen years, and I’m not mistaken. We even keep our money in the Traders Bank. But, to be sure, you know where the bank is. Every morning about half past nine, John Garretson drives up to the bank in a’ limousine bearimg his ini- tials. Suppose you get down there to-mor- row morning and wait for him. If you recognize him and are sure that your Ho- ward Andrews is actually John Garretson, just you come across the street to our of- fices at 101 Main Street, and we'll see what we can do for you. “ However, Miss Long,” he continued, ‘‘ we are most reputable practitioners. We have never engaged in such a matter as this before. solicited. So when you come into the office you are to state that you do not know either of us. Please be sure to do this. Otherwise ae will not see you and can- not help you” “Tf you’re right about this, Mr. Rem- ington, that piker will suffer. The idea of letting me work! The idea!” “Good night, Miss Long, ” the partners said as they went out. TE. ANDERSON TALMAGE was gazing out of the front windows -of his office the next morning telling Ethel Keyes of the interest- You must come to us entirely un- ing movie he and Remington had seen the previous evening. that flitted across his face, but she had not seen the Hmousine that drew up at the _ curb on the other side of the street, and even if she had, she could not have knowl the thoughts that were in her employer’s mind. Talmage had returned to his room, and the Trinity chimes had just sounded ten o'clock when the door to the Remington & Talmage offices was opened by Mildred - Long. Miss Keyes looked up questioning- ly from her desk. ‘Whom do you wish to see?” she asked. “Ts Mr. Remington in?” the visitor asked. “Yes, what is your name?” “Ym Miss Long.” “Does he know you?” © “No, I don’t think so.” “Have you an appointment?” “No, but I must see him.” “ Sit down, please. Ill see if he is busy.” Miss Keyes knocked at Remington’s door, and on being asked to enter, did so. “Lady to see you, Mr. Remington,” she said. “ Her name’s Miss Long.” “Does she know me, Miss Keyes?” he asked. a e 6S: but she says she must see you.” “What’s she like—old, young, good- looking, or what?” “She’s very young, Mr. Remington, and quite good-looking.” x “Ask her to step in, please, and ask Mar. ‘Falmage to come in here, too.” Miss Keyes went out and held the door open for Miss Lone. Remington stood up. me, Miss Long?” “Yes,” she said. “I.want to see you if you’re Mr. Remington.” “ Well, ’m Remington ali right.” “You wish to see Just then Talmage stepped into the room, and Remington continued, “And this is my partner, Mr. Talmage.” He turned to Talmage and said, “ ‘Fal, this is Miss Leng.” Then Remington asked, “ What can we. do for you, Miss Lone?” “You can help me in a law case.’ “ What kind of a case, Miss Long?” oO She wondered at a smile (&) ONMIKCIOOKS