Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 96: what you’re looking at

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722 “You think he’s an out-and-out crook, don’t you?” “Oh, sure. No question about it.” Seagrave again meditated for a space. “Tm through with Radcliffe,” he said . then, “and that’s strictly business, too. What he does personally is none of my funeral, of course. But I don’t think he can do me any good.” | “What shall you do?” Holmes asked. “ Did Radcliffe give you an advance?” “Yes, but I’ve got most of it. A week’s work will put me square with him. I haven’t paid my tailor. I think [ll apply to the Seagrave company for employment.” Holmes favored him with a stare. “That would create a strange situation, - wouldn’t it?” “Why? Mrs. Seagrave is a business woman. The fact that I’m her husband ought not to make any difference. ‘That’s the logic of Ruth’s attitude.” “‘T suppose it would be no stranger than a lot of other things that are happening,” Holmes agreed. “Do you know a man named Miller?” Seagrave asked. “T don’t. Why?” “Oh, nothing,” Seagrave said. was at Radcliffe’s to-night.” He decided swiftly to keep his encounter with Miller to himself. That was a little matter which he would settle with Mr. Miller personally. He wouldn’t be at all reluctant to land on Mr. Miller’s jaw if Miller persisted in trying to keep tabs on what he was doing. Before Holmes could speak again, his telephone rang. He rose and answered the - call. “Ts that so? Uh-uh. Yes. Rather se- rious, yes. Miller, eh? Work for Allison. Well, I'll be right down. Have you phoned to Radcliffe? You might. Yes, you can doubtless get bail, but they may hold him a while till he gets straightened out. Not very bad? Well, you'll have to convince - the police of that.” He hung up and turned round to Sea- grave with a chuckle issuing from his throat. ‘“‘ What do you think of a thing like that happening in this Great Sahara,” he asked. is4 He ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “What do you think of its happening to a - fox like Allison?” “Well, what?” Seagrave urged, as Holmes choked on his laughter. “ Allison,” Holmes gurgled, “ has been arrested for speeding while intoxicated.” CHAPTER IX. A LITTLE PAYMENT ON es ELL, I'll be darned,” said Sea- grave. “The fox has been caught in his own trap. Who phoned you?” “That precious Miller,’ Holmes an- swered. “ He said he and Allison were on their way to their hotel from a business meeting, and Allison narrowly missed an- other car and went into the curb. A handy ACCOUNT. policeman investigated and ran Allison in.” Seagrave revised his opinion of policemen just there. He saw that his former opin- ions had been a bit biased. On occasion a policeman could do a lot of good in a sad world. “ Miller wants to retain mé as counsel for Allison,” Holmes went on. “I told him I'd be right down. I don’t want the case, of course, but I’d like to have a talk with Allison just about now.” “Would it be ethical to take me along?” Seagrave asked. ‘“‘T guess the ethics of my noble profes- sion won’t suffer,’ Holmes said. ‘“ Besides, Allison might be called a pal of yours. You and he had been engaged in a little social diversion when Allison got ready for this plunge.” = “That’s right,” Seagrave laughed. “Well, it’s about the most ironical thing that’s come my way in a long time.” Holmes telephoned to have his car sent round and he and Seagrave drove to the station. Miller was standing before the wicket window which a police officer was working back of. He hastened up to Holmes with outstretched hand, but when he saw Seagrave he stopped and withdrew the hand. “ Oh, I’m not butting in,”’ Seagrave said. “T was visiting Mr. Holmes and thought I’d run down with him to see what the:row : Eomicbooks.;co