Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

OUT OF THE WORLD FOR A WHILE. swiftly in the brief time he had been back home. Seagrave might go on a rampage if he grew suspicious. “You better hike, boys,” Allison said. “ Bring him in as fast as you can.” The two men left. Radcliffe turned to Allison. “May I go home?” he asked. keep my mouth shut.” “Youll keep your mouth shut all right, but you won’t go home,” Allison retorted. “ Sit down and be still.” Thirty minutes passed, and then there was a ring from downstairs. Allison opened the street door. There was at once the sound of mounting feet on the stairway, and Miller flung the hall door open. He stepped back and ushered Seagrave into the room. Then he and Brown entered. Allison had risen from his chair and he confronted Seagrave. Seagrave looked at him with cold insolence in his eyes. Alli- son waited for him to speak, but Seagrave did not open his mouth. He seemed satis- fied to take in the situation in ironical humor. “ Seagrave,” Radcliffe broke out, “I had nothing to do with this. They made me call you up.” ‘“T guessed as much when these two men came out from the trees and put a gun on me,” Seagrave said. “ Have they got you in a box, Radcliffe?” “T guess they’ve got you in a box,” Rad- cliffe said. “ Well, I don’t know,” Seagrave retorted. “ We'll have to find out about that. You've got into bad company, Radcliffe. You see what happens to a man when he drifts into bad company.” Seagrave spoke lightly, his smile still on his lips. The smile seemed to infuriate Al- lison. “Vowre a humorist, aren’t you?” he ground out. “‘ Hell, you’re a great one to be stalking about bad companions, a gutter- snipe like you!” “Tm talking out of experience,” Sea- grave said. “ The man. who knows is the man who can give the best advice.” “ Well, aren’t you curious as to why we have brought you here?” Allison asked. “Not a bit. I guess that will come out et Vl 939 in due time. You haven’t any time to waste, you fellows. This town is getting mighty hot for you.” “ Cut in, Miller,” Allison ordered. Miller “ cut in” by producing his gun, as he had produced it against Radcliffe. Seagrave tossed a contemptuous look at him. : “What ’re you going to do with that, Miller?” Seagrave asked. “Shoot you, if you don’t do what the -boss orders,” Miller said. You haven't got the eee! Seagrave stated. ‘“‘Haven’t IP Just try me.” “Never mind the argument,” Allison broke in. ‘* Miller will shoot-if he has to. Now, Seagrave, [ll tell you what I want. You go to the phone and call up your ‘* Yes?” Seagrave said. “Tell her you are in trouble. Ask her to meet you where Miller and Brown met you. We'll do the rest.” Seagrave’s eyes darkened, but his lips still held their smile. ‘You're a fool, Allison,” he said. wouldn’t come.” ‘Why wouldn’t she?” ‘‘ Because she would know that there was something wrong somewhere and because I couldn’t tell her any story that would bring her to meet me.’ ‘You'll try anyhow. Go up to the phone and get her number. You’re clever. Use your wits. Get her down to the park. Do it now, or Miller will attend to your case.” Seagrave half turned to the telephone. The look in his eyes became a cold glitter of hate for Allison. He did not believe that Miller would shoot. These fellows couldn’t afford to murder him. But even if he had believed Miller would shoot, he wouldn’t have called Ruth. What did they think he was? Did they think because he had had a long lapse that there was no good in him? Did they think he cared enough about his own safety to imperil his wife to insure that safety? Behind him, as he stood looking at the telephone, he heard Allison move. He glanced over his shoulder as if he would speak, and saw that Allison had stepped Comicoooks “¢ She (©)