Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

SOFT MONEY. Plymouth which would take that problem off your hands?” asked Campbell. ‘“ British customs are not like American customs. It’s a perfunctory examination. Of course, we could have suspected persons thoroughly searched. And it’s possible he has a confederate among the crew who would hold the jewels until there was a chance of turning them over to him. In that case, no customs search would avail anything.” “I’m going to take the chance,” de- clared Rod. “Then you can expect severe treatment at my hands if you fail,” smiled the cap- tain. ‘‘ But I wish you luck.” ‘““And we are out of jail again.” “J trust you won’t be arrested again during the voyage.” They shook hands all around and the boys descended to the promenade deck. “Do you really mean to hold up Higgin- son?”’ demanded Campbell. “T certainly do.” ‘““ How are you going to do it?” ‘“'You go down to the smokeroom and horn into his bridge game. Here’s a hun- dred dollars. Play all the evening. Then invite him down to our stateroom for a bottle of champagne.” “What makes you so darn sure he did ite ‘* Because he is the only person on board who would think of planting those earrings in our room. Don’t you see that it must be he?” “‘ But supposing he hasn’t got the jewels on him? He could send us to jail.” “1’m doing this for your sake. You are still under suspicion, the captain said. We can’t go along with you suspected of be- ing a thief. You won’t be really cleared unless we find the thief. I am liable to be stuck for the value of those jewels if they are not found when the ship gets to port, and they might try you for the theft anyway. I’m cleared, but you are only loose on my recognizance.” Howard looked despondent. ‘ What a lot I’ve let you in for! You know I didn’t touch the darn jewels, don’t you, Rod?” “ Of course. You aren’t much good, but you are no crook.” 429 “Thanks, old man. I appreciate the © way you have stood by me.” Forget it.” “TI guess I'll take a stroll with Miss Thomas if I can find her,” said Howard, ° his spirits rebounding as usual. ‘““T guess you won’t. You go to the smokeroom. I’m going to find her myself.” ‘Darn it, Rod, look here! I’m in love with that girl and you are not. Don’t go butting in on my game.” “How do you know I’m not in love with her.” “You couldn’t be. to you.” Look what she did CHAPTER XXII. ROD SEES MORE OF GERTRUDE, “T isn’t how a woman treats you that makes you fall in love with her,” said Rod thoughtfully. “ By rights I ought to hate her, even after she explained every- thing so cleverly. I don’t know that I am in love with her. “Tl tell you what I’ll do. I won’t look her up while we are working on this Hig- ginson matter. You go to the smokeroom and join him. I’d do it myself, but I can’t play bridge. Tll go off into a corner and read a book. Fair field and no favor.” “You are a corker,” declared Howard gratefully. “ Now watch me turn detective.” He started down to the smokeroom and Rod turned into the ship’s library in search of a book. Sitting in a big chair next the bookcase was Gertrude Thomas. She bowed and smiled at him. “ This is fate,” thought Rod. ‘‘ Nobody could blame me for taking advantage of It. Heaven knows I didn’t go hunting for her.” So he went over and sat alongside Ger- trude. Several old ladies tucked away in corners of the big room watched them and nodded their heads. Of course the*story that she had reported — him to the captain for daring to address her had gone all over the ship, and to see her pulling aside her skirts to make room for him gave them a topic for an entire. evening’s gossip. One or two nodded to others, Each knew what was passing Eomichooks (S@)