Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 189, No. 4 — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

614 “What!” I exclaimed, grabbing him by the shoulder. ‘‘ Where is she, man? Where is she?” “ Calm down now. Didn’t I say for you to take things quietly. Maybe it isn’t proper for me to tell you this at all, but I couldn’t bear not to relieve your suspense, knowing how you must feel.” “ For God’s sake be quick,” I urged him. “T must explain in snatches. You re- member that wire you sent your sweetheart in Clifton Falls?” “Yes,” I snapped. “ Well, that operator downstairs is a ‘cokie,’ and a certain drug peddler asked him for a copy of all your wires. See? Never mind how I know. Well, by our methods it was easy enough for me to get a flash and keep the kid quiet. Get me? Well, we thought something might break, so I was down to meet that train ahead of time, my sidekick staying behind to fol- low you. You were late.” “ Ves,” I told him, “ and the girl?” “ A little peach got off the train and after the crowd had cleared away I saw that she was looking about her disappointed as could be in not being met. She seemed to be searching for some one in a dazed way, as if half out of her mind. Then a young chap approached her, and I heard him ask if she were waiting for Dr. Robert Warner? ‘Ves,’ she said. ‘I’ve been sent for you,’ says he, ‘as the doctor has been detained.’ And they went off together.” ‘You followed,” I gasped. “ Of course—that’s my racket. Well, f was led right toward a house we’ve had under suspicion for a long time as dope headquarters, and there I am sure your girl is held captive.” “ And you stand there and tell me that? Give me the address! The police—” I trailed off. “Slow does it. If they took your girl there, it must be to get you to follow. There’s no motive in actually harming her, you can see that. And no use for us to raid an empty trap. The place is under constant surveillance, and when the right moment comes we will act. “But we want the big guns there when we do so, savvy? I’m dead certain you'll ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. hear by to-morrow—and if they try to draw you there—act like a mark and go! Remember we have a big squad handling this—and you’re the bait for the mea higher up.” “Why?” f asked numbly. “ Because they think you are the thief who stole the copy of the formula, Robin- son’s secret for wiping out the poppy! Now Pll leave you, kid. I am sure you may ex- pect some action to-morrow. Brace up and face the music. It’s all in the game.” I made an attempt to thank him, know- ing this the right thing to do under the cir- cumstances, but the effort was a feeble one. The callousness of allowing Julia to be used merely as another pawn in the game made it hard for me to do so. But I realized that I was quite helpless, and that it was useless for me to attempt to rush events— I could but wait and try to muster a little patience. However, though I now knew Julia was a prisoner, after the man left me, I really felt better than when in the dark of uncertainty that had clouded my mind. IT won’t say that I actually slept that night, but I did snatch a few winks before dawn, and then, oddly enough, I fell into a dreamless slumber until nine o’clock. Arising I tubbed and shaved, just as physically tired as if I had been up all night working, so does the mental react on the body. The phone rang and I picked up the re- ceiver. “Dr. Warner? Yes? We assume you want to see your sweetheart, Julia Senton. Well, obey instructions absolutely. There is now a closed red touring car parked in front of the door. Come downstairs and enter it without going to the desk, or speak- ing to a single soul. Obey these commands or you will never see your girl alive again.” { heard a click as the phone was hung up on the other end. Dressing hurriedly, I took the precaution to place my revolver in my back trousers - pocket, and took the elevator downstairs. Yes, I would certainly follow orders without question: every one on both sides ~ of the fence, in the dope ring and the Federal narcotic service, seemed to know Gomichooks (E)