Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

846 “T got to live, though,” Harvey told him. “Well, you’ve been living, haven’t you? Not entirely on what you have earned, I might remind you. You can have what Money you need. In fact—well, here’s the letter I just received from the Craig boys.” He passed the communication across the desk, watched narrowly as Harvey read it. The latter trembled with excitement as he perused the typewritten sheet: Emit Dost, Esa., 987 William Street, New York, U. S. A, Dear Sir—You letter in reference to the Wentworth estate, as well as that of Mr. Merle Wentworth, has come to hand. Also the power of attorney appears to be quite satisfactory. I inclose copy of the inventory and you will note that opposite each security, I have set down the present market value of same. This is for your guidance in case quotations on some of the items are not easily obtainable in New York. The estate property, you will observe, is put in at twenty-two thousand pounds ster- ling. This, I may add, is a conservative esti- mate, in my opinion. There is, as you see, the sum of seventeen thousand pounds lying in bank. All, or any part of this is, of course, available for the use of your client. There are, however, so many details to be settled in connection with the main bulk of the estate, that I would urge, in view of your desire to settle the business speedily, that you and Mr. Wentworth make a trip to Edin- burgh. So much more can thus be accom- plished in a short time than by post and cable. I think you will agree with me in this and the amount involved is sufficiently large to warrant such a journey. In case this meets with your approval, you might cable me to that effect and, if funds are required, I shall be pleased to wire an advance of a thousand pounds—or whatever you may suggest—for expenses incidental to the undertaking. Awaiting your decision and assuring you of our very best efforts in behalf of your client, Lam Yours faithfully, Douctas CRAIG. “That’s kinda putting it up to you, isn’t it?” Harvey asked, eyes searching Dost’s face. “Whew! How are you going to manage it?” “ By going!” Dost replied shortly. ‘Harvey jumped to his feet as if prodded by apin. “Going! Are you crazy? Any- way, you don’t mean that J’m to go!” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, ‘Sure I do,” the other snapped. “See here! Up to date everything has gone swim- mingly, hasn’t it?” “I suppose so—except this,” Harvey ad- mitted, pointing to the letter. “How in hell,” he added, “do you figure I could Dost ran his eyes over his companion. “You've got to take a brace,” he said, a little more amiably. “ You’re too much on edge. I tell you there isn’t a thing to worry about. We’re going to pull this off without a hitch. Only—only, you’ve got to get a better grip on yourself. You are the only possible snag in the works.” He paused. “ Ever sniff a little?” he inquired cautiously. ‘A few times,” Harvey told him. “ It’s a mug’s game, though.” “Don’t be silly. I’m not advocating it as a steady thing. But when a fellow needs something to steady him, that’s another matter. You'd better have a shot now. It will clear your head for what I want to ex- plain to you. You'll see.” “ Oh, all right,” Sykes said. Dost brought forth a small phial, rolled a little of the white powder on the back of Harvey’s hand. The youth, still trembling, . sniffed it eagerly. Perhaps it really would steady his nerves, “Stick that in your pocket,” Dost or- dered, tendering the bottle. Harvey took it, The lawyer fussed about with some pa- pers; Sykes waited, saying nothing. After a bit, Dost returned to the subject under consideration. “You will probably agree with me in this,” he said. ‘‘ Not to follow Craig’s ad- vice would look bad. It might even arouse suspicion. Anybody who declines to make a trip to Europe to collect a matter of half a million dollars, would be looked upon as crazy. See?” Harvey nodded. Dost continued: “ Al- ready I have started the ball rolling.” He shoved an unsigned letter across the desk. “Here is a request to the town clerk of Templeton, Ohio, for a copy of Merle Went- worth’s birth certificate, for legal purposes. ‘You sign it with his name and shoot it along. When it comes, as it will immediate- (0) .OOKS (E@)