Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

852 man, who turned for further information to the chap who had summoned him. He was jotting down notes when Dost put in an ap- pearance. It took the lawyer less than a minute to scent danger—a very tangible peril. And his nimble wits sprang into action. He could foretell an extremely nasty aftermath if a story were cabled along the lines Mr. Carver was planning. It would be copied all over the United States. Good story, too. Penniless American clerk coming into tremendous fortune through death of un- known uncle in Scotland. Whew! He could fancy Merle Wentworth reading that! Beads of perspiration broke out on the brow of Mr. Dost. Then he had it! Quietly he drew Joe Carver aside. He indicated Harvey, smiled, and shrugged heiplessly. “Pretty bad, isn’t he?” he inquired. “ He’s accumulated a beaut!” allowed Mr. Carver. ‘“ You with him?” “Ves. I’m his attorney. That’s why I nabbed you. Want to be sure you’ve got the right dope—if you’re going to send any- thing.” “Tm going to send something. Good yarn. Here’s what I’ve got.” He pulled out his crumpled notes and read: “ ‘ Young American, Merle Wentworth of New York, inherits million pounds from uncle he never saw.’ What is it, Donald Wertworth, of Dundee?” Dost laughed long and heartily. “ Good thing I checked you up,” he said. “In the first place, get the name right. It’s Earl Whitworth, not Merle Wentworth! And the uncle was on his mother’s side— Baird MacDonald was his name and he lived in Perth, not Dundee. Earl is all mixed up, poor fish!” Carver was busily correcting his notes. “ Much obliged,” he said. ‘ Glad you put me right. How about the amount? That O. K.?” “My Lord, no! What did you haver A million pounds? Whoops! My noble client is going wide and handsome! Twen- ty-five thousand dollars is more like it; between twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars. And if he keeps this up, it will ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. be nearer thirty cents when he lands in New York.” “Oh!” Carver looked disappointed. Dost knew then that the yarn, if any, would call for not more than ten lines. He spirited Harvey away to his room when it became possible and, having ap- plied vigorous sobering measures, proceeded to hand that young man a proper dressing down. , Harvey shuddered at the picture Dost painted of what might have resulted from his indiscretion had he not chanced to come in when he did. ‘“ Gawd!” he said, “‘ let’s get out of this!” “I’m for it,’ Dost told him, wiping his forehead again from force of habit. “ And until we do sail, you’re going to lie low. Get that?” From that moment, until they were safe- ly aboard the ship, Dost watched his charge like a cat. And his vigilance did not re- lax during the voyage. Once in New York he sighed with relief, felt almost kindly toward the man who had almost accomplished the undoing of both. They shook hands and separated gladly; arranged to meet at Dost’s place the next morning. XIV. CrarE Hotzis was tidying the little apartment in Welling Place. She expected Merle along soon and they were going to the theater. The girl hummed snatches of divers melodies as she moved about, for she was happy. Her mother was improv- ing rapidly and, just as the load seemed too heavy for her to carry, the hospital bills had been astonshingly cut by one half! In explanation of this, the superintendent had said: ‘‘ You see, your mother has been here a long time and will be here for a considerable period still. We often reduce our terms in such cases; we don’t want to rub it in, you know.” She smiled and patted Clare’s hand. But she did not say that the reduction was due to certain arrangements made be- tween the institution and one Merle Went- worth, who now was shouldering half of the expense. She had agreed not to reveal that fact. (€(0) .OOKS mic (E(0)