Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 14, 1928 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

DAMMING HAIRPIN CANON, the sheet in an envelope he happened to have with him, and turned it over to his messenger. Then, the car being once more in shape to travel by this time, he felt that he could essay with a clear con- science the perils of his driver and the road. Whatever might befall, he was at least absolved from the sins of in- gratitude or petty spite. He could face the Recording Angel with a clean bill of health. Yet, although the return trip was even a bit more hair raising than the one out, and the Mexican a trifle more care-free on the turns, they somehow arrived safely at Rio Rita. Norman, by what he could never regard as other than a miracle, found himself deliv- ered intact at the hotel. His head still whirling from the dizzy ordeal, he did not notice Craw- ford as he entered the hotel, until the latter clapped him on the shoulder and called his name. Norman drew back a little, and stif- fened. But when Crawford handed him the message dropped in the tele- graph office, and explained how he happened to have it in his possession, his manner of aloofness rather crum- bled. : Involuntarily he reddened and winced, expecting the wise-cracker to begin ragging him over his discharge, for the benefit of a group of other traveling men in the hotel office. But to his surprise, Crawford’s man- ner expressed a decent sympathy. “Tough luck, old man,” he said with a shake of the head. ‘“ But what we've all got to expect, if things hap- pen to go wrong. Your turn to-day. Maybe it ’Il be mine to-morrow. ‘It was on account of losing out on this Los Chicos contract, I suppose?” he wrinkled up his forehead. “ Well, I’m sorry to be the indirect cause. But if it hadn’t been me, it would have been somebody else. Believe me, Nor- man, you never had a chance.” “That’s been made pretty plain to 185 me by some things [’ve found out,” said Norman significantly. Crawford shot him a quick glance of question from under his brows, but covered it immediately with a laugh. ? ‘Oh, don’t go in for post-mortems, my boy,” he advised. ‘“‘ When an award’s gone in this game, it’s dead. I’ve never seen any good come yet from rattling the dry bones. “Way, I always do,” he shrugged, “is charge the losses off to experience, and go gunning for the next prospect. “And by the way,” he spoke as if the thought had just occurred to him, “you're looking for a new connection, I fancy? Well, I’ve heard that there’s going to be a mighty good opening with the Devlin Company of Philadel- phia. “Tf you like, I’ll give you a boost to Joe Devlin. He’s a good friend of mine. “And if I was you, too, I wouldn’t waste any time writing letters to ’em. I’d hop the rattler, and go right on to Philly, and see ’em in person. “ Listen!” he caught Norman by the arm. “I’ve got that auto here I came over from the junction with last night. I’d held it, expecting to go back this evening. But I’ve had a wire from the old man telling me to stick here a few days, and it “Il have to make the © return trip empty. “It’s paid for, and you’re welcome to use it; and, don’t you see, that ’ll give you a chance to catch the mid- night at the junction, and start East without delay.” Norman was not unfamiliar with the old adage about fearing the Greeks most when they are bearing gifts. He ascribed Crawford’s eagerness to get rid of him, however, to a desire to pre- vent further investigation on his part into the local crookedness. But as he had already decided that he could not afford to stay at Rio Rita and give time to that, he saw no reason why he should not profit by the offer. vDOOK COLMMUCE (E@)