Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 14, 1928 — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

198 “J do not,” he protested. “ But you can drive a flivver, I sup- pose?” “Ah, that is something else yet. *Bawn an’ bred in dat brier patch,’ Miss Todd. I come from Detroit.” “ Well, then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to ask you to put in the rest of the day by driving over to Salem, the county seat of Bridger County. It has struck me that we might as well begin our investigations by finding out just who owns that plateau land on the other side of the cafion.” Accordingly, Norman started off in one of the cars belonging to the estate. He had driven only a few feet, how- ever, when a hail from the house stopped him. Big Bill approached, carrying a pistol and belt in his hands. “Miss Molly says you are to wear this,” he announced. Norman shook his head. “Nothing doing,” he said. “I never owned one in my life before, and I wouldn’t know how to use it if [ did have it.” “Tf Miss Molly says you are to wear it, you'll wear it.” The ranch manager’s voice carried a warning note, and Norman recog- nized the gleam in his eye. The mem- ory of his abduction was too fresh for him not to realize that ‘‘ Miss Molly’s orders” were law. With a sigh of resignation he buckled on the belt and started off, reaching Rio Rita without incident. But while he stopped for gas at Com- missioner Creel’s filling station across from the hotel, Crawford sighted him and came hurrying over. “Well, if it isn’t the long lost Charlie Ross!” he exclaimed mocking- ly. “The dames sure are getting des- perate nowadays, when they have to send out gunmen to abduct their boy friends.” Norman bristled at the sneering in- sult in his tone. “That Il do. Crawford,” he warned darkly. “I’ve told you before that ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. you'd better keep a civil tongue in your head.” “Oh, sure. I was only joking, of course. But speaking seriously, have you come to your senses yet, and de- cided to go after that Philadelphia job?” “No,” said Norman curtly. going to stay right here.” Crawford stared at him. “You're crazy. What can you do in Rio Rita?” “ve got a good job already, keep- ing accounts and looking after the cor- respondence of the Todd estate.”’ Nor- man’s impersonation of artless pride was really not half bad. ‘‘ Miss Todd has taken me on as her private secre- tary.” Crawford shot him a quick glance of displeasure. ‘““Her snooper, you mean, don’t you?” he snapped. “ Better go slow on that stuff. Fenton told me—” He broke off as if fearful of saying too much, and instead took up a per- Suasive tone. * Oh, ‘heck, Rich!’ —~He Wid his hand on Norman’s arm. ‘“ You’re too good a man to bury yourself in a dump “Tam like this, working for a woman. No future in that. “ Listen, boy,” he urged. ‘ You go after that Philadelphia vacancy. Let me wire to Joe Devlin that you’re on your way, and that as a personal favor to me, I want him to place you. That ’ll practically cinch it.” “Thanks.” Norman shook his head indifferently. “ But I’m quite satisfied where Iam. Nice day, isn’t it? Well, [ve got to be moving along.” And off he chugged down the street. Crawford stood looking after him with a scowl. “TI can’t make that guy at all,” he grumbled to Commissioner Creel, who had come out from the garage to join him. ‘‘ He seems an absolute dub, and yet he’s always surprising you. I guess it’s just as I told him, he’s a fool for luck. He— COPMICLOOOLK< (F@