Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

RED HOT. suppose you are willing to confirm the agreement. The place isn’t worth it.” ‘“My partner speaks for me,” said Lester, regarding the red faced man suspiciously. ‘‘ The place isn’t worth it. but" “That lets them out,” snapped the stranger. “Now you can talk busi- ness with me.” “T’ll pay the rent and sign the lease,” he finished. ‘‘ Am I to under- stand that this gentleman is trying to take the ground from under me?” ‘‘ He is anxious to get that location,” said Mr. Fanshaw. ‘“‘ However, we believe in giving our tenants a square deal, and I told Mr. What’s-his- name—” ‘ Colter.” “that he could have the place at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. I’m sorry, Mr. Nixon.” “Took here,’ exclaimed the red- faced man to Lester. “Tl give you five hundred dollars’ bonus to move out.” “Have you got the lease ready?” asked Lester, ignoring the offer. _ “ A thousand cash. You won’t make that in sausages in a month.” “ T’ll have the lease ready when your present month is up. The matter is closed,” said Fanshaw. ‘‘ Good day, Mr. Nixon.” With an inarticulate growl, the Nix- on person departed, slamming the door after him. “That’s why you had your rent jumped on you,” smiled Fanshaw. “He wants your stand something awful.” “What does he want it for?” “Some novelty drinking fountain,” he said. “Well, let him find another place. I’d like your signature to that agree- ment, Mr. Fanshaw, in view of the circumstances. You might change _ your mind.” “T won't, but I’ll fill in a lease form now if you like.” Lester waited until the printed form 517 had been inked in, and carried off his copy with a feeling of relief. When he got back to his place of business he scrutinized it with new respect, since it seemed to be in such demand. The premises consisted of a six-foot front, of which four feet was occupied by the window opening. It extended back twelve feet, but three feet at the rear was partitioned off for a closet and store room. There was little space behind the narrow counter, and no room for stools. When a dozen persons were in the place, the space before the counter was congested, and there was none too much room behind for the two proprie- tors. The establishment was spic and span, and white and shiny, but Les didn’t see why it could be so valuable to the man with the red face. He told Arthur Colter what had transpired in the agent’s office, and they congratulated each other upon their success in holding on. “That agent seems to be a very square shooter. He might have got a couple of hundred a month for the place if he had been willing to double cross us. It’s lucky you closed with him, Chipmunk.” ‘I’m the boy with the quick deci- sions,’ chuckled Arthur. “Though they are usually wrong.” Business was fair during the re- mainder of the day, and when they counted up in the early evening they found that they had about forty-five dollars profit. “At this rate we'll clear three hun- dred this week,’ Les exulted. ‘“ The crusade against hot dogs has blown up, old man, Next week we'll have the new stand running, and maybe one or two more. I'll go out shopping again in the morning.” They divided the day’s receipts for safety’s sake. Since the holdup Les had become cautious, and they were locking the door when a taxi drew up, and a.man hailed them from the win- dow. CORNICE LOOKS (E@)