Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

632 don’t give me the right to—say, I’m through arguing with you.” “You need not argue,” said Barry. “IT shall be glad to answer your ques- tions, but it is quite useless to try to browbeat me. It cannot be done. “See here. I’m not a fool. You don’t dare kill me here. You don’t dare even injure me seriously. “You might give a hard beating to some prisoner with a criminal record and get away with it, for none would believe him. But my record is clean; better than that, I’m proud of it.” The detective snorted scornfully, but sat there fiddling with a pen holder. His two companions were listening in- tently. Barry wondered if his own estimate of the situation was correct. When the detective resumed the conversation in a softer tone he felt somewhat bet- ter. He was not as sure as he might have been that they would not kill him. “A policeman was found dead in the cellar of that house where you are living,” said the detective musingly. “ He had been shot with an automatic pistol of the same caliber as one which is later found in your room upstairs. Your pistol had been fired recently. Question: Who killed the policeman ?”’ “Those circumstances might justify suspicion,” admitted Barry. “ But they certainly do not justify the abuse to which I have been subjected.” “* Aw,’ complained one of the other men, ‘‘ don’t split hairs with the rat. Let’s give him the works.”’ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. neighborhood? Where'd you Nick the Grik? Huh?” “What is your rank in the police department?” asked Barry in turn. “I’m an acting captain of detectives. Good enough for you?” -_Ylenty,~ agreed Barry. Moy-if you will ask these other men to step out of earshot and will give me your word not to allow what I say to get into the newspapers I’ll answer those questions.” A gleam of triumph came into the deep-set eyes of the detective. “You fellows can step outside.” It was an order and they left. “T have your word?” temporized Barry. “Sure, sure. I never tell the news- papers anything.” “Tf you will call Hamilton of the Atlas Casualty Insurance Company he will verify for you what I am about to say. [ama special investigator try- ing, at his direction, to establish a link between the gang of which this Nick seems to be head and a receiver of stolen property.” The detective was genuinely interest- ed, but somewhat skeptical. “Tell me the name of the fence.” ““Not.a chance.” Barry’s tone was impressively final. “‘ You get in touch with Hamilton and he’ll soon persuade you that what [ say is true. If he wants to tell you the name of this fence he may do so.” “Why won't you tell the name of the fence? We don’t like fences. Go meet “Shut up, Rogan. Now then, you, on and tell me the name of the fence.”’ what’s your name?” “Well, that is a sensible question and easily answered: Barry Rand.” “None of that lippy stuff now. How old are you?” “ Twenty-six.” “You look older. country ?”’ The questions flowed along in a _ steady monotone for awhile until the detective asked : “ What were you doing down in that Born in this “T can’t do that.” Barry spoke with rather more of emotion in his voice than he intended. “It’s this way: A person working with me is now at work in the establishment of the fence. If I speak this person might be killed or harmed. * Besides, all that we have done so far would be wasted. The whole gang could conceal evidence—”’ “You know what?” ‘The detective had turned in his swivel chair so that EOPMICLOOO KS (E@)