Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

RED form our class of self-made million- aires, which explains why millionaires are not usually very winsome. Nora would have laughed joyously if she could have read his thoughts, but Nora was not thinking about him at all; she never did, and to-night she had important matters to consider. “Wait in the cab,” she commanded, when they reached the Brinker house. She was out of the vehicle before he had time to offer his assistance, and running up the steps. The door opened before she reached it, and Hilda emerged, closing the big portal softly behind her. “T sneaked out,’ she laughed. “Fran doesn’t know I’m coming with you. Fran is very nice, Miss Meagher, but she isn’t fond of Arthur Colter, and I am, only I don’t want him to know it.” “T picked up an escort for us,” ex- plained Nora, as they approached the cab. ‘‘ Randolph Milligan. You know him?” “T don’t think so.” “ Why, he’s your father’s secretary.” “ That prune!” sniffed Hilda. Nora giggled. Ranny saw them coming, and was out on the sidewalk. “Tow do you do, Mr. Milligan?” said Hilda sweetly. Ranny bowed. ‘“ Delighted to be of service,’ he declared. “Good boy, Chesterfield,” mured Nora. He gave his hand to each of the girls as they stepped into the cab, “ What shall I tell the driver, Miss Brinker ?” “Tell him, please, to go to police headquarters.” Ranny’s jaw dropped. “Really,” he protested, ‘‘ I must tell him something.” “Tell him police headquarters in a mur- hurry,’ Nora instructed. “Then jump in here and don’t delay us.” Apprehension was stealing over Ranny, but he mumbled the address and entered the cab. HOT, 645 “May I ask why you young ladies wish to go to police headquarters?” he inquired. ‘It’s like this,” Nora began. “ Two friends of ours have disappeared from their homes and we want the police to find them.”’ “Indeed. May I ask the young ladies’ names?” It was MHiulda’s turn to giggle. “Arthur Colter and Lester Lucus,” she stated. “Young men! But do you think it is seemly. Surely their male rela- tives—” Nora interrupted: ‘‘ We know what we are about, Ranny. All you have ta do is to be our silent escort.” “Lester Lucus,” he repeated. ““ Nora, surely that isn’t—” “Yep. You met him at my house. He runs a hot-dog stand,” declared Nora, whose eyes were mirthful. Teas- ing Ranny was a respite from anxiety. Mr. Milligan was so shocked he was unable to speak for a moment. ‘The girls were whispering together. “ Miss Brinker,” he began uneasily, “T ought to tell you that this Lucus person annoyed your father greatly. I am sure he would not like to have you appear at a police station inquiring for him.” “T am not afraid of father, Un- doubtedly he will be furious,” said Hilda. : ‘A chill was stealing over Ranny. When Mr. Brinker was furious he took it out on somebody, usually his secre- tary. If Ludwig learned that he had escorted Hilda to police headquarters to make inquiries for a hot-dog man, his wrath would be appalling. Ranny might lose his job. Oh, this was a dreadful situation, and Nora _ had dragged him into it. “Tam employed by Mr. Brinker, as you know,” he stated stiffly. “I do not wish to be a party to this affair.” ““ Stop the cab and get out,” snapped Hilda. “‘ We don’t need you. Why did you bring him, Miss Meagher?” COPMICLOOOKS (E@)