Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

432 law made this purchase. But, because we are friends, for your sake I shall try to help you.” ‘“T appreciate it,” said Huber Davis, not without anxiety. His anxiety was war- ranted. “‘If you will give me advice it shall be followed-implicitly, I assure you.” Li Mow Gee smoked until his long pipe sucked dry. “ Well, then, bring to me that candle- stick and whatever else was with it— candles, perhaps. I will make good what- ever sum your honorable relative expended, and I will see to it that the matter is ad- justed in the right quarters in case trouble has arisen. But, remember, time is an ele- ment of importance.” ‘In half an hour,” said Huber Davis earnestly, “I shall return with the things.” Li Mow Gee picked up his cup of tea, signaling that the interview was ended. Huber Davis dropped business and hur- ried home. If he could have reconciled it with his conscience, he would have let mat- ters alone in the confidence that before a great while Reginald Cdrefrew would be removed from this mortal sphere; but Huber Davis had a stiff conscience. Be- sides, there was Ruth. If Ruth still loved this swindler, Huber Davis intended to pro- tect and further him—for her sake. There was a good deal of the old conventional spirit in Huber Davis. He expected trouble, and was prepare® to handle it firmly; but he wanted to avoid a scene if possible. So, finding Carefrew engaged in packing, he lighted his pipe and watched for a few moments without broach- ing the subject on his mind. “How much,” he said at last, “do you -expect to get for that candlestick if you ! sell it?” | Carefrew looked at him in surprise. “Eh? Think I have some judgment, after all, do you? Oh, I ought to get a hundred easily.” ‘Well, see here,” proposed Huber Davis, “T do like the thing, Reggy. Tell you what: I'll give a hundred and twenty-five, cash down, if you’ll turn it over. Eh?” Carefrew grinned. .‘‘ Hundred and fifty takes it,”’ he said. “You nasty son of—” thought Huber ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN'S MAGAZINE. . ly... ~~ Davis. With an effort he controlled him- self and produced his check-book. By the time he had written the check Carefrew had unpacked the candlestick. Huber Davis remembered the negligible remark which Li Mow Gee had made about the candles. ‘* Throw in the candles,” he said, waving the check to dry it. “I want ’em.” Carefrew assented with a laugh. ‘“ You are welcome, old boy! I’ve never yet got that damned red stuff off my hands; noth- ing touches it. It ‘ll have to wear off. And it itches!” Huber Davis paid little attention to him, but picked up the wrapped candlestick, took the two-foot bamboo sections, and starfed off down the hiff ‘““ Now, you dirty whelp,” he mentally apostrophized his relative, “I’ve got you out of a cursed bad situation, only you don’t know it and would never believe it!” Upon reaching the funny-bone in the Street of the Heavenly Elbow, he sent in -his name and was ushered quickly to the presence of Li Mow Gee. “ There’s the stuff,” he said, with a deep breath of relief. ‘“ And I’m in your debt, Li. [ll remember it.” Li Mow Gee smiled slightly, ironically, as though Huber Davis might stand more in his debt than yas known or dreamed of. “Don’t forget the price,”’ he said quiet- ‘Accounts must be kept straight, my friend. What was the cost of this thing?” ‘“‘ Nineteen florins, but don’t bother about that,” returned the other, saying nothing of his payment to Carefrew. “Pardon me, but it must be made all straight.”” Li Mow Gee counted out nine- teen florins from his pocketbook, which Huber Davisaccepted. ‘“ Now a little wine to our friendship, eh?” | Huber Davis drank a thimble-cup of hot wine and took his departure, feeling that his hundred and fifty dollars had been well spent, having pulled Carefrew out of a bad situation, and thereby benefited Ruth. Li Mow Gee, alone with his charcoal brazier and his pictures and his pipe, left the wrapped candlestick as it was, but took the three caridles in their bamboo wrap- pings and opened a door in the wall where no door appeared to sight. He entered a DOOKS Co Co mM