The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 19 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARGOSY A SHOP ON WHEELS.* BY WALTER F. BRUNS. CHAPTER XxX. TROUBLE. aa \ Y HAT on earth is going on ?”” Chub asked, in a hoarse whis- per, as the three sat motionless, listening to the pounding in the lower regions. “If I knew I would tell you,” Dick frankly admitted. “What time have you got, Chub ?” Jack asked. And, after finding the matches and examining his watch, Chub an- nounced that it was half past two. ‘© Now, fellows,” exclaimed Dick, ‘‘ there is some underhand work going on here, or they wouldn't be working at this time of night, and that woman would have had no cause to tell such a downright fib.” ‘© Of course there is,” agreed Chub, ‘ unless it is she throwing those heavy weights around, and that is not likely, for she looks thin enough to be compelled to carry a sad-iron in her pocket to prevent the wind from blowing her out of the door.” ‘© Oh, it isn’t she,” assured Jack. ‘It isa man wielding that ham- mer. Perhaps the two we heard talking through the fireplace.” “© Those ' we-know-what-to-do-with’em ’ fellows,” remarked Chub. “T had about forgotten them. Wish you had not mentioned them. It makes me feel nervous.”’ “Well, you needn't,” said Dick coolly. ‘* We will be as dumb as beetles when Moll questions us in the morning.” ‘“ You'd better attend to the answering,” said Jack. ‘IT don't like the way things look at all, and if we all try to chip in we may give our- selves away and get in a dreadful muddle.” Then came the pounding again, and the boys listened. lowed by a heavy jar, and, after a slight inter- mission, the sound like the throwing about of kindling wood. l’ve listened to that long enough,” exclaimed Dick, springing out, ‘* without knowing what it is, and I'm going to find out.” ‘‘ You'd better go back to bed and mind your own business,” advised Chub. Dick tried the door carefully, but it did not open, and in surprise he asked : ‘‘ Say, boys, who locked the door ?” ‘* Nobody,” replied Chub. ‘Well, it is locked !” ‘© Then it has been done on the outside.” ‘‘T don’t like the way these people have of running things their own way,” remarked Jack. - “They must have thought we would hear the racket and investigate, and are going to prevent us,” said Chub. ‘‘ Just turn the switch on that electric light, Dick, and we will fool them a whole lot.” And Dick turned the switch by applying a it lighted match to the candle, and Chub opened his jackknife and began operations. The screws that held the lock were taken out at the sacrifice of the point, and, after the knob was removed, the lock was taken off and laid carefully on the Hoor. ‘“ Now put out that candle, take the guns, and we will do a little exploring.” ‘“ Hello !’’ exclaimed Jack. guns ?” ‘¢ In the corner by ‘3 And the three faced the empty corner, staring at the place where the guns and rifle had stood, in bewilderment. ‘‘ These people are too brand new!” ex- claimed Chub indignantly. ‘‘I am not a bit pleased with the management.” ‘‘That won’t make any difference,” replied Jack dryly. It was fol- Le ’ aaa i\ LANG Wait) ‘¢ Where are the *Begun in No. 423 of THE ARGosy, ““SOME ONE IS COMING UP THE STEPS ! 297 ‘¢¢ Please notify office of any Jack of courtesy on part of employees,” ’ quoted Dick gravely. ‘“Oh, you fellows can get awful funny,” said young Mr. Matthews ; ‘but I don’t see anything comical in their lugging our things off. What are you sitting there laughing at ?” ‘* At you,” replied Dick. ‘¢T must be excruciatingly funny,” growled Chub. ‘“You are. If you will stop hopping about there as though you were treading on tacks, and moderate your voice, perhaps we can accom- plish something.” . Chub instantly followed instructions, and Dick continued : ‘¢ Blow out the light, Jack, before they see it in the hall. leave our shoes here. Be careful to make no noise.” . And with the others following closely behind, Dick felt his way out in the dark hall. That they might experience trouble in moving about in a strange place in the dark had never occurred to the trio; but after Chub had stubbed his toe against the banister, and involuntarily said ‘* Ouch !” in a voice too loud for safety, and Dick had walked against a solid wall, they grew cautious. ; ‘We've got plenty of time,” whispered Dick, feeling about him, “so there is no use to hurry. Where is that banister ?” ‘(T know where it is,’ replied Chub, feeling of his toe. am leaning against it. What are you doing off there ?” ‘¢ Hunting for you fellows,” and Dick groped his way toward them. ‘The first thing we know we will be lost !” ‘‘ They are pounding down there again,” put in Jack. top step ; now down you go.” It was so dark they could not see each other’s faces, and, feeling care- fully for loose boards, Dick led the descent. . They reached the bottom and found the front door, and, taking hts bearings, Dick whispered : We will ‘* Here, I ‘“* Here is the BACK you Go!” COmiicboooks.cO