Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

The detective spent the rest of the even- ing putting other activities in action. He had grimly resolved that he would get Jim- E. mie Tucker, dead or alive. In his calcula- Soe tions he counted largely upon the boldness = of this international crook. Jimmie was the most audacious man in the business. He was successful because he a took big chances. He would laugh at the publication of his photograph—if he hap- ‘pened to see it and would scorn to stay in ae hiding. Indeed, he had a theory that New Be ~~ York City was the safest place in the world 3 for any man to hide—as long as he freely : mingled with the multitude. 3S I. On the afternoon of the day of the print- = ing of the photograph, Peabody Smith re- Bee ceived a telephone message from his friend, the editor. He hastened to the office of the ‘Chronicle and there found a man sitting in _ the reception room with the air of a sinner on the stool of repentance. He was poorly dressed and ill at ease. “Well, my friend, what do you want?” “T want fifty dollars,” he answered with matchless brevity. As he spoke he produced a copy of the Chronicle, and pointed to the picture of Jimmie Tucker. “T’yve seen him twice,” he volunteered, “and if you give me the coin I can point him out to you.” “What is your -business?” asked Pea- body curiously. “T’m a window cleaner, and I help the janitor of an apartment house on Riverside Drive. That’s where I seen the bloke. He’s got rooms on the fourth floor of our apartment house.” Peabody chuckled. It was just like Jim- mie Tucker to make his habitation in the choicest section of the city. After some further conversation he agreed to go to the Riverside address with the window cleaner and obtain visual evidence of his assertion. “But I must not be seen,” warned the detective. “Have it your own way, boss,” grinned 3 the assistant janitor. ‘‘ All I care about is : the fifty bucks,” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. It was about dusk when Peabody, Tim Farley and the other man arrived at the upper end of Riverside Drive, and they only had time to dodge behind the shade of a friendly tree when the window cleaner ex- claimed: “There he is now—the man with the stovepipe hat.” Peabody Smith looked in the direction indicated and there, in the flesh, was the inimitable Jimmie Tucker. He was just leaving the house and he swung his stick carelessly, and with the air of one who had spent his entire life in fashionable society. His tall tile was shining in the sunlight and his black mustache was waxed to a point. A word from the detective and Tim Far- ley was on the track of the crook, __ As soon as they had passed from sight the detective opened his wallet and handed his informant five ten dollar notes. The window cleaner thanked him and wanted to know if there was anything else he could do. ‘““ Nothing,” replied Peabody. ‘ All you - have to do now is to saw wood and say nothing.” The detective went downtown on the top of a bus and during the journey laid out his plan of campaign. He was satisfied that Tucker had not disposed of the sap- phires. That was something that had to be handled with care and he felt that the clever crook was feeling his way before tak- ing final action. His residence on River- side Drive was a preliminary to the game he had in mind. Peabody Smith was think- ing of all these things when he reached his own apartments on Washington Square. He found Tim Farley seated in the most comfortable chair in the living room. He rose as the detective entered. “Well, boss,” he exclaimed, “ Jimmie went to Moffet’s and had a talk with the old man. ‘Then he went uptown again.” The detective nodded his head under- standingly. He knew that Moffet was a man who bought, sold and exchanged jewel- ry. He had agents in all of the large cities of Europe. He kept within the law, but he was a man who was willing to take a chance where big money was involved. “Tim,” said Peabody, “‘ we must call on 8A COMIC MOO KS 7 » Oe ee i — Pee a