Argosy All-Story Weekly, August 9, 1924 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

248 last night to open my safe. It did not come to anything. The building night watchman scared the crooks away. Cap- tain Logan here ”—the red faced man—“ is from police headquarters and we are trying to check up a few points. You need not answer anything you don’t care to, and anything you say will be strictly confiden- tial.” The detective began firing questions at me. Just as I suspected he wanted the low- down on various employees and particularly on Dick Cryder, Carlyle Manning, and sev- eral other of the boys I knew outside office hours. Well, as far as Dick and Manning were concerned I could give them an alibi for most of the evening, and did, at once. It made me a little sore their assuming it was an inside job. I said finally: “I know most of the men that work for you, Mr. Bowman, and know something about their affairs. I don’t know of any safe crackers among them, so I guess I can’t help you much, if that’s what you're after—” Mr. Bowman turned red. “I’m glad you said that, Miss Allen! I have already told Captain Logan the same thing—” “ That’s all right,” Logan said, “ but this was an inside job, plain enough, and it’s my duty to get the information. Now about this Cryder again, Miss Allen—can you tell us anything about his family? Did he ever say anything to you about his folks?” “ He did not!’ I lied like a gentleman, looking him straight in the eye. Logan lifted his eyebrows with a side- long glance at Mr. Bowman. “ H-m!” he said slowly. “I think we were given to un- derstand that you knew—”’ Mr. Bowman broke in. ‘“ Miss Allen an- swered your question. I don’t think we need cross-examine her, captain.” “Tf I did know all about his family I wouldn’t tell it,” I went on, getting sorer. “ But I will tell you this, if you’re trying to hang any suspicion on Dick Cryder yow’re barking up the wrong tree! My hunch is as good as anybody’s, and my hunch is that Cryder is absolutely on the level—and about the squarest man working in this office.” I felt myself turning red ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. for being such a fool as to volunteer all this advice, but Mr. Bowman said: “ Good for you!” and I knew he wasn’t any too pleased with the detective’s way of work- ing. Logan didn’t mind this a bit; he had a hide like a rhinoceros. “ Just ask Cryder to come in, will you, Miss Allen?” he grinned. I told Dick and I whispered to him: ‘You know what they’re talking about in there?” “Yes, I know—” ““ Now they’re asking about your family. You don’t have to answer that cop’s ques- tions. Take my advice and don’t!” “Oh, but I will!” he said. “ They’re welcome to anything about me they want to know.” When we closed business for the day Dick Cryder was still shut up with Bow- man and the Central Office man, and I went home badly worried. That was all the office mystery came to for the time being. There was no plain- clothes man around after that and things dropped into the usual routine. But outside office hours other things began to happen. Dick Cryder bought three new suits of clothes in one week. And his ties and shirts, hot dog! If ever there was a victim of jazzmania, Dick was it. I said I fell in love with Dick the night of the costume party, and so I had, but I began to wonder now just what I had started. And yet I still was in love with Dick, because I had a hunch deep down inside of me that he was honest and square and all this cake-eater exterior of his was just the result of waking up to life a little bit late—like when you don’t have the measles until you’re middle-aged, and then nearly die of it. Five nights running he came to see me and took me out on a party every night. I had to tell him next time: “I’m a strong, healthy girl, but I’m not an ox and I can’t jazz every night and do my work next day. Have a heart!” He blushed and said quickly: “ I’m ever so sorry, Cora! Forgive me!” I forgave him and what does he do but start taking out other girls! GOMIIGIOO S (CO) nn