Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 27, 1925 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

CROOKS WELCOME. use this elegant motor for the great green- back sale. Adorning its sides and partly covering the.vivid nature studies were ban- ners announcing that Montgomery Craig 2d would dispense ten thousand dollars in denomination of one dollar at the unprece- dented rate of ninety-nine cents each, one to a purchaser, this day, follow the van. While Perry mounted the inclosed dniv- ing seat, Monty entered through the’ rear door of the regal ticket van. Once inside, he opened the ticket window built in the door, and leaned far out on the sill after the manner of Barbara Frietchie or Juliet Capulet. Here he doffed his silk hat grand- ly to the apathetic group on the sidewalk. At a word from Perry James, a violently red coupé led off, dragging an equally vivid crimson trailer which immediately went into ‘noisy eruption. Asthmatic whoops and grunts which burst forth from it pradually took form as popular musical selections in- terpreted by a baby gtand calliope which tooted when its tires revolved. With this musical volcano leading the way, the gaudy ticket van followed. From ‘ts rear window Monty bowed and hat- waved as industriously as a President. His green eyes were lively with pleasurable an- ticipation. For, from his observation post, he bad seen two men jump into two differ- ent taxicabs after motioning for two differ- ent chauffeurs to trail him. And each. taxi already had passengers before these men jumped in. Farther back, a roadster ap- peared to persist in following, also. Something interesting was in prospect. III. WHEN they had tooted their way down town to the building where Lawyer Peck had his office, Monty dismissed the vocif- erous escort. He stepped out of his steel van and bowed for the news reel and still camera photographers. To these and to the reporters who were waiting to cover his arrival Monty confided the location of the uptown lot where he intended: to stage his sale. At his suggestion that the real story would be up there, these harvesters: of printed and pictured news hurried off to be ready for him. Ascending in the one creaky elevator which served the dingy old building, he entered the office of Peck & Son. Darius Peck, who was Son and sole surviving mem- ber of the firm, was a rusty, dusty ald- school gentleman who plastered a side lock of iron gray hair over an otherwise barren scalp, and thereby deceived himself if no one else. He had handled Montgomery Craig’s first legal business thirty-five years ago and had remained the late millionaire's attorney to the last. Peck was very con servative, and wore old style gold-rimmed eyeglasses on a heavy black ribbon looped around his neck. At that, he was a good lawyer. He received Monty with due solemnity, and ushered him into an inner office. There sat Temple Craig and a heavy-set man with Square-toed shoes, and the gray uniform of a bank special policeman. Between the square toes reposed a suit case which matched the one Monty had brought. ‘“ Ah, the winning candidate, I believe,” greeted Monty at sight of his brother. His tone was bantering and not unfriendly. Still it annoyed Temple. The brothers stared at each other, Monty interestedly, Temple 8 bit stiffly and also furtively. This elder son was thirty, and looked easily ten years older. His skin and hair had the same dry appearance which characterized the mucb- older Mr. Peck. In fact, Temple’s hair bad thinned to the vanishing point over his bulbous brow which was etched with lines and puckers. Temple, too, bad the big Craig nose, and a long, thin jaw. ‘Ah, Montgomery,” he managed to bark in a nervous voice. After wiping & pair of sbell-rimmed glasses he adjusted them and peered at his brother as though at some curious specimen. Monty prompt- ly whipped out a similar pair, clapped them on and stared back. Thus these bro faced each other for the first time in five Both Temple and Mr. Peck were con: servative to the extent of never as ® rale looking at an evening . night. On this occasion, however, some- body in Peck’s office had brought aftertican papers to them a half hour before the in- terview. Both were stil) stunned. (CO) NOG () SS Co