The Argosy, March 1907 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

remarked. ‘The boss told me to let him know as soon as you came around.” “But 9? Quick steps upon the stairs told that the youngster had fled beyond the dan- ger zone. — The druggist looked around for his clothes. They did not seem to be in the apartment. He retired between sheets again, and aueing up, waited expect- antly. Some five or six minutes passed before he heard any one approaching. Then the clerk of the day before appeared, carrying his bag and his raiment.. The latter he laid gingerly upon a chair, and then turned to regard the druggist with an extremely eae. ing expression. “Gome around, have She he. re- marked. “Unquestionably.” Radford glared at him. ‘ Will you kindly tell me what the devil ~ “JT think we’ll just omit that sort of thing,” * the clerk replied — bruskly. “Please remain where you are. Mr. Dunn himself will be here presently, and he has given me Strict instructions not to talk to you until his arrival.” “ But—— The disapproval increased. ‘Young man, I should strongly ad- vise you to be silent. You are more than lucky in escaping the jail you so richly deserve. “Now ‘Say, you blasted Radford. Then he stopped. What under the sun was the use in getting mad at this ‘person? He set his teeth and waited. He had not long to wait. Within a matter of seconds heavy steps ascended »”? burst f rom ~ and reached the upper landing. Into the bare apartment came a portly and highly important individual. “ This is Mr. Dunn himself,” the clerk announced, with a bow and a wave of _ the hand. Radford, despite his misery, could hardly repress a smile. He had a vague notion that he could not have been in- troduced to the President of the United States or the King of England with more ceremony. _“ Well, I’m charmed, of Sia he began. Dunn seated himself upon a wooden — chair and puffed his big cigar. “That'll do,” he said briefly. to walk?” ‘“T presume so,” Radford replied, “ if I had the clothes to walk in.” “Able to leave town? ” “ Certainly.” “Then get into your clothes as soon as possible, eat the breakfast I’ll send * Able up, and leave by the back door—and do > !.?? it quick! Radford gasped; his wrath boiled over again. % Will you kindly tell me,” he shout- ed, “‘ who the devil you think you are, to talk in that fashion?” ‘“‘T’m the owner of this hotel, that’s been doing business at the same stand . for forty-nine years without one shady episode taking place. here. You’re the first crooked character that ever man- aged to get into this house since my father started it—and I can tell you that it’s only because I don’t want publicity that you’re not in the town lockup at this minute.” ‘And for what?” the druggist asked blankly. off?” Dunn regarded him sneeringly. “If you’d been knocked into another world, my man, it would have served you right,” he informed him. only the good name of this house to thank for the fact that you’re free.” Radford pondered for a= little. Plainly, he was in bad odor here—as he seemed to have been everywhere these last. two days. Still, one catches more flies with molasses than with vinegar. Radford had swallowed insults enough; he might as well swallow a few if the process would serve his more, ends. “Do you mind telling me,” he said evenly, ‘‘ whether this so-called Mr. Cat- terson is still in the house?” The clerk and the proprietor glanced at each other, and the latter shrugged — his shoulders impatiently. ‘“Mr. Catterson left the house last evening, shortly after your dastardly at- tempt upon his life,’’ he remarked pleas- antly. - “Thank you,” smiled Radford; ‘“ and where has he. gone?” “ Having my head knocked ‘You've » LR ea Sas iy Ped OU Pe gyre: VER! Pe OS eee , wb) OP Soe Be % 0 ola & oe RAS s*5 tio? ResTe Pa Ss: “y - tit he % ; AN pi ees ish the A.2 AONE Ce ERG ON TGR at Cian eh a ones e + Pay PRY ie Mg . ae se Aci hd Me Se ae v Fs - rm ® i SMA comicbooks.coi f. a ¥ ry