The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

112 son’s pocket, and while he and the driver were acrimoniously argtting the discrepancy, the occupant of 69 again appeared on the scene, this time carry- ing a heavy suit-case. “TI do not know how I can thank you,” he exclaimed effusively, “in re- turning Robert to us, Mr. —”’ “Swanson,” supplied Frank. “ Swanson & Co., you will no doubt re- member, put in the heating plant at your house? ”’ ‘“Ah, yes. Surely. And as I was about to say, Mr. Swanson, in return- ing Robert you have rendered us a serv- ice which neither I nor the boy’s mother will ever forget. Mrs. McNutt just now is still suffering from the shock oceasioned by the lad’s disappearancee ; but his restoration has already done much for her, and as soon as she com- pletely recovers, she wants to meet you and thank— “ But why are you dismissing your taxi?’ he interrupted himself sharply, for the chauffeur, seeing no chance of getting the disputed dime, was starting off. “ You do not hive out this way, do you?” “No. Isimply decided that I would walk back.” “Walk back?” The other stared at him. ‘* Why, man alive! It is a good ten miles, and most of the way you would have to plow knee-deep through snow and slush.” “ Well, to tell you the truth,” Frank was finally driven to confession, “I haven’t the money to pay for it.” “ Ah, that changes the complexion of things. But there was really no cause for you to worry on that score. I have to go to the city at once myself, and was just about to ask if I might not preempt your taxi and take you along as my guest. Come, get aboard, won't you, and we'll talk over matters going in?” In the mean time he had called back the departing chauffeur, and as Frank was nothing loath to accept the invita- tion extended, the two were soon fly- ing cityward over the muddy roads. THE ARGOSY. a The lawyer proved to be a clever cross-examiner, and it was not long before he had drawn from Swanson, if not the full details, at least enough to let him guess pretty accurately just what were the young fellow’s circum- stances. So much learned, he leaned over and laid a hand confidentially on Frank’s knee. ‘“* Now, look here, Swanson,” he said. “ Tam not going to insult you by offer- ing you either directly or indirectly any money reward for what you have done; but you have shown yourself in this affair a chap of ingenuity and re- source, and since, moreover, you are out of employment, as you tell me, I am going to ask you if you are open to a busmess proposal, for which extra high rermineration will be paid. Al- though strictly honorable, it is of a delicate and perhaps dangerous char- acter.” “You spoke of Frank returned practically. how much is there in it?” “ Well, say, five thousand dollars.” “Lead me to that proposition.” “Listen, then, and I will explain. You may have wondered at the guard- ed way in which you were received at my house to-night, but you will realize the necessity of it when I tell you that I am the target for a band of the crafti- est and most unscrupulous blackmailers in the country. They will stop at noth- ing, not even murder, to gain their ends. Indeed, the attempted abduction of my little son this afternoon was only another effort on their part to terrorize me and make me yield to their de- mands.” “ But what are they after? What is their object? ”’ questioned Frank. ' “"Phey know that I either have re- ceived, or am about to receive a very large sum of money—to be exact, $52,000—all in currency, and entirely in $1,000 bills; and it is only this un- certainty on their part as to the receipt of the money which gives me any safety. If they thought I had it, my remuneration, ” * Just CoOMmicbook CO