Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

128 But more plainly than anything else, he could see the man who stood in front of the little frame building. The man was his father, of course, and the mental picture he was seeing had been drawn from Lawton’s description of the scene. to Hamlin as he looked at the picture that ‘by some magic he was occupying his father’s position—that it was he who con- fronted the ‘two men, and that within him raged the cold passion that had gripped his father at that instant. ’ The passion was the same, at least, only the surroundings were different. Man is man whether he rides in a taxi on Broad- way or bestrides a horse on the plains. A short ride brought Hamlin to the curb in front of the Richards residence. He dis- missed the driver, ran up the steps and rang the door-bell. Labrue answered. He grinned genially as Hamlin made himself known, stepping aside to permit him to enter. “ Miss Richards isn’t in, sir,”’ he volun- teered. “T came to see Miss Larrabie.” He noted Labrue’s astonished expression, add- ing quickly: “ It is important, Labrue; I’ve got to see her!” “ Go right up,” directed Labrue. ‘ Third floor. Her room is at the rear—left. She’s getting ready to go out.” Hamlin ascended the stairs. On the third floor he passed down the hall, pausing be- fore the door to which Labrue had directed him. In answer“ to his knock a feminine voice answered: “What is it?” “A messenger, Miss Lacrabie” *¢ Come in,” directed the voice. swung open ‘and Hamlin entered. The room was of the character usually occupied by servants. It was plain, neat, clean. Various garments belonging to Miss Larrabie were scattered about, as though she had discarded them for the street attire she now wore, not yet putting them away. Miss Larrabie was dressed as she had been on the night Hamlin had seen her in the Dragon. Her cheeks had. been touched with rouge and amply powdered; her eyes were bright and glowing with a rather bold interest as she looked at Hamlin. The door But it seemed — words stamped on the metal. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Hamlin still wore the racy clothing he had donned in the McGrail offices; the stain was still on his face, and the dark glasses with their grotesque rims. He saw that Miss Larrabie did not recognize him. Well?” she inquired as Hamlin closed the door. : Hamlin drew his coat aside and exposed the glittering badge Miss Alden had given him. The movement was rapid, and Miss Larrbie did not have time to inspect the In fact, a swift glance at the badge brought a start- ling change in her. Her face paled under the powder and the rouge; she took a step backward, clasped her hands and sat down ~ on the edge of the bed, opening her mouth to permit the ejaculation, ““ My Gawd!” to come from them. And then she seemed to sag as she relapsed into silence and stared at Hamlin. “Don’t be frightened, Miss Larrabie.” Hamlin’s smile carried some reassurance for the girl, even though there was a grim qual- ity to it that hinted of determination. “ T’ve come here to talk with you about Frayne and Morrell. What do you know about them?” “My Gawd!” breathed Miss Larrabie again. “A fly cop! I give you my word, mister, that I don’t know anything about them. Not a thing.” ‘Be careful, Miss Larrabie. You were seen in the Dragon with Morrell and Frayne the night Miss Richards was there.” ‘*T don’t deny it.” The color was com- ing back into her face, and a glint of de- fiance lay in her. eyes. “‘ Sure—I was with both of the, gentle- men. I’d gone there with Mr. Frayne. A girl ‘thas to have some pleasure. And what harm was-there in going? Miss Richards had no business butting in—trying to break up our party. The nerve of some people!” ‘Well, you are in trouble, Miss Larra- bie,” quietly warned Hamlin, merely to re- store to the girl a sense of respect for the law he was supposed to represent. ‘“ Both Frayne and Morrelt are wanted by the po- lice, for—for several jobs. We're. going to get them, and if you don’t talk pretty live- ly, and do exactly as I say, we’ll have to hold you as an accomplice.” 8 A Go DOOLK C@ 5}