All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

—— ee . “Be good enough to open,” said La- rocque quietly. “It is important. " A scowling face appeared in ad slit of the door. “Tt is Cocu I would speak with,” La- roque whispered, and slipped through the grudgingly opened door. ~The second man in the little room wore spectacles, and his face was heavily beard- ed; but Larocque recognized the scar, and his eyes, Lapierre. “ May I speak with you alone, mon- sieur?” he asked; and at a sign from Cocu, his companion withdrew, muttering. Cotu never took his eyes from Larocque. “Who are you who call me Cocu?” “You are the man who shot Lapierre,” said Larocque. ‘“‘ Wait!” he cried, as the other’s hand crept stealthily toward his pocket. ‘I was with him that night. But I am no friend of his!” ‘“* How-do I know that?” growled Cocu. “Do you recall the Banc d’Afrique affair?” Cocu nodded. “ Well—Lapierre is shadowing 1 me for that. ? “Then your name is Larocque!”’ For answer Larocque showed him one of his visiting-cards. “ Why haven’t you made a good job of it, Cocu? Lapierre knows who shot him, and the police are looking for you. You might as well have your head cut off as be guillotined, as they say. You are disguised —but do you think the detectives will be | fooled by a few whiskers? Even I knew you, and I never saw you but once.” “ Blague de cochon!” ‘“* How can I risk it, with no money to make my way out of the country!” “Listen, Cocu,” leaning across the table, “ it’s worth money to me to have him out of the way. How much do you need?” Cocu disclaimed mercenary motives; he ~ would kill the vermine malade for pleasure; if Larocque would see him to Antwerp, it was all he would ask, or accept. Larocque took a five-hundred franc note from his pocketbook and shoved it towatd ee ote prefect himself! It was the one who had shot- hissed Cocu.— whispered Larocque, ously. of pals there. You, monsieur, must buy me — a gun—I had to pawn mine, and I ama sa For me to appear at a ie store—why I might as well call on the The same at any ticket- | = fe risked man. office. They are all watched. Buy me a good gun—and then a ticket—third- dass 2 = to Antwerp; you can do this in perfect safe- ty. Take a taxicab, and hurry back here with both. I will wait for you.” Again Larocque went out to the street, 2 assured himself that Lapierre was not yet — in sight, signaled a cab, and inside of half — matic and an Antwerp billet. on adding a hundred francs for emergencies. It was arranged that on the following night he was to dine at an obscure res- When Lapierre showed up, Cocu undertook to kill him and make his get- __ He promised that he would not fail taurant. away. this time; no cigar-case should save his victim, “ unless, ” grinned Cocu, “ he wears it over his belly!” If Lapierre did not — chance to follow Larocque that night, then : In no | he was to come on the next night. contingency should he himself be involved. When Larocque finally left the oyster- house, he felt as if he had suddenly grown several years younger; and when later in the evening Lapierre picked him up at a cabaret, he felt almost kindly toward him, and accepted one of his thin black cigars. — The ensuing day Henri Larocque spent at his club. He had no stomach for seeing or conversing with Lapierre, who, having No!” The latter shook his head vigor- S “T tell you I don’t want money! I can get money in Antwerp—I have plenty an hour had presented Cocu: with an autos He insisted — oe = = = — ~<a = tee watched him enter the door, made no move — aa to follow. The hours dragged fretfully. He tried “= to read, smoked a deal too much, lunched with a chance acquaintance, dozed in a fan- teuil through the endless afternoon. A little before eight he betook himself to the restau- rant indicate ~Cocu. It was a quiet little place on a side street; there were but half a dozen customers scat- tered about the front of the room, and Be Larocque passed through to the last table, seated himself facing the door, and ordered a dinner he had no eppenic for. ‘mast | r a vt ~ hgh eae -- Rati ee ae oe ar