Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN WITHOUT HANDS. He walked out of the Giltmore and en- gaged Eddie Hughes in conversation. ‘“ Eddie,” he said, ‘‘ haven’t we got an automatic or two somewhere?” Eddie brightened. This was language he understood. He nodded. “At home,’ he answered laconically. ‘‘ Who do you want croaked?” “Nobody, you bloodthirsty scoundrel!” grinned Val. ‘ I might need one for protec- tioh, though. Let’s go home and get it.” He jumped in, “‘ Hustle,” he shouted. The car turned the corner on two wheels and nearly ran down a traffic policeman. It was out of sight before the policeman had a chance to reach into his pocket and pull out a summons, “Tm going to burgle a little to-night, Eddie,” announced Val. He was sitting with the driver, in front. Eddie looked at him impassively. Nothing that his amazing employer said to him startled him. He could have announced that he was going to work and it would scarcely have shocked the callous Eddie. ““That’s not included in your contract, Eddie, so you can stay in the apartment and keep the home fires burning until I get back,” he continued. ‘ Not that I don’t think the exercise wouldn’t do you some good. A little night work, such as I propose—”’ ‘“‘ Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but I decline to stay home,” interrupted Eddie. ‘“ If you think that I’m going to slave my life away for you, and then, when there is a chance for a little recreation, be left at home like a cook, why—” “ Vouw’re waxing impertinent, Edward,” said Val severely. ‘‘I really ought to dis- charge you. Your recommendations said nothing about your being a good burglar. How do I know that you’re any good at the job? This is something that requires experience. You can get a good chauffeur or valet anywhere, but where can you get an efficient burglar? Eddie, have you ever burgled?”’ “ No, sir,” replied Eddie. ‘“ But I’m will- ing to learn.” ‘Ah, my boy, you have struck on the keynote of our American life. The reason America has forged ahead so fast is because a3 Americans are willing to learn. We have no deep rooted prejudices to eradicate—if anything worth while comes along, like bur- gling, or pinochle, we are willing to learn,” he went on, growing expansive. “It is what has made us what we are to-day—” ““ What are we to-day, sir?” asked Eddie mildly. Val turned and looked at him in astonishment. “Why, we are—er—we are—damn it! Eddie, don’t you read your history and your newspapers? Why, we are—Eddie, I sin- cerely trust you are not being insolent enough to poke fun at me or at our institu- tions.” “* No, sir,” replied Eddie. ‘“ About this— er—burgling job, then, we can consider that I am going along, sir? He noted the look of indecision in Val’s face, the while he missed a truck by an inch. Val saw no particular reason for ex- posing Eddie Hughes to whatever dangers there were attending this job. ‘‘ Of course,” went on Eddie, “if you refuse, and thus make it necessary for me to notify the po- lice of your—er—midnight exercise, why, it will be—”’ ‘‘ Pinked!” ejaculated Val. “Ill come down. Eddie, you’re one of us to-night. But if you get killed, don’t blame me.” “I won’t, sir,” said Eddie gravely. “ Ah—very good, Eddie! Now that you're a member of the party, I'll tell you what I propose to do.” He told him, and Eddie listened gravely, without comment, “ How does it look to you?” he inquired at the conclusion of the recital of his pro- posed deeds. ‘“ All right, sir,” returned his man, “ ex- cept that it seems to me that it would be better if we went in a taxicab. This big car is sure to attract attention if we leave it standing for any length of time in that East Side street. And then we can have the cab and the chauffeur waiting for us with the engine running, so that we can get away on the jump when we come out. We might be in a hurry, sir,”’ he suggested. Val nodded. ‘“ Vou’ve struck twelve, Ed- die.” They were home now. “ Put the car away and get a taxi. I'll go upstairs and get the guns.” oO COMIGDOOKS (C@)