Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

654 of consternation. need me at all. Why don’t you simply wait for Captain Salles?” ‘“ Because,”’ said Eddie almost fiercely, ‘“T’ve done enough simple things to-day al- ready, and each time I’ve got in worse, and I don’t intend staying in this jail a minute longer than I have to. I’ve d ne nothing at all—everything has been done fo me, and I’ve a perfect right to demand my release. Isn’t there such a thing as habeas corpus —or—or bail—or—something? I don’t know anything about it, but I supposed a lawyer would. And after I get out, I may want to start a damage suit for being wrong- fully arrested.” Miss Elton pursed her lips. “ As a matter of fact, Mr. Harmon, it is rather hard to collect anything but trouble from the police. Of course, I might take steps to get you out, but doesn’t it occur to you that in so far as the police themselves are concerned, you’re not really under arrest?” “Not under arrest?” Eddie faltered. “Well, really Miss Elton, for a man not under arrest, I certainly find myself in a most peculiar position. J—” “Wait.” Once more his little attorney smiled. ‘‘ Counterfeiting is something to be handled by the federal courts, of course, and even if I started proceedings toward your release, I’m afraid we would have a lot of trouble unless they gave the word.” ‘‘ Oh, good Lord!”’ Eddie’s tone was one “You mean the govern- ment detectives are likely to butt in on this? But—they haven’t made any charge.” “Not as yet. And don’t look so dis- tressed, Mr. Harmon. If you’re not Blume- feldt, they are not apt to, in my estimation. That is why I feel sure that your simplest course would be to wait for Captain Salles.”’ “But—” Of course, her words were sensible enough, only Eddie didn’t exactly wish to follow their advice. He had blus- tered a good deal at the last in his inter- view with the police and he wanted to ex- tricate himself without any of their assis- tance—though if the federal agents were going to mix into the proposition— ‘Tt is the best advice I can give as your attorney,” Miss Elton perceived his hesi- tation and pressed home her advantage. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘All right.” Suddenly Harmon yielded. If this girl said wait, he would. He wouldn’t mind the waiting, he felt all at .once, if she would share it with him. He added that as a condition: “T’ll do what you say if you'll stay till he comes, and see me out of this mess.” “Oh, dear.” Miss Elton eyed him. Her expression was almost comic. “ But you funny boy, can’t you see that provided al- ways, you’ve told me the truth, there isn’t anything against you, and that everything will soon be straightened out?” Eddie nodded. ‘“ Maybe.” He was watching the play of her lips, the quaint little crinkles about the corners of her eyes, beginning to appreciate more and more the trim lines of her feminine figure. “‘ Any- way, l’d—er—prefer to have you remain and—er give me your advice.” “Very well.” Miss Elton didn’t argue, ‘Suppose then, while we’re waiting, that you tell me what you can about yourself.” Eddie had hardly expected that, but it was easy. Almost any man of twenty-six finds it far from difficult to talk about him- self to an attractive girl. He told her about his birth; he gave his age. He mentioned some of his ambitions. He described his work as an architect for the past three years. He forgot time and place almost and was rather dilating on his progress in his profession when once more footsteps came down the corridor and he paused. ~ The warder and two men appeared, one of them a captain of detectives, dark, alert of word and motion; the other of a quieter bearing with coldly impersonal steel-blue eyes by which one felt little was missed. ‘¢ Here you are, captain,’ said the warder. And the dark men sent one searching glance into the cell where Eddie sat, to ex- plode in disgusted fashion: feldt? Not in a thousand years!” Tt was all right. Everything was all right. This was Captain Salles at last. He had come back and it hadn’t taken him more than a second to appreciate the truth. With a vast surge of relief and gratification, Eddie rose. In a word Salles had exploded all suspicion against him. And now there would be nothing more than the-ecustomary formalities, whatever they were, of turning Eomichbooks.co “ Him Blume- .