Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 44: what you’re looking at

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200 Hilwin held up his hand. . “ It won’t be ~ necessary. JI am sure you would not have picked out a bad show and f know so little about music that I wouldn’t appreciate a Jot of tunes I never heard before. Now, Vl tell you what Vl do. ITIll buy a half interest in this show. You put it on. Pick the best cast you can get. body in mind.” “Oh, Harry—” exclaimed Millie. “ You know that I am to have the leading Tole,” -- “Miss Duroy, of course. something for her.” ‘“‘ The leading réle, Harry.” ‘“Tf Mr. Rubenstein considers you suited to it. The only condition I make is that You'li find my name shall not be associated with it in any way. I’m not looking for publicity, and if I get any I'll cancel all arrange- ments. JI don’t want to be known as in- terested. I have good reasons. Is that clear, Mr. Rubenstein?”’ “Well, sure. Just as you say. Only money talks, you know.” Hilwin took out his fat wallet and drew two five hundred dollar bills from it. *¢ Here’s a deposit to show my good faith,” he said. Rubenstein’s eyes sparkled as he picked up the notes. “ Say, Mr. Hilwin, you’re the kind of man Tt like to do business with. I'll keep your connection as quiet as the grave. don’t you want to be in on picking the chorus, and the principals?” ‘“‘T may attend the rehearsals as a friend of Miss Duroy’s, but I don’t want anything to do with the cast. I wouldn’t know a good _ chorus girl from a bad one.” “Cinch,” grinned Bill. no good ones.” “Can that stuff,” exclaimed Millie. was once a chorus girl myself.” Bill laughed out loud but checked the mirth at a baleful glare from Rubenstein. ‘You have the proper legal papers ready. to-morrow and I’ll meet you at your office with a lawyer,” said Hilwin. “I'll pay the balance in cash then. Now, Miss Duroy, please excuse me, and accept my thanks for bringing me in touch with these gen- “There ain’t aie | _ tlemen.” T haven’t any- ~ “SQW-YHAT’S the matter with that j/ bird?” demanded Bill. ‘“ He buys But ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Hilwin shook hands all around and de- parted, leaving three vastly puzzled thea- trical people. — | CHAPTER IV. A MUSICAL INVESTMENT, half a show he hasn’t heard, from a guy who don’t own it, for a dame he ain’t stuck on, and he doesn’t want to lamp the candidates for the chorus. He’s a nut.” “This is good money,” replied Ruben- stein, fondling the notes. “Tf the rest is good I should worry what his game is. Find out where the author and composer of this show hang out and sign them up right away. Then get a lawyer and form a corporation so he’ll have pre- > liminary papers ready to-morrow.” “Can you produce the show on $20,- ooo?” asked Millie. “With $20,000 cash I can easily dig up $10,000 more. Money draws money. An eight girl chorus and two sets. I know where there are a lot of good costumes just in from a show that blew up on its road try- out. Sure, we can produce it.” “You ain’t actually going to put the show on?” Bill was incredulous. “What’s your idea? Graft the dough and give him nothing? I’m afraid of that guy. There’s something behind him. He ain’t such a fool. As a matter fact that’s the way to buy a musical show. The ones you think are good fliv. The lemons turn out to be pippins. Supposing we succeeded in cheating him out of half his $20,000, we'd have $10,000 wouldn’t we? On the . other hand, supposing we put on a show and it’s a hit. We have a third interest anyway, after we’ve dug up a little more dough. Well, we’ve got a chance to make a hundred thousand. You bet you're life I’m going to produce this show and it’s go- ing to be the best thing I ever did.” ‘“Ain’t sayin’ much,” from Bill. “Shut up. - Now, Millie, I don’t know about you for the lead.” He looked at her. searchingly. ‘‘ You ain’t as young as you was, and your pipes are. Josing.their teary 2)