Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

450 “ Besides, I’m going to be busy see- ing we don’t lose any of the good stuff through the guy that’s packing this stuff at the drop off.” CHAPTER VII. “SANTA CLAUS ” AT WORK. AND drew thoughtfully on his cigarette and stared at Jane, who was curled up in the corner of the couch in her apartment. “ There’s no way to get you a job at Korbeck’s without creating a posi- tion especially for you,’ he said. “Somehow we'll have to get the girl who has the job now fired. That seems like a dirty trick. She probably needs the money badly.” “But we must get on the inside somehow, Barry,” Jane pointed out. “How are you going to find out who Korbeck’s confederates are? You sim- ply must have some one there who can keep in close touch with his move- ments.” Rand frowned. “T hate like the devil having you mix up in this, Jane. Somehow I’m afraid—” : “Now, don’t be a goose,” she inter- rupted. ‘‘ We've been over this a doz- en times. I’m going to do it, and that’s that. Look here, instead of getting the girl down there fired, why not find a better job for her?” “But, my dear girl, haven’t we both been trying to get jobs for ourselves for a year without any luck? How do you expect to get one for some one else?” “You forget that you have an ally in Mr. Hamilton, Barry. Don’t you suppose, for the sake of your scheme, he could find something for her at At- las, even if he had to pay her beyond her actual value to the company? Did he not say you might draw on him for any money you needed? This might really fall under the heading of ‘ex- pense account.’ ” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ By Jove!” cried Rand, slapping the arm of his chair. ‘ That’s it! But how will we get her to take the job?” “ Offer her more money.” “But I can’t just walk into Kor- beck’s office and tell her I’ve got a job for -her.”’ “Of course not. Scrape up an ac- quaintance with her. Get her to talk about her present position. She’s prob- ably dissatisfied with it. _“ Every one, or nearly every one I know, seems dissatisfied with their jobs. When she tells you her particular pet grudge, you can spring the idea of a new opening.” “ Jane, you’re a wonder. To-morrow we start the campaign of the century. Look here, what about some scrambled eggs now?” “You'll turn into an egg, Barry.” But she tucked an apron around her waist and headed for the kitchenette. The next morning about eleven Morris Korbeck left his office to trans- act some business uptown. He had been out a matter of scarcely three minutes when a young man breezed in. Rand had been waiting all morning for Korbeck to leave. He wanted a chance at his secretary alone. His hat was pushed back on his head in a jaunty fashion and he smoked a ciga- rette in the drooping manner of the drug store cowboy. Miss Zazu Groehl, Korbeck’s secre- tary, glanced at him as he came in, ~ shifted her gum to the other cheek, and went back to her typing. “You Korbeck’s secretary?” de- manded Rand. oo Can, “The boss in?” “e¢ No.” “ Hell,” said Rand, sitting down on the edge of her desk. “ Been trying to locate him for a week.” “ Book agent?” asked Miss Groehl. * Insurance,” Rand confided. _ “ Say,” drawled Miss Groehl, “ you got a swell chance! That guy eats in- surance agents.” : CORMMICLOOOKS (C@