Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

ol2 looking customers,’ he urged. ‘“ We have got to make a noise, now that our sign is down. I’m going to look for new locations.” As he had not yet confided to Chip- munk that he was to be a partner in a trust, Colter looked surprised.. “Got your nerve back, have you?” he grinned. “ Thought you weren’t going to do a thing for awhile?” “T’ve got a big idea I'll tell you about later. Meanwhile it struck me that other venders are being hit as hard as we are by the depression, and now is the time to pick up their stands cheap.” “Go to it, old rooster,” Arthur. “ We’ll be rich yet.” Alone in the tiny establishment Chip- munk set a row of sausages sizzling on the griddle, picked up the megaphone, and pointed it at a pair of pretty girls, but the cowardly voice refused to func- tion. “ Aw, Les will be back soon,” he told himself. “I’m no lecturer.” A moment later a brisk looking young business man arrived before the counter. “T’m looking for the proprietor, Mr. Lucus,” he said. “Sorry. He’s on an errand. Any- thing Ican do? I’m his partner.” The man smiled pleasantly, You are a queer looking pair to be in this sort of business. I’ve got news for him, rather bad, I expect.” “ Shoot. We’re used to bad news.” “T’m the agent of the building. You fellows are here on a month-to-month basis, no lease. Now we have an offer of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month for the place. You’ ve got to meet it if you want to stay on.’ “Do we get a lease at that rent?” “Perhaps a six-months’ lease. Yes, Vl take a chance and give you a Six- months’ lease.”’ “ All right. A hundred and twenty- five a month and a six-months’ lease.” “Hadn’t I better see Mr. Lacus?” The man hesitated. chortled ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘“ Suit yourself, but it ll be all right. I’m his partner.” “ It’s.a lot of money for a rathole like this. You don’t seem to be doing much business.” “What do you care if we want to be saps?’ demanded Chipmunk. The agent laughed. “I feel like a holdup man, but I have an actual offer of one hundred and twenty dollars a month.” “Well, don’t lift it on us again.” “You'll be safe for six months. What’s this?” The agent picked up a tiny ball of silvery substance which lay on the rim of the counter. “Tinfoil, I guess, off a sausage box.”’ “No,” said the man. It’s metal. I don’t know what it’s doing here, but this is about two dollars’ worth of plati- num.” “It’s not as big as a pea!” exclaimed Arthur incredulously. “Save it. The owner may call for it. There’s a platinum jeweler on the second floor of this building. That’s how I recognized it.” ae | would have beached it off the counter in another minute. Much obliged,” said Colter. He put it in his vest pocket, then served a customer. Lester, he was thinking, would be wild when he heard that the rent had been jumped on them in addition to their other troubles, and might bawl him out for agreeing to the new terms, but in two weeks they would either be out of business or the stand would be worth keeping, and the rent day was a fortnight off. No papers had been signed; so they could back out if Lester decided it was the best plan. He dismissed it from his mind. Wonder who’s been putting platinum in our sausages. Bing. An idea. In every hundredth sandwich put a valuable prize. Get a hot frankfurter and a lot on Long Island. No, too suggestive—might mean a grave—but a grand piano or a diamond og Pcie, ANUCLOOOLKS (C@) (E@)