Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

RED he was sure business justified it. And those two men in the little shop said Les had hired them. I know he would not hire people like that.” “‘Shouldn’t we notify the police at once?” demanded Hilda. ‘ Suppose the boys are in trouble?” “ Father likes Arthur. That is, he doesn’t dislike him. Of course, he does not know Arthur is in partnership with Lester Lucus. He would know what to do,” hazarded Fran. “T thought of the police right away,’ Nora declared. ‘“ Only they haven’t been missing long. Perhaps the police would laugh at us. And those men will insist they were hired by the boys to take their places while they went. away for a few days. It isn’t as if we were the sisters or wives of either of them.” “T don’t hanker raising a hullabaloo about Arthur Colter, that crack-brained kid,” said the practical Fran. ‘“ You know, Hilda, that if somebody invited him to go in an airplane across the ‘Atlantic he would go at a moment’s notice.” “ Arthur is not crack-brained,” pro- tested Hilda, almost in tears. “ I think you are hard and unfeeling—so there.” “Miss Meagher points out that we have no right to make inquiries about them. Most likely the police would think the boys had run away from us.” “Their business—they would not leave that!”’ wailed Nora. “We know they were all pepped up about their queer business, but a frank- furter stand won’t sound like much to leave. And father would raise the roof if we mixed up in a disappearance case.” “You needn’t worry,” said Nora stiffly. “I’m not afraid to do anything I can for my friends. I'll go to police headquarters. Fran put her arm around the shoul- der of the smaller girl. “T’m worried, I admit it, Miss Meagher, though Arthur is more Hil- HOT, 528 da’s friend than mine, and I have only met Mr. Lucus once or twice. But, if they have been gone three days, a few hours more or less won’t make much difference. “Now, you said that tramp was go- ing to telephone to you this evening. Perhaps he will have some informa- tion, and then we'll have something to go on. : “Of course, you will do as you please, but I suggest waiting. If you could make the tramp tell the police what he knows—” “T am afraid he won’t. didn’t dare go near them.” “Well, we can report what he said, and then the officers can round him “ That seems unfair,” said Nora du- biously. “Finding the boys if they are in danger is more important than wheth- er a tramp gets locked up or not, isn’t it?” “ Of course.*- “Well, thet. We'll break our en- gagement for this evening and stay home. After the tramp has talked with you, call us up or come to see us, and we'll all go together to police head- quarters, no matter whether father likes it or not.” “You are a trump, Miss Brinker,” cried Nora gratefully. “I am sure you are right.” “Have you known Lester Lucus long?” asked Hilda. “ We think he is charming, and when this is all cleared up I hope we’ll see something of you, Miss Meagher.” “Thank you,” Nora said dryly. “I was the stenographer in the real estate office where Les used to work.” She imagined she saw a diminution in their cordiality, but perhaps she only imagined it. “You'll be sure to call us imme- diately after the tramp calls you,” urged Fran. “Yes, indeed.” He said he TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK (C@ NOOLKS (F@