Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

646 “T thought a man would be useful.” “Can’t [ induce you to return to your home, Miss Brinker?” “Not to-night,” said Hilda coolly. “Nora, you understand my posi- tion.” GS; Sai Ord. feet.” “Tt was very unfair. What is your interest in this Lucus fellow, Nora?” “I often ask myself that,” she re- plied. ‘*Don’t worry, Ranny. We won't tell Mr. Brinker on you.” “T think Mr. Milligan desires to leave us,” said Hilda. “ We do not wish to detain him against his will.”’ “You wouldn’t desert two young girls on their way to police headquar- ters, Ranny?’’ reproached Nora. “If you like you’ can remain in the cab. I'll do all the talking. I don’t want Miss Brinker’s name mentioned any- way. It won’t be necessary.” During this argument the cab was hurtling down town through deserted streets, and now drew up before the building which housed the commis- sioner and deputies of the New York police force. No matter how sweet and kind a girl may be, she can be very cruel to a suitor whom she doesn’t favor, and Nora was so wrapped up in her own affairs that she had not considered that she was risking the position of a worthy young man by dragging him into those affairs. Reluctantly Ranny opened the cab door and, when the girls had alighted, followed them into the building. * Nora spied a policeman behind a desk and made inquiries, to be direct- ed to the Bureau of Missing Persons down a side corridor. This office was vacant save for a sergeant who had his feet on the desk, his coat off, and was reading the sporting columns of an evening newspaper. ‘The entrance of two extremely pretty, well-dressed girls embarrassed him greatly, but he thrust his arms into his uniform jacket -and assumed an official manner, * You have cold ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, “We want the police to find two young men who have been missing three days,” began Nora. The officer drew toward him a blank and dipped a pen in ink. “Names and addresses?” manded. Nora supplied Lester’s address, and Hilda furnished the street and number of Colter’s hotel. “Occupations?” he demanded. “They are in business at—Broad- way near Fulton.” ; “What kind of business ?”’ Nora flushed. ‘“ They run a—it’s a kind of a—’” “Tt’s a frankfurter stand,” supplied Mr. Milligan. Both girls glared at him, yet he had spoken the truth. The sergeant’s manner from polite interest changed to indifference. “Descriptions, please?” he demand- ed. The girls were able to give him excellent descriptions, much more ac- curate and in fuller detail than a man could have done. “Distinguishing marks? marks, moles on the body?” Nora looked at Hilda and Hilda looked at Nora. Both blushed. ““T am afraid we can’t tell you that; we don’t know,” Hilda faltered. “Why? Ain’t you ladies their wives or sisters or something?” Nora shook her head blushing very red. “We are not relatives. - Just friends.” “ Ah! Sweethearts, perhaps?” “No, just friends.” The officer hid a smile beneath his heavy gray mustache. “What do their relations think of this ?” “So far as we know they have no relatives in New York.”’ “ Both bachelors?” Nora nodded. “These lads didn’t show up for a date; so you came for the police,” he surmised. ‘ Why are a couple of nice girls like you going around with fel- lers that run a hot-dog stand? You he de- Birth COPMICLOOOKS (C@