Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

“YOU'VE KILLED PRIVACY!” been watching the girl, and came to the conclusion some time ago that she was secretly in love with Edison Ward, though I don’t think the young man knows it. Then, it’s possible that one of that bunch of experts which Ward got the Sax people to send to our place to study the works may be a spy. I’ve got my eye on them, too.” “T’m glad you’re watching. Partic- ularly look out for that girl. A little taffy might go better than force. Why not make love to her now that Ward’s supposedly dead?” Coddington smirked. “T can imagine a more unpleasant task,” he admitted. “ I'll think it over.” “ Now,” Redfern went on, “ we've disposed of the odds and ends, let’s get down to details. Whether Ward is dead or not, he’s got that televisor formula hidden away somewhere. You think it’s in a secret wall safe in his suite. Have you made any progress to- ward a peaceable method of getting in- to Ward’s rooms and starting a hunt for it?” “Well,” Coddington admitted, “you're forcing my hand a little now. I have been quietly taking steps toward getting the inside line on Ward’s af- fairs. A week ago, in fact, I made some progress toward corrupting his valet, a chap named Whitley. “ He doesn’t know what I’m aiming at, but I’ve slipped him a good retainer, and told him that I was going to call him up sometime before long and have a meeting with him. I’ve tested him far enough to prove that he’s a crook, and for enough money will keep his mouth shut, particularly if he thinks he’s on the winning side.” “ Good!” Redfern exclaimed. “ We'll send for Whitley at once.” , X. Aw hour later Coddington who, at Redfern’s directions, had stepped out to a near-by telephone booth, returned with Ward’s valet. Once inside the 171 rendezvous at the Moran cottage, Cod- dington said: “Tve put things pretty straight to Whitley, and made it clear to him that we are not going to do anything actual- ly criminal in this matter, but that Mr. Ward has concealed in his rooms a document that rightfully belongs to us, but which we cannot legally acquire by open methods. It will also interest you, Redfern, to know that you were correct in your guess that Edison Ward is still alive.” “Fine!” Redfern exclaimed. “I guess maybe then we can turn the tables after all, and you won’t have your scruples violated by bloodshed.” “Whitley tells me,’ Coddington went on, “that he is never left alone in Ward’s suite, and has never had an opportunity to make a search for the safe since I approached him on the matter, but he thinks from the very se- crecy with which Ward guards his rooms that he must keep his valuables somewhere concealed there.” “All right. business and cook up a scheme to get us in not later than to-morrow eve- ning.” The three conspirators discussed ways and means for an hour or more, and finally parted with the understand- ing that Coddington and Redfern should come to the Ward grounds at a little after ten on the following eve- ning, and wait near the servants’ en- trance until Whitley summoned them. It happened that Edison Ward played into the hands of the conspira- tors, as Whitley had expected. He had been in the habit lately of having Whit- ley serve his dinner for him in his lab- oratory, and he followed that practice this evening. At seven o'clock Whitley took his master’s tray up from the kitchen to his sitting room. In the hall just outside of Ward’s door he drew from his pock- et a small envelope containing a white powder, which he emptied into the soup. CORNICE OOO KS Now let’s get down to °” (C@