Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

“YOUVE KILLED PRIVACY!” trusted him, although he was not able to tell exactly why. He, with Vice President Coddington and J. K. Wain- wright, chairman of the board of di- rectors, formed a triumvirate, who held the power of attorney to direct the affairs of the corporation in the pres- ident’s absence. This was the nearest that the elder Ward had ever come to delegating his authority in the Intermational Radio Corporation, of which he had been the majority stockholder czar, an autocratic rulership which he had handed on to his son, Edison, in his will. But Morehouse, as usual, was suave- ly deferential, and expressed the greatest concern over the nearly tragic incident of the morning. “It seems to me, Mr. Ward,” he said, “if I may be allowed to suggest, that it would be wise for you to keep out of sight for the time being, until we can be sure that there is no danger of a further attack. Why don’t you go away into retirement for a little time. A rest would do you good after the strain you have been through, and you can be assured that the affairs of the corporation are in competent hands.”’ “I should say that this was just the time that I need to be on the job,” Ward told him shortly. “I’m afraid I can’t consider any other course, until I’ve got things better in hand.” “T think you can trust Mr. Wain- wright and myself to see that your policies are carried out,” Morehouse replied, a bit stiffly. ‘‘ Of course, Mr. Wainwright is ill at present, but I can count upon him agreeing to anything that is for the good of the corpora- tion.” “Why do you leave Vice President Coddington out of it?” Ward asked, eying the secretary sharply. “Well, as a matter of fact,” More- house began uneasily, “now that you ask me that way, I'd like to warn you to not be too trustful of Mr. Codding- and absolute 149 ton. J have no proof of my feeling, but I am inclined to suspect Mr. Cod- dington of aiming to get control of the corporation himself.” Edison Ward studied his informant closely, his face showing no surprise. He had suspected something of the sort himself, but had been inclined to be- lieve that Morehouse was in the con- spiracy. “That is a serious charge, Mr. More- house,’ he said after @ moment’s thought. “If you find any absolute evidence to support it, I would appre- ciate your telling me, but I don’t care to consider mere vague suspicions.” Morehouse had barely departed when Vice President Coddington presented himself. He had just heard of the fanatic’s attack, and came in to inquire about it. Coddington was a considerably older man than Morehouse, and over twenty years Edison Ward’s senior. His at- titude toward his old chief’s son was rather paternal, in spite of the young man’s new authority. *“ Now look here, Edison,” he told him. “I’m going to advise you just as your father would were he alive. There is no need of your sticking around here at present, now that you have com- pleted your work on the new televisor and the plans are under way for re- organizing the factory to produce it. I suggest that you run away for a few weeks or months if you feel like it and have a play spell. You can turn over your televisor process to me and I'll see to having it patented. For the sake of the company you shouldn’t risk your life needlessly. No one but you knows the essential secret of the new tel- evisor.” “Mr. Morehouse has just made a similar suggestion,” Ward said dryly, and turned to his work. He had no intention of revealing that priceless secret to any one till it was a proved success and could be. properly protected. But Edison Ward found it difficult COPNICLOOOKS (E@)