The Argosy, December 1905 — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN great indignation set his blood to boiling. All other things aside, the stupen- dous impudence of the vice-president in attempting to dictate so delicate a ‘ matter roused a fury in him. He was on his feet in an instant and standing over Chambers with clenched fists. e “ You—you insolent cur he gasped. “Ill give you thirty seconds to get clear of this office.” = “Eh?” Chambers faced him placid- “ And what if I don’t leave?” “Tl throw you out.” Chambers laughed,—a short, quick laugh that was almost a bark. “J doubt it.” ec Then 2? “Oh, just pause for that thirty sec- onds, and [ll tell you the reason why, Alvin. How about ”—he paused and smiled—* how about the three thousand dollars you stole from George Broad- field ? ” The complete calm, the perfect assur- ance of the words dumfounded Duncan. What new legacy of Alvin’s was this? Unwittingly his hands fell to his sides and Chambers smiled again. He had scored his point. “Sit down, Alvin.” Duncan reflected quickly. If some- thing new existed, it would be best for him to know it, even at the price of re- calling his threat of a few minutes back. He obeyed. “Now, I suppose you remember nothing at all about that three thou- sand dollars, do you?” “1 do not,” said Duncan truthfully. “So I supposed.” Chambers chuck- led. “ Vl refresh your memory, Alvin, and I’m sure you will recall, however vaguely, one or two of the principal facts.” He crossed his legs and watched Dun- ean with a whimsical triumph for a while. The latter waited in silence. “Just how does that edifying story run? Ah, yes! It’s approximately three years ago, J think—a week or so before you went abroad. You had been losing everything you ever owned at the roulette wheel which your friend McIn- tosh operated up-town. Your uncle had ! ly. MASQUERADE. 111 settled up several of the accounts, al- most against your will, I believe. Ah, you’ve always been so honorable, Alvin! It’s almost painful sometimes. “ However, you were shy three thou- sand dollars, and McIntosh began to grow a bit importunate for his money. You were hard pressed. You—Alvin, you’re a wonder in some respects!” he said suddenly. “You look positively interested enough never to have heard the tale before. “Well, at about that time George Broadfield was actively interested in the International; in fact, he had the second office below this one on the same corri- dor, I may remind you. He walked out of his room one fine day while you were present, leaving three thousand dollars in cash in the open safe. Don’t even remember that, do you? Wonderful! “JT don’t know whether you were erazy, or whether McIntosh had made you desperate, or whether you yielded merely to the impulse of the moment; but you took the money and walked straight: up-town and paid Mac with it. You always were a little bit impetuous, Alvin’ = Chambers came to a stop, and Duncan stared frankly at him. In an uncertain way he wondered whether the real Henry Alvin hac ever committed a mu “der. “ \t that time, Alvin, Broadfield was a great friend of your uncle’s. He understood, and he said absolutely nothing about the theft. You did not appear again, and very shortly we understood that you had fled the coun- try. “Tt must have been a year before Broadfield told your uncle, and then only Well, because of a little ar- gument they were having. fFraim wanted to return the money, and Broad- field would not take it.” “ Why not?” escaped from Duncan. “Ah!” Chambers laughed — tri- umphantly. - “I fancied you would asi that! lt was because in that year—and ever since—Broadfield and | have been the greatest of friends, in business and personally. “He stands by me and he will stand CORMICLOOOKS (C@