The Argosy, October 1906 — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

| i fies to ae “newspaper ihe and in- eee the averting Sepa and ae ~“ But if- There was a gentle tap upon. the ee: ground- glass panel, and a clerk entered: He came forward and laid a card upon — Carter’s desk. Se Gentleman would like It’s what they re ra for.” 0 see you personally, sir.’ the card and smiled very significantly at _ his partner. = 3 “Mr. Thomas Rathbone!” he said, _ softly. “ The name of his paper doesn’t appear on the card.” -_ “ Possibly it isn’t a neweparer man,’ suggested Joyce. the name of—er—Thomas Rathbone, Fthene = : 3 SSS See NG 2S Nor do I. Well—we will not = see him. That’s all.” He turned to the z Ses ‘What sort of looking man is aia “this Mr. Rathbone—young, keen, pretty _- well dressed, and so on?” “Well, no, sir. He must be nearly | z sixty, and he’s rather shabby. His hair - is gray and quite long.” _.“Um—old newspaper man in hard luck, then,” concluded Carter. He handed back the ‘card. “ Tell = ~ Rathbone that I can’t see him to-day, ~ Jordan.” 29 Yes, SIF. 93 = And—er—you might add that- we have nothing to say for publication, — as well.” “All right, sir.” - The clerk 2 and Carter picked = up his specifications for a last perusal. “Why. are you so certain that it is a - newspaper man?”’ Joyce inquired. “ie one else, just at this time. I. never heard of -any Mr. Thomas_ Rathbone, and an elderly, long-haired, shabby per- son is hardly likely to be here after a lot as oe, structural iron-work.”’ = But he might be some one——” Carter, Sage his glasses, picked up — “ Do you happen ‘to Siow any one by” be Mr. Carter. “ Because it couldn’t logically — be any is he driving abr = Ss * Have him in and see—I'n m no 00d. at : riddles.” ‘quietly and - bring in a policem “Doubtless he is some one,” smiled way. be some sort oferank or jun Cie = But whale he is “any one oe = who could interest me he now, 1 vey much doubt. == —— Joyce’s lips were parted to spe oak when — ss the door opened again. It was the same clerk and in his hand he held the same card. Carter regarded him coldly. “Well?” : = “This Mr. Rathbone will not 80, sir.” “ And done: you know how to get rid — of people who will not'go? If you | could do no better there’s a porter some- where about, Jordan. I don’t propose 3 to be annoyed with Mr. Rathbone or any other newspaper man this aft ternoon.” But IT hardly think he’s a news- i paper man, sir.’ 7 s ce Why?” —- *! ‘He doesn’t look it, sir. They’re pretty cool, as a general rule.” -“ And isn’t this man?” asked See _ with forced forbearance. = “ He’s about as Ss: as a man can 35 He’s pacing up and down the outside office now, and he seems = = al \ >~ ~ half-distracted.” - = = = - “What about?” “snapped! the senior partner. Te “I don’t know, sir, but when T ihe. <a him that you were busy, he fairly yelled. He grabbed the card and sero # — = line on it—and here it is.” = a Carter’s latent curiosity was ones = ae = with more eagerness than one might. have = = expected, he stretched forth his hand | for =e the card and took it from Jordan. “Well—by Jove,” he ejaculated, — = e Rathbone’ Ss a queer cuss, Henry!” ae a S Lack. at this!” 2 = Joyce, leaning over his shoulder, sawi | Str: Look at the initials and admit me > = quickly, please. — Se ee “The initials!” echoed Joyce. = “ Yes, and he has. underscored. his con- — = founded initials twice!” added Carter. “Who the dickens knows. or cares ‘about — his initials ? And ———— the deuce — ee rw rs “JT—Tll have “Show the man in ue pate = if I ring for you three times, eae,