The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

638 “There’s something in that,” agreed Hicks. ““No; the thing for us to do is to hire detectives and prove that the other party tampered with the box.” ‘‘T’ve a notion that Pete knows a lot about it. Didn’t you notice how queerly he acted when the judge of election was questioning him?” ‘Yes, I believe we'll find out some- thing through that channel. He may have been hired by the citizens’ party to break open the box and fix some of the ballots so they would get the election.” “T’ll bet that’s it.” ‘But we can’t have Pete arrested now. We haven't any proof. Besides, if we hire detectives, maybe something else will develop.” ‘“T hope so. This thing is getting on my nerves. It’s awful for people to suspect me and my party when we as good as had the election anyway. But you can’t make these thick-headed vil- lagers see reason.” ‘That’s true,” agreed Spooner. ‘Possibly they’ll hire detectives too,” suggested Hicks suddenly. “Well, that can’t bother us any. We're perfectly innocent,” answered Spooner. ‘* Are—are you quite sure that nobody in our party had anything to do with it?’ asked Hicks, lowering his voice and looking around. “Why, yes.” “I thought maybe some of the over- zealous workers that were plugging for our ticket might have taken it on their shoulders to help us win.” “Of course not. None of our party would do such a thing. Hicks, I’m surs prised at you.” ‘“T just wondered, that’s all. You see, I’m a little bit uneasy over this de- tective proposition. If they hire detec- tives, it will come out that I was around the town hall at midnight last night.” ‘“ Pierce was, too,” added Spooner. ‘“ It would be much better if that.part could be hushed up,’ replied Hicks. ‘Well, maybe they won’t discover it. If they do, we'll simply come back at them with what we know.” ‘“Oh, I wish I’d never got into this thing,” said Hicks with great weariness. ‘“Come, cheer up! ‘That’s no way for THE ARGOSY. our leader to talk. We've got to fight the thing out.” | “When will there be a reelection?” asked Hicks. “Probably in two weeks.”’ ‘Then they won’t wait until this ax- handle mystery is cleared up?’ queried the other. “No. The village must have officers, and the law can take its course as soon as anything is found to work upon.” ‘Are you going to stay home from work to-morrow?’ asked Hicks of his manager. “Yes. I’ve got to be on the job. I’m going to take a day or two off and put detectives to work. This mystery must be tleared up.” “Tll have to get back to the office to-morrow,” said Hicks. ‘ This is our busy season.” “Well, you can trust to me to work in the interests of you and the non- partizan party,’ answered Spooner, of- fering his hand and bidding Hicks good night. CHAPTER VII. JUST FOR SPITE. NExT morning Hicks was at his office early. The accumulated work from the day before was soon despatched, and by noon he had time to think of the con- tested election and all the trouble he had found through breaking - Pierce’s ax- handle. : His wife had suggested that morning that he get another new handle, for the ax-head was useless without it; and the one Hicks had bought was on exhibition in the drug-store, and probably he would never get it back. This time he decided that there should be no mistake. He would have the han- dle sent home. So Hicks went to the hardware-store and ordered the article. ‘““T hope Mrs. Pierce sees the new handle delivered at my house,” he said to himself spitefully. ‘“‘ She’ll be sure to tell him.” : Feeling that there would be some re- venge in this move, Hicks returned to the office and conversed with Spooner over the wire. Detectives had already been hired by both parties, he learned, OO (Cc (©