The Argosy, April 1912 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

WRESTING A PITTSBURGH SECRET. “But, my good Delia, Lucille got me into the house to-night just so that I should hear all that was said over the cards.” “Faith, I knows that, an’ be the same token I know she didn’t want t’ doit. Now, did she?” “Well, no, she didn’t. She insisted it wasn’t necessary,” admitted Fred. ‘An’ it wuzn’t necessary ayther. On’y you young men in this counthry do be allers wantin’ yer own way, ’specially whin it’s the wrong wan. D’yez mind that, now?” “But, Delia—” “Never mind tryin’ t’-blather me wid yer ‘ Delia.’ You git out th’ back way, an’ Ill give th’ tip to yer two fr’inds to go t’ yer office an’ tell yez all about it afther th’ card-playin’ is done. ‘Things is goin’ all right, an’ yez’ll hav yer noomber wan powther all t’ yeself av yez don’t git too bothersome. Now, git out. Good night!” Fred Barrington found himself gently pushed into the yard, with the door closed against him, before he could make any further remonstrance. He went straight to his office. Delia had promised she would send the others there when the playing was over. Even if she hadn’t, it was the place they would come to naturally. “Tt’s ten o'clock,” he muttered, when he had thrown himself into his swivel-chair to cogitate. ‘They will play cribbage till twelve, anyhow—perhaps one. I'll wrap myself in my big overcoat and lie on the sofa. I had very little sleep last night. So, if I drop off now it won’t do me any harm. The bell is right over my head. The first tinkle will wake me.” With his warm storm-coat drawn com- fortably about him, Fred stretched himself out and in two minutes was fast asleep. He lay undisturbed till the day - shift of workmen came to the factory at eight o’clock and woke him with their loud talking. No one had rung the bell. Neither Pro- fessor Shaw nor Jim McKee had come to the office. “Surely they can’t be still playing crib- bage,” thought Fred, as he rolled off the sofa and pulled up the window-shades. ee CHAPTER XVI. ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. For at least ten minutes Fred stood gaz- ing through the window. The view was 131 not inspiring. Across the narrow street towered a dingy brick wall, the back of another glass-house. To right and left; on his own side, extended the Barrington factory, with its large yard, which meant more dingy brick wall. “Good Heaven! There’s Jim McKee now!” suddenly exclaimed Fred. ‘ But no professor.” | He flung open the door, and Jim came in with a grin. He usually wore one, whether matters were going right or not. But there was a note of triumph in his voice now as he chirped: “Morning, Fred. What are you doing over here so early?” “Slept here,” replied Fred sententiously. ‘I supposed so. I called up your house and found you’d not been home. Your sister answered the telephone. When she said they had all been anxious about you, I took a chance and assured them you were all right. JI said you were at your office.” “Your divination was marvelous. If you’d lived in Rome in Nero’s day they'd have made you an augur. Did you tell her what time I went to bed, when I got up, and what I dreamed about?” “Well, we had quite a pleasant little talk.” “Yes? Talking about me?” asked Fred with a quizzical smile. ‘“About youre Um!—er—not all the time,” was the rather sheepish reply. “As soon as I left the telephone I rushed over here.”’ “Why didn’t you telephone me?” “Why, Ill tell you,” returned Jim, be- coming serious. “I didn’t think it wise to use the phone. I wasn’t absolutely sure you were here, and somebody else might have answered. While I would not say anything important over the wire, anyhow, the very fact of my calling you up after being at Steiner’s house the night before might have caused remark. We don’t know what spies Steiner may have in your fac- tory.” ‘I thought you and the professor would come last night. That’s why I stayed here.” “We couldn’t. Steiner went with us to the incline. Sim Galt, too. He slept at a hotel on the other side of the river, down by the Union Station, and stuck close by the professor and me. We didn’t get away from him till past two.” “TI see. Did you get anything out of him?” cComicloool. CO