The Argosy, April 1912 — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

BETWEEN “Well,” he said, “you see I’m back again.” “So I see,” replied the jeweler. CHAPTER IV. THE ARREST. THE jeweler took the rim and picked up the watch. “You were not very long in making the trip,”’ he observed. Hazard’s impulse was to tell the man that he had found the rim in his pocket be- fore he had got half-way.back, but he checked this when he reflected that the other would probably consider him a stupid ass to have overlooked the very pocket in which he naturally would have placed the golden circle. So he contented himself merely with observing that his hotel was but a short distance away. Having selected a crystal, the jeweler bent over the case, adjusting the glass, at the same time keeping up a volley of re- marks, being by nature a very loquacious man. “Let’s see,” he said, glancing at the clock, “you were in here about nine-fifteen. You were gone about twenty minutes.” “You are very exact in your observation of the passage of time,’ remarked Hazard. “Naturally,” returned the jeweler. “Oh, quite naturally, seeing that time plays— ha, ha—a very important part in my pro- fession.” “That is true,” Hazard agreed. “Yes,” continued the jeweler, “you were gone almost exactly seven minutes. And now,” setting the watch, “it is nine- forty.” “Yes, nine-forty,” repeated Hazard. “I must hurry.” The jeweler handed him the watch. “ Beautiful morning, isn’t it?” he ob- served. “Yes,” replied Hazard. this?” “Half a dollar,” said the jeweler briskly. Then he added: “Yes, a beautiful morn- ing. It’s a great thing to be free, able to drink in all the sunlight and fresh air you want, isn’t it?” Hazard handed him a fifty-cent piece. “Thanks,” the jeweler went on. “ Free- dom, liberty! We don’t appreciate our blessings, I suppose. Money is everything to us.” “ How much is TWO ALIBIS. 71 “It is to me,” observed Hazard, “or al- most everything. You give me the gold, and you can have the sunlight and the air.” “Ah! Ah!” returned the jeweler with a deprecative wave of his hand. “There speaks the thoughtless man of affairs. Well, I hope you never lack for either. I mean sunlight and air.” “Thanks, I hope not,” said Hazard. “For they will keep me alive and healthy to enjoy the money I may make.” “To be sure.” The jeweler laughed heartily. “Well, good day.” “Good day.” Hazard went out into the street. He re- membered the office, and stopped to tele- phone the information that he expected to be at his desk within the next fifteen min- utes. Then with a relieved toss of his head he once more emerged into the street and head- ed toward the street- car line two blocks away. A newsboy ran by, calling “Extra!” and a flashing glimpse of a black head- line gave intimation that something of an unwonted nature had happened in the city that morning. Well, he would not call the boy back. One could never believe what extras print- ed. In the afternoon he would buy his fa- vorite evening paper; the Register, and read the real facts of the case. But he had paused an instant, and as he resumed his onward course the newspaper reporter and the thick-set man came up he- hind him. They slowed their pace when within fifteen feet of the unconscious Haz- ard and allowed him to remain that dis- tance ahead. ““Well,’”’ demanded the reporter, “why don’t you round him up?” “Tf you knew anything about my game,” was the reply, “you would not ask that.” “Well, I’ve got an edition getting ready to go to press,” remonstrated the other. ‘Wot do I care for your edition?” was the reply. ‘This case ain’t so strong as the old man thinks. But he may lead us to a clue. Let him go on.” “Clue!” scoffed the reporter. ‘“Isn’t he himself as much of a clue as any one wants?” “Well, we’ve got him, ain’t we?” was the reply. “Don’t go off so at half-cock.” “But there’s always the chance he’ll give us the slip.” “Is there? Well, he won’t give me no slip, you can gamble on that.” COMmicloool< CO