The Argosy, Vol. 81, No. 4 — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

COCHRANE’S AUSTRALIAN STUNT. “Harry Fosdick was assigned to the dis- tasteful rdle, and much against his princi- ples he has been running up an unlovely reputation as a gambler and profligate. His histrionic skill was so effective that the little man out there made unexpected haste to cultivate his acquaintance. Fosdick told me last night that the trap was ready to be sprung. “In order to keep the secret safe he saw me as little as possible. I had his move- ments watched to-day, as though he were a suspect, and as soon as he was reported on his way to this place I brought you here with me to watch him. I apologize to you, Waters, for letting you think that the dic- tograph wire which we coupled to the re- (ochran 751 ceiver was lowered to us by the other fel- low.” Waters grasped wrung it fervently. “Do you mean to tell me, you old scoun- drel!” he exclaimed with mock severity, “that you are not the hopeless rake we put you down for?” “T am by nature the most well-behaved and law-abiding member of the corps of engineers,’ answered Fosdick jocularly. “Fortunately I have a bank account that is always sufficient for my obligations, and you will oblige me greatly, Waters, if you'll tell Benton and the treasurer of the mess that I'll hand each of them a check this evening, with an apology.” Fosdick’s hand and Bk ok Russell HE two men sat in a cheap room, in a ey cheap hotel in Castlereagh Street, brainless mutt; you poor simp!” the man by the Sydney. “You hopeless, window was saying. ‘‘So you just lost the money, eh? Just lost our bank roll, that Wwe were depending on? Good Lord, vou make me sick. Five thousand iron men, and gone in a pig’s whisper. You saphead, you—” The man on the bed was goaded into a reply. ‘““You’ve got no kick comin’. It was my roll, when it comes to a showdown. What if I did lose it? You’re no worse off. "T'was my money. You let me alone.” “Oh, yes, it was your roll, all right; but what made it yours? We hadn’t been two days out from ’Frisco, before you were in the hands of the Philistines. Who put you wise? Who handled that crook Handley, when he got too gay, tell me that? ‘Why, you were the joke of the ship. They used to tell me that when you sat in a game it was like taking candy from a baby. A precious lot you’d have had, if I hadn’t stepped in and put you wise. Yes, _and afterwards shepherded you. “It was your roll, but I’d made up my mind that I’d—Aw, what’s the use, it’s gone. What’ve we got left?” “T’ve got nothing. I cashed my letter of COMMUC NOOLKS E©)