The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

HIS MAD MOVE ON THE MOVIES. have. I have tried to give you two good, long hours in which to make your geta- way; but just as soon as Hammond be- gins taking me to the street, I shall raise my very strong voice and brand you the fake I believe you to be. I think that after that there will be no need of any fur- ther orders from me, trending toward your —er—elimination.”’ With that he turned on his heel, tucked the shiny stick under his arm and walked out. Jimmy. Darton looked at his friend, but before he could speak Hammond stepped into the room. “That gent that just went out,” he said. “What about him?” “Johnson reports—” ‘“‘Who’s Johnson?” the chairman asked. “One of the ten extra detectives I sent for this morning, when things began to liven up,” explained Morely. “I thought they’d better circulate among the crowd and keep down excitement. Go on, Ham- mond.” “Well, Johnson: reports that this party that just left stopped and spoke—just a word or two, I take it—to three of that gang out there, sir, and he said he made some kind of signs to four more that he could see.” “And then?” “Then he kept right on his way, sir, and went down in the next car.” “But that ain’t what I came in to tell you, sir. It’s about Dixon, the boss of this building. He’s sent up for you three times; once he tried to get in here. I wouldn’t let ’em bother you.” “Well, whatever he wants, I won’t pay it!”’ the chairman said, in a harsh, excited rasp. “Tell him that from me, Ham- mond!” “Well, as I understand it, it’s the other way around, sir. He has a check for a thousand dollars he wants to give you.” “What?” “Yes, sir, it’s your rent. Mr. Dixon says half the tenants on the two floors above and below and all the tenants on this floor are kicking about the noise and 147 excitement. He says if this mob ain’t cleared out to stay out for good, you'll have to vacate before seven o’clock. He said he’d take a chance on the legality and put everything here on the sidewalk, once he had handed you that check in the pres- ence of witnesses, whether you accepted it or not. J—I think he meant it.” Darton clutched his unfortunate head. “Why did he have to say that?” he cried irresponsibly. ‘‘All I’ve been think- ing of this last ten minutes was that I could hide in here all night, while you fel- lows and the police got the crowd out of the neighborhood! ” Hammond smiled dubiously. ‘““Well—I dunno, boss,” he mused. ‘Our bess ain’t stuck on having us call in the regular police, when we've taken a private job like this. It don’t look extra well, you know. Then again, I can tell you honest that us fellers’ll never be able to hold off that bunch all night.” There being nothing further to be said on that subject, he drifted out again, per- mitting just the proper amount of mob sound to ooze through in his passing. James H. Darton smiled pallidly at his best friend. “Tt want to confess to you, Tommy, be- fore anything untoward happens,” said he, “that I’m scared!” “Well, of all the jackass talk that ever left your lips, that particular string gets the silver cup!” the artist said angrily, as he lit a cigar. “You’re not going to die, you idiot!” : “What then?” the chairman asked, with- out much interest. “You’re going to get out of here.” “By the private elevator—by the fire- escape—by the chimney, if they have one! And as soon as you’re out of this building, you'll have to get out of New York for a while.” “Ves, I think you’re right about that,” the author admitted. “But it can’t be done.” His -chin on his clenched hand, he stared from the window; though further (COMMICLOOOLKS (E@)