The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

154 where without you, Jimmy, and it will do very nicely if there’s no other way,” Sibyl put in contentedly. “Which is the safe way out?” Hammond grinned again, quite mirth- lessly. “There ain’t any, lady. The mob’s out in that side hallway now and there’s no getting by ’em. The best thing to do is to turn in a call for the police, and if they’re here in time, it’ll be all right.” ‘“And if they’re not here in time?” Sibyl asked. “Well, then—I guess it won’t be ail right, lady,” the bodyguard confessed. It was Thomas Morely’s brilliant af- ternoon. “Tl fix that for you, too!” he said. “This is it, Hammond: let one of your men put on Mr. Darton’s coat and hat— they’re both light gray and conspicuous— and then circulate a rumor that he’s going to try a break through the front room— see? Then, while the man is going out that way, we can leave by the side door. During the excitement, you know.” ‘And what becomes of the man who tries it?’ Hammond asked dryly. “Let your prize-fighter try it!” cried Jimmy Darton. . The bodyguard pondered for some sec- onds. “He might, at that, for money!” he muttered. ‘Wait a second and I'll see if I can sneak him in here without attract- ing too much notice.” Riley was with him when he reappeared. Riley was about Jimmy Darton’s build, and smooth-shaven; but there the resem- blance ended, for in a beauty contest Jimmy Darton would have had infinitely more chance of taking honors. Riley looked over the gathering with a sour grin and demanded: “What is this stuff Hammond’s giving me about making a break in your clothes?” Darton, somehow, could not quite face him. “Well, the idea was that if you started out there in my hat and coat, the—er— trouble would center around you and give THE ARGOSY. me a chance to get away, Riley, but I think we'll call it off,” said he. ‘This is my mess and I’m not going to see anybody else killed in my place or—”’ ‘‘What’s this job worth?” the fighter asked placidly. “Five hundred, at least!’ Hammond contributed. ‘““A thousand, cash in advance, if you want to tackle it,” Jimmy Darton supple- mented, “but I think you’d better for- get it.” “Have you it with you, this thousand?” the fighter continued. “Er—yes.” “Hand it to Hammond; it might pos- sibly get tore,” smiled Mr. Riley. ‘‘Where’s the coat and hat, boss?” Tommy Morely slapped the brave man’s back. “Bully for you!” he cried. “Now, if were going to do it, let’s do it right. You show your face out there first, Jim, with the hat and coat on you. Just give them a chance to recognize you and then duck back. Here you are—go to it! Hammond can go along and drag you back. There!” He thrust the hat upon Darton and turned up the collar of his coat. Silently Jimmy followed his bodyguard through the next office and the next and the one after that. Sibyl Dane looked fearfully at calm Mr. Riley. “Can you—can you really do it without being much hurt?” she breathed. “Me, lady?” said the fighter, and beamed his candid admiration. ‘Well, lady, I ain’t the guy to throw no flower- stands at m/’self; but I wanter tell you that when I get done wading into that bunch o’ hicks out there, half the ambu- lances in New York’ll be killin’ children in the streets t’ get here fast enough. Only I won’t be riding in any of ’em; 7’ walk! Get me, lady?” “T get you,” Sibyl Dane said faintly. “T_T do so hope yourre right.” Through the opened doorways came a momentary roar and then Hammond’s voice: “No, boss! You can’t get out!” CORMICLOOOLK (C@