The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

140 When they were outside Finch seized him by the arm. ‘‘ Jack, we’ve got to take the first train for Larchmont. Swandorf must not see that letter under any consideration. I wonder how we can get it back.” Quite consistently with his recent trend of thought and action he began to plot stealthy measures by which the pack- age could be recovered before their holder could examine its contents. “Why not go to him simply and ask for them?” queried Preston. ‘ There’s no need to do a moving-picture stunt, is there? Just say we enclosed some private papers and—and—” Preston paused. “ By George!” he cried. “‘ What was to prevent him from reading them on the train?” “ Nothing,” replied Finch, ‘‘ only busi- ness men are not likely to work on a train, and besides, Swandorf wasn’t on a train. He always goes to and from Larchmont in his motor-car.” ~ “T guess you’re right,’’ Preston agreed. Finch glanced at him sharply. If ever a young man’s wits had appeared to be off wool-gathering, Preston’s had sincé his return from luncheon. “What did you have to eat?” growled his partner. ‘“ You act as though you’d been smoking opium. Wake up and get into this thing. This is no time for fooling.” _«“ Right-o,” laughed Preston, who felt the justice of the rebuke. “I don’t know what has made me so deuced stupid. Well, come on.” They swung into the Grand Central Station and found that a train left for Larchmont on the hour. It was then well after three o’clock. They purchased their tickets and sat in the smoking-room, reading news of the hot wave and of various affairs of the world until it was time to board the cars. Finch’s mind was busy with thoughts of Swandorf and his connection with Miss Hamilton. Although his relations with the man had always been cordial he had now come to detest him as the person THE ARGOSY. who stood in the way of his plans con- cerning the girl. He fell silent as the train sped into> Westchester County, and when New Rochelle was reached he jumped up sud- denly, as though having arrived at some sort of a decision. “Come on, Jack,” he cried. “ We'll get off here. I’ve thought of a scheme. Preston arose protestingly. “This isn’t Larchmont,” he = said. ‘Why do we get off here? I thought you were in such a hurry.”’ ‘““ Never mind,” retorted Finch impa- tiently. “Come along and I'll explain afterward.” He led the way out of the car and dropped to the station platform. From here he hurried to a garage, Preston fol- lowing, wonderingly. _““We want a car for a day or two,” Finch said to the proprietor, ‘“‘ a fast one.”’ ‘Do you want a chauffeur?” asked the man, at which Finch shook his head, say- ing that both he and Preston held licenses. He produced his State certificate. The proprietor led them to a lean, gray automobile evidently possessed of an enormously powerful engine, saying that this was qualified to pass almost any- thing they were likely to encounter. Pres- ton, who had examined it, critically agreed with the man. Before letting it go he insisted upon a substantial advance payment and de- manded that they give him the name of some one in the city whom he could call upon for reference. Preston gave him a list of names, and after the proprietor had spoken to one or two of them on the telephone he expressed his willingness to let them have the car. “Doing business with you is worse than having a check cashed,” complained Finch. The man smiled and rubbed his hands, saying that the game of hiring a motor- car and never coming back with jit was very popular in the region, and that with him it was always a question of “ safety first.” COMMICOOOKS (C@)