The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

THE GILDED TRAP. it. He forgot even to express any pleasure in the prospect. ‘ He had the check again. The fact that he could not buy boating-togs and a decent suit that was not for boating did not matter. Getting rid of Tubular Brass or crawling through the tubes would not matter. He had the check. He was not going to be denounced, arrested, im- prisoned. He— Why, yes, he was going down to Kent’s. He was going to get rid of Tubular Brass. That must mean to sell it. He was not quite sure how one went about selling a hundred-odd shares of stock; but probably Mr. Chase would help him out some way. But first he was going to get that check into the books and the file and generally so fixed that the bank would have to burn to a black cinder for it to disappear. There, that was done! Thanks be to all the powers that stand by to save the innocent from destruction! Bruce sighed. The relief was becoming more bearable. He was safe! »Well, now to tell Mercer and go down to Kent’s. Hadn’t he saved that transfer? No. But he didn’t mind walking now. All told, he was glad of the chance to walk. He felt as if he had lost a lot of weight without losing any strength, as if he were floating on air. Safe! Heaven forbid that anything like that ever happen to him again. The next time would surely kill him. But, what a fool he had been to worry about it! There never had been a thing to get scared at. He was losing his nerve. That wasn’t to be wondered at, considering the years of dark drudgery through which he had gone. Really, a man in his condition had no business saddling himself with new bur- dens. He ought to accumulate a few dollars for a rainy day, so that he wouldn’t have to worry about the bills and the pay- ments on the chicken plot. The chicken plot—um-m-m— Boating togs! think he was—a millionaire? 4 ARGOSY What did Wheelock Still, if he 289 was a little ahead on this Tubular Brass— hadn’t Mercer said something about it’s going to fifty-seven? Hadn't Wheelock mentioned a sudden rise? But Wheelock had advised getting out; said that the rise looked dangerous. Still —he might be a few dollars ahead. He would have gone to look at the tape had not half a dozen men formed a crowd around it, as he entered the broker’s office. “Sell your Tubular?” Chase echoed in a note of surprise. ‘‘ So, you’re going to play safe, eh? Well, if they all did that, more of them would make money. Let’s see—a hundred and ten, wasn’t it?” He had glanced at a small book. Bruce nodded. “Sell a hundred and ten Tubular, Charley,” called the manager of the place. Bruce hesitated a moment, then— ‘““ How soon do you suppose I can hear about that sale? I mean, how soon do you think you'll be able—” “Sold. Fifty-eight and three-quarters —same for the ten,” Charley called back. “All right, Mr. Evans—er—you were asking?”’ spoke Chase. ~“ No—nothing,” Bruce said hastily. His question had been answered. The sale had been accomplished just as easily as the purchase! He was glad Mr. Chase had not caught his absurd query. “ Want anything else this morning?” the manager was inquiring. ““Why—could I get the money?” Bruce queried. “ Certainly. Just take this in to the cashier. He’ll figure it up and pay you. Hope you'll drop in again, Mr. Evans. We're right here to help our customers make the mazuma, you know.” Chase held out his hand. Bruce shook it mechanically. Then he started through a rear door that the manager had indi- cated. Mr. Chase was a nice man to do business with. ‘““Huh?” The cashier stared at the little slip Chase had given him. “Isn’t it all right?” Bruce asked anx- iously. COMICLOOOKS (C@