Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

2352 was unaware that Charles, having received from the lookout in the lower hall a report upon Zelda Carter and Alan Dmitrieff, had started on his way to the Echo’s office. Zelda believed=in_ comfort, Alan conced- ed, when, after being greeted by the two ‘other guests, he glanced about the small but expensively carpeted, curtained, and fitted apartment. Indeed, she had been so intent upon surrounding herself with every appurtenance of luxury that the room bore some likeness to a well-filled storage locker. Quite noticeable; however, was the bowl of perfect American Beauty roses, the supply of which Zelda apparently controlled at the source. Madge and the count helped make it a party of four, and established precedent by promptly seating themselves at the tiny center-table groaning or at least murmur- ing under the weight of the collation. The count, however, cleaved to his beloved chorna kleb, although substituting bottled beer for his esteemed kvass. Probably divining Alan’s amusement, the count vouchsafed the explanation that in- asmuch as his work carried him so largely among the great hotels, he always found it a relief to get away from sumptuous fare and eat the Pee of food during his off hours. Thezezpon, the sprightly Madge, nib- ' bling at her cheese-and-olive s.ndwich, added with cool pertness: ‘Stick to it, count; never let ’em know you was a born mucker, with a Russian rube’s accent and a sour and sickening taste.” The count, a fashion-plate, seemed nei- ther embarrassed nor offended, as he af- fixed his monocle and stared gravely through it at his traducer, who grimaced back, “Rum thing, that, about Moreno,” pre- sently remarked the count, darting a swift look at Alan. The Russian then guided the conversation into a talk on police methods, disclosing an intimate knowledge of the procedure followed on either side of the At- lantic in detecting criminals. He spoke from, the view-point of a law-abiding man, and paused frequently—as though inviting Alan to interpolate a word. Alan felt that the count was seeking to THE ARGOSY. draw him out, to find out who he was and what he knew. All the Russian seemed to prove was that the musician might shine as a violinist, but sparkled not at all as a con- versationalist. Shortly, Madge flung back her chair, si- multaneously declaring she was ‘ined of hearing them talk shop, at which the Rus- sian coughed. She placed a ragtime record on the phonograph, while Alan—himself bent upon acquiring information—ad- dressed a query to Zelda. ‘You're nicely situated here. lived here long?” he asked. “Oh, more’n a day.” . ‘ Strange I haven’t met you in the neigh- borhood before this,’ Alan pursued. “Yeh; tough. luck, Ill say. My job takes me out a good deal. But we got a chance now to get well acquainted, ain’t we?” Alan was almost certain she made a sign to the other girl. At all events, Madge soon gave the excuse that she must return to her own room for a moment. After a while the count also withdrew, upon some pretext or other. Thus the young musician found himself alone with the girl of the rose. entirely alone. Some time previous to this, Charles had made his report to the Echo, who received it frowningly. “ Change the girl’s hours,” she instruct- ed, after consideration. “ She’s clever, in her way—can adapt herself to a new line without difficulty. Fit her into a night job. If that doesn’t work out, I must—but we'll take that up later.” .When the manager had retired, the Echo’s brow smoothed out. She laughed quietly to herself. It was a disagreeable laugh—tinctured with irony. “The idol of the good little bookshop girl!” she muttered cynically. She ruminated for quite a while—some- times frowning, and occasionally walking the length of the room. Then, with an im- patient exclamation, she took from her desk a key. Soon she was noiselessly letting her- self into the temporarily unoccupied room next to Zelda’s apartment. The girl of the rose was not getting any- Have you EOPMICLOOOKS No; not» (E@)