Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

248 THE confusedly trying to decide on a plan of action, the intruder passed softly into the inner room—and Zelda saw who it was. Again the girl excitedly invoked the name of Deity, and still again—as she glanced at her wrist-watch. What should she do? How could she warn him? She heard a faint sound of footsteps in the hall. Too late! Impulsively she darted through the anteroom; hissed a warning to Garford and Hummell, who had just arrived at the door. Then she sped down the hall, with some mad, unformulated idea of holding off the “ bulls.” ‘“A dick! The Echo’s pinched!” whis- pered Garford, as they saw Alan standing by the desk upon which the Echo’s face was hidden. They dodged back and gazed, in dismay, up and down the hall. “What’s the use! They have the place surrounded, sure!” groaned Hummell. “ But we’ve got to get rid of this, quick!” And he dived, with his valise, toward the ~.bath-room door. In another second he was ejaculating: “ Get this, will you!” This was the un- conscious form of the Echo’s watch-dog. Hummell and his pal always worked to- gether with perfect harmony. While the former hoisted Bill Rath to a half-sitting posture against the wall and spread wide the skirts of his coat, Hummell speedily plucked. from the valise an innocent surfac- ing of shirt, socks, and other articles of men’s-wear. This haberdashery removed, the pals des- perately scooped out gold and gems and precious stones and proceeded to stuff them behind Bill Rath and his flapping coat. Meantime, Alan had been gazing at the Echo with an emotion somewhat different from that which had possessed him upon entering. For the life of him, he could not hold anger against this now gently sobbing woman. He had come in sternly to de- nounce and threaten her— yet here he stood, pityingly! And, yes—besides pity, that other strange fascination still drew him as of old. . The Echo’s sobs had ceased. Shortly, as though sensing the nearness of some one, she raised her head. Consternation—fear —came to her face as she looked at Alan. ARGOSY. “What are you doing here?” she de- manded in a voice that vibrated harshly. ‘Tm growing careless!” she irritably muttered—and glanced around. Instantly the Echo snapped stiffly erect. It should have been impossible for both doors to remain open at the same time— yet both were ajar. She quickly pressed her foot down re- peatedly on certain knobs in the carpet be- neath her desk; but with no result. Start- ing from her desk, she rapidly traced the course of the wires; presently yanking loose a carelessly replaced covering-strip, and ex- posing the cut wires. Her sudden scrutiny of Alan informed her that he was as sur- prised as she. 3 Moving swiftly to her desk, the Echo glanced at the clock—then snatched up the phone receiver. ‘““ Charles, where are Garford and Hum- mell? Quick!” 3 Came the — stammered __ response: “Madame, they already have gone up—’” then the sound of a shot and the commo- tion of loud voices. The Echo listened for a bare instant. Again the look of fear—as she staggered toward Alan and gasped: ‘“A raid! You must not be found here! Go through my apartment—use fire-escape to roof—just a chance the roofs are not watched!” Alan made no movement. “ What will you do?” he gravely inquired. “Never mind about me! Go!” she panted. Then: ‘It’s too late!” the wo- man murmured brokenly, as the sound of voices in the hall came to them. Her face working oddly, she looked into Alan’s eyes. Instinctively he reached out his arm, and placed it protectingly about her shoulders. The voices in the hall had grown more insistent.’ Garford and his pal now made themselves heard distinctly. They had seen, through the open doors, that the young man was at least no “ dick!”” Hum- mell smiled reassuringly—pointed to his now entirely innocent valise—and gave the “All’s clear ” signal. With a sharp intake of breath, the Echo whirled toward them. ‘ Close the door— pretend to press the buzzer—you’ve come to rent a room!” was conveyed to them S (EO) .OO ANIC (EO)