Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

162 Sts _ .THE ARGOSY. “Pm really awfully sorry, officer,” he said, ‘““but the matter was urgent, you know; practically life or death; might be, anyway. I had an appointment to meet a man outside the Golden Trust Company at eleven. Got held up by the traffic every place, never had such a time in my life, ‘pon my honor; then just as I came in sight of the place and found he was still there, though it was six minutes after the time— well, I got desperate, and made a dash for it. Of course, anything I can do ’— he made a disarming gesture toward his — pocket. “Well your explanation is certainly all right, sir. No, I couldn’t think of it ’— - waving away the hand that now swooped toward him from the pocket with a free and generous gesture—‘ it was my duty, and, of course, order must be maintained. But if you ever want anything from Clegg —that’s my name—you call on me, Mr.. Fane. I hope you didn’t lose your friend.” “T may take you at your word, you know.” Tony laughed, taking out his pocketbook and making a note in it with a - small ivory pencil. ‘‘ Awfully dangerous thing to promise me help, I’m so often in hot water. Where are you stationed, Clegg; what about my coming to see you when you aren’t fenced in by duty?” The rubicund countenance of the officer took on a deeper hue. He chuckled: ‘‘ Well now, Mr. Fane, if you feel that way, sir, here’s my address, and I’m sure I’m much obliged. I think your friend’s waiting, too.” Not staying for more, he hurried back to his post, but if he had waited he might have been curious. For Tony, turning to confront a total stranger, cried out in amazement, grasping with a mighty grip the hand outstretched to him. ‘Hello, David, where on earth did you spring from?”’. ; For the moment he forgot everything ex- cept his pleasure in the unexpected sight of his old friend. Then, as David answered his question, he looked beyond him, anxi- ously. ‘‘ Say, you didn’t frighten that fel- low off, did you? Awfully shy bird, I guess; he was waiting for me, under the Golden Trust clock. I chased him on up here—”’ No one appeared in the surrounding group of passers-by in the least like the slender figure Tony remembered following up the avenue for four blocks. He turned back to David with a little frown between his brows. Then, suddenly, as he looked, an expression of amazement spread over his features. His eyes, deep-blue eyes that were changeful as the sea, gazed into ‘David’s gray ones. He took his hand again and wrung it, silently. ‘Old man,” he said quietly, all the usual exuberance gone from voice and manner, ‘TI didn’t recognize you at first.” “I knew your voice, Tony, the minute you called out. It’s mighty fine to hear it again, after—”’ : Whatever he had been going to say, Tony interrupted. “Five years,” he said. He turned to the car and opened the door. ‘“ Guess you won’t mind riding with me,” he said, “ though I did nearly get arrested Just now. Fine thing for me Clegg hap- pened to be a good sort. Last time I was in the Speeder’s Court the judge said next time he wouldn’t fine me, he’d send me to jail. They call this car ‘the blue devil,’ one of the policemen told me. She’s a pretty good goer, at that.” David settled back in the seat next the ~ driver, laughing. It seemed to be sufficient answer, and Tony flashed a swift glance at him. They had come now to a busy section of the avenue, and speech was su- perfluous, Also, the minds of both men were busy. What, exactly, was the situa- tion? Red glowed in Tony’s face for an in- stant. He cursed himself silently for a blundering fool. Why, overcome suddenly by the realization that David Cortland, his old college chum, was an ex-convict, brought to desperate straights, too, since leaving prison, could he have hit on no pleasanter subject for conversation than his own prom- ised term in jail? His mind was in a whirl. He had gone to meet a stranger, a man who had ap- pealed to him and to others, according to ~ his letter, and thus to meet—David, it was enough to make any one bewildered. Be- sides—then he left off wondering. An old Ss) ‘ ) ( 4 mm, ~ “9 Re + # fA r » We if ; ay “be? ohne ? Sa RR hepa ‘7 ns ie! os le ae hw i Se ca ee a ‘ int ot Eomicboo