Argosy All-Story Weekly — "The Purple Limited" — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

‘“T knew them in the old country when she was a baby and he just a broth of a boy, as I’m after telling you,’ McCarty remarked. ‘If there’s a drop of the old blood in him, Cutter and his crowd will strip him of his last cent, and him thinking all the time that the game is a straight one and them as clean sports as he. Id not butt in now but they may scent scandal and exposure coming and make a killing off him before they beat it. I’ve an idea that Waverly is four-flushing financially just the way Creveling was, and is in ona percentage of Cutter’s games. Anyway, I'll not let the O’Rourke be stung if a worst in his ear will save him!” But when McCarty stood in the genial, democratic presence of John Cavanaugh O’Rourke, he did not find it so easy to ut- ter that saving word. Adroitly he turned the conversation from the mystery of Crev- eling’s death to a discussion of his friends and heard a eulogy of Nicholas Cutter which left him at a loss as to how to pro- ceed upon. his mission. After all, the O’Rourke was a gentleman, and McCarty had been but a gawky, out-at-elbows lout, bred of the farms and byres. Would the former listen to a word from such a source against one who, though a scamp and a scoundrel, was nevertheless of aristocratic stock? The ex-roundsman drew a deep breath and plunged. ‘You were good enough when I talked with you last, sir, to say I should let you know if there was any way you could help to clear up the matter of Mr. Creveling’s . death. Will you answer me one question, nqt to be repeated to the inspector, but as man to man?” “Of course, Timmie.” The old name came instinctively to O’Rourke’s lips. “ If this valet, Hill, whom you have arrest- ed—’”’ a ‘“ Hill has been let go again. We took him in on the murder charge for another purpose entirely, and it worked.” Mc- Carty paused. ‘ The question I wanted to ask you was about Mr. Cutter. I know he’s of a fine old family, and you think he is a friend of yours—” “ Think?” O’Rourke caught him up quickly. ‘“ He’s the best pal in the world.” HOW MANY CARDS? 715 ‘“So a lot more have thought, sir, until they left his card-table with nothing but the clothes they stood in.” McCarty met with a steady gaze the fire which flashed suddenly in the other’s eyes. “I know all about those little games of his, you see, and,I suppose you'll be ready to kick me out, * but tis only because of the old days I’m speaking now. Did it ever occur to you, sir, that they were being run crooked?” For a moment it seemed that O’Rourke’s anger would burst forth, but he turned away instead with a forced laugh. ““You’re away off, Timmie! Nick ~Cut- ter is a thorough sportsman all the way through, and his play is dead on the level. Of course he wouldn’t care to have it pub- lished broadcast that a few of his intimate friends meet as a regular thing at his house for a gentlemen’s game, because of the beastly notoriety and your ubiquitous po- lice system over here; he might actually be raided! I suppose you’ve been talking to some cad who lost and then beefed about it. Cutter wouldn’t ask a chap of that sort to sit in, but a man doesn’t always know his friends.” ‘“‘ That’s what I’m trying to tell you, sir. A man can’t always tell whether people are on the square or playing him for a sucker. I’ve heard more than one ugly re- port concerning him in the last few days, but I’ve said nothing at headquarters.” McCarty added slyly: “I like a hand or two at poker myself now and then, and I’m not regularly connected with the de- partment any more, you know. ‘Tis none of my business to go bleating about a gen- tlemen’s -game and spoil their sport. I only wanted to warn you in case anything might be wrong.” ‘‘ Thanks, old man, but there’ s no need.” O’Rourke’s good nature was completely re- stored, and now his merry, boyish eyes twinkled with a sudden inspiration. ‘“ Tell you what Ill do to convince you; I’ll take you along and stand sponsor for you at the next game if you like. as long as you are there unofficially, and you can see for yourself that everything is as right as can be. I'll stake you—” “Yd like to take you up on that some Cutter won’t mind - nn) 6)(0)O) (C(O) (C S (C(O) nn