Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Hanson sank on a cushioned seat, and gazed at the detective with the air of one who has been hit with a club. ‘“ We—we’ve been hoodwinked!” he ex- claimed. : Peabody Smith indulged in a_ hearty laugh. “You have stated it admirably,” he said, “but I can’t say that I’m called upon to shed any tears. I’ve already told you there has been too much divided authority in his _ case. If I had been given complete charge - the results might have been different. By this time Inspector Kauffman had managed to struggle to his feet and stood looking at the two men in helpless fashion. Captain Hanson contrived to secure a few fingers of brandy, and after he had swal- lowed this the color returned to the man’s face. “ Now, Kauffman,” cried Peabody Smith without a trace of sympathy in his voice, “‘ you’ve been made to look like thirty cents. Tell us all about it.” The bewildered inspector moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue and began to speak in a slow, halting style. ““Jt—it happened so quickly that I hard- ly know how to tell the story. Anyhow, I came aboard with the fixed intention of finding Jimmie Tucker and recovering the «= Sanderson sapphires. First I distributed the blank forms of declaration so that the other men could get to work as soon as possible. Then I started to look for Tucker. I was coming along the corridor when some one in this room grabbed me by the arm and pulled me inside. Before I knew what was going on he had a handkerchief to my nose and I found myself on the floor. He must have tied me while I was unconscious. That handkerchief must have been soaked in chloroform.” Hanson picked up the bit of cotton and sniffed at it. It still retained the odor of chloroform. While he was doing this Kauff- man squinted at the detective. “ What’s the matter?” asked the veteran. “My glasses,” replied the inspector. “I can’t see very wet without them.” Captain Hanson gave a loud groan. “That other fellow had them on when he got the gems from Miss Brayton. He ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. took them with your badge and uniform. That was the final touch.” Peabody Smith grinned. ‘‘ That was just like Jimmie Tucker. He’s the most artistic crook in the business. Never overlooks the slightest detail. He must imagine we are the greatest bunch of boobs in America. What the government will think of you, Kauffman, is something beyond me.” Something like a mist came over the squinting eyes of the inspector. He spoke tremulously. “Tt wasn’t my fault. I was taken un- awares. Any man might be caught in a position like that. I never dreamed of such a thing. I’m a poor man with a family. I hope you gentlemen will say a word in my favor.” Captain Hanson was too much disgusted to reply. “If Peabody Smith was affected by the appeal he did not show it in his manner. In the meantime the purser of the ship came to the door of the cabin and displayed a pair of thick-rimmed glasses. ‘‘] found these in the room just vacated by Miss Brayton,” he said to the captain. Inspector Kauffman looked up with a start. He reached out an eager hand for the spectacles, ‘They belong to me. They were taken from me by that scoundrel.” Peabody Smith treated himself to a grin —to what might properly be described as a malicious grin. ‘‘ Jimmie Tucker was very courteous to return your glasses. He knows that you will need them to go home. But he won’t return your uniform.” : ‘Why not?” asked Captain Hanson. “ For the simple reason that he is wearing it m erder to get through the customs lines and to make his escape. He knows very well that he will pass unnoticed in that garb.” ‘By George!” exclaimed Hanson, “TI never thought of that—he’s probably made his get-away by this time.” “Not probably, but certainly,” said the detective, ‘and it is quite clear that Jim- mie is thinking just about twice as fast as we are to-day.” x While they were talking Inspector Kauff- man looked as if he would keel over from COPMIELOOO© cS (E)