Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

550 troupe of masked Pierrots, Jimmy, and also that you promised to bring some men, and none of us are to know who the others are.” “ Aren’t we? Well, a good many of us seem to know who we are,” said Jimmy mockingly. Lois grinned. ‘ You wait until to-mor- row night, Jimmy Creigh. We've got two other girls. I won’t tell you their names, and we’re all going to wear red wigs—” “ That’s one thing you won’t need,” Jim- my put in. “You shut up. Have you been to Karl- son’s yet about your costume?” ““ No, I haven’t,” said Jimmy. Margery exclaimed with disgust. “TIsn’t that just like him?’’ “T haven’t had time,’ Jimmy said de- fensively. ‘‘ You’ve no idea what a lot of bother I’ve been having lately.” “Oh, yes, we know how busy you are,” scoffed Lois. “It’s lucky I interviewed Karlson myself. He has a lovely Pierrot set, a dozen costumes exactly alike for the men and girls—you know, made alike. But the men’s wigs are short-haired, bobbed, and the girl’s have pigtails.” “Shan’t we look pretty!” exclaimed Jimmy. ‘7 think we shall be very effective,” Lois remarked. ‘ The costumes are of orange silk, which matches the wigs, and the ruffs, caps, buttons and masks are black. And we girls are all about of a height. I hope you'll try to have your men the same.” “ Thanks. I'll put that down in my note- book. Anything else?” “Yes, you’re to call for the men’s cos- tumes and distribute them separately, and not tell any of your guests who the others are—” “ My guests, eh? Not much they aren’t. Any silly ass I can induce to come will jolly well pay for his own ticket and refreshment —and mine, too, if he likes.” “ Arrange that the best way you can,” said Margery. ‘“ We all know how stingy you are. Only, for Heaven’s sake, Jimmy, don’t spoil this rag. We’ve already got one man ourselves. We won’t tell you who he ees “How clever of you. between the three of you!” To rake up one - ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “‘ He’s so stupid!” moaned Lois, “ Jim- my, don’t you see, the whole fun of it is that we won't know who each other are—is? Of course we depend upon you to bring nice men—”’ “Thanks, [ll put that down, too. Where does this gang of golliwogs meet?” “Qh, we have a box. No. 10 in the log- gia. Didn’t I tell you that daddy—” ‘“T know who your one man is,” Jimmy interrupted triumphantly. “It’s your father.” “Isn’t he mean? Isn’t he hateful?” the sisters inquired plaintively of each other. A few more instructions were given to him. He was to tell each of his guests not to speak in a natural voice, and the masks were to be kept on all the evening. It was to end just as much of a mystery as it be- gan. “Do you clearly understand?” Lois de- manded. “It’s going to be a big mystery,” scoffed Jimmy Creigh. ‘“ Already half of us know who the other half are, and the girls you have enticed know who you are, and the fellows I hope to lasso will know who did it to them, and, anyway, it will be beastly wearing a mask all the evening—” ‘“ Jimmy Creigh, I loathe and hate you!” Lois cried in exasperation. ‘‘ There will be twelve of us altogether—twelve. You’ve only got to get four men besides yourself. There’s a chance for a wonderful mix-up, even if some of us do know a few that will be in it. And the masks are of wired lace, as light as possible. I never before thought you were a spoil sport. You’re not a bit like your old self, Jimmy. What on earth has come over you lately?” Jimmy rose, evading Evelyri’s eye. She knew what had come over him, and over her, too. Poor old Evelyn! “Tt ’ll be all right,” he said, as though in reply to Lois’s criticism. Evelyn smiled at him and it was a smile that hurt—“ jabbed him,” as he said to him- self when he thought it over. “Tm sure it will, Jimmy,” Evelyn re- plied. They both meant the cloud that was hanging over Dick, but the Loveday sisters naturally took his solemn declaration for a CORNICLOOOKS (E@)