Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

. 422 “* Nice overcoat you ‘ve got,” he remarked casually, Dobell felt hugely gratified. His system surely was the correct one. This was the - way to get promoted; first attract attention, then demonstrate that one is worthy of it. - “ Not so bad,” he answered. “ Had it long?” Dobell throttled a temptation to ‘add to his moral victory by proclaiming that he. was long accustomed to luxury. ‘Just since Saturday,” he replied virtu- ously. “Wish I could afford one like it? Elation replaced mere gratification as Dobell undertook his afternoon duties. He would show the self-styled expert in voca- tion choosing that he was a know-nothing. Before summer. came, probably, he, could ‘boast to the folks back home that already _ he-had achieved his ambition to become a - salesman. Since every eye was upon him, he must of course do his work well. He was absorbed in his task half an hour later when the. officer manager ap- peared at his side. “ Getting along nicely, Dobell?”’ he in- quired. ; ' . “JT think so.” an “Glad to hear it. ‘ithe boss likes con- scientious workers.’ | Dobell grinned with pleasure. “T hope that I’ll attract the president’ 5 favorable attention,” he said. ** ‘You’ve already done it. -He wants to, see you in his -office. -here.to tell you.” “ Really?” The announcement seemed almost too good to be true. - ‘“‘ Maybe it’s your overcoat he wants to see. At any rate, you are to take it in 1 with you, and your hat as well.” : Dobell’s elation abated just a. trifle as he proceeded to the president’s office with . | his hat and overcoat. The disturbing thought came to him that a discharged man would walk out in just such a manner. The president, however, welcomed him cordially enough. He was obviously aman of high standing in the business world; athletic looking, though middle aged, with an ait of conscious authority and power and not many signs of modesty. There _ garment. ~That’s what I came, ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. was a secretary in the office, too, a golden haired girl who smiled at Dobell in a pecu- liar manner that he failed to comprehend. “That’s a nice coat you have,” said the president. ‘ May I look at it?” -Dobell handed. over the resplendent green tossed it into an empty chair, and smiled in the same odd manner that the girl did. ‘You haven’t been wearing that coat very long, have you, Mr. Dobell?” he in- quired. Dobell admitted that he had procured it only the previous Saturday. . “New?” queried the big boss. Dobell’s natural embarrassment descend- ed heavily upon him as he admitted that he had secured it for thirty dollars from a second-hand dealer on the Bowery. ‘* Ah! dent. There was an awkward pause and then ~ _Dobell summoned up the courage to ask what it was that was explained. “How you came into possession of my : overcoat that was stolen from me in a Park Row restaurant last paturday,” said the _boss. Dobell gasped. The presic““t’s over- coat! That was why he had attracted at- tention in the office, why the pretty secre- tary smiled, why the big boss summoned him into his private office. Instead of - looking up to him, every one regarded him as a dupe or a thief! “That, you see, explains why’ you were. able to buy the garment so cheaply,” e X- plained the president. _ -Dobell did not doubt this statement. Tt did not occur to him to question the boss’s claim. He made no protest when Mr. Hol- comb picked up the garment in a proprie- tary manner and slung it over his arm. ‘““Some men might suspect that you stole this coat in the restaurant because it has been found in your possession,” said the great man. ‘Fortunately for you, IL. haven’t got a suspicious nature, so I accept your explanation. if he can tell us from whom he bought it.”’ -- The secretary did a bit of telephoning, The boss examined it. swiftly, | That explains it,” said the presi-. - But, just the same, I’d - like to prosecute the thief, so let’s go to- - gether to the second-hand dealer and see . COMiicboo® S