Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 3, 1924 — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

A STRANGER IN make sense. Such things weren’t done. They didn’t happen. ‘“‘ Then—why did that fellow give it to me?’ he exclaimed. “That,” said Captain Salles, “is some- thing you ought to be best able to explain.” ‘“T had?” Eddie faltered. ‘‘ But—I don’t know anything about it. I’m a stranger in the city.” For the second time, Salles and his com- panion exchanged glances and the captain addressed the warder. ‘“ Unlock the door, Joe, and we'll go where we can all sit down and talk it over. There’s a lot to this thing that ain’t quite plain.” The warder complied. The key grated in the lock. Harmon and Miss Elton stepped outside. What next? Eddie asked himself. Was there never going to be an end to the delay—the squandering of his time—before the police decided to admit their mistake and apologize for the incon- venience they had caused him and turn him loose? The case had fizzled. If the bill was genuine money, they hadn’t a thing against him, not a thing. They couldn't very well prosecute him for running after a man who had given him real money. The affair was as good as ended. He glanced at the girl, moving down the corridor of cells beside him, and surprised a slight frown of something like consideration between her eyes. Vaguely he felt annoyed. A twinge of disappointment: stabbed him. She didn’t seem in the least elated by this complete vindication of her client, nor pleased at the imminence of his release. Of course, there was no real reason why she should. She hadn’t known he existed an hour be- fore, but just the same an attorney should take some interest in a case. The barrier of the jail clanged shut be- hind them. Eddie drew a chest-filling breath. At Jeast he was outside its metallic restraint and after Salles had held his little talk he would go back to his hotel, pack his suit case and get a train. Salles turned aside and opened a door. They entered an office of some sort. They sat down—Salles and Marvin on either side of a flat-topped desk, Mildred and Eddie in a couple of roomy chairs. TOWN. 841 The captain began at once: “ You was - standin’ on a corner, when some one ran up and gave you that bill this afternoon?” “Yes, sir.” The thing was getting to be an old story to Eddie, but he answered without hesitation. If Salles wanted to hear -it first-hand, he was willing to tell it again. ‘“T was standing there looking at a build- ing. I’m a stranger in town, and—” ‘“One moment, captain,’ Miss Elton in- terrupted. ‘‘ You can verify that, I think. Mr. Harmon tells me he has a room at the Fairview and that his money and return railroad tickets to Chicago are in the hotel safe.” Salles glanced at Marvin. “ See what the Fairview says about it, will you?” he re- quested and turned again to Eddie. ‘“ You was standin’ there lookin’ at this building, and—” ‘“He put the bill in my hand and said here was what he owed me and slapped my face, and ran.” ‘‘And as soon as you saw the hill vou started to run.” ‘“As soon as I realized what had hap- pened, ves, sir. At first I was startled. I could hardly believe the thing had really happened. There was no reason why he should have given me the bill or hit me. I didn’t know him from Adam. I’m a stranger—” ‘But you started runnin’?” short any further explanation. “Yes, sir.” After him?” ‘““Of course.” Eddie’s tones exhibited a slight impatience. ‘ I wasn’t merely run- ning for exercise, captain. The fellow Salles cut slapped—”’ ‘Yes, yes.” Once more Salles inter- rupted. ‘‘ You started runnin’ just as Jenkins come along?” ‘“* Jenkins?” Eddie repeated. ‘I don’t know. The first thing I knew about Jenkins was when he nearly tore the coat off my back.” The door opened and Marvin, who had left the room in response to the captain’s suggestion that he check up on the Fair- view, came back and resumed his seat. ‘“‘ Somebody by the name of Edward Har- mon has a room there all right and his DOO Conn ‘ae ie (C©