The Argosy, March 1907 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN SUSPICION - Catterson shrugged his shoulders and seemed divided between astonishment and annoyance. Certainly, he had a wonderful nerve, Radford reflected. ‘He was sitting there, despite the re- volver, as placidly as he might have sat upon the porch of the hotel. In a way, it roused the druggist. “And for your further edification,” Radford snarled, “I may tell you, Pen- der, that the same ‘ Pig’ Ryan whom, you expected to see when I knocked gave me your whole criminal career only this morning.” He paused and licked his lips. ‘‘And now get up! to start!” ‘ For where? ”’ ‘“ Bondville, Pender, and all the way there this gun is going to be pressed into your side through my pocket. You'll go to Bondville, or you'll go—consider- ably farther! ” He straightened up and took a new hold on the pistol. Catterson seemed slow in obeying. Indeed, he looked up once more with his cynical smile. “My dear young man,” he murmured, ‘do you greatly object to my smoking? That cigar is going to burn the table in another minute.” “Then use one hand in getting it!” The big man regained his weed and puffed it back to redness without com- ment or move. When the task was ac- complished satisfactorily he leaned back and surveyed Radford calmly. “T say,” he began, “ would you mind giving a hint of why you're calling me =e CNUEI. P ‘Because it’s your real name, my man!” snapped the druggist. “Cut that out! Get up and on the move! We're going to leave on that ten-o’clock trolley!” : “ Well—er—that’s possible enough without going down-stairs now, you know.” Catterson glanced at the clock. “We've a full half-hour to walk down two flights—and really, that gun’s un- comfortable enough as it is without being pressed into my side. I wish you'd sit down a moment.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands, the cigar in one of them sending _up fragrant clouds. He eyed Radford “calmly and keenly; and the druggist, to his own slight dismay, found himself We're going. ‘and force me to return with you. STRUCK HARD. thinking how utterly the rascal repre- sented, or counterfeited, the type of square, solid, and successful business man. Without the positive knowledge he had gained, Radford felt that he would have been almost inclined to apologize and retire. But he had gained the knowl- edge, thank fortune, and he had caught his man! . Catterson was silent for a while. He seemed to be looking over the man with the gun, and as he looked his eyes grew almost contemptuous. At last he spoke up sharply: ‘You absolute chump!” he . said. “Shall I size up the case for you?” ‘“ Keep your compliments to yourself,” Radford retorted grimly, “and you needn't do any sizing up. It’s all sized up.” Catterson turedly. ‘ Druggist—er, what was your time? Oh, yes, Radford; of course—you’re more than half out of your head. perfectly sane, I assure you. You'd bet- ter let me talk and bring you back: to your senses. ' 99 laughed almost good-na- “Tm not seeking to “deny that I was in the store or anything of the sort. The reason I disappeared was the same that would have actuated you or any other busy man—I simply~couldn’t af- ford to be dragged back to Bondville a dozen times to. testify about an utter stranger. Once I was sure that the man was beyond help, I simply cleared out.” “After writing a note and thrusting it under the body?” “Eh?” Catterson stared blankly. “Oh, drop the bluff!” the druggist said. ‘We'll come to your part now,” Cat- terson smiled, a little dazed, as it seemed, by the interruption, but willing to be tolerant and pass it over. ‘‘ Some blast- ed carelessness sent poison into your soda stuff, eh? Man died, and I had disap- peared. I was the only one who could be expected to prove that you didn’t put in any dope when you mixed the soda— therefore, you decided to come after me Then excitement got the best of you, and at the present moment you don’t know more than half what you’re talking about! ”’ EComichboo 683, I’m ~~ <SiiGO SB ee eee Prato ae See = SS -— - >