Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

she asked, stepping into the blackness. “« Good thing I know which bell to ring.” A harsh, sharp voice shot forth a com- mand from the dark. “ Stick ’em up, both of you! No monkey business unless you want your faces shot off!” Ahold-up! Oliver grinned. He hoped the hold-up man was a blond. If so, the gentle- | man deserved the disappointment that was coming to him. Oliver had one lone Cana- dian dime and that was all. He knew that Lois was too wise and too frail to carry more than her “mad money ”—a dollar, with perhaps a nickel for subway fare. “Crowd into that corner,” continued the hold-up man, “the one who makes a noise is screaming for the coroner. And keep your hands up!” Oliver obeyed the order. He was watch- ing the dim figure that loomed threateningly in the darkness. He made no defense; merely waited. He took it for granted that Lois had obeyed the order, too. After the first gasp of surprise, she had remained silent beside him. The man stepped toward them, and one hand stretched forward to Oliver’s breast pocket. At that second Oliver flashed into life. One hand swept down to his hip pocket, and in the same movement it came out again with a businesslike revolver. ‘The other hand leaped forward, grasping the hold-up man’s wrist, pointing his gun aloft. “Drop it!” ordered Oliver snappily, jamming his revolver into the other’s belt buckle. The hold-up man obeyed, then he began to laugh. “I didn’t know you were going to do that,” he said. ‘“ Lois, I guess you lose your bet.” A “Tommy!” Lois’s exclamation of sur- prise was truly a work of art. “Sure, it’s Tommy,” the hold-up man replied. “‘ You said that this fellow had boasted that he wouldn’t stand for a stick- up, but I didn’t expect—”’ “Pin your mouth shut,” commanded Oliver crisply. ‘‘ What’s this all about?” ‘“ It was a joke,” Tommy replied, a trifle uneasily. ‘“‘ Lois thought it would be fun to have you held up. The joke’s on you, Mr. Oliver Ohle.” “Oh, is it?” Oliver did not seem to be THE BLONDE JINX. amused by the jest. “ pointed at the stars. “But, Ollie! This mil!’ Lois explained, and ed closer the young man just to show that she | ruste “ Another whisper from either of Oliver remarked grimly, “ and Pll sme all over this hallway.” His fingers — busy. “So you are Tommy, are y he asked pleasantly. ‘“ Young man, y picked the wrong umba to play your pre little tricks on.” He found a nice ; pocketbook. ‘“ You lose this, just for m ing me mad.” - ae Tommy found his voice at last. “ Lots” didn’t tell me you’d get mad, Mr. Oh a She just said that nobody could stick you up and—” J ie “Lois is a blonde,” interrupted O “To-night will teach you not to t blondes. They’re dangerous.” ~~ aa “But—” Lois clasped Oliver’s arm. “You wouldn’'t—why, I didn’t know— Ollie, this is Tommy. I’ve mentioned him to you, dear. Just this afternoon —” “ Hands off, or I'll make this goof look like a sieve!” Oliver was in no mooc “fo argument. He put one finger under Ton my’s chin, lifting his head. ‘‘ Look at m and then forget me,” he said to the 3 man. “I’m going away from here now and if you ever see me again, close your eye and say softly, ‘ This cannot be true.’ you let out a peep to the cops, youl it for the rest of your life—which w long.” ar Tommy was frightened. He had not pected to be treated in this fashion. “1 T’ll—not say a—a word to—” — ee “That will do!” Oliver turned, gra: Lois by the wrist, and started down steps. ‘“ Be deaf and dumb and pet for the next five minutes, Tommy darlir he called gayly. “I might come back IV. <a - = ‘ oe lawl tae Ir was a different Oliver that urn corner at the end “of the block. pulled another blond bone! a bum joke like that. Wh: com icbooks.com : 6g AR - < ~~ > 4 Th oo - LU a pk Sale —? ¢