Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

HOW MANY CARDS? the tone as though the speaker were secret- ° ly amused at some unvoiced thought, but Mr. Cutter’s face expressed only deep con- cern and regret. The ex-roundsman real- ized that nothing further was to be gained at the present interview without showing his own hand and reluctantly dropping the stub of his cigar upon the ash-tray, he got up from his chair. “Well, sir, Ill not say the tip came from you, but I'll look into this matter of Mr. Creveling being maybe off his head. I don’t mind telling you that it’s the first idea I’ve got hold of that might bear out the medical examiner’s report. Young and rich and popular and all as he was, it stands to reason that he must have been nutty to do a thing like that. By the way, Mr. and Mrs. Ford were here last night, weren’t they?” “Yes. They dined with me and we talked until an unconscionable —hour. Clever fellow, Ford; one of the shrewdest operators on the street. Take a few of these cigars with you if you liked that one,” Mr. Cutter invited cordially as he held out a handful. ‘‘ You won’t find any of the same sort in the city, for they are made especially for me. Look in on me again any time you care to do so; I shall be glad to learn how your investigation is coming along.”’ . McCarty thanked him, reclaimed his hat from the aged butler in the hall and de- parted. It was nearly six o’clock, and the early spring dusk was settling about him as he made his way to the nearest public tele- phone booth and called up Dennis Riordan. .“* As soon as ever I can get into my reg- ular clothes,” the latter. promised. ‘‘ What was that you said this morning about a dress suit?’”’ “You'd not be needing it to-night,” Mc- Carty chuckled. ‘‘ Don’t make it more than half an hour, for if it’s not mistaken I am, we have a job like the old times be- fore us, Denny. I'll be at the table in the corner, waiting for you.”’ Ringing off, McCarty inserted another nickel in the slot, and calling headquarters. got an eager and impatient inspector. “Ts that you, Inspector Druet?” he-de- manded cautiously. doo “Where the devil have you been, Mac? Here I’ve been waiting for your report—’’ “Twill keep, sir, at least for a while, for I’ve nothing definite, but I think I’m on the heels of something. You mind that party you took up this morning on sus- picion?”’ . ‘* Bodansky ?” ‘No, sir. The valet. Has he laid low or yelled for a lawyer?” ‘ He’s standing pat. Says he’ll ask for a lawyer when he needs one, and seems con- fident we'll have to let him go for lack of evidence. I had him up on the carpet for three hours, but no amount of grilling will get out of him where he was during the hours between eleven and six.”’ ‘Well, I guess he’s right!’”’ McCarty ob- served. ‘If you'll take a little tip from me, sir, you'll turn him loose.” “ «Turn him—’ What-t!” fairly sizzled. “Let him go, sir, at eight sharp to- night,” McCarty urged. “Give him an idea that you’ve grand new evidence that leaves him out of the case entirely, and you don’t give a damn where he spent the night. Get that through his head and then throw him out, but not a minute before eight. Have you Martin there, or Yost?” The wires ‘Martin. But what have you got under | your hat, Mac?”’ ‘“My head, sir, and it’s a wonder ’tis still on my shoulders with all the queer dope I’ve been getting this day!” respond- ed McCarty with fervor. “ However, when you let our bird out have Martin on the job. I'll pick the fellow up just outside, and do you tell Martin, please sir, to trail along after me, but do nothing until I give him the sign. I may be wanting Yost later, but if I do I'll phone again.” “ You’re all wrong this trip, Mac, but I'll let you see it through.” The inspector laughed meaningly. ‘ Our bird is too wise to lead you to his covey, but when he’s trailed his broken wing before you long enough, pull him in again and come down here with him. Understand? I’ve got something to talk over with you.” ‘“ Yes, sir,’ McCarty agreed noncommit- ‘tally. ‘But until I do see you, sir, for the love of the saints keep the newspaper boys ECOMNIC HOG COlini