Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

340 tore through the scullery and kitchen, near- ly bowling over the astonished cook, who met them in the front hall. Without a word to her they dashed out into the area-way and once on the avenue McCarty paused only to produce his horn and sound it twice before he set out on a run for the northern corner. The street was deserted save for the soli- tary figure of a man walking rapidly east- ward far down the block and without wast- ing speech or looking backward for their ally they took up the trail. It proved to be a straight one for several blocks and the two following in the shadows exercised all the more caution for that, but the man appeared to have no suspicion of their espionage. Intent only upon ‘his er- rand the rapidity of his stride increased un- til he all but broke into a run, but at Third Avenue he halted abruptly. “Tf he picks up a taxi by any chance of dumb luck we’re lost!” McCarty panted. “There’d not be but one night-hawk along this way before dawn!”’ But no taxi appeared and the car-tracks stretched away blankly into the darkness. After waiting irresolutely for a minute or- two the man turned south and started off once more with his quick, nervous stride, and McCarty and Dennis trailed along but more cautiously still, for now their quarry glanced constantly back over his shoulder. He was almost two blocks ahead when he halted again at the curb, and at the same moment there came to their ears the _ hum and rattle of a car approaching from behind. Without giving himself time to think McCarty sprang out into the middle of the avenue and swung aboard the car as it passed, while Dennis clung tenaciously to the upright bar, heedless of the profanity of the outraged conductor, and succeeded in scrambling up, narrowly missing a pillar of the elevated railway structure. McCarty had already produced two nickels and they made their way to the for- ward part of the car, seating themselves with hunched shoulders, turned to the en- trance. “That was a narrow squeak!” breathed Dennis. “ We've lost Martin now if ever he was trailing behind. “Twill be a fine _ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. note if the car don’t stop for your man, Mac, or if he changes his mind!” ‘““Tf you borrowed money the way you borrow trouble, Denny, you’d not have a friend left in the world,” McCarty observed. “The car’s slowing down now, and as for — Martin I never knew him to get left yet!” The car did indeed stop at the second corner, and as it resumed its way Dennis could not resist a swift glance over the few passengers behind. “It’s Hill, all right!” he announced in a sepulchral whisper. ‘“ He’s dropped into a seat by the rear door and he looks like the ghost of himself! Something must have happened him, the night, since he went back to the Creveling house!”’ “Tis what’s on the mind of him, more | like,” surmised McCarty grimly. “ You think ’twas him killed—”’ “IT do not!” McCarty interrupted. “If I did I’d have my two hands on him now, and well you know it! Don’t look around again till you hear the buzzer.” To. Dennis’s edged nerves the ride down- town seemed interminable. Twice the buz- zer sounded and twice his eyes nearly crossed in the haste and eagerness of his backward glance, but Hill still slumped in his seat with his head drooping over upon his breast. “Is it to the Bowery he’s going?” he — muttered after the second disappointment. “No wonder he stood looking for the car! *Tis a fine walk we’d have had—”’ “Are you a cripple?r’”’ demanded Mc- Carty. Street yet; and ’tis not a fire we're going to, you know! There goes the buzzer n.”’ . ; “And it’s him! He’s reaching up with his finger on the button!’”’ Dennis made as if to rise, but McCarty laid a heavy hand on his knee. * Sit still and let your head fall over as if you were asleep!” he ordered. ‘“ The fellow’s got to pass us to get out front. Don’t move till I say the word!” The two relaxed figures apparently lost in slumber were not calculated to arrest the eye of a fellow passenger making for the exit and Frank Hill’s glance did not even include them as he passed and descended COLM G DOOIX “We're not even to Thirty-Fourth . (GO ww