Argosy: The Short Story Magazine — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 MICHAEL GILBERT All this in front of the four other occupants of the carriage, who looked down their noses and got on with The Times crossword. “Don’t move,” I said—Gwen had made no attempt to do so— ** T shall be quite happy in the corridor.”’ The girl was obviously an expensive prostitute. Whether she was anything more remained to be seen. I found time for a word with Baker as we were drawing into Dover. Gwen had disappeared, and: he came out and stood in the corridor with me. “T’m sorry about that,” he said, but would have sounded sorrier if he hadn’t been smiling at the same time. “ Fact is, she insisted on coming, and it was too late to book a seat for her. Nice of you to let her have yours.”’ “How long have you known her? ”’ I asked. ‘ Since last night.” ‘““ Did she pick you up, or you her? ” He didn’t seem at all put out, but thought the matter over carefully, and said, ‘‘ I should say she made most of the running. I did wonder if she was all she pretended to be.” ‘What makes you say that? ”’ ‘“‘ Bit of an amateur in bed. Too willing.” ‘““T see,” I said. “ Yes, I thought it might be something like that. When you get to the boat, keep her talking. I’ve got a phone call to make.” Unfortunately, the train nearly spoilt it by running in late. I had just time to dive for a phone box and ask for one of the numbers I keep in my head but never write down. I told the man who answered what had happened. He would know what to do. Then I ran for it, and got aboard as the gang-plank was going up. Gwen stood on the quay and waved her wispy handkerchief at us. It was quite affecting. It’s an odd thing, that although I’ve led a rough sort of life, with a certain amount of excitement in it and plenty of oppor- tunities, I’ve never really been attracted by women as such. I don’t mean matrimony. Some day I'll settle down with the nicest little woman in the world and we’ll start a family. But not until I’ve given up my present job. It’s no job for a married man. I’d like to win the Amateur Championship, too, if i can, before I marry. ‘““Come and have a drink,” said Baker. ‘“‘ Or are you going to be sick? ” I must have looked surprised. The sea was like a mirror. “TI can be sick crossing the Thames in a punt,” said Baker. “That’s why I carry these.”” He produced a dirty screw of paper comiclookks.comn)