The Argosy for May — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

AT THE END thing, yet how could he afford to re- ward him? Perhaps, by stinting himself, he could spare him a pound, but this amount might be considered an insult. Before these thoughts thaf raced through his brain had resolved themselves into any definite decision, the cashier said: ‘I think he is going to hunt you up, sir. He opened the book and looked at the checks before he handed them to me, and then asked if I knew what hotel Mr. Walker was stopping at.” ‘“And you told him?” Walker que- ried, aghast at the new turn of events. “Yes, sir; fortunately, I had your address, and gave it to him.” Walker heaved a sigh of :despair, so deep and sad that the cashier was alarmed. ‘“T hope I did right in giving it to him,” he ventured. ‘* Yes — no —oh,. it didn’t matter.” Then he turned abruptly and started to- ward his cab, the charges for which he knew were accumulating rapidly. Again he directed the driver to his hotel, and then leaned his chin dejected- ly on his hands. “What next?” he mused. “As if I hadn’t / troubles enough already! If there were a cheap steamer leaving to- day, darned if I wouldn’t take it and save the cost of my board and lodging till Saturday. I can get a job on a New York newspaper easily enough.” Then suddenly: “No, I’m hanged if I will; I’ll stay till Saturday, and see the game to the finish. But if I do that, I’ve got to keep dodging that gray - suited fellow. Because now I owe him a reward, I| sup- pose, and I know he would not accept it. But he warits a loan; he thinks I could not refuse him, after what he’s done, but as luck—my brand of luck— would have it, I’ve got to do so. And now he has my hotel address—that proves my theory as to what he wants—” He paused, then added, almost plain- tively: “ I don’t know why I am cursed with such confounded ill luck.” He was now within a block of his hotel, and at this instant he saw, cross- ing the street just ahead of him, the tall, gray-suited American. Instinctively, Walker pressed as far OF HIS ROPE. 339 back as possible into the cushions, but the stranger did not look in the direc- . tion of the cab, and a sigh of relief broke from its occupant. “I suppose he’s been to the hotel to interview me,’ Walker muttered, “ and tell me how much I am indebted to him, and that a small temporary loan would be greatly appreciated.” He glanced around as he stepped from the cab, then hurriedly paid the driver and dismissed him. He walked rapidly into the hotel lobby, and as he passed the desk the clerk called to him: ‘There was a gentleman here to see you only a few moments ago, Mr. Walker.” “IT know it,” the dramatist snapped. “Oh, you saw him, then.” “No, I did not.” Walker realized that he had said more than he intended, and added in a more genial tone: “ But I felt sure some one would call this morning.” “The gentleman seemed quite disap- pointed not. to find you in,” the clerk continued. “He asked me if I knew when you would return, and as you had given me no direction, I had to tell him I did not. He said he would come back this afternoon.”’ “Oh, is that so?”. Walker’s tone was careless in the extreme. ‘Yes, and he left his card and—” ‘“ Let me see who this persistent per- son is,’ the other interrupted, reaching out his hand for the bit of pasteboard. The clerk fumbled among some papers on his desk, then searched under it care- fully, but his quest proved fruitless, and he avoided Walker’s inquiring looks as he said nervously: “I had it only a minute ago, but I can’t find it now. It seems to have disappeared, but I'l] come across it and send it up to you.” “Don’t trouble yourself. It small importance.” There was a sarcastic tinge to Walk- er’s tone that the clerk mistook as being directed towards himself. is of “Oh, Vl find it, sir. It must be right here.” -, “Very well; if you do, send it up to me. I am going to my. room, and am at home to no one.” ‘Then, with more determination in his tone that usual, he repeated: ‘‘ Understand me—I am at home to no one.” \ C@nnieclo@ol< (C@)