The Argosy for May — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

210 which they have trimmed us and _ar- ranging for a division of the spoils? ‘And, as a consequence of this little celebration, I will be able to nail them,”’ dropping once more into his explanatory tone. “You know how Corning is, al- ways wants to return to his room after dinner to primp up a bit before starting out again. Or, even if he should be scared and ready to skip, it is certain he will want to go back there to get some of his things. And so it is ten to one, in any event, that Spear will return with him. “That will be my opportunity; for while they are at dinner I propose to ensconce myself in the apartment and be on hand, ready to greet them when they arrive.” : ‘But, of course, you want me to go with you?” ‘No. I think, perhaps, I can handle the situation better alone. You go on quietly home and pretend to have a sick headache, so that the folks will not sus- pect that anything is wrong from that graveyard face of yours. I will drop up later to let you know the success of my mission.” ‘But, good Heavens, Harry, suppose they should get nasty on your hands? They would be two to your one.” “Not so. I also will be two—myself and a trusty little friend that I shall pick up at my lodgings and carry with me in my hip-pocket.”’ As he finished, the train whistled into Long Island City and the passengers started to rise to their feet. The time for action had come! CHAPTER VIII. WHAT THE EAVESDROPPER HEARD. Rock, with the other members of the “crowd,” had often gathered at Corn- ing’s apartments for a jolly evening, or to discuss plans and arrangements for some impending frelic, and he conse- quently knew the place like a book. It was a luxuriously fitted-up bach- elor’s ‘‘two and a bath” at the fashion- able Martingale; and, as it was on the second floor, the tenant’s visitors used the stairs or the elevator impartially in order to reach it. THE ARGOSY. In the present instance, Harry chose the stairs as the more inconspicuous mode of approach, and also in order that the elevator-boy might be able to return a truthful denial if Corning should ask whether anybody had called during his absence. Thus he finally arrived without en- countering any undue obstacles; and, so far as he could tell, unobserved at the door of the suite, discovering to his re- lieved elation that, owing to the warm weather, the transom overhead had been left open. : He had brought a twisted wire with him, and had fully intended to pick the lock if necessary, despite the danger of being caught at such questionable work ; but the open transom made a way of ingress for him as though arranged on purpose and relieved him of the ticklish alternative. Accordingly, after listening to satisfy himself that the cage was empty and the birds still away, he drew himself up to the aperture, wriggled through, and dropped lightly to the floor on the other side. But once there, and after a glance around, he changed somewhat the plan of action he had formulated for himself. The original purpose he had conceived was to hide in the bedroom until the two men had returned and were well in- side the apartment, when he .would sud- denly disclose himself and enforce his demands at the point of the revolver. Now, however, as the idea occurred to him that they might not both come at the same time, or, even if they did, might between themselves indulge in some talk which it would be wise for him to hear, a better suggestion offered itself, and he decided to delay such pre- cipitate action. : A patent bed-couch, with a handsom cover on it, stood at one side of the front room ; and, stooping down to examine it, Rock perceived that there was ample space under its light iron framework for a man to lie in comfort, while the over- hanging mattress and coverlid would serve most effectually to conceal his pres- ence from the view of any one in the room. Down upon hands and knees Harry dropped, and, crawling into the retreat, 1DOO mn SS GO