Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

WATCHING STEPS. amusement. ‘In fact, I was never more sure of anything in my life. ‘Yes, @he went on, as his prisoner con- tinued silent. “ You have about as much chance of becoming a successful burglar as you have of becoming—er—President.”’ His gibe caused the burglar to flush again. ‘““-You—you’re right,” he admitted weak- ly. ‘“ And—and if I get out of this I’m going to try something else.” ‘The straight and narrow, eh?” His affirmative nod was answer enough. Then the householder noticed he was shiv- ering slightly. ‘“ Chilled?” ‘* Little—I guess.” “Sit down here, and I’ll get you some- thing.” With a narrow glance at the open win- dow the intruder seated himself on the edge of a chair. However, if he had any hopes of escape they were quickly shattered, for the man merely walked across the room and poured something from a_ bottle. ‘“ Here!” he said as he returned with a glass filled with amber-colored liquor. ‘This sherry will do you good.” For the first time the eyes of the young burglar openly encountered the gray ones of the householder. He accepted the prof- fered glass and choked down its contents. ‘“ Thanks,” he said as he straightened up in his chair. “Something to eat?’ pursued the man. His uninvited guest glanced at him fur- tively. ‘“‘I—I guess I’ve lost my appetite.” The householder’s laugh was harsh and strident. ) ‘Fear of a cell, eh?” he said with a sneer. ‘You’ve got a lot of nerve.” With a quick stride he was at a buffet, whisking away a linen cloth that covered a tray. “Eat that,” he ordered as he re- turned and placed it on the table in front — of the prisoner. for me. : 3 ‘““Go on,” he urged, as the other made no move. ‘If it will help your appetite any I may say that I—” “Vou won’t turn me over to the bulls?” the intruder jerked out hopefully. “Tt was a snack laid out 629 ‘T didn’t say that. I was going to say that your liberty depends altogether on the way you act.” The young housebreaker eyed him, and then the ~ tongue-and-lettuce sandwiches and the cup of cold bouillon. An instant later he was gulping down the food in a manner that brought a satisfied smile to the householder’s face. “Yes,” went on the latter, as the last morsel disappeared from the tray, “‘ every- thing depends on your actions—and your words, if truthful.” Slowly the color came back into the youth’s face and he nodded understand- ingly. ‘How did you come to pick out this house?” ‘““J—J thought I could find something valuable,” was the hesitating reply. “Naturally,” the man opined dryly. “You could find something of value in any house in this neighborhood. What I’m trying to get at-is whether you spotted this one before to-night—laid any plans?” ‘“ No, sir; honestly, I didn’t!” “Just sort of came to this one—and found ‘a window unlocked?” “Yes-yes, sir!” ‘And blundered right in?” ‘“ Tha-that’s right.” ‘ Got a kit—tools, I mean?” The young burglar shook his head. ‘“ Nothing but a pocket-knife.”’ ‘“Not even a gat?” ‘‘ A what, sir?” sé A gun.” ‘““No-no, sir!” gasped his _ prisoner. ‘“I—-I wouldn’t use it if I had one.” ‘Exactly. And that’s why you will never make a burglar.” ‘“ {—FI don’t understand.”’ ‘“No; and you never will,’ stated the man emphatically. ‘‘ Do you know what the penalty for burglary is in this State?” ‘Pretty heavy, I guess.” “Heavy is right. The limit is twenty years for the first offender—life for the old one!”’ The young burglar shivered. “Twenty years of your life,” continued his captor musingly. ‘‘ And yet you were not prepared to defend them.” ? mn (CO) NOOK