Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

THE MILLVILLE TRICK. fiercely upon him, and a keen ear might have heard a muffled oath, though what came with distinct enunciation and mild tones was a “ Hello, Jerry, old scout,” as the gaunt one dropped two shabby suit- cases and extended a white and slenderly graceful hand. ‘““The Parson!” Eee Bowker, as if unable to believe the evidence of his own eyes. ‘ Hittin’ Millville at this time o’ the night, too. Well, there must be somethin’ in the air.” “ Did you wish to get the express?” asked the other gravely. “ It’s moving.” Jerry Bowker laughed a loud, forced laugh, his eyes lighting with suspicion, his mind revolving rapidly, ‘Let ’er move!” he brayed, opening his hand to let fall the Gladstones he carried. “Pm pretty fond of little old Millville, Parson, and I’m goin’ to linger. Fact is, old dear, I’m a reception committee of one to welcome you to our city. Greetings—all hail—and farewell, Mr. Express!” as the train pulled out and passed with the dull green and red showing from her tail lights. ‘“ This is a most fortunate meeting, Par- son, I’m positive sure and almost certain.” “Yes?” purred he of the saintly face. ‘Why should you be glad to meet a quix- otic ass whose high-flown ideas verged on the grotesque?”’ “ What.a memory you have, Parson! I believe I did call you that in the happy erst- while, when I used good grammar and—”’ ‘And those of your friends who would stand for it,’ finished the Parson, grimly. “ Candidly, this meeting to me is nothing like a special dispensation. I had hoped I had seen the last of you.” Jerry Bowker grinned widely, which did not improve his appearance any, for he was an ugly, low-statured man of bulldog build, whose face was covered by a blue stubble of beard. He looked what he was, an all-around crook, chiefly remarkable for _ taking anything he could lift, and with an ability to lift huge weights. ‘“‘ Parson,” he chuckled, ‘‘ you tickle me, and damn your hide, I can’t get mad at you! There was something of fate in our meeting like this, and nobody is going to tell me anything different. Come over to a” 335 the Palace Hotel. There I will a tale un: fold that will make you sit up and observe a@ few things.” The Parson considered for a minute or so while Bowker’s eyebrows met in a sinister line across his forehead. As the Parson nodded assent and caught up his baggage he smiled with grim satisfaction and, laugh- ing soundlessly, led the way from the shabby station to his shabbier hotel down the street. After he had arranged things with the sleepy clerk, he took the Parson up to his room, threw his bag on the bed, and locked the door. ““Now,” he said, shrugging out of his coat and drawing up a chair, “I will tell you why J stayed over in this God-forsaken hole and incidentally reveal how and where there is a pot of refined gold waiting at the end of a rainbow deal such as your saintly self should be able to pull off without bat- | tin’ an eye. This same is suited to your style, though I know you can get your man with. either rapier or bludgeon. Anyway, there’s a good wad of dough in this, and we'll split fifty-fifty.” A look of scorn spread over the Parson’s angelic features. ‘“‘ Save your breath, Jerry,” he said with icy hauteur, “and you'll be able to cool your porridge. Since I left the hoosegow IT haven’t tried a trick. I’m going on the square. I promised to come home and be a leveler for the balance of my life. There are things which—” “What do you take me for—a snoot boozer?” interrupted Bowker, with a snarl. According to a more or less nebulous rumor, you’re a con man and a penman hard to beat, and so damned crooked you’d make a corkscrew look like a piston rod. Now get me, you gunner, and you'll know why I’m lingering in the vicinity: I want you to take on with a job here because you owe it to me, see? Six years ago, when you were as green as any zip that ever shied at a gas bucker, you did the lookout for me and Stony Gilman at Pelham when we got the paymaster at the mines. You made the get- away with the bag while we held off the rube posse, and when I joined you after they nicked Stony for a shroud, what did COMICLO© S C@