Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

160 ‘I don’t know,” protested Madden. ‘Don’t lie!” said the captain fiercely. Madden recoiled. He thought for a min- ute the man was going to take him by the throat. “Where was it?” insisted the captain. “Elm Street,” muttered Madden. ‘And you slept in a stable not very far away.” ‘“‘F don’t know how far it was.” “When I asked you before you said ‘Not far.’ ” “There’s an old stable in Willow Street,” put in Collins, ‘ that’s four blocks over from Elm.” “Was it four blocks?” asked the cap- tain. ‘““T guess so,’ ’ whispered Shufflin’ Joe. ‘You went to sleep in a stable m Wil- low Street,” said the captain with disarm- ing quietness. Madden, nodded. Then the captain burst out: ‘“ But you were arrested at Mill and Waverly at the other end of town, a mile and a half away. How did you get there?” Shufflin’ Joe felt a kind of dizziness come over him. “How did you get there?” demanded the captain. 3 “T—I walked in my sleep,” faltered Madden. The captain of detectives stared at him in amazement. ‘“ Walked in your sleep!”* he echoed, then burst into a guffaw of laughter. Pendleton, Collins, and Brady joined him. Brent did not feel like laughing. The big, frowsy tramp was pathetic in his helplessness. “ Brady,” demanded the captain, “ did this yegg tell you he was walking in his sleep?” “He did not, sir.” The captain’s eyes narrowed. His lips moved as if he were about to ask Shufflin’ Joe another question, but he did not speak. A moment later he turned to Collins and said: “Better go through his clothes, now.” . Madden could hardly keep himself steady. He could guess the frisking that is given a bum about to be locked up for THE ARGOSY. vagrancy and the search by men like these would be very different bits of business. And he was right. Brady and Collins be- gan by poking through his pockets, then prying into the rips and tears. Brady was on the side where the bill was concealed. Now, Collins discovered the chewing to- bacco. He took it out and put it back. Brady was close to the hidden bank-note. He almost touched it, but passed on. Shuf- flin’ Joe breathed easier. He was safe, now. But no. Collins began to check up on Brady’s search. His hands worked quickly to where the money was concealed: It seemed he must have touched it. Then he, too, passed on. Shufflin’ Joe could have Jaughed and cried with happiness. He had time, now, to see that the captain was talking to the two men seated behind him. Collins seribbled something on a piece of paper and laid it at the captain’s elbow. Probably didn’t want to interrupt him, re- flected Shufflin’ Joe. He noticed: how bright the sunshine was. — The captain swung around. “ Nothing,” said Collins, who was stand- ing back of the prisoner and able without being seen to make a gesture to call the captain’s attention to the slip of pepe on his desk. ... The captain eppermnty paid no atten- tion. ‘You're sure you were walking in your sleep?” he asked Madden, and Shufflin’ Joe, seeing that the other was unable to keep back a smile at. the idea, grinned as he answered: “Sure as any one can be when they’re asleep.” “Then when did the other bum pass you the bill?” ‘The captain’s manner had changed like a flash. Shufflin” ‘Joe’s jaw dropped. He realized dimly that Collins had ripped the bill from the lining of his coat, but he was too stag- gered to do anything but stare at the cap- ‘When did ‘he give it to you?” roared the captain. “ He—he—he didn’t!” stammered Mad- den, his face dead white. “TF found it!” ‘Look here, you,” snarled the captain, 1 ARcosy COMICLOO© SS C@