Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

260 but in the mean time something else was even more essential; and after bidding the family good night he called Simmons for a private word in the garden. The man, always polite and soft of voice, looked down from his superior height with a certain air of apology in having the other at a disadvantage. John began abruptly: ‘ You leave this place. at once. Mr. Glaxton brought you here not because the family needed your services. However, I am going to pay you for your time.”’ Simmons smiled and responded with un- ruffled countenance: “ Oh, I’m quite sure you don’t understand, Mr. John. You see, Mr. Glaxton wouldw't like it at all, not reid: ing me when he comes back.” “Tt isn’t a matter for discussion,” John remarked. ‘‘ You are dismissed, and it merely remains for you to go away imme- diately.” ‘“ But I couldn’t do it, Mr. John. In the morning when Mr. Glaxton comes, what- ever he decides about it will be perfectly all right.” “ But you are going now.”’ “T couldn’t think of it, really.” “This moment.” “Mr. Glaxton told me—” ‘“¢ But you have heard what I’ve told you. I represent Mr. Warring while he is away from home.” “ Mr. Glaxton would be very angry. [’m I represent Mr. Warring while he is away from home.” “Pm afraid you’re going to feel much worse; but I hate to use physical means of persuasion.” “Mr. John, it would be very unbecoming in me to strike you, which I would never do unless you jumped on me. Better leave me alone, for I’ve got to think of Mr. Glaxton. I take my orders from him and he told me to stay.” “ Now’s the time,” remarked John, “ for you to think less of Mr. Glaxton than of yourself. Right now is when, as you ex- press it, I jump on you.” He darted for- ward, and the man was_ unpleasantly shocked out of his supercilious attitude. His advantage of weight and height was more than counterbalanced by the younger man’s ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, swiftness and agility, while the latter’s ex- pert knowledge of athletics gained from Cleek proved determining factors. There were several rushes and countercharges, then all was over; Simmons lay flat upon his back while John’ s knees bored. painfully into his ribs. “Tl go,” Simmons gasped. John rose, his breath even. ‘“ Let’s. see you. You may get your things.” Simmons rose slowly. “Mr. muttered. ‘“Simmons, don’t you know when yow’re whipped? Must I do it again?” Simmons went away, cursing futilely un- der his breath. Determined not to be again spied upon,. John made a thorough search of the garden before digging up the Lox, then doubled every precaution before bury- ing it in a spot much less likely of detection than a corner of the summer-house. It was one in the morning when he started for the house, his mind at ease. He had almost reached the porch steps when loud screams from up-stairs cause him to drop the spade in dismay. A large figure, which in the semidarkness assumed huge propor- tions, burst through the doorway and came leaping across the back porch straight toward the young man. “Get out of my way,” came a hoarse undertone as John snatched desperately at the intruder’s arm. ‘Ho! So it’s you, huh?” The man—it was Blearstead— stopped short and gave a hoarse chuckle. “I hope you’ve had a companion in your midnight stroll. He’d*come in handy, in case you wanted to prove an alibi.” John dropped his arm. His heart was like a lump of ice in his bosom. ‘‘ What have you done? You mustn't come here again. If you do I’ll—TI’ll give you up to the police; yes, if I have to give myself up at the same time.”’ Again came the terrified scream from the upper floor. ‘““T haven’t hurt anybody,” Blearstead grinned, and John could see his nose twist- ing from side to side in the old nerve-rack- ing way. ‘“ That old woman’s scared silly, that’s all. but don’t you get it into your head, dear nevvy, that I’m not coming Glaxton will see about this,” he - Comichoo S (EC)