Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 1, 1922 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

THE FUR CLOAK, and Miss Carson, hitching forward pain- fully, gazed anxiously into the gloom. | It was a short, wide drive, the house it- self standing back not more than forty or fifty feet from the highway. Only with dif- ficulty did Myra discern the general outline of the building. It was neither particularly large nor particularly small; it might in daylight prove a very artistic dwelling; on the other hand it was certainly not the home of a rich man given to ostentation. Rather did it suggest the conventional su- burban home of a sound, established busi- ness man of fair prosperity—and between such a person and the trio which had trapped her, what connection could exist? The dark driver, having hopped to the ground, was skipping up the four steps to the veranda with a very blithe effect. In a perfectly matter of fact way, as if it had been noon instead of the small hours of the morning, he was pressing an electric button now; and from far off, through the limit- . less country stillness, came the whirring of a bell. ; After that a considerable pause, wherein the wind moaned mournfully and the orig- inal chauffeur opened the door of the car and prepared to lift out Miss Carson. ‘The dark man rang again, more emphatically, and keeping his finger on the button for some time—and results began to matertial- ize. A light appeared suddenly in a third floor window; the window opened and the upper half of a gray-haired, heavily built woman leaned out. ‘“* Message!”’ said the driver. down and open the door!” “Tl open no—no door tg—” floated downward. “Lady, will y’ please come and take this message? I don’t want t’ rob your house. This is important, and I gotter deliver it. I’m sorry t’ wake you up like this, lady, but I gotter deliver this message or lose my job!” The woman hesitated visibly. Then, with an audible grunt, she closed the win- dow and disappeared. Shadows indicated that she was working her way into some sort of dressing gown; another little wait ensued and the door opened a bare three inches. ‘¢ Come 857 “You pass in your message!” the lady directed warily, and at closer range her woice was harsh and unpleasing. “ Do I have to sign anything?” ‘“No, ma’am! All you gotter do is to back up there!” replied the leader of the band as, more or less gently, he pushed the door wide open with his knee. ‘ Now wait a second before y’ start yelling, lady! There ain’t one little thing going t’ happen to you till you begin to whoop. Once you do that I can’t answer for no consequences!. Not for no consequences! Got that? Fine! Hey, Joe! Right this way!” Aggressive brute that he was, he stepped straight into the foyer of somebody’s home, while the elderly woman, hands clasped be- fore her mouth, backed away from him. “‘ Step on it, Joe—little speed there!”’ the dark person called softly. ‘“ Got her out? That’s the stuff—and you keep your nerve, lady. This dame ain’t dead, by no means. She got unreasonable and she got roped. This way, Joe. Where’s there a couch or a chair? Tum on them lights in there, lady.” As a woman might have moved in a hor- rible nightmare, so did the elderly woman move into a spacious and very pretty liv- ing room. Her trembling hand fumbled out and found the switch; lights flashed up. Into the glare of them, Miss Myra Carson, bound, gagged and helpless, was carried swiftly; and Joseph, who seemed to have a considerate streak, selected the comfortable couch and laid her gently thereupon. “* All over!” the leader of the band an- nounced joyfully. ‘‘ There’s yer message, lady, all delivered and nothing t’ sign for. Where’s your boss? Go wake him up!” “* He’s — he’s _ stirring — stirring!”’ the woman mouthed, and pointed dizzily to the floor above. “‘ Stirring—” ‘“‘ Sure! I understood the first time; I hear him!” grinned the leader, and cocked an ear toward the ceiling. “ Wait! Il go upeto him!” He started for the wide corridor of the house; and as he did so hurried, shuffling footsteps sounded from the hallway above and then upon the stairs. Hands in his pockets, the brisk little bandit stepped out of sight to meet the approaching man. comicloool C©