Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

~ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. - v- think we used to call him that runswick. He usually drops in ay night, and I know he will be glad e you. Do not hesitate about relating roubles concerning Captain Jake in $s presence, as he will undoubtedly remem- Ss 7 As Bruce de Lisle surmised, his caller roved to be Andrew Bailey, the self-ap- s0inted advisory board of one in the mun- ane affairs of his clerical friend. Also New York correspondent of the Chicago Clarion. _ The warmth of Bailey’s greeting gave _ Connors the assurance he seemed to be in need of, whereupon he poured out his full measure of woe. .\s he concluded Bruce de _ Lisle spoke: , “ But, Connors, you have not made it clear at all as to what the captain has stored away in the Cracker Pot cellar.” “To you know why?” asked Connors. “ T haven't the slightest idea.” “ Because I’m ashamed to tell you how | little I know about it, and if I told you even that much you might not go down.” “ And yet you ask me to assume this re- sponsibility in your affairs without taking me into your confidence? You tell me that some of my money helped to transplant this so-called trouble from the French Congo to your establishment and refuse to acquaint me with any of the details. Now, how do I know but that a degree of crim- jnal guilt will rest with me as the result of my folly in becoming a party to ie” _ “Mr. Bruce,” began Connors, “ wasn’t o _ square enough to poke my finger right into the specked apple? Couldn't I have amped this cargo business if I was a trim- 2? Honest, would I dare ask you to e down if I thought you would get in ble? Listen, Mr. Bruce, Captain Jake ked and I got you to put your money deal. Yes, I did, and I’m ashamed tell you I got to find him so I can : San friends; got to find ~racker Pot will be riddled: n three days, so I can hold ees Owe * a you now, I does. I needs you to watch a thieving bartender: needs you because you can fix it with the police if they show up before I get back. Captain Wallers would break a leg to help you, Mr. Bruce, and— honest—it’s outside th’ ropes for me. if— Listen, Mr. Bruce, you are the only white man I know and I asks you—trust me til I gets back from Boston.” The Rev. Bruce de Lisle was in a quan- dry. By all the sacred rights of gratitude this man was entitled to call upon him in his hour of dire necessity. This he knew. He was also aware of the folly of attempting to discuss the ethics of ministerial propriety with Connors, who considered that the Cracker Pot was respectability personified. As he weighed the consequences of this temporary point of contact with the under- world he saw that it had certain advantages. Then again he realized that his consent was made easier by virtue of the fact that he had visited the place in his ministerial ca- pacity. Had even expressed a desire to re- turn at a later date. “ What do you think about it, Andrew?” he asked, turning to his frend. “Well, do you acknowledge Connors's right to make this request?” “¥ do,” said he with all the solemnity of the marriage service. “ Can you square the job with your min- isterial calling?” “Tn view of the obligation—yes.” “ All right—that settles it. I believe that Connors is telling the truth, and accept his reluctance to go into certain details—on honor. Stand by him, and if you want any help from me I’m with you.” As had been said before, Connors was 4 prizefighter, but even this species of the race is more or less human, That was ul doubtedly why Connors wiped his emotional nose. “Listen, Mr. Bruce. Listen, Fat—ex- cuse me, Andy—I mean Mr. Bailey. I’m swallowing a lump as big as the City Hall clock, I am—and I don’t know what kind of words to use, but God love you for this, gents.” Bailey arose and looked at his watch. “When do you start for Boston?” he asKkCU. ~ comicbooksicom