The Black Mask — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

The Half-Asleep Girl | the oak ecitheer hundred. All told, to hear the details. As I said, I’m called she had netted close to a thousand dol- out on a case: supposed suicide which lars. “Not bad, for a half-asleep girl,” may be a murder; but if you care to he commented to himself: go along, we'll talk about it on the way — The thought occurred to him that the over.” whole matter should be reported at po- eed.) Let's 20! | lice headquarters, but in the instance They were on the street in a jiffy. he had strange scruples which he him- Knibbs hailed a taxi and leaped in while self could not explain. He tried to wrinkled old Simeon Dreer confided his console his conscience by emphasizing destination to the chauffeur. Shortly the fact that the loss meant nothing to they were bowling along at a good him. Then he happily remembered his “speed, with Dreer sitting quietly listen- friend, Simeon Dreer, of the murder ing to his guest’s story. When it had squad, who was occasionally willing, if been concluded, the murder squad man caught in the mood, to aid his friends - chuckled. By the weak light of the in working out their little problems. He street lamps Fleming saw his green promptly left the car and took another glasses bobbing up and down. one cross-town. “Very, very interesting, young Half an hour later he found himself Knibbs,” he commented, when his ‘in Dreer’s apartment. ‘The little, weaz- mirth had subsided. “T shall look into ened man in huge green spectacles like it at the first opportunity. And on twin railroad signals was talking on what street, by the way, did you meet the telephone when Knibbs entered. + this fair highwaywoman ?” “Very well. I shall go there imme-* The moneyed young man slapped his diately,’ Fleming heard him say, and knee sharply. “By Jove, I’m an unob- his disappointment was keen, for he _ servant idiot. I can’t tell you the name knew the old fellow was being called of that street. I was too busy soaking out on a departmental case. up its atmosphere.” Simeon Dreer replaced the receiver “You would know it if you saw it?” on its hook and came toward Knibbs, “From a million. There’s nothing peering intently with his near-sighted like it in the Western world.” eyes. “T believe I know the one you mean. “Ah, it’s young Fleming Knibbs,” he In fact—” said at length in the tone of a discov- At that moment the taxi stopped jolt- erer ~“Efello, Knibbs-: [ello. Sorry I~ inely. can’t entertain you; I’m called out. Dreer threw open the door and clam- Drop in tomorrow, eh? I’ve a couple bered out. of new records. A serenade from Les “In fact, young Knibbs,” he called Millions @ Arlequin, and— over his shoulder, “if you will look Dreer was a musical enthusiast witli around, I think you will find that you a pronounced leaning toward the clas- are on it now.” sical. “Yve - been.’ aside fe announced IT Fleming, “and I thought ei oe if “Robbed ?” ’ Kwyissps emerged hurriedly. The old : fellow was tight. They were on the ch his adventures had They were ety frame :