The San Francisco call., 1913-09-24
Luck That Turned
A Charming Short Story

dropping shoulders. He had been
refused a hearing Directly he asked
Tor work the door was opened for his
departure They had no places vacant.
Since the failure and stoppage of the
Argus he had sought employment
everywhere. but found only rebuffs-
Wearily he walked on This meant
that his watch must be pledged.
Madge must be provided for, and she
needed extra delicacies while she was
ill He wondered whether she ever
regretted being a newspaper mans
wife It was maddening to remember
that they had been married less than
year. and already series of mis-
fortunes had overtaken them.
He drew near the pawnbroker's at
last. and as he crossed the street,
from the main entrance a fashily
dressed woman came out leisurely.
lie gave her a momentary glance.
noting her big het with its plume of
feathers. then he passed on toward
the smaller door in the side road.
The assistant who advanced to the
counter recognized him with a SYM
pathetic nod Ridgway had appeared
frequently of late.
so. you've had to call on Us again?
Hard linesr'
Ridgway forced a smile as he pushed
his watch across.
Well I'm not your only regular
customer That lady outside with the
peroxide hair-she was here when
came last"
"oh. she's a buyer this time. But
wish she'd stayed away" the assist
ant grumbIed. i've Just had a row
with the boss about her She's been
here asking to look at some pistols"
Ridgway echoed the word surpris
ingly.
Wanted one for protection. She
lives alone with maid. and there's
been a lot of burglaries in her neigh
borhood lately Well I showed her
most of our stock Forgot to ask for
her license tin the end or course.
she hadn't got one and went of inf a
hun"
He wrote out ticket moodily.
The boss blamed me for wasting
her time and mine besides leaving
her in the shop while I interviewed
some one this side. He said she
might have stolen one Of the revol-
vers But I'm certain she didn't"
Frank Ridgway hardly listened as
he took up his little pile Of silver.
With a word of thanks he went out
He felt very tired. Anxiety and
want of sleep had sapped his energy.
Most of the previous night he had
watched by his wife's side. Yet he
could not rest while there remained
one chance Of securing place.
The Evening Budget. for instance.
might take him on trial He set out
TO walk to its big building.
few minutes later he caught
sight of the woman in the feathered
hat She was sauntering in the same
direction frequently stopping to ex-
anime shop windows At a tube sta
tion a man Joined her He had evil
IDENTIFY been waiting there, for he
showed impatience at her deliberate
approach.
Frank Ridgway was passing them
when he heard his name called.
Swinging around. he greeted Clarence
Derwent warmly.
Yoa were on the Argus weren't
Your remarked the well known
writ- hesitatingly. Haven't you
managed to-to-"
No; I'm still looking around
"Ah. that's rough. If hear of any
opening. of course, I'll let you know"
He gestured Ridgway to move aside,
before the latter could reply Il only
wanted to glance at that couple be-
hind you. Yes, as I thought. it's
Jodrell-the manservant in the Cas-
son murder case
Ridgway turned The woman's
companion was short and stout, with
square, clean shaven face He was
dressed in black.
You're quite sure?" he queried in
sudden excitement
Derwent nodded. Il was at the in
quest Well. I must be off. You
know where to come if 1 can be of
any use to you? That's right Don't
forget to worry me, you know Gooo
wishes
Thanks. I'm sure you mean it,"
Ridgway stopped him for moment
Am l likely to find Mckee of the
Budget in now if I call there at
once?'
YES, he'll be in right enough; but
youn never see him. It's no use
going there without an appointment"
-IIl risk it." declared Ridgway over
his shoulder.
He observed that Jodrell and the
woman had disappeared.
Reaching the Evening Budget Of
fees, he waited till the boy at the
doorway was occupied, and then
slipped past him and mounted the
stairs at a run He knew that he
should have sent in a printed slip
with his name and business, but he
guessed that his chances Of gaining
IN interview by such conventional
means were negligible.
Arriving at the managing EDITORS
door. he raped upon 1t, and thrust
in his head.
HIS STORY
DO you want any news Of the Cas-
son case-exclusive?
The man busy at the big desk
jerked round angrily.
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