Adventure, November 1915 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

-McNair’s. 98 were content to accept at his face value. - Mining without a license was no very great crime in their eyes, and the rights and wrongs of it was a matter for the company to settle with the Government; but “selling his pals to save his own —— hide,” as a forceful Englishman put it, was a very different thing altogether. This explained the sudden familiarity with the policeman; and even McNair, who had stoutly championed the stranger from the very beginning for “a braw chiel,” was forced sorrowfully to confess that he had been “‘sair mistookit.”’ Gorman was away somewhere when the news arrived, and did not get it till he looked in on the usual morning gathering at He appeared greatly excited and shot several swift inquiries for details. Ascertaining that nobody knew anything about it beyond the fact that Maung Gaung had been arrested, and that the Scarecrow had probably sold him, he hur- ried off to the station house and burst into the police-office. “T say, Shannon,” he began without any preface, “I’d be much obliged if you would let me have a few words with the man you caught yesterday—in private.” Shannon looked coldly over his desk; he had never liked Gorman. “Sorry, Mr. Gorman, but I don’t think I can allow it.” Gorman’s brow darkened. “Why, what’s the matter?” he snorted. ‘‘We’ve always been able to talk to the fellows.” “Quite so, Mr. Gorman. But this is a big ~ case with a big reward; and as it wasn’t one of your men who caught him, I don’t think I should be justified under the circumstances in letting you see the prisoner.” Gorman blustered, then pleaded that he wanted to get important information out of the man; but the police-officer was like stone. Finally the Chief had to go out unsatisfied with a heavy frown on his face. The Superintendent of Police looked after him thoughtfully. Something seemed to amuse him, for he smiled slowly to him- self, and then reached for his ledger. Gorman’s subsequent movements were swift and mysterious. He hurried first to his bungalow and took from the little wall safe some papers which he carefully exam- ined and hid away in his pocket. Then he called impatiently for a Burman boy who Adventure usually accompanied him on all his expedi- tions, and together they hastened from the house over the brow of the hill, the fashion- able quarter where the Managing Director and the other big officials of the syndicate had their offices and residences, and with much caution and secrecy disappeared into the jungle beyond. Meanwhile the Scarecrow had been acting in a mysterious way himself. He first bustled into the deserted bar and called cheerily— “Well, McNair, I’m taking your advice, and I’m leaving the camp tomorrow if all goes well.” McNair regarded him coldly. “Ay?” he remarked. “And say! I want you to put up a bit of a spread tonight. I’ve taken drinks from many of the boys and I’d like to give it back. Guess I'll have some money by then.” ée Ay?” i The Scarecrow looked at him sharply, and his face fell. “Hm! I think I understand,” he said shortly. ‘Well, never mind; put up the spread anyway.” He bustled out as he had come in. McNair gazed after him sorrowfully. ‘A spread, eh?” eh muttered, shaking his head. ‘Wi’ the siller ye’ll get for sellin’ Maung Gaung? Ochaye! It’s an auld fule . ye are, Shon McNair.” From the bar the Scarecrow went up the hill with the same caution displayed by Gorman and took the same road into the jungle. An observer would have been perplexed to determine whether Gorman was watch- ing the Scarecrow or the Scarecrow was watching Gorman. The latter and the Burman traveled swiftly along an almost imperceptible path, with many stoppings and listenings to ascer- tain whether they were followed. Half an hour’s journey brought them to a recently worked pit—the same where Maung Gaung had been arrested. Gorman entered and examined the ground carefully for marks or signs, which he evidently expected to find. After a short search he gave a satisfied grunt and followed some indefinite trail which led him across the pit and a few paces out on the other side to a great moss- covered stone. He grunted again, and his eyes lit as he thrust his arm under and EORIC LOOKS (C@