Adventure Magazine, March 1916 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

. Wes ree Cue V Ava ue 40 better, he decided, to tell of the attack upon their camp, but he would say nothing about his moonlight chase of the speed-boat and the discovery of that other camp farther down the shore. That would inevitably in- volve Nellie, and he was determined, for the present at least, to say nothing of her until he understood better the relations between uncle and niece. “No,” he replied. “That is all that con- | cerns the immediate finding of the yacht, but something has happened since that brings Phil Conway and me into it in a way that is most unpleasant for both of us.” As simply as he could, he told the story of Phil’s cry in the night and of the shot that had put the attackers to rout. He controlled his expression most carefully during the narration, for he did not want Stephen Blaydon to feel the close scrutiny to which he was being subjected. Blaydon’s attitude during this part of the recital showed plainly the fact that he was badly worried. “—_ it all, man!” he ejaculated. ‘That makes a rotten mess of it, doesn’t it? Why, we've got to find these fellows, that’s all there is to it. We've got to find them not only for your own safety, but because they undoubtedly are at the bottom of whatever crooked work has been done aboard Caprice. Personally, I don’t believe my brother has been killed. I’m expecting almost any day now to get the first feelers from them look- ing to the payment of a big ransom.” “You will pay it, of course?” suggested Fenton. “Rather than have Otto harmed, yes. ~ But [ll do it in such a way that it will un- cover them later, and then I’ll go for them. I’ve already started the ball rolling from the New York end.” “That is what Phil Conway is doing,” Ward said. “I did not intend to tell you at first, but as long as you are both work- ing toward the same end, I think you ought to know. Phil has gone to consult a friend of his, Dick Greiner, a detective.”’ Stephen Blaydon suddenly uncrossed his legs and sat forward in his chair, his eyes fairly burning into Fenton. “A detective!” he gasped. ‘‘Conway gone to consult a detective? What the devil right has Phil Conway to put a nosing detective into my family affairs? Why, man, it’s preposterous! I won’t have it. I tell you I won’t! You must call him back Adventure at once. Do you hear? At once! Go send a telegram right away.” Ward rose and stood looking down on him with calm dignity. “Mr. Blaydon,” he said, “‘you and I will get along better if you do not attempt to give me orders. I am not in your pay.” Blayton gulped, and the pink veins in his cheeks swelled and grew darker. He bit his lips in vexation as he saw again that he had angered the younger man. “No; of course not—of course not,” he hastened to correct himself. “I—I beg your pardon. I’m sorry. But, confound it, man, you can’t blame me for being ex- cited with a thing like this plunked down on me without any warning. —— itall! I never handled a ship-scuttling case before 7 my life. And my own brother—don’t get “You see how it is. I’m excitable by na- ture. Because I’ve never had any real excitement before, I’m likely to talk like a big overgrown kid because this isn’t in my line at all. But really, if Conway puts this detective on the case, it will spoil all of the plans I have so carefully laid to get these fellows red-handed. I’ve got the best men in New York on it now, and they are doing some things that would throw your man away off because they would look queer to any one who doesn’t understand. Just leave it to me, won’t you?” Ward hesitated. The man’s earnestness was beyond question. Dick Greiner might, as Blaydon seemed to fear, spoil a well-laid plan, and it was only fair to give the family a chance first. “All right, Mr. Blaydon,” Ward said, “T’ll wire Phil that you are at work, and that you want him to keep Off.” “Ves—” Blaydon’s eyes lighted with immense relief. “And ask him to come down here again right away, will you? [ll need you both badly, and I’d appreciate it if you will both stay a while and help me. Will you? Because, you know, you don’t learn how to handle a thing like this by leaning your elbows on a table in New York. And that’s where I got most of my train- ing.” He rose and held out his hand with a sudden warm smile that seemed to illumi- nate his whole face. “T like you, Fenton,” he said heartily. “T Ifke-you because you wouldn’t let me ride over you rough-shod the way I tried comicbooks (E@)