Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

The Seven Cities of Cibola been to have sent three feet of white steel through that drunken fiscal !’’ He remembered the burst of blue flame in Mercedes’ eyes as the fiscal’s gloves had struck her cheek and her appealing - Jook as she glanced at him. A servant’ came into the court-yard bearing a brazier filled with burning charcoal. Andres called to the man, who, startled, gave one short look and, turning, ran for the main gate that led from the patio to the street. Half-laughing, half-angry, wholly chilled and provoked, Andres pursued at speed. It was ten yards through that main gate; a short ten yards with the scared servant leading. He turned into the street, dropped the brazier and sprang around the nearest corner. As Andres turned in behind him, a man dashed into him at top speed and knocked him flat in the middle of the road. Instantly the stranger threw his arms’ about him and set up an outcry. “Here he is, amigos! ants of the king! say !”’ And before Andres could do more than twist: himself half-loose, a dozen soldiers'of the guard had seized him and whirled him up the street to the next house, where a great lantern set upon the stone pavement threw a ring of smoky light in the main entrance. In that circle of light stood Coronado, Governor Men- doza and the officer of the guard. “Bring him here.” The voice of the governor was very stern and his face was set like flint. Coronado, too, was very grave as Andres was brought before them. While they stood at gaze, before any one spoke there was an uproar behind them and a groom forced his way through the gathered soldiers. “The red stallion is gone, Sefior Gov- ernor. He has broken his halter.” Mendoza turned upon him, hot with anger. “Are misfortunes never to cease? Send men after him at once.” Heturned to Andres. “Sefior Avilez, did you have angry words tonight with the fiscal, Sefior de Fonseca?’ “I did. A few. They did not amount to much.” “Did a challenge pass between you?” To me all serv- I have him here, I 67 “Men might call it a challenge. I looked upon it as an invitation. disregarded afterward.” Coronado broke in with— It was” ilies “You gave your word; Andres, that the — matter should go no further and to have nought to do with the fiscal till I should give you leave.” “T did,” said the wondering Andres, “T have not left the patio till this very minute, when I pursued a fleeing serv- ant who was carrying a brazier that I wanted.” : “How then, sefior, do you account for this ?” They stepped apart and the astounded Andres, looking at a, huddled heap be- tween them, saw an inert body lying in the pathway. It was the body of the fiscal and his head and neck were swathed in the yellow cloak that Andres always wore, that he had left in his room that very night. The man lay on his face, and in his back, standing straight up, was the dagger with the hilt of gold and tortoise- shell that Andres had picked from the floor when Mercedes had dropped it. He was thunderstruck. “Ts not that your cloak about his neck and head?” “Yes—I ‘Have you seen that dagger before?” “T have.” “Did you have it this evening ?” Ves I did—for a moment after I had picked it up.” “Who did you give it to?” “T do not remember. Some one who said they would return it to the owner took it. A stranger to me. I gave it up eat once.” “One moment, sefior. The thing is serious. The dagger belongs to my ward. All men know that. We will go to my house and have her give what ex- planation she has of its loss. Take up the body, you men, and go direct to my house.” Arrived there, he ushered his party direct into the long salon that filled the floor above the entrance. “Send to me Maria, at once.” A servant left hastily and Mendoza turned to his party. “Maria is the servant; in fact the foster-mother of my ward. Mercedes was born here twenty years ago. Her COPMICLOO S & ital dedi » w A 4 i + ne A =~ * *) Wa a? Sk . OT ef Me OTC riage if Pies we -