Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

58 the wreck, and about amidships of her, could see a green bulb—the rusted ship’s bell. We sent down one of the boat’s crew —a Filipino who had been a pearl-diver— and he made a heaving line fast to the bell. SA SAFE FOR AM’ Adventure After several attempts he pried the bell loose and brought it up. We could make out the letters C, U and N. It was the bell of the Coral Queen. Captain Gibbins, it ap- peared, had found Allie Nessler at last. SOSO00 Author of “Old Fellows,” “The San Marcos Affair,” etc HEN Lee Wheeler, N. & P., first trick operator at Willowburn— ““WN”’—tower, came on duty at seven o'clock Monday morning he found Sam Loomis, the elderly third trick man, talking to himself. Sam/’s nervousness and eccentricity were common gossip from end to end of the division, and to Wheeler especially were no secret traits. Hence the first trick operator for a few moments paid slight attention to Loomis’ mutterings, des- pite his genuine regard for the older man, now well over fifty. “Blamed funny going’s-on ’round here!” grumbled Sam as he pulled on his coat. And then, as Lee seemingly gave no heed, he repeated—“Blamed funny going’s-on round here!”’ “Yes,” agreed Lee amiably but absently. “Ves, sir!’ mumbled Sam. He abruptly tilted a chair against the side wall and sat down onit. “Right here I was sittin’, and when I happened to look up there was a big fellow peepin’ in through the door glass at me! Right,at me, he was lookin’!” ‘“‘How’s that?” said Wheeler, now display- ing some interest. ‘‘A big fellow peeping in at you?” * Copyright, 1921, by Russell A. Boggs. “A big fel- But he ‘Yes, sir!” proclaimed Sam. low with a big face, and bad eyes! ducked, quick, when I looked up!” “Oh, piffle, Sam!” said Lee. ‘‘You were sleeping. You only thought you saw him; it was a dream.” “Sleeping!” ejaculated Loomis. “Not me! I was just tilted back there against the wall takin’ it easy, because there was noth- ing doin’. Had my eyes shut, maybe; but I wasn’t sleeping—no, sir! Right close-up against the glass he had his face. And after he ducked I heard him sneakin’ down the steps, careful like!’ ‘Why didn’t you open the door and ask him what he wanted?” Sam bounced to his feet and drew himself clear erect. “Who, me?” he grumbled. “I’m five feet four, and I bet that guy was all of six feet! No, sir! Ask him nothing! I was mighty glad to see him going; I didn’t want to see him stop!” Lee laughed. “Guess you were wise, all right. Better get yourself a gun.” “Little good a gun’d do me,” grunted Loomis. He shuffled toward the door. “I couldn’t hit a. barn; be more liable to shoot cComicoooks C@