Adventure Magazine Cover — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

Sled Wheeler and the Nameless Order dangerous if you were not soft in spots. Your soft spots will down you.” Garth spoke with no rancor. “Tf you’re not afraid it is because you don’t know enough,” Garth added. ‘You are not scared for your own life—but you ought to have the sense to see that I can get you through your folks. That’s your vul- nerable heel, my Achilles!’ “Thanks,” said Drake dryly. On their way back to the city Brendon marveled at the quiet courtesy with which these two superb gamblers addressed each other. Oné would never suspect that they were not absolutely secure and friendly, except that they did not speak an unneces- sary word. Even Garth made no attempt to annoy or to exasperate his opponent—no attempt to goad him into any self-betrayal. He was too deeply absorbed in his cold reasoning and planning. Also, no doubt, he was weakened by the reaction from his fits of rage and excitement. An odd mixture —this Garth. At the ferry-landing Drake’s sister, Mrs. Sands, and his daughter Lina were waiting for them with a carriage. Garth did not go at once to his own carriage, but stood watch- ing the meeting of the family party out of the corners of his eyes. Lina gave her father a hug that turned Brendon white with envy, then gave him a look that turned him whiter with hope—for all the way back he had been swinging between delight and despair as he realized that now he was as rich as she, and that now he could risk the fateful question. For back home, you know, a chap that goes wife-hunting for money—well, he may be perfectly all right and all that, but—it’s not exactly cricket, if y'know what I mean. But Garth saw the look that passed between this young pair—freshly sound and wholesome both, and tingling to their finger- tips—and he burned with the corrupting desire to injure, for he wanted the girl him- self. He wore his every-day smile, however, as he heard a part of the welcoming talk. ‘Where is Dan Wheeler?” Mrs. Sands was the one to ask. “T was looking forward to having him at the new house—I have fallen in love with Dan.” “He did not come back with us,”’ Drake answered without altering a feature—but Brendon’s face became suddenly stiff and - blank as he saw Garth in the offing. 109 Drake added aside— “Tell you later.” “Something has happened!’ Lina was quick to see. ‘Is Dan—hurt? He can’t be —dead!’’ She turned to Brendon with the last whispered word. “Not now—later!’’ Brendon whispered. But she was too agitated to see their signals for silence. _ ‘He can’t be!” she protested, white with horror. ‘He was so strong—so fearless—so alive! He can’t be— I don’t 2 Garth had drawn shamelessly nearer, on the pretense of seeing to his carriage, and he now turned to her with a malicious smile. ‘““No—I don’t think he’s dead—he can't be—not yet! But wait!’ uve HE TURNED and got into his car- gate riage without waiting for any re- sponse. ‘The others watched the carrlage roll away swiftly—stunned at this outbreak of malice. For Garth was uni- formly suave and flattering toward all women. Mrs. Sands shuddered. “That man always gave me the creeps— I believe he is the devil in person,” she said seriously. “I hope you have finished your dealings with him. What was it you, were to tell us,” to her brother, ‘about Dan?” “Wait until we are alone—I don’t know how many spies Garth may have here.” He looked at the driver of the carriage. “Did you drive through the streets with- out escort? I thought there was rioting and danger.”’ “We don’t have to, now—only a few steps to the float.” His sister brightened at Drake’s manner and the prospect of showing her new possessions. ‘‘We are in the new house across the bay, and you know the Senator has bought a steam-launch—a steam-yacht, really—the Lina W.—she is waiting for us at the float. We can talk on the way across.” She lowered her voice at the last. As she picked up his bag Drake whispered to Brendon: “We had better tell them—they can keep a secret, if they are women. I know them both.”’ ‘‘Well—rath-er!’’ Brendon assented with emphasis. He did not mean that a man ought to know an only sister and daughter, but that GOMIGoOO S (© inn