Adventure Magazine Cover — page 131: 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 CROSSING the bay on the Lina W., Drake was in doubt as to speaking to Wheeler about the Senator. He watched the hard cameo-profile set toward the city ahead, and formed and rejected several set speeches. At last he said im- pulsively, just before landing at the city side: “See us through, Dan—we’re gone if you don’t, and I am getting scared. Things are too smooth!” Wheeler flashed one keen look into the honest gray eyes that never lied and looked away without a word or change of feature. Drake started at once for the Regal in search of Garth, and Wheeler turned toward Chinatown. A few steps from the float he met the bearded Brahmin, and it flashed over him that the mysterious counselor had not accompanied him across the bay. He spoke to him, breaking his hour-long silence— “You did not follow me?” “T was here—between you and the peril that threatens.”’ The dark eyes looked toward the city as the man added casually: “The hour approaches. It is written.” Something prompted Wheeler to say— ‘“‘Tomorrow night, you mean?” “No. Then it will be past,” said the priest solemnly. ‘‘When you see tomor- row’s sun rise all will be fulfilled as it was written in the beginning.” With the shiver that ran up his back Dan felt this demon letting go his hold upon him. He hurried to Lu Yan’s, followed by his shadow. He was again headed for action. Lu Yan was out, having left word that he would soon return, but Dan was in a hurry —it was getting toward evening and he was more and more sure of his hunch that some- thing was going to break—and break soon. In spite of his distaste for it, he hurried into his laundryman make-up, aided by the Brahmin with his face-fixing. He was going to try to listen in from .behind G. Wash- ington in Garth’s office, and he did not see where his turbaned companion was to get into the picture. “T am going where you can’t follow with- out attracting attention to me.” "He couldn’t speak anything but plain English to this dignified person. “Tt is well,” said the priest with a sub- missive bow. influence your movements.” & : ——4 Ea =a “T shall not hinder nor I2I And on the way to the club-house Dan got a glimpse of the white turban but once, and that was just before darting into the alley to the rear entrance. He had no time to spare for his counselor, but he had to admit that he was onto his job. Brenner was not in his room, and Wheeler hurried into the closet—down the narrow, dark steps to the door behind the mantel- picture. He heard Garth’s voice at once, and cautiously opened the lifting door a crack, knowing that Garth’s near-sighted eyes would not see the movement. “You fooled me a while, Drake,” Garth was saying with his insolent and challenging smile, “and you have played a good game. You figured that I would sell the diamond when I found I couldn’t get the mate to it, and you win. [I will sell it to you—deliver it right now.” While Garth went to the safe to get the leather roll containing the case with its precious contents Drake looked up at the picture over the mantel. Dan opened the trap a bit wider and wiggled the end of his cue through the crack to assure Drake he was there. Drake nodded his satisfaction— Dan was still with him. “You can look at it.” Garth handed Drake the roll, and while he opened it to make sure the gem was there, Garth went on— » “Vou can have it for fifty thousand—and that’s cheap.” “Fair enough.” Drake held up the flaming gem to the light for a moment before replacing it in the roll. : “Put it back in the safe—it’s a good place, and we take possession tomorrow morning.” Garth smiled to himself as he put back the gem, while Drake counted the price in bank-notes—surprized that Garth had not asked twice the sum. But as he took the money Garth searched Drake’s face keenly. “You're a deep one, Drake. I thought you’d grab it and run—what are you up to now?” , “And I thought you’d hold me up for twice the price—I came prepared to pay it.” Drake met Garth’s gaze coldly. “But I am making you no present— either cash or information—and I shall play the game out with no favors. Are you sport enough to meet me half-way? Have you got a pack of cards here?” GOMIIGoOO S (© iin