Adventure Magazine Cover — page 135: 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 entered the hall with his attendant imps in black. The men in black tights were not so easily recognizable, and it was whispered that they were of a class that distinctly did not belong. But their cards were in order and were not challenged. The presence of the retiring boss and his potentially dan- gerous henchmen gave an added spice to the occasion—the needed tang of uncer- tainty and excitement. The party from the new Sands residence across the bay were present at the formal opening of the ball—in fact it was led by his lordship and Lina Westcott, as Sir Walter and Queen Elizabeth. — It was in the humming interval that fol- lowed the second dance that the herald in costume at the door announced— “The Late Sled Wheeler of Bridge Cafion!”’ The immediate result was a silence of horrified surprize. It was still generally supposed that Sled Wheeler had met his death a few days before in an accident at Bridge Cafion—there had been whispers connecting Garth with foul play—and now there were other whispers of indignation among the men. ‘Some of Garth’s doing! This is a bit too raw—the man ought to be lynched!” And threatening masks turned Garth’s way. Garth seemed to feel.and accept the chal- lenge. With a springing stride he ap- proached the man in the doorway, while the dancers opened a way. Wheeler was dressed in an Spent of his usual neat and well-groomed self, wearing a grim mask cunningly painted with fierce, long eyes of a startling green. Even at a distance they seemed to glare with a fixed, inhuman malice that sent shivers up one’s back. Even as Garth approached the new arrival the whisper started round: “Tt ds the man himself! It’s Wheeler!”’ The listening hush became more tense. ‘“‘Welcome—welcome to my latest guest in the realms of darkness!’’ Mephisto called out in a sepulchral bass. ‘‘But, may I ask, how—in can the infernal business go on down below, with both of us away?” In slightly raised voice—the hoarse tones that had such a peculiar resonance—Dan responded: ~ “Don’t worry! Dan If the devil’s post is 125 vacant [ll send Ghost Garth to fill it.” Not even a single laugh broke the silence. As the whispering hum broke out again the orchestra struck up the next waltz— the quite new “Beautiful Blue Danube.” And von Reuter, the man who had agreed to Garth’s plot as first formed, was the first on the ground to claim Lina Westcott as his partner for this number. Never had the gossips and chaperons had so much. exciting material for whispering—so many thrilling rumors to pass on under the seal of secrecy. Brendon was to be married the next day— Garth had planned to play Young Lochinvar —a duel was slated for the next day between Garth and Brendon—the man in the turban in the corner was a real Hindu priest, and was plotting some delightful crime—the Colt Dan Wheeler was wearing so conspicu- ously hidden was the very one that had downed Smiling Snead and the bandit, Jaros—Garth was leaving this very night, after he should shoot his lordship, who was really related to Sir W. Raleigh. Oh, it was a delightful ball, really—perfectly lovely! Wheeler was a graceful dancer, but he had other things on his mind that night. After two waltzes that Lina Westcott had written in on her own card for him, he took his stand near the door of the men’s retiring- room (the boxing and fencing room of the gym). There he kept his exaggerated eyes fixed on Garth with a steadiness that Garth tried to ignore. He noted that Garth occasionally gave orders or received reports from one of the imps in black tights who came and went furtively. Dan himself spoke a few times to young Ralph Streator—a leader of the younger set whom he had known three years before, and knew to be a thoroughbred— who came to him as midnight approached. He drew Dan aside to whisper: “Something is going to break—tonight— on the water-front. I’ve got some real men on the watch. But don’t let Miss Lina or Garth out of the ball. You better see to Garth yourself.” “T’ll see to him,”’ Dan growled. “Listen! If you can’t 4nd me—any time—and you got anything to report, tell it to the guy in the turban.” He tipped his head toward the bearded Brahmin in the corner. Then he resumed his watch. GOMIIGoOO S co iin