Adventure Magazine Cover — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

130 pursued. That face was now strained in a stare of pure terror. Without mercy or compunction he drove and drove again—and again—saw the blood-streaked mask tip back weakly. Now—one full down-drive with the point— just at the neck-base. home, deep and soft and tight! By instinct he leaped back and jerked his blade free. There was no face before him now. Only a huddled red thing lay at his feet on the floor. But the crumpled figure stirred, raised a head—bloody and tangled—and showed a face drawn and old, but weakly malicious as it moved its lips: ‘“T—got you—yet! rasped hoarsely. Then a gurgling cough and the head dropped. At the word “time” von Reuter had snatched out his watch. Now he took one horrified look at it—and with one shouted word to his lieutenant— ‘““Herausl’”’ he darted up the narrow cabin stairs to the after-deck, Schroeder at his heels. There was a double splash outside. In the silence within the bloody cabin, the body on the floor had sprawled flat and still. Like something in a dream Dan felt it was all over—felt Brendon shaking his hand—saw tears on his fresh and beaming face—and recalled the Brahmin’s words— ‘Beware the peril after the battle.” “The boat has stopped long ago,” Drake was shouting, “and both men gone—dived overboard. Come on—quick!” Then Drake and Brendon were support- Almost time—’’ it ing him up the stairs to the fresh air—there were lights of a boat bearing down on them astern—and from her deck a man shouting: ‘Are you there? Brendon! Jump! Dive overboard! Jump—for ’s sake!” “Can you swim?” Dan heard Brendon asking as he dragged him to the rail. He nodded—put one hand to his swim- ming head. Then he felt Brendon pick him up like a child and bear him to the rail—dive with him into the icy water. _ He felt the chill and shock—his ears roared—his chest ached to bursting with the attempt to hold his breath: Then the whole world blew up with a mighty noise. The blade sank Adventure CHAPTER XVII que sun was shining on the blue water outside the open window when Wheeler opened his eyes. He was stiff and sore, and his arm hurt when he put it up to find what was wrapped tightly around his head. “Hello there! Awake, old chap?” Brendon’s voice was a-tremble with delight. “Do you want some water?” “About a bucketful—yes!”’ Dan croaked from a dry throat. “Been keeping it ready for you.” Brendon poured from a lovely large pitcher. Dan ignored the glass and seized the pitcher. As he tipped it up—and up— Brendon was fairly dancing with suppressed excitement. ‘“‘We were deuced anxious until the doctor said it was just sleep—and to let you sleep, don’t you know. But we were afraid you wouldn’t wake up, so we could go on with the ceremony this evening; and then we couldn’t sail on the Belle of Nippon with the prince and party. But this is simply top hole, really!’ he rattled on, watching Dan with eyes that danced. “Here’s your pitcher—gimme the glass.” When he had drained that, Dan wiped his lips and said in his own voice: “Where am I anyhow? D’you mean to say you been waiting for me to come to life before you went on with the wedding?” “T should say we had! You're at the. Senator’s—where it would be quiet, y know.” Brendon hastened on, because Dan and the Senator had not yet made up since their quarrel. “Nobody would hear of doing anything until you were on the job. Do you think you can be wheeled into the other. room for the ceremony, old chap?” “You try it! Anybody that comes in here with a wheel-chair will go out on a stretcher. Where’s my pants? And that gun? It will rust in no time if it isn’t cleaned and oiled.”’ “So fa—Mr. Drake said. He cleaned and fixed it—it’s in your clothes, and your pants are being pressed. I’m afraid the doctor won’t like it “Get those pants or I get up and trail ’em in a blanket!” Go 1NOO S (©)