Adventure Magazine Cover — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

The King in Check “Ts that your business?” I asked him. ‘““Because,” he went on, smiling meanly, “‘you speak with an American accent. It is against the law to carry gold across the bor- der, and Americans have to submit to per- sonal search, because they always carry it.”’ “Show me your authority!’ I retorted angrily. “‘Oh, as for that, there is a customs official here who has full authority. He is a Syrian. It occurred to me that you might prefer to be searched by a European.” “Call his bluff!’ Grim whispered behind his sleeve, but 1 intended to do that anyway. “Bring along your Syrian,” said I, and off he went to do it, treating me to a backward glance over his shoulder that conveyed more than words could have done. “He'll bluff sky-high,” said Grim, “but keep on calling him.” “T’ve been searched at six frontiers,” said Mabel. “If it’s a Syrian I don’t much mind; you boys all come along, and he’ll behave himself. They’re much worse in France and Italy. Hadn’t one of you better take the letter, though? No! I was forgetting already! I won’t part with it. Dll take my chance with the Syrian; he’ll only ask me to empty my pockets and prove that I haven’t a bag full of gold under my skirt. Sit tight all, here he comes!” The Frenchman returned with a smiling, olive-complexioned Syrian in tow—a round- faced fellow with blue jaws as dark as his serge uniform. The Frenchman stood aside and the Syrian announced rather awkward- ly that regulations compelled him to submit Mabel and me to the inconvenience of search. ‘For what?” said I. _ “For gold,” he answered. “It is against the law to smuggle it across the border.” ‘+t “T’ve only one gold coin,” I said, showing him a U. S. twenty-dollar piece, and his yellow eyes shone at sight of it. “If it will save trouble you may have it.” MI put it into his open palm with the Frenchman looking on, and it was immedi- ately clear that that particular Syrian off- cial was no longer amenable to international intrigue. He was bought and sold—oozy with gratitude—incapable of anything but wild enthusiasm for the U. S. A. for several hours tocome. “I have searched them!” he said to the French officer. ‘“They have no gold, and they are all right.” [Nantes 45 The French have faults like the rest of us, but they are quicker than most men to rec- ognize logic. The man with crimson pants and saber grinned. cynically, shrugged his shoulders, and passed on to annoy some- _ body easier. CHAPTER XII “Start something before they're ready for il’? UST before the train started, a hand- some fellow with short black beard trimmed into a point and wearing a well- cut European blue serge suit, but none-the-. less obviously an Arab, came to the door of our compartment and stared steadily at Grim. He stood like a fighting man, as if every muscle of his body was under com- mand, and the suggestion was strengthened by what might be a bullet scar over one eye. If that fellow had asked me for a Ioan on the spot, or for help against his enemies, he would have received both or either. More- over, if he had never paid me back I would still believe in him, and would bet on him again. However, after one swift glance at him, Grim took no notice until the train was under way—not even then in fact, until the man in blue serge spoke first. “Oh, Jimgrim!” he said suddenly in a voice like a tenor bell. “Come in, Hadad,” Grim answered, hard- ly glancing at him. ‘Make yourself at home.” He tossed a valise into the rack, and I gave up the corner seat so that he might sit facing Grim, he acknowledging the courtesy with a smile like the whicker of a sword- blade, wasting no time on foolish protest. He knew what he wanted—knew enough to take it when invited—understood me, and expected me to understand him—a.first- class fellow. He sat leaning a little forward, his back not touching the cushion, with the palms of both hands resting on his knees and strong fingers motionless. He eyed Mabel Ticknor, not exactly nervously but with caution. ‘““Any news?” asked Grim. “‘Jimgrim, the world is full of it!’ he an- sered in English with a laugh. “But who are these?”’ “My friends.” “Your intimate friends?” Grim nodded. ~ ©The lady as well?” COMicoOOlkkS.COn