Adventure Magazine Cover, October 1911 — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

1092 back the centuries to leave her the uncon- scious victim of an age of barbarism. No, this was the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nine! America was ten days’ steam away. And she was Katrine Gresham, a prisoner of — Fate. She walked on, as the sleep-walker walks, seeing the in- ward vision alone. Down by the lake-side the Zaptichs plunged and splashed through the reed-bed, shouting to each other acrimoniously. They saw the broad expanse of green, the long vista of the lake, and out in the current a collection of withered herbage amassed by the wind and borne by it far into the gathering dusk. But of Gugi they saw nothing. CHAPTER XXVII THE CARDS ARE ON THE TABLE 2 INO artistically done, my dear Gordon. Not convincing.” The artificial, exaggerated start with which Gordon Glaisher had greeted Katrine as she stepped into the veranda which fronted the courtyard of the main building became a very real pulse of amazement at her words. There was contempt in her tone, but no surprise. He cast a keen glance of inquiry at Esuli. The Bey, by a slight lift of the eyebrows, explained that he, too, shared his guest’s astonishment. ““But—but this is stupefying!”’ he stam- mered. “You yourself, Katrine—here?”’ She made a weary little gesture of protest. ‘There is no need for that pose,”’ she said. “TI hardly think I was unexpected, was I? I see no reason to believe that you have been left outside this—conspiracy. Perhaps I hardly grasp the immediate results you ex- pect it to have, but I have not had the benefit of even a beginner’s course in in- trigue—till lately. What are you doing here, Gordon—and why do you do it?” His color went and came. His eyes shifted—his disconcertment was almost pitiful. “I am here in—in consultation, Katrine,” he said. “The road. I came here directly —in its interests. I used my holiday to gain information about the possibilities—of the future. I have to give convincing reasons to the public if I am to float the further issue which will make its completion possi- ble. I—I am seeking them at first hand.” Adventure His assurance, his glibness, increased as he spoke. This, it was easy to believe, was the lesson he had prepared to recite at their meeting. Her refusal to make their en- counter run on the lines he had prepared had, at first, put him at a disadvantage. He was recovering. She smiled, but with no sign of acquies- cence. ‘You did not consider that the most detailed information was to be gained from my father—your partner?” He shook hishead. “No,” he said, quietly, and his self-possession was his own again. *“No, I had reasons to think otherwise. He is being led astray, if what I hear is correct, by his engineer. This line can not be built upon a remunerative basis, Katrine. As a business proposition I have to set my face against it.” He was dignified, important, entirely the conscientious business man again in every aspect. ‘“‘ And your reasons?” “Very complicated and detailed ones, needing special knowledge to comprehend them,” he said. “ But they all come back to one stari ng-point—expense. No future traffic can xe made to pay interest on the needful outlay. That I find conclusive.” ‘“Ah!” Her voice was ominously in- different. “But a new company, obtaining the already accomplished work at wreckers’ prices, might make a very reasonably good profit, either by completing and opening the line, or by threatening to do so and bargain- ing with those who can not afford to see this culmination—the Austrians, for instance?” There was a queer silence. From behind Esuli’s back she heard the long intake of breath hiss between Sarrasco’s lips. Over the Bey’s face a mask-like expression of im- perturbability had fallen which, however, was not convincing. GlaisHer’s face was mottled—odd patches of red and white dappled it. He blinked. Katrine laughed. ‘‘There!’’ she said. “T have flung the cards on the table. We know where we stand—all of us. You can enjoy a new experience, Signor Command- ante—and you, your Excellency. You can be absolutely frank!” spair. ‘You speak in enigmas, Bet Vn 6 <*~ signorina,” he deplored. © “Your meaning completely evades me.”’ She wheeled to confront him. ‘ You cling ESULI made a little gesture of de- CO MICLOOKS (©