Adventure Magazine Cover — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

186 you know the way to the beach? I tell you. We go out the house the back door, t’rough the aloes and maybe along the ditch. It will be dry and [am thankful. And then— and then—” He lifted his hands and let them fall to his sides again with a sudden gesture of despair. “‘And what, after all, is the good?” The woman went to him and kissed him. “Dear Paul!’ she said. “It’s so hard on you! Terribly hard!” “Ah, Tony!” he said. “And if I am killed, what will become of you?” “You won’t be killed!” “Let’s go,” said the captain. “Captain Selby,’’ said the woman, ‘‘and you, Mr. Westcott, I want to warn you, it’s going to be dangerous!”’ “So dangerous,” said the man, ‘“‘that if they see me, they would rather kill all four than let me escape them!”’ “T’m not afraid,” said Mr. Westcott. “Hadn’t we better push off?” ‘““My husband and I may not come out of this alive,” said the woman. “I havea feeling that something has gone wrong. If anything happens, I want you to know how grateful I am for all you’ve done. Mr. Westcott, I wouldn’t be here now but for you. I’d like to thank you.” She held his hand in hers and gazed straight into his eyes and he felt that she understood him and knew how happy he was to have been able to help, and whatever the danger, it would make no difference! And then she gave her hand to Captain Selby. Mr. Westcott heard her say under her breath— ‘You bear no malice?”’ ‘““No malice.” “Forgiven?” “All forgiven.” She sighed and dropped his hand. Why forgiven? thought Mr. Westcott. He could fit no meaning to the words they had used. The night with all its hints, its suspicions, its sudden turns and twists, its evasions, had tired him and left his mind slow and sluggish. ““Let’s go!’ said the woman. Her husband wrapped a cloak about him and put a broad brimmed hat on his head. “Any luggage?” said Captain Selby. “One suitcase,” said the woman. “But we could do without even that, if we had to!” W. Townend “T’ll carry it,” said Mr. Westcott. Alvarez had in his hand a brown leather dispatch-case. He said rather grimly: “In here are some papers. You un- derstand, Captain! Some very precious papers!” “Tl go first,” said Captain Selby. “You and your husband, ma’m, will come next. Mr. Westcott, you must act as a kind of rear guard! And let’s pray they don’t see us!’ He had the clumsy looking automatic once more in his hand. ‘“‘Sefior Alvarez, are you armed?” “T have a pistol, yes,” said Alvarez. “TI will use it!” “Paul,” said the woman, “you won’t run any risks, will you?” “T will fight,” he said. take me alive!” They stood at the back door and listened. There was no sound audible but the far- off beat of the Pacific on the sandy beach and the breeze in the stunted trees between the house and the hedge of aloes. The sky was still clear but for a few fleecy clouds, the stars shone more brightly now than they had earlier in the night, the moon cast long black shadows of the trees across the wilderness that once had been a garden. Captain Selby advanced slowly away from the house and stood looking from side to side. He turned and said, rather sharply, or so Mr. Westcott thought— “‘Come on, let’s go!”’ The woman and her husband, both wrapped in their long black cloaks, followed. Mr. Westcott, feeling more and more worried and uneasy, closed the door softly and hurried after them through the tangle of weeds and brush, carrying the heavy suit- case. The thought flashed into his mind that some one was watching him. He glanced quickly eastward toward the shed and the low brick wall. And then what he had feared came, without warning. A man crept out of the shadows into the moonlight. Mr. Westcott saw the pistol and heard his own voice utter a strangled yell— “Captain Selby!’ He let the suitcase fall, stooped and picked up a stone which he hurled at the man with all his force as he fired. After it was all over he felt that for a time he must have lost all control of himself. ‘They will never COMICOOokSs C© 5}