The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE GREAT vants are within call,” and he trailed the heavy-scented flower across his thin lips. “They would find it no easy matter to despoil me. Iam no weakling.” Sansito interposed: ‘“‘ My boastful young man, don’t you realize that I can do with you as I choose? You are alone, in my palace!” Then suddenly he discarded his insolent- ly threatening manner. ‘I ask you in all courtesy to give me that ring.” His words were like the fountain’s music. “And in all courtesy,’ Arthur’s deep voice declared, ‘I refuse, Your gentle re- quests move me no more than your threats.” Sansito made a sharp movement. His eyes glinted ominously, ‘ Young man, you may go too far. Don’t you know I could —kill—you, for that matter.” At last the realization of his danger yawned before Arthur. He thought quickly and to good putpose, A lie might save him. “If you harmed me, what do you suppose my friends would do?” “ Your friends?” Sansito echoed in alarm. “They know you are here?”’ Arthur smiled and nodded, wondering just who his friends were and why Sansito feared them. ‘I have taken other precau- * tions than this simple one of bringing my dagger.” He tapped his side. ‘What do you want? Why are you here?”’ the count demanded flatly. “To— The young man interrupted himself, ‘‘ Why did you deceive me on the Hopeful? You said you did not know Seseca! You yourself are he!”’ A crooked smile twitched the diplomat- ist’s face. ‘I have that honor,” ‘Then why did you lie?” The Spaniard flushed. ‘ Your words are blunt, Sir Sailor.” ‘““T am an Englishman,” Arthur respond- ed, ““my tongue knows no Latin tricks.” A slight silence came, and then Sansito recited calmly: “In that brief interview on the boat, which you cut short, you will re- member, you only said you must find Seseca. I was in England on a secret and most perilous mission for His Majesty King Ferdinand. I feared discovery.” “Was that why?” Arthur cried in a dazed way. DISCOVERY, 215 Sansito quickly took advantage of his position, ‘‘I dared make no admission. Besides, Sir Thomas Merton knew who I was. Why did he not tell you—” “Sir Thomas knew that you were the Seseca for whom I was looking? He—’’ Sansito interrupted: “TI do not know what Seseca you are seeking, but he cer- tainly knew that I was Juan de Seseca, Count of Sansito.”’ “ Then you can tell me everything,” the youth cried radiantly. “T don’t know what you mean by every- thing.’ The count feigned mystification, ‘“ What can I tell you?” he coldly inquired. ‘““ About myself—who I am, and what my secret is—’ Arthur paused, “Go on,” the other prompted. Then, impetuously, the handsome sailor told of finding the locket and treasure, and of his loss of everything except the picture and a remembrance of the parchment direc- tions—to find and question Seseca. “ And this locket?” the Spaniard inquired quietly. ‘“ Where is it?” As the significant, question floated on the warm air, Arthur recalled old Tobit’s warn- ing to be “ ticklish ” of this man. “Tt is safe,” the youth responded enig- matically, The count was watching him narrowly. ‘‘ Upon your person?” he inquired. Arthur did not answer. ‘I would like to see it.” “What for?” the youth showed suspicion. “ Tf you can tell me everything, what good would it do you to look at this miniature? There is nothing written upon it, except the words—Your Mother—and, on the out- side, For—” “For whom?” Seseca cried, “That is entirely worn away,” Arthur responded. ‘ Now, I have answered many questions—you talk!” The handsome face had flushed with happy anticipation; it now paled as Sansito declared: ‘‘ There is nothing I can tell.” “Why?” Arthur’s voice was harsh. ~“ Because,” the count confided, “I know nothing,” Incredulously the big sailor burst forth: “ Know nothing?” “ Exactly,” Comiclboolks.comnn