The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

'916 THE ARGOSY. ~ “ What do you mean?” Slowly the Spaniard remarked: “ Seseca is a common name in Spain. There are many of us. I know nothing about you, my dear young giant, except what you your- self have just confided to me.” His tone was too perfect in its sincerity. But Arthur Lake believed him. These words settled upon him like mighty stones. He had counted upon this inter- view, never suspecting that it might all end in nothing. He seemed to sink dejectedly in upon himself. The Spaniard watched in silence. When he thought the youth’s despondency had reached the proper stage for his evil pur- pose, he asked: “ What’s the matter?” Arthur looked up, ‘ Everything. I—” he paused. : Sansito came to the rescue. “There are other Sesecas. You must hunt them out. Sooner or later you will succeed in finding your man. I am sure you will! You are the kind who does not fail,”’ he flattered. Then the Spaniard smiled as he said: “Tt will take time and money, but you are young.” “Yes,” Arthur admitted, “I’m young, but money—” He shrugged. Many thoughts—questioning, miserable thoughts—whirled about in his confused brain. In the silence Seseca watched him. The fountain trickled dreamily; the flowers gave out their blessed perfume, and the sunlight forsook the ruddy awning. Finally Arthur arose. ‘I’m intruding,” he began, ‘I must beg you to forgive me, aint ea The Count of Sansito put his hand gen- tly upon the unhappy man. “Stay,” he solicited. ‘“ I would talk fur- ther with you.” CHAPTER XIII, THE RING AND THE LETTER. E drew Arthur down beside him, “I would like to help you,” Sansito said kindly. The hand which he had placed upon the sailor’s arm still remained there, and he gazed graciously upon his victim. Touched by Seseca’s evident interest, but remembering the warning, Arthur forced himself to demand: ‘‘ Why do you wish to aid me?” “Why? Why?” Sansito hesitated. “Perhaps it’s your youth—perhaps—well —sometimes there is a heart left somewhere in the depths of even so hardened a courtier as I. The secretary of His Majesty the King of Spain is, after all, just a man!” He paused and waited vainly for Arthur to respond, The fragrant languor of the voluptuous garden seemed to encompass them more closely; the blue and orange tiles decorat- ing the facades of the house seemed to glisten more tenderly, and the rosy twilight of that old Moorish courtyard, to sanctify with its security and peace. Sansito was the first to speak. “T can instruct you in the whereabouts of all the Sesecas I know, and so send you forth upon your quest, but I wish to do more, I—” “You can,” Arthur cried. “ Tell me of Sir Thomas Merton and his daughter.” “What of them?” the count parried. ‘“ Whete are they?” Sansito lied promptly: “ They have re- turned to England.” “ Already?” The count confirmed his lie and con- tinued gloomily: “As soon as we left the ship, we hastened to Seville, where the court was, Sir Thomas quickly despatched his business and, with his daughter, started at once for home.” When the silence following this was brok- en, it was by the Spaniard, speaking as if half asleep: “ Your interest sets in the di- rection of the daughter—yes?” The sailor did not reply, and Sansito resumed: “She is very desirable — that young lady; very beautiful and very good—” “ Indeed—yes!” Arthur agreed happily. | ‘It is because of her that you wish to learn the secret of your birth and regain your precious gold and—” Arthur sighed deeply, and made a sign of affirmation. comicbooksscom