Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

604 - two policemen motioned them back _-brusquely. The man at the hydrangea bush still held to his quiet, unruffied pose. He — Was not even listening to the exposition of Soniye VI" i OL ATAL ANE AEP I 7 oe ne Ok oT : ! ¥ " , hes y ra 7 "site FIP ts pT Ras a 4% Pn ” 4 dy) ehh? A Sah f pe a a a, wy ae ue AL Fh SED aed Sm RIND ABE Noa fe! a) yt rf ay) ei (ptt ga Psa \ Be 4s i a OTS WAR 4 Ly On 4) ; j ; ; Ai is : Th } f ait hued i a4 fire opal set in its handle. offensive or defensive. - ciated with an extraordinary mystery; it has taken life; sink in. - . breathless attention. the auctioneer. He appeared to be watch- Ing the clouds as they came frowning up out of the former blue sky. His entire ap- pearance was the epitome of careless ease ~~ and indifference. I wondered mere than ever what had actuated the man to come. He certainly betrayed little interest in the preliminary harangue of the auctioneer. Was it mere curiosity after all? “Yet there is another thing,” continued Mr. Maddox, “ which enhances the value of this unique knife. In addition to all these werth giving factors, remains the great The stone is of unusual size, liie and purity. it is a rare and valuable opal in itself, worth no mean sum. I have never seen a finer example, and certainly never so large a specimen.’ “Show us the knife,” came an impatient _ yveice from the crowd. Quite unruffied the auctioneer went on: “1 would, therefore, keep before your mind the many qualities which set this dagger quite apart from the usual run of weapons, Tt has been asso- it has touched the hand of a strange assassin; and yet withal it is of ex- - quisite workmanship, of the finest material and possessed of a rare gem of no inconsid- erable worth.” He paused a moment to let his words The crowd strained forward in Nancy now stepped up to the waiting auctioneer with Stebbins at her elbow. Both ‘were armed, and I knew the two policemen befcre the steps also were. All were pre- pared to resist any unexpected move to steal the dagger, although such an act ap- peared improbable with the gates guarded = = _-and with so great an assemblage present. Nancy handed a brown wrapped package to Mr. Maddox, who extended a hand to receive it. He held it unopened as he E = turned again to the threng. _ © You will understand,” he warned, “ that there is to be no disorder. Bidding is to be ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. done quietly and ‘eclinciy. in order, T he knife will not leave my hands, nor will any prospective buyer come any nearer than his — present position. We are here prepared to enforce these rules.”’ Docilely the crowd waited without ad- verse motion or comment. Slowly the big fingers of the auctioneer unwound the lethal knife. The sun, as though mindful of an opportunity for a dramatic climax, came flashing out from be- hind the lead-gray clouds. As the man raised from its paper shroud the notorious dagger, a brilliant flash of sunlight fell full upon it. The light brought out the- polished length of steel, the dark funereal, exotic wood of the carved handle. But most tellingly of all, the eye of the sun gazed straight into that great flashing orb of opal, making it scin- _tillate and blaze forth in gleaming, malevo- lent crimson. The red eye of 123 dagger ‘glowered aad smoldered like a spark of fire soon te burst forth—into what? It seemed almost that the stage was set for a veritable conflagra- tion of suspense, surprise and startling denouement. As one man, the crowd strained up and uttered a long, astonished “Ah!” In the chorus came iorth admiration, mystification and desire. : “What am I offered?” bellowed the auc- tioneer, holding the dagger high, where it still continued its orbed duel with the sun. A stoop shouldered, big nosed man start- ed the bidding, thrusting high his knuckled hand, ~ - ““One hundred dollars,” his voice shrilled out. A burly curio collector took the bit in his — teeth. “ One hundred and fifty dollars,” he shouted in a deep bass rumble. _ “One hundred dollars—one hundred and fifty dollars,” followed the parrot repetition” of the auctioneer. “ Only one hundred and fifty dollars!” His indignant protestation was cut short by a third voice. This came from a fash- jonably attired woman, evidently a visitor from the city. “ ‘Three hundred dollars.” ‘Three hundred dollars,’ echoed Mr. Maddox. | = Se omicues S