Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

natural sex interest. The thought of losing _ her was unbearable since she had come into his life. From now on she would be a part ef it and he wanted to make that part a major one. . He had figured out a possible procedure, but the best he could devise had difficulties. it was very plain that she did not mean to return to the yacht. But Jimmy Thorpe had developed a habit of meeting the immediate issue squarely. Until that was disposed of, the rest must wait, She had a will of . her own with which his own coincided. — He was as full of wrath as the cylin- _ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Wy “he was to see the man. Carter had once . been an athlete, the girl had said. Jimmy had pulled off a few stunts himself and he had known close work in France. He sized up his man and did not worry much about - the outcome of his righteous cause. The presence ef the launch, in charge of a quar- ~ termaster, was a nuisance, but that handi- cap was almost immediately removed. ““T can’t wait for you, Mr. Carter,” said the quartermaster. “ Mr. Melville is com- ing ashore before we sail, and he will want me on hand. I shall have to report to him. Iam not supposed to take the launch ders of the Albatross were charged with without orders from the captain or the steam at “‘ full speed ahead.” As he went down his wharf he saw smoke issuing freely from the buff stack. It looked as if the trouble had been rectified and the fires were being oe for an early departure. Vil. Tue launch came in swiftly and made landing. A man in white flannels jumped _ to the wharf and confronted Thorpe. He was the same height as Jimmy, heavier, with the suggestion of a paunch,-several years. older—possibly thirty. He wore no hat, and his hair showed signs of thinning. His eyes had the beginnings of sacks beneath them and his skin was puffy. Many women indubitably would have considered him good looking, though his face had a disfigurement which was covered with a long strip of adhesive tape on the right cheek. Jimmy rejoiced at the sight of it. Peggy Dineen had told him he might recognize Carter by the mark she had set on his face. Here it was, hidden but evi- dent. Carter wore 2 Se His features were naturally arrogant, with the look of one accustomed to having his own way at the expense of others. And he had evidently been having a morning peg or two to top off the night’s potations. He was not drunk, but neither was he sober. _ _-He surveyed Jimmy with an intolerant air which would have been provocation encugh if Thorpe had not been already primed. Jimmy’s own face showed any- - thmg but a hearty welcome, = though | owner, sir.” It seemed to Thorpe that Carter was not a favorite of the petty officer. ‘““T told you I’d take the responsibility,” Carter snapped at him. “‘ Melville was asleep, and I can’t help it if the skipper was _up all night over the repairs... I'll explain to Melville when he comes ashore. You can go back.” The engine had not been stopped, and the quartermaster immediately took the wheel. The engineer threw in the clutch, the launch backed off, circled and shot back toward the ship. Carter started to walk past Thorpe, but Jimmy stepped squarely in front of him. “This isn’t a public landing,” he said. “It’s my wharf.” “Ts it? ‘Thought it belonged to the irading company. Where’s your boss?” : “Tm in charge here.” Jimmy was white hot, but he had his temper in leash. He was going to make Carter show his hand, if he could. “What do you want?” he asked. | Carter sneered at him. Then his face — flushed, his eyes lighting with sudden fury. “Damn your impudence!” he said. “T’ve come to take the young woman on board who came ashore last night. Maid of the owner’s wife. She’s A. W..O. L. if you know what that means.” - “T was on M. P. duty once, if you know — what that means,” Thorpe answered. He was beginning to enjoy himself. He had — the man he wanted all to himself. By and— by he was going te give him a thrashing. “Tf any young /ady came ashore,” he oO SJ _ Gomicbooks.co