Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

18 “Not so*fast, Bill—what’s the hurry? Canal police after you?” Fitz exhibited for the moment a surprising amount of en- ergy by sitting erect. ‘No, nothing like that. Listen, and I’ll give you the whole story.” Dunn drew his chair closer. “ Bill, if you have any regard for me, don’t ask me to do anything-else but listen.”’ Fitz murmured and slumped back again. “Shut up! About ten years ago, before the Canal was open, a schooner was bound for Colon. Her name was the Moon Glow. The skipper of the craft was a no-good square-head named Hansen. He neglected to take his position as he should have— too much Bicardi, I suppose. Well, he piled up on a reef on the Dutch Guiana coast and sank. He and his crew escaped with their lives. When he was picked up, he had absolutely no idea of the position of his ship when she struck. Now, here is where I come in. About three weeks ago, T too hit a reef and foundered, in what I believe is the same position. I have the geographical position of the reef that J struck. There aren’t many reefs unchart- ed; that is what I am pinning my fate on. It has just occurred to me that that per- haps is the same reef which the Moon Glow struck, with a shipment of elephant ivory in her. position of a good many thousand dollars’ worth of ivory, all for the taking. Maybe you think it strange that an old hay-pile like the Moon Glow should have a ship- ment of ivory in her. It is, Pl admit; the explanation that came out, if I remember it right, was: she had taken the shipment from a steamer that had grounded and was transshipping it to Colon, where one of the liners was to take it to New York. Now, Fitz, here is some excitement all hand- made for you.” Dunn gave his order to a sleepy eyed waiter and mopped his brow again. Fitz sat erect once more, and finished his drink before speaking. ‘‘ You mean to say we can go treasure hunting?” he gulped. “ After veal treasure? Boy, I’ve been read- ing about it for years. Have you got the map drawn in blood, with skulls and com- pass directions? If it ain’t, it’s a fake. All In other words, we may have the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. treasure hunts have ’em. I’m from Mis- souri. It’s got to be in a desert cave or I don’t bite.” “Shut up!” Dunn snapped. “ This is the real thing. We’ve got to shake it up and get there without any monkey business, too, Fitz; Jung said something about the news going the rounds. ‘Tell your sister ‘Pm inviting myself for dinner, and then come with me. Tl have to ask you to lend me enough money to finance my half of the trip. Fact is, Fitz, I’m stony broke.” FitzGerald rose to his feet. ‘‘ Do you mean to sit there, Bill Dunn, and tell me you're flat? And me sitting here with a flock of the old man’s money in travelers’ checks. You're a plain jackass. Bring on the treasure!” “Oh, I don’t owe any one any money, Fitz. Pinched a trifle, you see—”’ “ Yes,” interrupted Fitz, “Isee. You’re a blasted liar, Bill Dunn. You and that Chink of yours are dead broke.” Dunn flushed a trifle. Fitz saw it, and hastened to ease him. ‘ Remember the time you pulled me out of that scrape at college? You don’t? Bill, you’re a fool! I remember it as plain as if had happened yesterday.” “ Cherubic liar,” Dunn said, smiling— “same old Fitz. Shake it up and tell Miss FitzGerald we'll be back in time for din- ner. Ah Jung is at the hotel trying to snake my logbook out before the hotel proprietor gets his hands on it.” “ Well, anyway, Bill, we'll go fifty-fifty on this, and Vll advance the money, and we'll have the fun anyhow. Wait a min- ute,” and Fitz disappeared into the interior of the hotel. When he returned a moment later his lethargy of a few minutes before had vanished, and they hastened off. “Bill,” Fitz panted after five minutes of walking, “‘ heave to a minute. I’ve got sand in my condenser. Nobody knows of your logbook, do they? What’s the hurry?” Dunn slowed his pace before answering. “Sure! That’s what awakened the sus- picions of Ah Jung. He heard a rumor. Anybody that remembered the Moon Glow’s sinking, and had a grain of sense, could get the connection in short order.” CoOpmicooolkSseo