Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

872 They were resolute looking fellows, a little too old for active battle, perhaps, hand to hand, but apparently masters of the weap- ons with which they were armed. There was John Hodge, too, standing in the corner with his arms folded, looking as much out of the picture as if he had had nothing to do with making the capture. Mrs. Dascom had been herded away with the rest. All of the women were gone sav- ing herself alone. And there was poor Logan revealed, when the crowd dissolved, with his back braced against the wall and Hugh Dascom busily bandaging his wound- ed leg. The door was closed upon the last of the crowd. They waited in the hall and the waves of their excited voices rose and fell and gathered like the volleyed chirrup- ing of birds in the morning. “Just turn the key in that door, Mr. Hodge,” said Hugh Dascom, rising from the floor. John Hodge obeyed. Olivetta noticed with pleasure and wonder the perfect calm of her father, the entire ease with which he dominated the situation and had reduced everything to order. ‘How are you now, Logan?” went on Hugh Dascom. “Well enough for the hospital,” said Logan with amazing cheerfulness. ‘* Are you in pain?” ‘* Nothing to speak of.” “ Lift him onto the bed, will you?” said Dascom to the gardener and chauffeur. They obeyed at once, and Logan sighed with relief as he lay back among the piled pillows. “IT have sent for the nearest officer of the law and an ambulance,” said Hugh Dascom, standing beside the bed. “I am very sorry that this has happened.” How strange was that courtesy, offered to a man who had just abused his hospitality so vilely! Olivetta, seeing her father with new eyes, admired all that she saw. But who could have guessed that he had such qualities in him? He had seemed to be made for parlor use only. And now he showed a tempered steel in his make-up. “Tl take my medicine,” said Logan calmly. ‘‘ Those who know me know that I don’t whine.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Is there anything I can do for you while we—er—wait?” said Hugh Dascom. “A cigarette, if you'll be so kind.” ** By all means.” The cigarette was offered and a match held from which he lighted his smoke. ‘“ Olivetta!”’ said Hugh Dascom. She came to him. ““My dear,” said he, “ you have done beautifully.” “I screamed like an hysterical child,” said Olivetta. “But that was afterward,” said Hugh Dascom. “ That was after the battle. Do that always, my dear. If you have to re- member that you have nerves, wait until the crisis is past.” He laughed softly. It was evident that he was immensely pleased, and when he looked on her, his eyes shone. A word from Logan and another from John Hodge had apparently made the entire incident clear to him. “And you, Mr. Hodge,” he said to the lanky historian, “‘ have a very special claim to my gratitude. I shall never forget you, sir. Never!” Hodge waved his hand. He had not taken his eyes from the face of Logan for an instant. He seemed to be fascinated by the spectacle of this fallen man. ‘IT want to know one thing,”’ said Olivet- ‘Has he been carefully searched?” “Why?” suggested her father. “ Have you missed anything, my dear? The emer- ald is still in the box, you know.” | ‘“There’s no need of searching,” said Logan. “Ill give them up. Tut, tut! I know when a game’s played out and I’ve lost the rubber! Here you are, Mr. Das- com. I gather these will be good news for you, eh?” A grin wrinkled his lean face. He thrust his hand into a coat pocket and brought out a great heap of shining jewels. “Mold out your hands, Miss Dascom. These ought to go to you. By the Lord, you fought for ’em like a man!” Into the cupped hands which she extend- ed he dropped them one by one. A name and a brief remark accompanied the larger stones. ‘““Here you are, a couple of neat little COMME NOOKS,. GO ta.