Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

104 “Yes, mamita, J.can help them there. TI even think they need me. And I—TI want Azeela. I want to marry her.” His words were tumbling over one an- other. ‘ Toroh was an Anglese, but they banished him. He was plotting to over- throw the government. When he was ban- ished, he went among the barbarians of the north and began organizing them for an attack on the island. Toroh has scientific knowledge; up there in the north he has been manufacturing weapons. Then he came back to the island secretly, and ab- ducted Azeela. She’s the daughter of Fahn —leading scientist of the Anglese—the man ‘who holds the reins of power. With Azeela as hostage, Toroh planned to make Fahn yield. “ But now I have released Azeela; and Toroh’s attack will come swiftly. That is why I must return—I can help. Toroh is a menace—the greatest figure for evil of that time-world. There will be war—a struggle in which the Anglese may go down before the onslaught of Toroh and the hordes of barbarians with whom he has allied himself. Oh, I can’t tell you all the detaits—I’m too tired.” Loto did look tired, as though all his re- serve strength had suddenly left him. “I! came back, because I was afraid I would run out of petrol for the plane. And the Proton current, too. And I wanted to tell you—about it all. You can follow me if I need you. I’ve thought of a way to convey to you that I want you to come.” His pleading gesture was to Rogers. “ Let me go there again, father. Please let me go there again!” CHAPTER VIII. THE SECOND DEPARTURE. NCE again, an evening later, the lit- tle company was gathered on the roof of the Scientific Club. The men had been examining the plane. Now they were standing in a corner of the board inclosure, bidding Loto good-by. Lylda seemed more composed at this second part- ing, but her eyes were misty as she kissed her son—to her still no more than a child. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “You've left directions for us, Loto?” she asked anxiously. ‘Yes, mamita. With father: He will not open them until I have been gone a month. But, ’mita, I will come back before then... You will see. It is nothing for you to worry | over.” Beside the plane Loto shook eentds grave- ly with Rogers. * You have my letter, father? Tt ex- plains everything fully. But do not open it until a month has passed.” “No,” Rogers agreed, “Tt might worry mamita,”’ Loto added softly. “I will come back before a month, no doubt. And to worry her would be un- necessary.” The Banker and the others joined them. ‘“‘ Boy,” said the Banker, “ there were a lot of things you didn’t tell us last night.” “Yes, sir,” Loto agreed smilingly. “ But later I can tell you. I have had so much to do to-day—”’ Georgie’s hand on his arm made him turn. “T want to speak to you—alone,” Georgie said soberly. His face was flushed; he seemed laboring under tremendous ex- citement. ‘‘ Alone—just a minute.” Loto took him aside. ‘‘ Listen,” Georgie added swiftly. “I’m an orphan, you know. I haven’t got a soul in this world, I guess, who cares a rap about me. I’ve made all my plans to-day—hbeen at it every minute.” He stopped and drew a deep breath. “ I’m going with you! Listen, please let me go! Nobody ’Il miss me—nobody ’Il care if I’m gone forever.” A note of pathos was in his eager, pleading voice. ‘* Please let me go— I can help you a lot! You don’t realize it, maybe, but I can. Will you?”’ Loto recovered from his surprise, hesi- tated, then shook his head. “Oh!” said Georgie, crestfallen. “‘ Why not? Don’t you think I can help you?” “ Yes, but ”’—Loto bent closer to him— “ Georgie, here’s the truth, just between you and me. Not a word to the rest?” ‘““ No!” Georgie was thrilled. “Well, listen. I’m liable to get into things as dangerous as the devil. You don’t know anything about it—I didn’t want ‘to tell them last night.” 4A COmicbdooks (S@)