Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

706 you who follow me—only a few minutes of time progress in your plane. I shall expect you as soon as you can descend after seeing the light vanish. Do not delay then, father, for I will need you. Please tell mamita not to worry about me, or about you, either. We will both come back to her safely. You may bring any one or two of our friends who wish to make the trip. I think that Georgie will want to come, and I would like to have him. You need bring no weapons, They would be worse than useless.” Rogers’s slow, solemn voice died away. He rustled the pages in his hand, folded them up carefully. “ That’s all; gentlemen. All of the mes- sage itself. The other pages give detailed instructions—data based on Loto’s first flight. And memoranda for the construc- tion of another plane, gathered from previ- ous notes made by Loto and myself.” There was complete silence when Rogers paused. Georgie decided to speak, but checked himself and sat back in his chair, his attention fixed on his cigarette. “T shall start the Frazia Company on another plane at once,” Rogers added. ‘And working on Loto’s mechanism simul- taneously, I should be ready in ninety days.” He waited, but again no one else spoke. Then he said: “T am going, of course. It is a great trial for my wife, but she is willing.” Georgie turned and flashed an admiring glance to Lylda; her face was strained, but she smiled at him gently. “Do not be hasty, my friends,’ Rogers went on quickly. ‘“ Any two of you are free to come—or to stay, all of you—as you think best.” “T’m going,” said Georgie suddenly. “Loto said I could. And you say so. I’m going. I decided that long ago.” He jumped to his feet and grasped Rogers’s hand. ‘“ You can count on me, Mr. Rogers. Ill stick—through anything— to the last.” Rogers smiled. ‘‘ Thank you, Georgie. I knew I could count on you.” Georgie sat down again. Then he got up and crossed to Lylda, shaking her hand also, and whispering to her. But in an- other instant he was pacing the room, smok- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ing violently, frowning and staring at his feet. Rogers was saying to the others: “I will take one more. I realize it is a momen- tous question. Your lives may be at stake.” The Big Business Man was deep in rev- erie. ‘‘ I wonder,” he murmured. ‘“ I won- der if I do want to go! I’ve known right along I’d have to make this decision.” ““ Come on,”*urged Georgie, stopping sud- denly before him. “ Take a chance.” He did not wait for an answer, but went back to his pacing. “T don’t think 7’l] go,” the Banker de- clared, half apologetically. ‘“ You don’t really need me, do you, Rogers?” ‘““Of course not,’* said Rogers heartily. “Use your own judgment. But I knew you’d be offended if I didn’t give you the opportunity.” The Banker nodded. “ Yes, but you don’t need me. I’m an old man—seventy- three, though you’d never guess it perhaps. I think I’d better stay here where I’m used to things.” “* Of course,” agreed Rogers. “But if you need money,” the Banker added hopefully, “you will, naturally— everybody needs money—you’ll call on me, won’t you? I’m going to see this thing through.” ““T don’t believe I’ll go,” the Big Business Man declared. He met the Doctor’s glance, and the Doctor seemed relieved. ‘“ You don’t really need us, Rogers? I think Frank would prefer to stay also.” The Doctor nodded emphatic agreement. “‘ Quite so,” said Rogers. ‘‘ I can under- stand perfectly how you feel.” Georgie stopped his pacing. ‘ Then it’s all settled, Mr. Rogers. You and I go— the others stay on guard here. Now listen, everybody, I’ve got some good ideas—” CHAPTER X. THE FLIGHT THROUGH SPACE AND TIME. WO days before Christmas. Another plane lay glistening on the roof of the Scientific Club, walled in from curious eyes by the board inclosure. Sleek, self- satisfied, its every line denoting latent pow- oO COMmicooolks (C@