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.

“We want that assassin! We want George Marchand! Which is his room?”’ “That is his room.” And as she pointed the two detectives sprang at the door, wrenched it open and rushed in. “He’s not there! George has not been home to-night!” cried Tina. The detectives could be heard overhaul- ing the room as if they expected to find the man hiding under the bed or behind the chairs. They were cursing furiously. Perhaps to prove to themselves that they had no fear of “that vile assassin.” Lieutenant Rico stared suspiciously around the sitting room; then eyed Tina doubtfully. But the girl clung to his arm in what seemed an impulse of panic. ‘Oh, don’t let them hurt me,” she cried. “‘ You’re a _ gentleman. Save me from those ruffians!” “TI won’t let them hurt you,” replied the ‘officer with a chivalrous air. “It is only George that we want.” “Qh, I tell you he’s not here! He’s not - been here all night. There was a row at the café and he must have been afraid to come home.” _ The detectives came out of George’s room. ‘‘ The brigand is not there,” they said. The officer glanced at the revolvers in their hands and smiled sardonically. “Lucky for him! I see you were taking no chances!” ‘Would you shoot him down without a chance to surrender?” Tina stood before the officer with ee hands and terror in her face. The lieutenant threw out his chest a little as he replied: “Not I. It would take more than a bandit like that to terrify me. These fel- lows would shoot him on sight, but I—I would just look him in the eye and subdue him. Even if I did not have a weapon I would subdue him.” ‘“ How brave you are!” exclaimed Tina. ‘A brave man is always cool in the face of danger.” The girl was so evidently impressed by his heroism that the lieutenant could not -help feeling kindly toward her, - > 2 SS ~ . Fe So ce or ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. How these timid little creatures mice = strong, determined men! There was a pause. A moment of em- barrassment as the officer searched those frightened black eyes that drooped before his frank appreciation. ‘““Must you be going now?” asked Tina shyly, breaking the silence. The officer came to himself. “As a matter of form you must permit us to search your room. He bowed with exaggerated gallantry. ‘‘ A mere matter of form, I assure you!” Tina’s long eyelashes fluttered down on her cheeks to meet the mounting color as she spoke in frightened accents. ‘‘ Must. you? Must you go into my room? My bedroom?” | ‘“T have orders to search the house,” re- plied Lieutenant Rico. ‘“ But don’t be frightened. I won’t let my men in, I won’t distress you!” ‘“You’re kind! You’re a gallant gentle- man!” breathed Tina and she slipped back. into her room, swinging the door against the wall where George was concealed, re- volver in hand. Holding the knob she said: yourself. There is no one here!” The officer stood in the doorway and swept the cloister-like bedchamber with a glance. His eyes rested upon the nar- row white bed with the cover thrown back. He saw the image of the Virgin above- it and hastily crossed himself. Never in his career had the officer been nearer death than at that moment, for George’s finger was on the trigger; in his eyes shone the fire of a man who was des- perate with exhaustion and the strain of pursuit. If the lieutenant had looked be- hind that door it would have been the last act of his life. Instead of that, Lieutenant Rico’s eyes met those of Tina and he unconsciously gave his mustache a little twist. “You'll pardon the intrusion, my dear young lady. Mere matter of form!’ he murmured. ‘“ Naturally he would not be here, but—orders, you know.” And as he backed out of her bedroom the officer added: ‘I shall call at the café We shall become better acquainted, ves?” ‘See for com