Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

(een : ao ~ = , > > - > ; me on “Tl be surprised if he does a darn’ ete ewe ans ils dal PAV SA Bats 7 6G Bee et Ue Pee fe ay Hei) PEG AID, A Nir RT BS ne me, ’ _ Haat) stent lh eR? 2 ad ce Qe TTT | eligi PPS ha thing.” But Rod was wrong. In less than five minutes the purser knocked at their door. When it had been opened, he entered. He wore a rather sympathetic grin, but what he - said was: “Tm sorry, gentlemen, but Mr. Higgin- son has reported that he was assaulted and searched and a thousand dollars taken from him in this stateroom. Therefore, it is my ‘duty to place you under arrest.” CHAPTER XXIV. RE-ARRESTED. “@ GAIN.” sighed Rod. “Tt’s a deuced serious situation you chaps are in,” declared the - purser taking a seat. “ This robbery charge means prison if it is proved. Of course, you _ found nothing on him.” ** Not a darn’ thing.” ~ “You see! I warned you.” “He pulled a gun on us. Is there a law against passengers being armed on board a ship?” ‘““ Why, yes, it is against the regulations.” “ Here’s the gun. I took it from him.” The purser looked grave. “ You shouldn’t have done that. Now he can claim he never had it; that it is your gun. Nobody but you saw him draw it, and you are charged -~- with a crime.” The boys exhibited their discouragement and apprehension. “ The worst of it is that neither the cap- tain nor myself can come out and testify in your behalf because we cannot admit that we knew of your intent. It would cost us our jobs.” “ Tsn’t there some quiet way you can let the judge know about it?” asked Howard, most anxiously. “ We must take it up with the manage- ment of the company when we reach port. Of course, your financial responsibility will help you with the robbery charge. But you are in a fix.” ; “ Are you going to put us in the brig?” * “No. Ill just station a steward in the alley. But don’t try to come out. We ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. cannot have this man reporting us as lax in our duty.” : He shook hands warmly with them and left them alone. “My God, what are we going to do?” groaned Howard. ‘ Let’s go to bed. Maybe we can sleep.” “A fat chance. When the news of this gets back to Kansas City it will break my poor old mother’s heart.” Howard was much depressed. “Brace up,” encouraged Rod, who felt nearly as badly. ‘“ The voyage isn’t over yet. But do you know this is the third time I’ve been under arrest in six days. It must be a record.” “You can have it. I don’t want it.” Being young and healthy, and having the optimism of youth to buoy them they eventually fell asleep. When Gertrude was undressing that night her mother turned over in her bunk and surprised her by being affable. ‘“ Where were you all evening?” she de- manded. “On deck most of the time.” ** Alone.” ‘* No, mother. McGarry.” ‘Really. Not Mr. Campbell?” “I didn’t see Mr. Campbell all evening.” Then her mother gave her a big surprise. “ Well, Mr. McGarry seems a nice sort of young man. He is a bit awkward and is apt to be misunderstood, but I am sure his heart is in the right place. Some of these young Westerners are splendid, don’t you think?” Gertrude gazed at her in astonishment. ‘Mother, what’s come over you. Why this afternoon you dragged me away from him and you have been expressing disagree- able opinions of him during the entire voy- age.” “Oh, well, one has a right to a change of opinion.” ““He must have been talking with you. He is a most interesting talker. I am sure anybody who knew him would like him.” She said it all in one breath. *“'No-o,” admitted Mrs. Thomas. “I haven’t been talking to him, but I was { was talking to Mr. oO Eomichooks (E@)