Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

> ss ee 2 > x “— . > ¥ Ee 2 : a ark E> = <— Oat / > < A =e = >= —— < t/) Te Te ae TU TRE ANY? ™ £1" ~* es¥~? ee hen! LWT, “ aa ie VRE AR, "4 ay me atid of fa) Mis # ox Dy fs J >! Pr, > ry ty > i ae i) = aa = a Prd 106 ‘“‘ What sort of charm?” I asked skepti- cally. “A necklace which she are of elephant’s hair and bones.” ‘““ Why did you want that?” “ For to keep away the Diablo which is haunt this hacienda.” Now in some ways that was a very plaus- ible story; he was just the sort of man who would give half his fortune for some worthless trinket from the snake doctor. The events in the house, furthermore, would serve to make such an amulet of inestimable worth in the eyes of the superstitious old breed. Miss Shirley believed the story; so did Cronk. But Maizie snorted at it. It was far more likely that the mozo had some secret, and was bribing Pythagoras to hold his tongue, she thought; then when Pytha- goras followed him into the judge’s room, what more natural than that Pasqual should turn upon the old Negro, and forever silence him? I recalled the choking words of Pytha- goras: “I don’t want your money. Keep it all. I won't tell nothin.” Wasn’t that proof enough? I ordered the mozo locked up in his room on the third story. Cronk and I would stand guard in turn. Then when the doctor came he could relieve us. Perhaps the doctor would come with the last link that we needed in our chain of evidence. Also there was Maizie, who could sit on watch in case both Cronk and I had reason to leave. In this particular duty I was convinced she could be trusted im- plicitly. Before the doctor returned late in the eve- ning, about sunset, I had a talk with Shir- ley. And it resulted in a very important revelation. This was yesterday afternoon about five o’clock. “Vou seem to be out of sympathy with our attitude toward that old Mexican,” I said. af am. Because I know he i is innocent of it all. I was almost out of patience with the oe I Ben Be adie Set: Siution4 are me oy Peon ea ~ eS Sa ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, her to what seemed a most obvious chain of incriminating circumstances. “Do you suspect anybody?” I asked. She looked up rather resentfully at me, “I don’t know why I should tell you,” she said. “Pardon me then; I’ve been confounded- ly intrusive all along.” “No. I thank you for that. You’ve tried to help me in my distress. I want you here. Then again, I wish you would go.” “T will—as soon as you say the word.” ‘“‘T want you to go because I think you’re in danger. I think we’re all in danger.” It certainly looked as if her fears were well founded. ‘“‘ Then you realize,” I said, ‘that there’s something, or some person in this house that is menacing us. I’d like to stay here until we find out what it is.” ‘“ Even if you yourself—” “Even if I’m the next one selected to die,” I said, almost laughingly, Then I added: “ What have I to fear? What en- emy have I in this house?”’ “No,” she said reflectively. “He may not have been your enemy. I think per- haps—lI hope, that you’re immune.” “Just who do you mean by ‘he’?” I asked. “The man who murdered Deputy Mar- teau to save me from any further insults from him, the man who attacked old Pythagoras Awls last night.” “Your mozo could answer very well to both of those indictments,” I said. ‘“ I be- © lieve he would murder any one who took the attitude toward you that Deputy Mar- teau did.” “It is not the mozo,” she said again. “Then who is it?” “ The judge.” I laughed. “ We all believe that, we who want to believe in spirits.” “* Not his spirit,” she said. I darted a quick glance at her. Her voice had surprised me. “ Just what do you mean?” “T mean it is the judge himself—who is alive.” ‘““Good Heavens! How can you say that?” I cried. “ Didn’t your own doctor, in ewan you pels so mee faith, ee comicbookaccon