Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

HIS SERVICE TO FOLLY. Basil yawned, then swung his feet ° to the floor and looked at Gefondo, who rubbed one hand over the other and gazed into Basil’s eyes, “You mean that he plans to end your crooked career?” Gefondo shook his head. “He fetches me back alive,” he as- sured Basil, “‘ Christophe sent me to watch him, and Ranselaar to watch me. He’s a wise man, this Henri Chris- tophe. He trusts no man, not even himself.”’ “’m sorry for him,” said Basil sim- ply. “‘ Now, I could not live without faith in those about me. That is why I requested that you be near me, Ge- fondo.” His winning smile wreathed his lips. The hunchback cast him a glance of quick suspicion, but saw no guile in Trelawney’s eyes. He seemed to wait a moment for Basil to drop his mask, then his habitual grin disappeared and his eyes were soft as those of a spaniel who loves his master. * Not many men have asked for me to serve them,” he said. “ You'll hear the name of Gefondo at Christophe’s court, and mayhap ’twill change your opinion.” “T take men and women as I find them, Gefondo,” was the reply. “I have no fault to find with you.” The hunchback quivered from head to heels, then dropped beside the couch and lifted its pall to his face. “ No act of mine will give you cause for regret, master,” he said softly. “ But in turn, give me your faith. Do as I say. ‘Take neither food nor wine not served by me, and warn that giant Jack Butts to watch his meat and drink. “This man who styles himself Baron de Banana has long presided at voodoo gatherings in the jungles of Santo Domingo. They pray men to death. Yet he is not content with that ceremonial. He relies on more certain means.” “Are you warning me?’ asked Basil. 53 “So much as a man dares,” was the reply, “ but more of that anon. Come, take off that belt and loose these gar- ments. See! Here is a robe of silk, soft as a caress against the flesh. Rest, young master, for once we have touched Santo Domingo shores, you'll need to keep awake.” Although he much preferred being alone, Basil allowed Gefondo to putter about while he undressed and put on the silk night robe. His pillow was clean and soft and he slept free of fear as a child, to waken at dawn when Gefondo brought him a bowl of steam- ing broth. The hunchback shaved him and spent some time over the arrangement of his dress; then when Basil went on deck, he returned to the cabin, polished its mahogany paneling, and with me- ticulous care tidied Basil’s belongings. On deck there was a stormy wind on a winter sea, and the baron was sleeping off the night’s potations. Jack Butts had been assigned to quatermas- ter’s duties, and Basil talked with him awhile. The storm, brewing at dawn, whipped into a gale under which Le Diable Noir staggered and wallowed for many days. Basil, while a good traveler, had no fancy for sea-washed decks, and stayed below where he in- veigled Gefondo to games of baccarat, or sang for the hunchback those songs he loved best, the tender ditties which breathed sighs and tears. Gefondo listened with bent head and seemed to drink in the melody like a man starved for beauty. Le Banana was drunk for a week on the Jamaica rum copiously carried and broached, then he emerged, bathed and dressed in foppish elegance, his fingers loaded with rings resplendent on his dark hand, his ears weighted with twin diamonds as big as a man’s thumb-nail. He appeared at table and greeted Basil as though there had been no interval of his debauch. “This wind blows vilely, but < EOMIGCDOOKS: ; “