Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

408 once,” she said abruptly. carry him.” It was no easy matter for me to drag that inert and wholly unpleasant burden up over the slope to the house, and several times I was tempted to let him take his chances outside; but Shirley’s anxious face helped me on. At last, we got him into the house and laid him on one of the horse- hair sofas, where he sprawled, an ungainly sight. “He should have something done for him,” said Shirley anxiously. “ Will you ‘take off his things and wrap him in blan- kets while I make a hot drink?”’ “Oh, come,” I protested. ‘“‘ You’re not to wait on this old bum. I'l do what’s necessary. By the way, isn’t this the same man that was on the Sound boat?” Shirley gave me a look, half of appeal and half of fear, and started up-stairs with- out replying. Just at that moment the tall bent figure of my uncle appeared in the dorway. “What is this?” he asked quickly, striding toward us. ‘ Who is that man?” “T don’t know. He was rowing toward the landing, but his boat.capsized and I had to pull him ashore. He’s hurt his head rather badly, I think.” My uncle made a quick step forward and peered down into the man’s face. In- stantly, the same look of recognition and fear that had been Shirley’s flashed over it. “He is here, then,% he muttered to him- self. What shall I do?” _ Almost the same words the man had used. Who was this “he” of which they both stood in dread, and which the man had so evidently come to warn us about? Before I could speculate any further, Uncle Gregory turned to me with a quick renewal of his old calm manner. “JI think this man has had concussion of the brain. He must be gotten to bed at once; take his feet and I'll take his head.” Together we carried him up-stairs and I wondered a little at my uncle’s strength in managing so heavy aman. We got him into bed in one of the spare rooms but my uncle vetoed the suggestion of a hot drink. “ He has liquid: enough now inside him. “Tl help you ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. The main thing is to keep him quiet unf: we can get the doctor to-morrow. I'll givg: him a small hypodermic, as I always k some on hand for emergencies.”’ It seemed a good idea and I could not help admire the dexterity with which -he prepared and shot home the little needle. “‘ There,” said my uncle, shutting the door behind him. “ He will be safe enough until to-morrow.” There was still a tense look about his face and I made up my mind to get to the root of the matter. Shirley had gone down-stairs to prepare supper, and we were ‘ alone: “Uncle, who is this man? You seem to know him and I'll swear Shirley does, too.” He shot me a quick glance. “Did he say anything to her?” he snapped. ~ ‘‘ Just a few words.” ‘‘ What were they?” 66 ¢ He’s here.’ ” ‘“* Nothing more?”’ «6 No.”’ He studied my face as if trying to decide how much he should tell me. “IT do know the man,” he said quietly. He is a dangerous man, and the associate of one even more dangerous.” “You mean the man who tried to choke your” “ The same.”’ “Who is he?” I asked eagerly. ‘* An enemy of mine.” “Does Shirley know him?” I was de- termined to get at the truth, now. ‘‘ She ought to,” replied my uncle dryly. “ He is her father.”’ “Her father?” I gasped. is—’’ ‘“‘ My nephew, Richard. Exactly. That is why I am so powerless, and may not call in the police, even if the bridge were not down and all communication cut off for a time.” ‘“ But surely your own nephew would not dare to attempt murder?” Uncle Gregory smiled sadly. “ You don’t know him; he will dare any- thing for his own ends. I hold certain proofs of his criminality which he is anxi- ous to get; for so long as I have these in “Then he a) a) origina ONS OMMKCLOOOKS.CO