The Argosy, August 1905 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

-_*> — against you.” ae _* benighted brothers the glorious civiliza- tion of our own progressive times. 1 would present them with the telegraph. the telephone, the electric light, the printing press. the steamboat, and the thousand and one other nineteenth- century wonders.” The essence of the plan was begin- ning to dawn upon Trenwyck. Truly it was a colossal idea, and most at- tractive. “J is your intention, then,” said Trenwyek, “to assemble a number of master workmen, representatives of various trades, and take them and their paraphernalia backward through the ages? * Not their paraphernalia, Mr. Tren- wyck. It is possible to take with us only such material as we can carry in our hands. Once we arrive on the scene of our labors, we will fall to on the raw product and build out of that the various vehicles of latter-day progress. Do you follow me?” Blinkers sat as though stunned. The cigarette had burned itself out between his fingers, and his wide eyes were fastened blankly on the face of Tap- scott. Trenwyck was only a degree less im- pressed. During the silence that fol- lowed Tapscott’s query as to whether they grasped the amazing terms of his proposition, a rough hand was laid on the hall door and threw it open. Two police officers entered. Tapscott was on his feet in a flash. “ What is the meaning of this intru- sion?” he demanded. “ Your name is Tapscott?” inquired one of the officers. ae Vos” “Then you'll have to go with us. Dont get excited now,’ the officer added in his most soothing tones; “we're not going to do anything to hurt you.” “| have done nothing to warrant my arrest,” faltered Tapscott, looking help- lessly toward Trenwyck and Blinkers. 1 am a law-abiding citizen, officer.” Of course you are,” acquiesced the officer cheerfully. “Then what is this all about?” “ : : Well, a complaint has been entered ~ a Re aya’? os. 1 ee / , , ¢ oe * THE ARGOSY. “ What kind of a complaint? ” “ You'll have to appear in court, Mr. Tapscott, and convince the judges that you are mentally competent and that vou will not endanger the peace of the community if left at large.” A look of horror overspread Tap- scott’s face. Suddenly a choking cry escaped him and he whirled and dashed for a rear room. One of the policemen caught the flying skirts of his dressing-gown and brought him to so abrupt a halt that he fell to his knees. “We'd better pull out, Tren,” said Blinkers, starting up. Trenwyek likewise arose. Before they gained the hall Tapscott ealled to them. “ Wait, gentlemen! ments, I beg of you!” “Tumor him,” one of the officers whispered in Trenwyck’s ear. “ The old chap means well enough, but he’s dotty—there’s no kind of doubt about that.” “Is Byngs back of this?” inquired Tapscott of his captors; “'T. Orcival Byngs? ” “Professor Byngs made the com- plaint,” was the answer. “Ah!” <A glint came into Tap- scott’s eyes as he got up from his knees. “T thought as mueh.” Trenwyck and Blinkers returned to their chairs. Trenwyek had an ill- defined feeling that something remark- able was going to happen, and awaited ; developments with profound curiosity. Just a few mo- CHAPTER II. TAPSCOTT TAKES FRENCH LEAVE. “GENTLEMEN,” observed ‘Tapscoit, “this is a plot against me, engineered by my rival, Byngs, emeritus professor of” Polynesian Flora in the University of Hoboken. He resents my success in acquiring a unique plant from Borneo, and his small mind suggests retaliation _ in this despicable manner.” er ey He turned tohiscaptors. = ee comicbooks.com