The Argosy, August 1905 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

1 him, in Sena: fiat wit he ying ae Greek to them; also, that he was Major Wickers’ second, and that whatever he—Zimmerman—had to say must be put in terms they could under- stand. The perturbed Teuton poured a glass of water from a pitcher on the table and while drinking it seemed to get better control of himself. When he spoke again he was a little more lucid. His friend Baron von Lauderbach, it ap- peared, had mysteriously vanished. He had risen early that morning and had begun writing letters. On a desk in his chamber was a letter half-written—broken abruptly off in the midst of a sentence. His hat and cane were in the chamber and there was every evidence that he had not “intended taking his departure. Yet he had departed, and a search of several hours had failed to reveal his whereabouts. The major gave a sarcastic laugh. It was a laugh that turned Zimmerman pale with vexation and chagrin, for it reflected upon the courage of his prin- cipal. “So!” exclaimed the major. “ Not daring to stand before me and give me satisfaction, this valiant baron takes to the woods! Jl make this known throughout the length and breadth of Spain, by gad! ever shows his face in my vicinity, PH— Tl} pull his nose for him!” “ Vat you speak iss nod true!” cried Zimmerman. ‘Der baron has nod taken by der voods, no. Je has nod run avyay; he vould haf a scorn for such as dot. Himmelblitzen! ” “ Produce him! Produce him!” re- turned the major. “If you don’t pro- duce this friend of yours, Zimmerman, the public will draw its own conelu- sions.” *“ How can I produce him ven I don’d know vere he iss gone?” said Zimmer- man helplessly. ‘Some accident has happened mit him, jah, it must be. You vill be patient, Herr Major, und gif usa leetle more time, hey?” ** Not another hour,” said Trenwyck. Zimmerman meh his shoulders nd walked to the Gassing. there, ; a « = - s And if the poltroon ° . . ¥ 101 “Tf der baron iss nod foundt, it vill afford me g-r-reat pleasure to take his place,” said he. “I vould nod haf der Herr Major disappointed.” “ Never! ” declared Trenwyck. “ My friend fights with the baron or no one.” Zimmerman bowed humbly and leit. He seemed a nice, soldierly fellow, and Trenwyck was sorry for him. The moment Zimmerman was gone the attention of Trenwyck and the major was drawn to Blinkers, who was choking with mirth in his chair. *“Look here, Blinkers,” said Tren- wyck ,“ do you know what has happened to the baron? ” “My, but this is rich! ” gasped Blink- ers. “Of course I know what’s hap- pened to the baron, Tren. Ii Zimmer- man finds him he'll have to go back some four hundred years!” “Gad!” muttered Wickers, rising to his feet and peering at Trenwyck across the table. “Is the fellow mad? ” “ What crazy thing have you done?” hissed Trenwyck in Blinkers’ ear, bend- ing over him and gripping his arm con- vulsively. “T gave him eight of ’em,” admitted Blinkers. “ We had a glass together in his room and I smuggled the——” A slow horror ran through Tren- wyck’s veins. Blinkers, reading the trepidation of his soul in the lines of his face, subsided weakly. ““[ may have been a little hasty, Tren,” Blinkers quavered, “ but = “ Hasty!” echoed Trenwyck in a hollow voice, and turned away. CHAPTER V. LHe OCA SPA. A DEEP silence fell over the three in the room. The only sound that was heard was caused by the restless tramp- ing of the mules in the stable below. “Tren,’ pursued Blinkers desper- ately, “ there wasn’t anything else for it, on my word, That baron was as cold- blooded as a channel catfish. He’d have made a vacancy in the diplomatic sery- ice just as sure as you’re a foot high!” “Where did you get As SHS asked Teen ee Segssk a By eal = tee ri Lit ad <i sii i | = 2 a | a" > & CoMiebocks com