The Argosy, August 1905 — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

eS ‘Blinkers grew suddenly mute. Events were trending toward a reve- lation that dismayed him. “Come, out with it,” went on Tren- wyck with cutting firmness. ** Where did you get the seeds?” - “On the boat, when we came over. * Ah! Then you have abused my con- fidence, have you? Why didn’t you tell me you had rifled the packet when I spoke to you about the loss I had dis- covered ¢ ~ ; « Well,” temporized Blinkers, “I did not eare to have you know those sharp- ers were getting the best of me at one- call-two.” “What has your gambling on the boat got to do with the missing seeds? ” “Pretty nearly everything. Oh, hang it, Tren! I’m not going to keep this on my mind any longer. I took those twenty-four seeds out of the packet while you were sound asleep in your bunk.” “Twenty-four?” came caustically from Trenwyck. “There are twenty- five gone. Where’s the other?” “T got rid of that burglar in New York with the other.” * 'That’s where the burglar went, is 18 RT gia “Yes; I gave him fifty years. Byngs got four hundred, same as the baron.” “Tm beginning to understand. What sort of a deal did you make with Byngs ? ” “TI gave *em to him reasonable, Tren —fity dollars per seed. He got eight at that figure and I sailed in with the pro- ceeds and tried to win baek what I’d lost. But the tinhorns had the cards marked.” “Did you tell Byngs anything about ta mysterious properties of the seeds? ” _* I did, and he said I was erazy. I told him I wasn’t as big a fool as I looked, and he said I eouldn’t be” * Byngs had it about right, Blinkers. You wasied one on the thief, cight on Byngs and eight on the baron. That leaves you with eight, and I guess vou better turn them over to me. I am very much put ont with you, Blinkers.” The major had listened to this con- ae with falling jaw and distended ‘tupted Trenwyck sternly. THE ARGOSY. “Have you fellows gone daft entire- ly?” he spoke up. “You talk like a couple of madmen.” He turned to Blinkers. *“ Blinkers,” he went on sternly, “ if you have been meddling in my affair of honor, it is high time I knew something about it, by gad!” “ Tle did his meddling by my request, major,” said Trenwyck. Wickers stared at Trenwyck. “Let me understand this matter,” said the major, with painful delibera- tion. ‘“* You sent Blinkers to the baron to see if our differences could not be patched up without a resort to arms? ” “You do not appreciate the gravity of the situation, major, or 6 ““T appreciate, sir,” thundered the major, “that the Wickers’ honor is at stake! J appreciate, sir, that this titled nincompoop, this Baron Nobody, has slurred that glorious banner that waves above my home and my iron works, and that I am to be denied retaliation. And finally, Mr. Trenwyck, I appreciate that one whom I supposed to be my best friend has had the audacity to restrain me from the defense of my honor! L have the pieasure, sir, of wishing you a very good morning!” More in sorrow than in anger, the major gathered up his revolvers and stalked toward the exit. He found Trenwyck barring his way. “Go back and sit down!” ordered Trenwyck. - “ When the bands of friendship,” be- gan the major morosely, “have been weakened to breaking by the misguided officiousness of—er—er—of an inju- dicious gentleman who r “The injudicious gentleman means what he says, Major Wickers,” inter- “Go back and take your chair, Blinkers was too zealous; he exceeded his instruetions. You must give me the opportunity to explain.” The,major returned gloomily to his seat, laid his revolvers on the table, and passively awaited the explanation. Trenwyck took up the subject of the seeds, described the manner in which they came into his possession, and told what he intended doing with them fajor Wickers’ injured dignity > “3 é — “a. : 4 ‘ , we ‘i s , em ~ comicbooks.com ~ 4