Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

96 PAUL GALLICO In the wavering light it was not possible to judge his age, but his -attitude and the expression on his face and mouth were cold, cynical, and mocking. His eyes were fixed on Mouche and she could see their glitter reflecting the torchlight. It was like a chill hand laid upon her heart, for there was no warmth or kindliness in the figure lounging against the pole, his fists pressed deeply into the pockets of his old jacket. The shine of his eyes was hostile and the droop of the cigarette from his lips contemptuous. Mouche, in her marrow, knew that this was the puppet-master, the man who had animated the little creatures that had laid such an enchantment upon her, yet she was filled with dread. For a moment even, she hoped that somehow this was not he, the master of the dolls, but some other, a pitch-man, a labourer, or a lounger from a neighbouring concession. Golo, straightening up from his task, looked trom one to the other, the silent man, the frightened girl, and presented them to one another elaborately, as though they had never met before, as though the man had not been able to look through his one-way curtain behind which he sat as he gave life and voice to his puppets, and study each curve and hollow of the girl’s face, and every line of her thin body. ‘“* Miss Mouche, this is Capitaine Coq,’’ Golo explained and then turned to the man who had not stirred. ‘‘ Capitaine, this here is Miss Mouche. Carrot Top, he find her walking along in the dark by herself, crying, and he stop her and have a talk with her. Then Mr. Reynardo, he find out she a pretty damn good singer, and Monsieur Nicholas, he come up and ask maybe she like to come along with us, after that old gossip, Madame Muscat, she try to make trouble. Then Carrot Top, he say O.K., she can come along with the show. I think that very good luck for everybody.” A He paused, satisfied. Golo was convinced that the little creatures . thought and acted as individuals and that the puppeteer was not privy to what they said and did, or what transpired between them: Mouche, too, had been under the same spell, and the presence of the man confused and alarmed her and increased the turmoil of her emotions. The man introduced as Capitaine Coq moved his eyes slightly so as to take in Golo, and rasped, “‘ Well, what do you expect me to do about it? What did Carrot Top tell you to do?” ‘**'To get the gear on the car, Monsieur le Capitaine... “ Well, then, get on with it. And you drive. I want to get some sleep.” ““ Get the gear on the car. O.K., sir.” Golo picked up the heavy bundle, but was slow in moving. The Capitaine barked, “‘ Allez! ”’ at him and helped him with a kick. Now he turned his calculating stare upon Mouche, and for the first time, spoke directly to her. He did not remove the cigarette from his lips and it hung there, remaining horrifyingly motionless when he talked, for he had the professional ventriloquist’s trick of > comicbooks.con) ©