The Argosy, December 1905 — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

158 “ Nevertheless, this is one of Bill Jenks’ bricks. J have handled two or three which were sent in from country districts,and can’t be mistaken. The lead is run in the same mold, and you can see there’s a break at one corner. The plating follows the break. Ha! This ws luck—a plum I was far from expect- ing. Jenks must be in town after all.” “But I tell you, Mr. O’Hara,” in- sisted Trenwyck, “ Jenks couldn’t have had anything to do with that brick.” “Then it was one of his pals, and if we can get our hooks on one of Billy the Lifter’s pals it will be fairly easy to corral Billy himself.” “That may be, and I am very glad if you have secured a clue. It is impor- tant that Jenks be found at once, or in the shortest possible time.” “You'll probably never see any of your money again, Mr. Trenwyck.” “The money is the least of my wor- - ries. Jenks is supposed to have a small packet of seeds in his pocket or stitched into the lining of his coat. Those seeds are what I want.” O’Hara appeared surprised, but made no comment. “T should like very much to be in at the eapture of Jenks,” went on Tren- wyck. “ Do you think you could notify me when the chase is drawing to a close?” “Perhaps. If matters shape them- selves so that I can, I will do so.” Trenwyek drew a roll of bills from his pocket and stripped off the outer one. “We are not allowed,” began O’ Hara, <4 jg “JT understand,” cut in Trenwyck, “but this is simply given you to spur you to extraendeavors. I should like to find Jenks within twenty-four hours if possible.” “Tf any one can do it in that time, Mr. Trenwyck, Morgan O’Hara is the man. Trust me to do my best. Now let us have in your friend and see if he can give me any pointers. A descrip- tion of the fellow who sold the brick might enable me to identify him.” “Don Christopher!” called Tren- wyck. “This way a moment, please.” The don neither answered nor showed himself. THE ARGOSY. Trenwyck hurried into his room and found it—empty! He tried the hall door. locked. “What's the matter?” inquired O’Hara from the entrance. “ Has your friend slipped his moorings? ” “Tt seems so,” answered Trenwyck, wild with anxiety. “ Where the deuce could he have gone? I’ve tackled a good many difficult propositions in my life, but keeping track of him lays over anything else I ever set hand to.” Trenwyck punched the electric bell. “Isn’t he able to take care of him- self?” queried O'Hara. “No more than a six-year-old! [ hadn’t any more than turned my back on him when he went off and bought It was un- that brick. You see, he’s a foreigner, and knows less about our nineteenth ‘century ways than a Hottentot. Heaven only knows what trouble he will get into.” “Look here, Mr. Trenwyck.” O’Hara stepped to a dresser and pointed to some words scrawled on the mirror with a piece of soap. “ Can you read that?” — ‘ Trenwyck flew to the dresser and found the following, in Spanish: Senor TRENWYCK: To rest in eomfort while that base var- let who deceived me with the spurious ingot is at large, is asking too much. I therefore take my good sword and fare forth. Be not troubled, but rest in pa- tience until I return. CoLoMBo. A boy came to the door as Trenwyck finished reading and translating. “ Have you seen anything of the gen- tleman whom you brought with me te these rooms a short time since?” asked Trenwyck. “He left the hotel about two min- utes ago,” answered the boy. “Did you see which way he went?” “He jumped a cable car for down- town. He missed it at first, and was thrown about twenty feet. But he was game. In half a second he was up and after it. The last I saw of him he was trying to murder the conductor.” Trenwyck threw up his hands in de- spair. Go NOOK (C@