The Argosy, October 1906 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

ee THE “SCARLET: SCARAB. Z < to her friends, and give me sufficient proof that she is safe with them, I will pay you any ransom in my power. : I am not a millionaire as- you seem to think; but I can pay you enough to keep you and your fellow curs in black bread and onions for a lifetime. Is it a bar- gaine”’ “The signore jokes! Surely, he jokes. The signorina’s ransom is no affair of his. Why should we throw away one chance of ransom when we can win both? Why should we, even if you would double your own share, risk the signorina’s telling her friends ane yours—as she surely would —of your whereabouts; and putting the polizia on our track? Why should we?” Why, indeed? “Well, my friend,” I answered, “ you seem to have us about where you want us. But, since my actions cannot affect Miss Todd’s welfare one way or the other, let me set your mind at rest by telling you I will stay here till doomsday before I pay you one so/do of ransom. And, if you choose, you can follow the time-honored, brigand custom of sending my ears one at a time as gentle reminders and_sou- venirs to my stricken relatives. Only, as IT haven’t a relative in the world, the packages may have to travel a long dis- tance. In the meantime, you'll get 110 money or orders for ransom from me.’ ‘The signore will change his mind, I think, ” he observed, “ after a brief period of. darkness and solitude and—hunger.” I made no answer ; but, seating myself on the steps, lighted a cigarette. The act was not one of cheap bravado. Indeed, I did it unconsciously. My nerves had been a bit upset and they clamered for the pleasant soothing that a smoke might bring. Even as I sat there, puffing away with apparent stolidity, I was measuring the chances of a second leap toward the man. But I abandoned the idea as useless. The whole width of the chamber in- tervened between us. Before I could traverse half of it, through the cumber- ing weight of water, he could again put - out his torch, slip to one side and be as ~. far out of my reach as if a hundred miles ‘separated us. No, I must await a better chance. So I continued to smoke and to blink mild- s —ly at the torch flare. My calmness did not appear to » please the fellow, for he spoke with less suavity than before. - “You have one hour in which to con-— sent to my terms,”’ he announced. “My watch keeps different time,” i= replied, between puffs. ™~ CHAPTER VIII. I MAKE A DISCOVERY. . THE Sicilian looked at me, suspicious, uncertain; then, turning, he proceeded without another ‘word to wade out of the apartment, carrying the torch with him.. I was left perched alone on the steps, cigarette in hand, staring after the de- parting light. Then I jumped to my feet, with the idea of stealthily following him, in the hope of reaching Doris Todd. But even as I formed the resolution, the light vanished. Whether he ex- tinguished it or merely turned some cor- _ ner that shut its rays from view, I did not know. But I saw at once the gross ~ folly of trying to follow in the dark-— ness. At the first steps outside that rock- hewn chamber I would be irretrievably lost. No, irksome and unheroic as it seemed, my one hope of saving Doris was to maintain for the present a masterly in- activity and watch alertly for the first favorable opportunity to rescue ‘or at least find her. At the moment there was nothing to do but to sit still and—wait. I some- times wonder if there is any other task in life so hard to perform. And so I waited, smoking cigarette after cigarette, not from any especial enjoyment, but for the sake of some- thing to do. My red cigarette tip had a friendly, companionable look in that mass of im- penetrable, choking darkness. There was no sound but my own breathing. I seemed to be in the center of primeval chaos, millions of miles away from sight or sound of human company. I had nothing to do but torture my- self with fears for that unfortunate, im- prisoned girl; the girl whose big gray eyes had looked out on life so eee SO fearlessly. COMMNC NOOK ee cr as Py! ; ‘ / f ry ce Sa Bi nah Hct at A a ity 77 i ain Co i ‘iat ys rs et , vy oy “ i> "pial, Fes Rt ae 14 in i See FEY ba teas Lh aay ATK : 1 i ‘ as ’ ‘ ‘ 4 fey dy A N49 ae {4 weir se F) : i, { + __ rail —< Ss . — >