The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

914 Lencia is the gover’men’ man, the 77- spectador? A-h-h, you no know it, eh? How I know? Mura! f get -thees letter-rs.”’ So saying, he drew two _ folded sheets of paper from the bosom of his shirt, opened one and laid it before her. ‘“‘ Read ‘im, queek! You see.” But, Peggy made no immediate move to comply. Instead, she regard- ed him narrowly, trying to find some flaw in his apparent earnestness that might hint at deception. But, there was none, and as the full tenor of his words burst upon her, aided by a fearful belief that the charge was true, she took the letter and turned it to the light and read: Ex, Paso, August 19, 1887. Dr. Arcuie LENCIA, Sand Dyke Bar, Arizona. DEAR SIR: Agent E wires this division from Hermosa, Sonora, of big preparations under way by gang. Keep sharp look- out on Gilbert and Machado. Better bank on Jim Miles, Dugout City. No- tify Marshal Heppard and redouble vigilance along the line. Yours, “You see!” hissed Machado, his eyes snapping fire. ‘“ Thees Dr. Len- cia is the inspectador lak’ I tole you. Here, thees letter moch better.” He tendered the second communica- tion, and Peggy, forgetting her dread of him in the surge of conflicting emo- tions that rose within her, snatched it fiercely from his hand. Then, as she read, little tremblings ran over her, and the man noting them, watched her with a certain degree of cunning which told that he counted particularly upon some outward ex- pression of her feelings. ~ Acopongs, Arizona, Sept. 4, 1887. Dr. ArcHié LENCIA, Sand Dyke Bar, Arizona. ~ Dear Sir: Regret to report that white man and greaser got past, though instructions were carried out to the letter. Re- ceived word from Mexican customs authorities that haul will reach $17,- THE ARGOSY. ooo. I think it would be worth your while to work on Gilbert's wife. They don’t get along. However, it’s certain this last cargo was cached. A friend of Gilbert's told me to-day he met him traveling light near the mouth of Te- colote Cafion yesterday. Will use every effort pending the arrival of your orders. Regretfully, AGENT FE. Peggy met her visitor's eyes, her own wide and filled with a wild light. She made no comment. The naked truth stood out too boldly, too signifi- cant of everything that she dreaded, to make even coherent thought pos- sible. | Quite the reserve, she was terrified, sensible only that in that hideous hu- man, Machado, there remained a for- lorn hope of delivery for her. “You tink, now, Dr. Lencia gover’- men’ man, no? -I tole you $17,000 di’monds, cigarros, silk in contrabando, eh? I no le. Thees doctor he hole you, sezora. \Vhen you well, he take you weeth him. Shuah, he mos’ fine the smoggled goods. Caramba! He make you tell heem where they is. Don’ you see? ‘Take you to the jodge an’ make you tell where Pete he hide "im? ” The implication in his tones and manner, as he purred over this last, was glaring. den comprehension and started the hot blood rioting in her veins. “Do you mean that I know?” she flared suddenly. “Is that what you’re driving at?” The fellow’s lip curled in utter dis- dain. He avoided a direct answer by introducing a new and far more impor- tant element. His manner changed correspondingly : “You remember I say thees morn- in’, I lak’ help you—you my frien’? Orright, I tell you now, somet’ing. Pete an’ me good frien’s. We come weeth thees $17,000 contrabando. “T see Pete thees night ac’ funny, but I tink maybe his drunk. I go sleep, wake up nex’ day, an’ every- ting gone. I follow queek but I don’ Gomichoo S It stung her into sud- — €O