The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRESIDENTE’S REWARD. on, the presidente sat close to the thing that lay stretched in the bottom of the leaky, rocking boat—guarding it jeal- ously, as.a man might guard his dead child. Now and then he slopped water on it and cursed the patron and the slow progress of the boat—which was not slow at all! It was dawn when they passed from the lake into the yellow Pasig, sweep- ing past barrios where blue morning smoke arose and floated over green bamboo and spreading mango groves. Women and children, mingled with the carabao bathing in the river shal- lows, called roguishly after them to know the reason for their haste. But they paddled on—nor stopped till their heavy boat bumped the stink- ing stone wharf at the foot of the Bridge of Spain, in the heart of busy, crowded Manila’s water- front. And barely a mile in their wake—though they dreamt it not—came another big banca from Pagsanjan with soldiers in it. “Tt’s Salazar all right,’ the whole station agreed. ‘‘ His description ex- actly—even to the gold tooth.” And to clinch it the chief called Cap- tain Raney, P. C., from whose com- pany Salazar had deserted. The cap- tain came hurrying by carromata trom headquarters at Fort Santiago, half a mile away. “ Sure- it’s Salazar!’’ he cried, ex- citedly, as he hurried into the station and looked quickly at the body. “Id know the rascal anywhere.” Then the governor’s secretary came and had a look and congratulated the presidente, as ‘‘a splendid example of the loyal native official.” Yes, the re- ward should be paid at once. “ Ting-a-ling-ling! ”’ went the chief's desk phone. | | “Yes, police headquarters—what’s that?” said the chief doubtfully. ‘What’s that? You’re mistaken, Cap- tain Marsh; we've got him here now —dead. Presidente of Pagsanjan just arrived with his body and has claimed 941 the governor’s reward. Between you and this lizard of a presidente you've certainly got me going. But I'll hold up things here a minute. Rush your man over!—you’re coming ahead in a carromata? Right-o!” The chief hung up the receiver and beckoned to his desk sergeant, whisper- ing a word to him as he leaned across the table. The sergeant nodded, stepped over to the presidente and took him by the arm. “ Just come with me a moment, will you, please, sevior?”’ he asked politely, as he led the way to the door of the detention room. ‘The Filipino got up, tottering a little, the chief thought, as if sick, artd followed the sergeant into the adjoining room, Almost immediately Marsh, of the constabulary, stamped in, panting, per- spiring, and indignant. ‘What kind of a double-cross are you fellows giving me, I want to know!” he blustered. “‘ Here I’ve been trailing this cutthroat Salazar for weeks —and last night we got him. Had a tip and caught him hiding in the presi- dente’s house at Pagsanjan—and got two men boloed by the murdering crook before we got the irons on him. “We paddled all night, and just got in; but now you say you've got him already, that he’s dead, and that the presidente of Pagsanjan beat me to it with the goods. What I want to know is—is this a joke? Is there two Pedro Salazars— Or if—” “Look behind you, in the corner, Marsh,” suggested the chief, still badly at sea himself. Marsh looked, saw the body from Pagsanjan—looked closer, and then stood blinking foolishly, utterly speech- less. “ T knew it was Salazar the minute I saw it,’ crowed Raney, gleeful at the discomfiture of Marsh, whom he dis- liked. “Oh, you think so, do you, Mr. Highbrow from headquarters. Well, Pll just show you where you’re wrong as usual!” (eo) .TOO AAI cS (E@)