The Argosy, September 1915 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

ONE-CYLINDER SAM. dogs and servants and locks on my doors and windows, and yet I can’t keep thieves out of my house.”’ “Tf only Mr. William was here, sir, we might—” 3 “ Confound Mr. William! He’s not here and he won’t be here, so we’ve got to do without him— Listen! What was that?” “T think that’s James and Eliza hunting along the other side of the island, sir.” “Eliza! Is she at it, too?” “She stopped to dress, sir,” ex- plained the voice apologetically and hastily. “ She’s awful particular about ee sir. She don’t want nothing to happen to him unless she’s—” “Never mind that. If she wants to make a fool out of herself, she may, so long as she continues to get the washing done. We'll go on up the shore until we meet them. But I sup- pose it won’t be any use.” “Probably not, sir.” “Here, Duke! Where’s that bloom- ing dog now? Oh, well; let him go. I suppose he’s eating out of the bur- plar’s hand.” The terch carried by one of the speakers began moving along the edge of the island. Miss Chalmers was slightly bored. Being a watcher was not nearly so exciting as playing the quarry. But she decided to follow. One of the oars rattled in its swivel, and she heard the two searchers halt. “He's in a boat!” exclaimed the one in authority. “T don’t think it was that, sir. It sounded more like—” “I tell you I heard it perfectly. Don’t stand arguing. Come on! It’s too late; but we'll finish the round, or at least until we meet James. Ouch! Great—” The remainder of the sentence was blurred, yet high-pitched. A minute later Miss Chalmers heard: “Tf it was Patrick who left that lawn-mower standing out I'll ship him off to-morrow. Why in blazes didn’t you throw a light on it?” 239 “Sorry, sir. But you’ve got the torch, sir.” “Shut up! Come on!” The men began moving again. Miss Chalmers calmly reached down and tore a large piece of expensive goods from the bottom of her skirt. This in turn she tore in halves. Then she carefully swathed the swivels. When the oars were replaced they~ made a sound so soft that it could not have been heard a dozen feet. Keep- ing her distance from the shore-line, she followed the searchers. The man who seemed to own the island began to talk again: “He'd have had the silverware and the whole works if it hadn’t been for me. It’s a pity I have to do all the hearing for this house. I don’t see why my servants can’t have insomnia once in a while. What are they paid for? J have it, so I suppose every- body else thinks it’s all right to imi- tate the Seven Sleepers. You're quite sure he didn’t take any of the silver- ware? ”’ “Almost certain, sir. But Dll look again when we get back. Nothing on top of the sideboard had even been touched.” ‘Well, it’s mighty queer; that’s all I’ve got to say. Except that I’ve a good mind to shoot a couple of dogs to-morrow morning.” “Oh, sir—please—I wouldn't, sir. They'll probably do better next time, Si = “Next time! How many times do you expect this is going to happen, I'd like to know? : tell you Pl shoot "em! ” “But they’re not mad, sir; and I think—”’ “Mad! I know they’re not mad, you idiot! But they'll be darn well provoked if I pump a couple of bul- lets into ’em.” Miss Chalmers rowed on. slowly, her lip curled slightly to indicate her contempt for the conversation. It seemed to her that the evening had furnished nothing save a series of SEOMIGIOOKS (C@)