The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

HIS ISLE OF REFUGE. try and carve any of us. He is as grate- ful as a shoeblack for a dollar.” “And about as clean handed, I guess, if one could only know his record. Well, bring him along with you. If he does get asking things, you know what to tell him —scientific inventions, secret machinery, and so on—that is, if you have to tell him anything.” “T know, sir.” “And now we will have one drink to success, Andrew. Then I must be going, I have one or two more things to fix up yet. Order your own lotion; there’s the money.” A minute later each raised his glass and drank in silence; then Saville left the res- taurant, as he had entered it, alone. CHAPTER V. GETTING AWAY WITH IT. PUN CTUALLY at the appointed hour Saville presented himself in a taxicab at the Columbian Bank accompanied by two strong brass-bound boxes. Donald Carmichael was awaiting him and ob- served the boxes curiously as they were brought in. “T was just wondering how you were going to manage,” said he. “It amounts to over four hundredweight in all.” “Quite so,” replied Saville coolly. “Stan- bury and I calculated it out beforehand and I went to a place directly I left you and got them to fix up these boxes right away.” The two boxes were speedily filled in an inner office. “Now,” said Saville, “Ill ask you to seal these with the bank seal, Mr. Car- michael. Of course, I know everything is O. K., but I have to hand it over to Mr. Stanbury.” “Tt shall be done,” replied the presi- dent; “but, of course, our responsibility ends on your giving us your receipt.”’ “Quite so,” said Saville, with immobile face, though his ‘sense of humor was tickled greatly. Mr. Donald Carmichael 8 A 113 would find later on that his responsibility had only just begun! When the boxes were locked and sealed the president took Saville aside. “There are some queer characters in San Francisco,” said he. ‘And _ those boxes will quite probably be noticed as they are taken out, even if they have not already attracted undesirable attention. Now, a couple of my clerks—”’ he paused meaningly. ‘““A very good idea,” responded Saville. “T am much obliged to you, Mr. Car- michael. By all means let two of your men come to the Palantic with me. It will be a tight fit in the taxi with the boxes, but it isn’t far. Of course I’ll get Cord- wainer to put them in his strong-room to- night. I would have let them remain here, only you see I am off in the morning— and I don’t mind telling you I am not going to cart those boxes about openly— they look a bit too wealthy. They will be put in ordinary trunks and packed around with clothing and the like. Fortunately _there are no customs to pass between here and——where I am going.” “Capital,” returned Carmichael, rubbing his hands together softly. “I see you know your way about, Mr. Saville. All the same I shall be glad to hear that you have reached Mr. Stanbury safely. A million dollars is somewhat of a responsi- bility. Men have lost their lives for a very small fraction of that sum.” Saville laughed. “I will be careful,” said he, “and I travel heeled.” He tapped his hip significantly. “Well, good-by, Mr. Carmichael. I am sure I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, but I guess Mr. Stanbury will express his own feelings in the matter when he meets you.” For the life of him Saville could not resist this ironical touch, though his wiser self told him it was indiscreet, but the bank president shook hands with him warmly and the boxes were conveyed to the waiting taxi-cab. The chauffeur eyed them curiously, and when the two clerks followed Saville inte Go 0) AMUG SS (C@