The Argosy, Vol. 83 No. 1 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

30 “I’m afraid that I repeatedly show my curiosity,” said Jerry, as they sat smoking in the upper room, “but there are a few minor details that keep me thinking. You see, you were apparently out paddling for evening recreation when your canoe failed you, and you certainly had a starting point. It seems as though some one must be anxious about you—at your headquar- ters, you know, where the rest of your clothes are.”’ The guest smiled patiently. “Sorry I can’t tell you all about it,” he returned, ‘“‘but—no, there’s no one partic- ularly anxious about me. My other clothes are in a certain place, but I have reasons for leaving them there for the present. I have written a letter to my base of supplies, and in a day or two I shall receive what money I need. The let- ter will come here, addressed to Mr. Tarle- ton, and I hope you will pardon the lib- erty I took in making that arrangement. I will call for it.” “Vou’ll call for it!” echoed Jerry. ‘‘Where do you expect to be, if that isn’t an impertinent question? I didn’t know that you were preparing to leave us so soon.” “T have accepted your hospitality rather freely,” was the reply, “and it has been a very pleasant experience, but it is time now to be moving on.” “That,” remarked Jerry, “is merely false pride. We have just got things in order again and I am enjoying your visit, yet you get on a high horse and talk of moving on. You have given my grand- mother uncommon delight, and you have given me the rare chance to talk to my heart’s content with an intelligent man. As a favor to us, won’t you extend your visit?” 3 “Tf I didn’t believe you meant it thor- oughly, I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” returned Exmoor, “but I fear my resolu- tion to go is rather weak. I’m having a mighty good time here, Hampton!” “Then I wish you would make up your mind to stay until you are actually obliged to be in some other place,” said Jerry THE ARGOSY. eagerly. ‘I confess I have a feeling that I am not all through with Milton Delroy; I don’t think that my dealings with him will be confined altogether to the renting of this place. And then, I am naturally certain that you are not through with him by any means, and I don’t want to be left out of the operations, Exmoor. If there’s a finish, I want to see it; I want to be ‘mn on it.’ ” ‘For your own sake, I wish you might keep well out of it,’”” Exmoor replied grave- ly, “but things shape themselves in ex- traordinary ways. You were the very man, you see, to be sitting on the river bank when I needed you; no other man would have done as well. And immediate- ly our affairs began to run in parallel courses, strangely linked together; I was the one man who could help you in your difficulty. I’m superstitious enough to be- lieve that you are in the game, for better, for worse, Hampton, and all that I could do wouldn’t keep you out of it.” “Then we’ll bow to the inevitable,” said Jerry, ‘‘and take what comes. Logically I ought to suspect you of being a criminal, a fugitive from justice, and a number of other sinister things, but I can’t do it. I believe that you are a good friend to me, and an honorable man. I don’t expect to find you otherwise, no matter what hap- pens.”’ Y Exmoor looked up at him with a solemn stare, half surprised, half grateful. “T think you mean that, too,” he said, “and I’m glad you feel that way. “Now,” he added,-a moment later, “what do you say to a walk? I would like to explore the neighborhood and get my bearings. As soon as we are away from your gate, my being with you will at- tract no particular attention; and I don’t imagine that Delroy is given to prome- nading the streets at all hours.” Jerry was amazed. “But I thought you were keeping abso- lutely under cover!” he exclaimed. “T am, and I am not,” replied the other. “My chief care is to avoid making*myself conspicuous. When we were coming here CORMICLOOOKS (C@