The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

268 some rice, a glass of milk, and a jelly for dessert,” said Fleming to the chef. Harvey groaned at the loss of his favor- ite dishes. But he could not go against the doctor’s orders. As for the chef, he departed in ill-con- cealed disgust. In the mean time Chester Barton sat comfortably in the smoking compartment of the Pullman adjoining, and waited for . time to help him carry out his well-laid plans. “Tt can’t fail,” he muttered to himself with a smile of satisfaction. ‘“Who’s in the private car?” he asked the conductor. “Mr. Harvey Bowyer, his doctor, his chef, and his valet,” replied that official. ‘““ Good,”” commented Barton. ‘| beg your pardon, sir; do you happen to know Mr. Bowyer?’ asked the con- ductor with keen interest. “Oh, no,” replied Barton hastily, re- suming the perusal of his paper. ‘‘ I— I’ve heard of him.” Night came on, and the simple dinner ordered by Dr. Fleming was served and eaten. Harvey didn’t have much appetite for chops at seven-thirty, especially when accompanied by a glass of milk. Cham- pagne would have made things a bit more palatable, but Fleming would have none of it, so the spoiled millionaire was forced to eat his “‘ farmhouse meal,” as he termed it, while his physician consumed the chef’s dainties. ‘IT think it is time for you to retire,” ordered Dr. Fleming soon after dinner. “ But, doctor, I really can’t sleep at so ridiculous an hour,” protested Harvey. “Go to bed just the same,” insisted Fleming. | Harvey called for Suka and retired. He closed his eyes, but was just as wide awake as if it were morning. The hours dragged slowly by. In desperation at last Harvey deter- mined to read a while. He pressed the button which summoned Suka. Then he looked at his watch, It was nearly one o’clock,. THE ARGOSY, ‘Where are we, Suka?” ‘he asked the Jap. “I think we near some place called Green Gap,” replied the valet, consulting the time-table. CHAPTER IV, LEFT IN THE DARK, “| NEVER heard of a place called Green Gap,” said Bowyer without showing any great amount of interest. The Jap shook his head to signify that he knew nothing of it either. “I wonder why we are going so slow- ly,” continued Bowyer. “That’s because we among moun- _ tains,” explained the Jap. “T see,” said Harvey. “All right, Suka, you may go.” ‘‘ Mistah Bowyer no sleep?” asked the valet in solicitous tones. “IT haven’t closed my eyes,” replied Harvey. ‘Well, well, better luck nex’ time,” and with this Suka departed. ? Soon after Harvey slept. The train puffed its way up the mountain side with difficulty. It seemed to bend every energy until if could call forth no more. At last it stood still and thus remained. Harvey suddenly sprang from his bed with the consciousness that something was wrong. Standing, dazed with slumber, in the doorway he listened. Not a sound. He fancied he could hear his watch ticking in his coat-pocket. What did the stillness mean? Every heart-beat seemed to ask this question. Animals are ever alert to danger. Su- pernervous persons are much the same. Harvey experienced an apprehension such as he had never known in all his life before. From his cradle up he had been petted and watched over with such careful at- tention that he had but to express a wish Gomicbooks (C@