The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 2 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

SIDE-TRACKED AT GREEN GAP. Heaven only knows how long we have been standing in this place.” “You think so?” asked the Jap. ‘“T know so! I have traveled too much in my own car. Why the railroad officials wouldn’t dare leave me like this without some explanation. What? Har- vey Bowyer? I guess not. There’s some- thing wrong. They have had lots of time in which to shift and reattach my car again if that were the answer.” The Jap’s face fell. “We'll go outside and look around,” announced Bowyer. After some little difficulty they suc- ceeded in lifting the platform covering the steps down which they crept to the ground. All around was inky blackness. Not a sound except that made by the breathing of the two men. ‘“ By Jove, Suka, this is spooky,” mut- tered Harvey. “You velle rite,” replied the Jap. “ Velle much spooky.” Guided by their little light they walked all around the car. Half fearing an attack from somewhere Bowyer moved cautiously. But no bold man with a black mask appeared. The only sound was the rustling of the tree branches on the mountain-side. Further inspection brought out the fact that the car was standing on a side track. “Well, we’re in no danger of an im- mediate collision from other trains,” re- marked Bowyer with a sigh of relief. “ That’s one thing to the good.” He examined the tracks of the siding and noticed that they bore signs of hav- ing been little used. ‘“Suka, what on earth are we going to do? Where do you suppose Dr. Fleming and Duchene can be? I can understand how my car might get left for a while, but the disappearance of these two men is a mystery for which I cannot account.” Suka shook his head. ‘“Me no understand,” he said. answer. ce No No reason why. Jus’ before I 271 go asleep, after I say good night to you, I take one peep at the doctor and the chef. Both sound asleep. I see them. I hear them. Then I, too, I go asleep. Me very tired. Me sleep sound, so sound, me hear nothing until you shake me hard. Then grand surprise. Me much surprise as you, Mistah Bowyer. No understand.” ‘““T see,” said Bowyer. He realized that his valet knew nothing more than he had told, for he had always found Suka truthful. He soon decided that little could be gained by staying where they were. Be- sides, he was of too nervous and impatient a nature to sit quietly down and await results. “Come, Suka,” he said. ‘“ What we do, Mistah Bowyer?” asked the Jap. “TIT don’t know, somewhere.” ° “ Better not, Mistah Bowyer. wait here.” A sudden inspiration seized the Jap. ‘’Cause maybe they come back soon, quick for us,” he said. ‘ Then they can hunt for us, that’s all.” The keen air of the mountain seemed to put new life into Harvey’s veins, and he felt ready for adventure. He was ready for anybody or anything that dared attack him. The Jap, too, plucked up courage upon seeing his master assert himself. ‘Ha, ha!. Tha’s good joke. They hav nize time look for us if we go ’way.” “Come along. It can’t be very far to some kind of a cabin,” went on his mas- ter. ‘* We'll take a chance, anyhow. At least we can get some information as to where we are, for I haven’t the slightest idea.” ‘* All I know is Green Gap,” said Suka. ‘“ That’s what you told me when you left me for the night,” said Harvey. “Which way we go?” asked the Jap. “ Right or left?” ‘Since the right takes us down the mountain, suppose we go that way,” said Bowyer, “I’m not anxious to climb up.” only we are going Better COMMICLOOKS (E©@)