Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

HIS SIDE high in air, directly over the tub, she thrust it straight down into the midst of the steam- ing, soapy mass. Next, she gave the clothes a vigorous stirring, repeating the rime the while. The sharpened faces that peered, half in fear, half in fascination, over the edge of the tub were a profound study. To an artist they would have suggested a peep of primitive souls into the Inferno. In a twinkling, terror had chased doubt from their minds, boastfulness had given place to abject cowardice. For the water had gone red—a dark, sickish, murderous red! The bubbly scum was bloody scum. The clothes themselves were crimson clothes. With the magic stick Amy lifted one of the garments above the water. It chanced to be a shirt of Black Pete’s. The red liquid poured from it in rivulets. There was no doubt as to the impression made on the stricken group. Their breath came in quick, hard gasps. It must be as whadame had said. For, unless it were so, how could a stick play such tricks? Still Black Pete, quaking though he was, decided to show his last trump. “You do strange things, madame,” he assented. ‘ Bien. But suppose—just sup- pose—that I can do as much? Will it not mean that the Red Curse will follow ma- dame, maybe?”’ A stab went through Amvy’s heart. She felt sick and faint. Then another inspira- tion came to her aid. “Very well, we will see. Get me ie stick.” She knew well that Black Pete must still have a hidden pile. He crouched through a low opening into a sort of shedlike ell and returned with the logwood stick. After which, at her com- mand, he took a big basin and filled it from a spring near the back door. ‘““Go ahead,” encouraged Amy. “You don’t know the charm, but still it may work without.” Black Pete’s imitation of Amy’s gestures was ludicrous in the extreme—or would have been had tragedy not been lurk- ing in the background. “ Un—deux—+trois!” The stick was thrust into the basin, the stirring began, but—not a single drop of red oozed from it! PARTNER. 69 Furious, Black Pete stirred harder and harder, faster and faster, until utterly ex- hausted. Still the Red Curse failed to do his frantic bidding. At length, in a trans- port of rage, he threw the stubborn stick onto the floor and stamped on it. He flung his arms wildly into the air. ‘You have your answer,” said Amy. “Samte Vierge!” at last came Black Pete’s hoarse cry. ‘‘ The holy saints are with you, my lady.” By this time even Paulette was fairly groveling. “Is it too late to turn back the curse?” weakiy whined one man. “For see, madame,’ supplemented a companion ingratiatingly, ‘ we have not yet done that wicked thing.” ‘But you mean to,” Amy replied, “ and very soon, too. So what’s the difference? The crime is in your hearts, which amounts to the same thing.” ‘But we repent, my lady,” spoke up Black Pete. ‘‘ There is very little we of Canuck Gulch have fear of. But to be chased by a Red Curse—mon Dieu, it is too much! We make our confession. And is it not true: ‘ Better late than never ’?” ““* But I regret me,’ ” said Amy, repeating Black Pete’s words of the moment before with tantalizing deliberation, “‘‘ that this is one of the times there is no “‘ better ” about the lateness.’” She pondered deeply. *“ Still,” at last she resumed, “ if you swear to me you will never attempt the life of a living soul and ask monsieur’s forgiveness, I will pray that the Red Curse pass from you. But, understand, so long as a single stick of this magic wood remains under the roof of any one of you, just so long will it work its will, Now one of you take me to monsicur and we will see what can be done.”’ II, NEIL BrEaAcH and the river village’s one doctor worked over the recumbent form ly- ing on the office couch for two long, anxious hours that afternoon. Unconsciousness had set in and there was every indication of brain fever. Now and then a pitiful shud- der ran through Amy’s frame from head to foot as she clung convulsively to Neil with unintelligible murmurs about a “ red curse ”’ and “‘ logwood wash.” CONMUC DOOK