Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

238 Folk,” Zorn began, appraising Fortune with his eyes. Fortune hesitated. Suddenly released, he was at loss whether to fly at the man’s throat and score at least one more death before his own occurred, or whk2ther to at- tempt escape from the ruin. But Zorn’s manner imposed Zorn’s will on him. He answered as he would have answered Wolff himself, even adding an unconscious “ Sir ” to his words. “‘ My name is Fortune; I held the wail, and I am an overcaptain in the army of the Tower People.” “You have broken our law, Captain For- tune,’ Zorn spoke without heat, rather musingly. ‘‘ You must pay the penalty— you know that?” Fortune shrugged. “I know no law of yours,” he began disdainfully,' but Zorn’s look and words halted him. “ But you know right from wrong? It is only childish for you to quibble, captain. You deserve to.die for what you have done, and doubtless your death will be the will of the comrades, yet ’—Zorn stopped and watched Fortune narrowly, studying him, ‘Let me remind you,” said the prisoner finally, ‘ that I am an officer of the army of the Directorate. I am a military ser- vant of the high-born. If your people as much as touch me again—’”’ The other waved away the threat with a graceful hand. “ You are wasting breath,” he declared with contempt. ‘“ You cannot frighten us—we are not children here. Do not for a minute think, captain, that any consideration shown you is consideration for your rank or the Tower People. Here there are no Tower People. not sure but you do deserve more thought. “Tt is true you have acted like a crim- inal,’ Zorn went on evenly, “and you should die like an outlaw. Yet, I can see you are young and you doubtless did ac- cording to your own conception of your rights. And you are intelligent—” - Fortune attempted sarcastic thanks. Zorn merely ignored the interruption. “Do you know, captain, I am interested to try an experiment with you. If I could induce the comrades to spare your life, K— perhaps you could learn; perhaps yeu could understand what it is we are doing. If you = Zorn rose. But, as a man, I am. could be made to see—I believe—I believe you could be of great service to the cause.” ““ What cause?”’ “You will see—perhaps.”’ ‘What do you want of me?” “If anything beside your death it might be, possibly, your knowledge of military affairs. Your ability as a drill-master—” “I owe allegiance only to Wolff,” said Fortune stiffly. . -“ Certainly,” Zorn agreed to the young man’s surprise. “I would think less of you if you gave me another answer—at present. But if, after you had seen and understood for yourself, if then you could see the jus- tice of what we are doing, you might be able to repay us by your service for your offense. After all, no harm is done. You merely acted like a beast because you know no better. Suppose we talk it over with the comrades.” “You will give your word to come quietly?” he suggested. Fortune understood perfectly that there were men to curb him if he became defiant. He nodded. Together they left the room and presently pushed through another door to a hall of considerable size. The hall was brightly lighted and it held probably a hundred men. At Zorn’s en- trance they rose as a mark of respect, but when they caught sight of Fortune a con- fused shouting began that started a riot. Fists were shaken at the young captain. Men struggled and leaped by one another’s shoulders to see him better. “That’s the man!” “He attacked our Mary!” “Hang him! Burn him!” “ Kill, kill, kill!” “ Death for Wolff’s slave-drivers! ” The concentrated hatred of their chorus struck Fortune with the surprise of an un- expected blow in the face. CHAPTER VIII. , _ FORTUNE GIVES HIS PROMISE. {7 was Zorn who quieted the outburst of hate. He did it by the simple expedi- ent of stepping to the edge of the platform and _raising his hands to invoke silence. As (€(0) DOO AMC S (EO)