Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

THE GREAT carry bags of gold upon him, maybe he might be worth helping to escape,” he an- nounced. _ The little bald man looked up stupidly. ‘You go in and talk to him,’ Tomasso proposed; “see what he will give us to look aside while he Bets out.” “You come, too,” Sebastian suggested: he might knife ai alonein the dark.” “How can he knife you without any knife?” Tomasso was indignant at his com- panion’s stupidity. “‘ Besides, if we both go, and are caught conniving in this escape, two heads would pay the penalty. One is enough for us to risk! What say you— yes—yes—yes?”’ He advanced upon his thicker-witted companion at each question, insisting upon a response. “Yes,” Sebastian hastened to confirm. Tomasso turned away to unlock the door of Arthur’s cell. Sebastian advanced, scratching his bald head. “If I had not you to think for me, Tomasso, where would I be?” he demanded. The tall jailer did not answer, but turned away from the unlocked door and, stepping quickly across the room, pretended to be Interested in lars outside the barred window. Sebastian understood this trick, and noiselessly opening the cell door, he slipped into the dark little hole where Arthur, not daring to sit down, stood shoe-deen in the fiith. “Would you be: free?” Sebastian idioti- cally queried after he had closed the door and heard his accomplice lock it on the other side. These words suggesting a happy promise seemed like light breaking through the black clouds of Arthur’s thoughts. “Yes—why? Who are you?” he in- quired. ‘“ Whisper!” Sebastian warned. - would you give?”’ | ‘All I have,” Arthur responded promptly. “The jailer demanded: “How much is that?” ‘Four doubloons and some silver.” ‘Have you no more?” Sebastian was greedy, although this amount was beyond the poor, underpaid creature’s wikdest dreams of wealth. : ‘“* What DISCOVERY. 221 “No,” was the prisoner’s gloomy re- sponse. Outside you have more, eh?” Sebastian suggested. “I am a stranger in Granada. nothing more.” “Will you give it to me—all—if I let you slip through the guard-room?” “ And beyond that?” Arthur demanded. “Is one sentry. You can wait your chance and slip by him. Maybe Ill tell him not to look.” Smiling at the discipline of this prison, the young Englishman cried: “ It’s a bar- gain.” Already he was extracting his gold from its hiding-place. I have * Wait till I ask Tomasso if it’s enough,” - Sebastian whispered. “ How much did you : Four doubloons.”’ Sebastian prompted: ef Yes, ” the young man admitted ruefully, ‘bat had thought you would let me keep that.” ‘“ And- some silver ‘What for?” The jailer was suddenly suspicious. “For traveling money,” Arthur an-_ nounced, with a wry smile. “You go on a journey?” Sebastian showed a gossip’s quick interest. “Yes,” the youth responded, “to the south of Spain, perhaps farther.” 3 “Oh! then you must keep the silver,”’ Sebastian graciously conceded. Then, ap- ) prehensively, he added: “But Pll ask Tomasso.” CHAPTER XV. THE THREAT. ON LUIS returned to the Sansito palace humiliated and fearful. in a most important mission. The fact that he usually succeeded would weigh little with the count against this present failure. The Jew knew that for years he had been allowed to live on in Spain and enjoy safety only through the good offices of his master. The inquisitor-general, Torque- mada, had just obtained a royal edict for- bidding a Jew even to hold intercourse with ooo KS He had failed — (E(@) AACE (€@) cd m