Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

222 a Christian. All the race were now obliged to accept baptism or exile. Don Luis had long since officially placed himself within the law, but he understood only too well that his considerable wealth made him envied,-and his surgical ability rendered him a suspicious person, for necromaficy and medical science were almost synony- mous to many. Sansito alone stood be- tween him and the torture. And how would he accept the return of his emissary empty- handed? : The Jew was relieved to learn that his master was away, having been summoned to the presence of his still greater master, King Ferdinand. Indeed, the count did not return until late that night. - But immediately upon seeing Don Luis, early the next morning, Sansito cried: “ Give it to me, quick!” | _ The Jew stammered: Pot it.” : “Not got it?” Sansito was astonished. “Then he did not have it upon him?” Suddenly the frightened doctor saw a chance of escape, and hastened to lie: “I searched, but it was not on him. He killed our Martin, and broke Diego’s head, and—”’ His recital was interrupted by the en- trance of a bold lackey, who announced: “The prisoner has escaped. The—” “What prisoner?” the count cried in angry bewilderment, Don Luis went pale, but did not speak. The master demanded: ‘ What pris- oner?”’ The lackey spoke up: ‘‘ The one as killed Martin and almost murdered Diego.” “That Englishman in the clutches of the law!” Sansito was thinking of all that Arthur might reveal. Turning upon the trembling doctor, he demanded sternly: “Why did you not tell me this?” ‘I did not know,” the Jew began. Sansito interrupted angrily: ‘ You knew that he had been taken into custody?” 66 Ves’? “Why did you not inform me_ last night?” Don Luis cringed. ‘* Answer!” | “ He has escaped now.” The Jew at- - tempted to mitigate his master’s wrath. ‘“ But I have not THE ARGOSY. majesty! ‘ Escaped?” Sansito derided. “ Yes, but how? With whose help? What may he have told? What—this must be—” He paused to glare at an intruding servant. | ‘What do you want, sirrah?” he snarled. The servant steed rigid and announced solemnly: “ His Most Catholic Majesty King Ferdinand of Aragon commands the immediate presence of His Grace of San- sito.” | : ' say: The count looked perturbed. His own position at court was just now most pre- carious. He must respond at once to this royal command, but this other matter was also most serious. : Hurriedly he dismissed the two servants: then, catching Don Luis fiercely by the arm, he cried: ‘‘ Go and find this young English- man. It makes no matter where he is. Find him, I say! Find him and bring him here to me. Go! It makes no difference; nothing makes any difference. I must have | him here—safe with me.’’ Don Luis was about to ask some neces- sary question, but his master, thinking that he was going to make objection concerning his orders, cried fiercely: ‘Do you know what happened at court yesterday?” The Jew made no response. A sickening fear came upon him. Sansito hastened to recount: ‘“ Two of the richest members of your race, attempé- ing to avert their doom, had presented enormous sums to his majesty. Yesterday, while King Ferdinand was considering this offer, Torquemada himself appeared sud- dently in the royal presence. Holding up a crucifix, he cried: ‘Lo! Here is the Crucified, whom Judas sold for thirty pieces of silver. Will you sell Him again for thirty thousand?’ : ‘ King Ferdinand feebly expostulated. “ But the raging inquisitor interposed passionately: ‘I, at any rate, will have no part in the transaction!’ ‘He threw down the crucifix and left the room. : “ This,” Sansito smiled cruelly, “ to his White with fear and trembling, Don Luis looked beseechingly at his master. “Go to the prison,” Sansito commanded, Now you see where you stand.” EOmichboo Ss ( Ci 0) m