Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 146 No. 4 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

“eyes wide in rapt thought. “ Though ‘Rip- slay me for it I shall drive home ‘one blow to his face—such a blow as he shall rue bitterly! The man means to play me false, break his promise; I read it in his eyes. Well, then, here is a weapon that shall strike home to him!” She seized quill and ink horn, and fell to work. The following day was quiet. Ripperda looked hourly for fresh dispatches from Oran, but none came. His gout was worse; in her tent, Mistress Betty could hear the deep groans from his quarters. Only his renegades were encamped here on the hill, for he would trust no others. * Late in the afternoon, from her tent, the girl saw the arrival of a dozen horsemen from the south. Their leader wore a black burnoose, and at sight of him the girl shrank. Gholam Mahmoud! What new evil did his presence foretell? Had the man come to warn Ripperda? The girl’s fears might have been both lightened and increased had she followed Gholam Mahmoud into Ripperda’s tent. He swaggered in, saluted Ripperda, and laid down a bundle. ~*“ You have it there?” Ripperda started up, eagerly. “ Aye,” said Gholam Mahmoud. “ As I thought, Captain Spence flung it into the river. Well, here itis! Being sewn in can- vas, it has probably suffered little damage. : 9 ga _ Ripperda seized on the bundle with trem- ripped away the canvas, took “It is well, master. I shall g until night.” The hee! of the afternoon passed into sun- set. As the daylight waned, the sail Of . fast little sloop was seen speeding up the © harbor toward the village. * aa It was now that Ripperda sent for Mis- tress Betty. Starry-eyed she entered the tent, holding against the bosom of her white robe the scroll which was to foretell the doom of Pasha Ripperda. He sat among the caush- ions, smiling that weary smile of his To one side sat Gholam Mahmoud, puffing at a water pipe; save for them, and the guard at the door, the pavilion was empty. “The labor is done?” Ripperda’s tone was silky. “And did you obey my re quest?” “I did,” said the girl. “ My lord, your entire fate is written here.” ““Then read it, read it!” Ripperda’s m- terest quickened. “ Tell first of the things I most want to know—the issue of my un- ~ dertakings! I can study the whole hore scope later. Does everything go well?” “ Not so, my lord.” The girl’s tone was grave; the gaze that she bent upon Ripperda was steady. “Tf you desire flattery, I might give it; but what I have written here is the truth.” Ripperda leaned back, a dry smile upon his lips. “ Let us know the worst, mistress! When shall the infidel be driven from Africa?” “ Never.” Mistress Betty unrolled the paper and read. “ Your star has ‘ou yourself have not a fortnight lee r enjoy life—” > An oath ripped from f “ What madness is this?” he “ Why, this—” A oy Sos ten at nl ‘ te comicbooks.com