Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

60 whisper. “I’m not going to do anything feelish, Come on.” With his chin up and his chest out, he walked boldly toward. the half-caste guard- ians of the law, Bori keeping close to his side, and both looking quite unconcerned. As they came closer George recognized the two officers. Many a time he had given them a free drink or a tip at his place. Before they could speak he nodded to them with a mixture of patronage and good fellowship. ‘ Hello, Paulo! Good eve- ning, Joe!” and looked them straight in the eye. The policemen muttered respectfully and touched their caps a little sheepishly and shuffled on. For some reason they did not think this was the right moment to make an arrest. The two partners reached Café La Scala without being molested. There was the usual crowd before the deer and inside at the little tables. Tina sat at the cashier’s desk, very cool and ex- tremely pretty in her costume of red and black. The only thing unusual about the place was that the pianist was supplying all the entertainment. There was no sign of Valdez. And as for Guy Dalby, he had simply faded out of the picture after George’s blow. George stopped at the desk and leaned over to give Tina’s hand a little pat. ‘That was a fine job you did, Tina,” he said. ‘ That showed good headwork to give me a chance to make a. get-away.” Tina smiled, and with a tilt of her chin retorted: ‘The headwork was all right! How did you like the footwork?” “T didn’t see enough to say. About. the time you got going I was on my way. Did Valdez try to make any more trouble? Did he want to wreck the place or some- thing?” “He made a lot of noise, and said he would’ have you and that girl in jail to- night. His friends did want to smash the mirrors and dishes, but I said a few things that made them change their minds. Then the reporters and the police got Valdez telling his story, and he sure told ’em plenty. He says you're crazy and an an- archist and a murderer, and that a life ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. sentence in an underground cell will just be about right for you.” “J don’t think he can get away with it, not even in South America!” “Maybe not. I’m glad you got Margot safely out of this. But don’t you think you’re foolish to be here, George? ‘There’s apt to be a lot of these saddle-colored cops coming in any moment to take you away.” “Til chance it. But right now I want you to do something for me. Go around to. the newspaper that is opposed to Valdez. You know—O Jornal—and see that they get my story. Will you do that?” “Sure, I'll do it!” said Tina, and she jumped down. from her stool and began to put on her hat. ‘“ What is your story, George? What can you tell them to help your case if you get hauled up. before the judge?” “Tell them that Valdez is a dirty dog, and I knocked. him down because he insult- ed a lady.” ‘““ Everybody knows that.” ‘Tina paused and looked at him with a saucy smile; “ Can’t you think of anything more inter- esting to. say?” “Sure! It’s a man-to-man fight, not a matter for the police. If he’s not. yellow clear through, Valdez will want to settle it man. fashion—not run snivelling to a judge: The lady he insulted is my wife!” ‘“Qh!” Tina’s hand flew to her heart. The smile was erased from her face and all the color went with it. Her big black eyes stared at George with an expression of trag- ic incredulity. “* It’s not true,’”’ she whispered. ‘‘ You’re just telling that to the papers!” “It is true! If Valdez has me arrested instead of fighting it out like a man, he’s a sneak and a coward. See that the paper gets that! See that they play it up!” With a sound that might have been a sob choked back in her throat, Tina darted from the café. She was wrestling with her grief. That George could tell her of his marriage to Margot in that cold and off- hand way! That he could care so little for his friend, the pal who had stuck to him through hell and high water! That was what hurt! Not that she wanted George herself. It was her pride that was stung. CORMICLOOOKS (F@)