Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

TZ ‘“‘ Paradou!” he cried then, and the name was an exclamation of joy. A moment later he was pushing buttons, scrawling notes, urging sub-clerks to get telephone numbers. Messengers were rush- ing from doors. Columns of figures were being added. Documents fresh and doc- uments stale were being read and epito- mized. Lunch was being ordered in. At two o’clock precisely Paradou entered the office and threw his wide-brimmed felt hat on the floor. “Well, what?” he asked roughly. “ This is a devil of an occasion! I’m drinking a bock in front of the Seven Cows, and I am disturbed. The meaning?” “You want war?” asked Tallien, lean- ing forward in his chair. He knew that Paradou wanted war, for Paradou insistently said he wanted war. He was bloodthirsty, this Paradou. He spoke from park benches and he wrote to newspapers, and always he wanted war— more war—bloodier war. He was the War Party. He was a brave man and he said so. He wore a brave beard, red-brown. “You know it! I want war!” he de- clared “We have a war for you,” said Tallien simply. “Gentlemen, if you have a war for me I will eat it alive,” responded Paradou. “ I think you know me. I do not talk. I act. Hand me your war” “ And with it,” said Tallien, ‘‘ there goes a government appointment. The title is Governor General. A gubernatorial man- sion is provided and, I see, a retinue of eighteen servants, including females of as- sorted ages. There are also furnished sup- plies. Funds for the payment and upkeep of an army are supplied. Pension money for wounded and disabled patriots is sup- plied. The monetary compensation—” “Never mind the monetary compensa- tion,” said Paradou. “Is there fight- ing?” Tallien glanced at Dumont, and Dumont nodded. “There is constant fighting,” said Tal- lien. “It is possible that at certain sea- sons a day may pass without a battle, but the dossier does not so indicate.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Is the foeman worthy of the steel of a Paradou?” asked the immortal Paradou. “The foeman,” said Tallien, pausing a fraction of a second, “is Kakaua!” Paradou did not quail. He did not turn pale. He folded his arms. “And who in seven continents is this Kakaua?”’ he asked. Again Tallien and Dumont exchanged glances. ‘““He is the scourge of Moturoa,’’ said Dumont. “ He is the devil incarnate in a man-eat- ing savage,” said Tallien. “For thirty years he has been held in his mountain strongholds only by the cease- less valor of the fearless La Besse, now deceased,” explained Dumont. “And where is this infernal Mo'uroa?” demanded Paradou. “Tt is in the southeast of the South Seas,” said Tallien. “ It is, so to speak, an island, being a body of land surrounded on all sides by water.” “Pearl diving and copra gathering are the principal occupations of the inhabi- tants,” added Dumont. “And the principal duty of the governor general is to combat the unconquered and unconqueravle King Kakaua-—”’ ** Who is a holy terror—” ‘“* And no mistake!” concluded Tallien. “T will swallow your Kakaua at one gulp,” said Paradou with an upward throw of his hand, the hand he so often wore in- serted between the first and second but- tons of his black frock coat. “ What you need is a man out there. What species of decayed lemon was this La Besse of yours?” “Then you will accept?” asked Tallien and Dumont in unison. “ But certainly!” said Paradou haughtily. “As a war it will be a mere trifle—but I accept! On one condition!” “Ah! A condition!” exclaimed Dumont and Tallien in a sadder unison. ‘“‘ That when I have annihilated this petty flea of a Kakaua I may be permitted tu resign this governorship.” “ That,” said Tallien and Dumont to- gether, “is your privilege.” “ How soon may I depart?” “Tt can undoubtedly be arranged that COMMICLOolkKks CO