Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

* 4 ’ ae i i ee tor coe.” & ARGOSY-ALISTORY WEEKLY. % ' a od a “A alll 3 Ss : <) af ot net ie > ca es fe ‘an atmosphere that was an ward, but Bailey, realizing that it might noldy protest upon the sur- be difficult for her to make it without as- =m sistance, preceded her. Tt was well he did it all mean? ‘That was the as she could scarcely squeeze through. : © Upp st in Bruce’s mind. Bruce, Eddie Carbon and the young wie a at a giant negress and woman were still in the square stone room o Bruce’s surprise, his companions gorilla were the sole results of and, t ovage? Was there some crude were lingering behind. He turned to dis- cover that they were searching among the door down over the rubbish in the opposite corner; pawing over bolts which locked a heap of refuse and bones. He could hear he could, into the broken sock- them whispering, onally they heard the tread of a “ What are you doing there?” he sharply yd foot on the floor above them, questioned. 9g quite evident that the fighting « Flunting for a candle end,” replied the ~ Subdued voices came from the negro. “ We may need it.” the building, where the police were The answer was so ready, and the idea so fining up their prisoners. sensible, that Bruce felt ashamed of the faving appraised the dimensions of the curt tones he had employed in addressing om and taken in the meager details, Bruce them. 5 consciot ~ of a sudden fear that had A moment later they were all in the ne upon him. Where was the opening vaulted passage, Eddie Carbon being the yugh which they were to pass? Noth- last to slip through, Bruce meanwhile but solid walls. confronted them. He watching to be sure that he closed the door hed for Joie and youghly whirled him behind him. gut so the light would strike his face. The atmosphere was as heavy as lead. The way out?” he questioned. “Where It was fetid and sour. Withal there was a it?” eripping chill that penetrated to their very ‘ Here,” was the answer a he moved marrow. It was suggestive of the tomb, to the corner and scraped away the where every breath was laden with pesti- yw, revealing a door similar to the one lence and death. : Beneath their feet there was a treacher- und it difficult to Te - sey? fter lifting im. His conclusion was that the cavern- nit was a section of some abandoned it Bruce took the lantern ous slime, and they fo into the black hole beneath tain their footing. Bruce began heartily to question the wis- dom of having relied upon the leadership of ¥ Tag a * tne Wa" aE » Ways he replied. : oe . _ 2 . — om c s Pres ¥ ~~ In the distance he could hear the one SO dull and sodden as Jote, but ha f water. This, and the curved brick some confidence in Carbon’s ability to con- reeking with moisture, confirmed his duct them to safety. He also knew that » that their exit was to”be via some if it was necessary they could at least Tf sewerage system. turn to the Cracker Pot by way of the stone his elbow. chamber above them. “Let me show you— _—s The grain of comfort conferred by this way. You stood by me this af- thought was destined never to bear fruitage; d I want to make good. Honest for an incident followed that brought Bruce uw out.” face to face with the horrors of their post tion. Carbon had pulled the door to position, but continued tc fuss with the catch, or bolt —Bruce did not know which. «“ What are you doing?” he asked. “ Locking it,” came the answer, BO -