Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

* ad ee 5. ey .,* ‘yi ~s j All the negro did was stupidly to is head. Not a word irom him. IS a gruesome wait. The insistent rip of water in a near-by pool could ard, and just behind him Bruce he sound of a swift-scurrying water ystinctively he glanced at the young an—she was the one member of the > who should have been alarmed over mation unless she had confidence in “a ber a * , hae LL an Bruce finally spoke, his words éd out with an almost metallic snap: sten, Carbon—I’ll give you just one e to come to life. Act, and act quick, u se I am holding myself back right Seep your hands off me, man—put ’em your pockets—’cause I’m goin’ to find self. Yes, sir—we gotta go bac - in single file they now moved toward the r, and had traveled about one hundred at when Bruce discovered that the brick vement under their feet was comparative- lean. The sediment had been deposited the low places only—therefore his check 1 the negro was gone. Once more Bruce me apprehensive. What now? nother fifteen feet and Eddie Carbon ted. Bruce hurried forward and saw < “a lo hat a 7 of bricks partially blocked their At some time in the past a section of roof had fallen. Fo crawl over them involved no danger 1d would not be difficult for any of them, less it was the negress. Nevertheless, se decided to investigate first. If he 1 a bed of untracked mud on the other ¢ the obstruction it would signify that sro had led them past the exit Bruce ) anxious to find. With this in mind, ser welcomed the blocked passage, 45 1 : use it as an excuse to proceed «ie : 2 7 > » See —hWO Ht gave him a chance to take his by a ae e : second thought it seemed wise to -_ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ) ee) & 4 “ Fine!” exclaimed Bruce. “ We are on our way—it is all right.” They had turned to retrace their steps when both realized that something was wrong among those left behind. Had it not been for the intervening pile of rubbish, their light might have revealed what was taking place. As it was, they heard the . voice of the negro; then a quavering note of protest from Joie; after that the muffled sound of a blow. “Tt’s the negro,” said Bailey as they made for the pile of bricks. ‘“ He’s crook- ed, Bruce.” “ We'll see when we get on the other side—just now I am thinking about the woman. Come on—we will be over in a minute.” They were scrambling through the open- ing between the top of the bricks and the roof, with Bruce in the lead. He was straining to catch the first glimpse of what had taken place. In his hurry he stumbled. The next in- stant they were in total darkness. In fall- ing Bruce had dropped his lantern, and the jar extinguished the light. “ Quick—a match,” he called to Bailey. It seemed an eternity before Bailey an- swered. Bruce could hear him searching through his pockets. At last he spoke. “Not a match—this is awful, Bruce— not a single blessed match!” CHAPTER VII. IN AGAIN, OUT AGAIN. EEP your nerve,” advised Bruce, “ and try again.” A painful silence followed, @ tense moment of horrible suspense. “No use,” he finally whispered. “ How about been through your own pockets—have you them?” “ Every one.” Both men fully appreciated the gravity Bailey t any him, which ‘a Sey of their situation. Not a sound reached re you are,” he commanded them. The silence was almost unbearable, We will be right back.” and worst of all was the thought that they wile re vyatid the fall had been deserted by those whom they had , Try trail Iead- left behind, unless something worse had oc- — comicbooks.com