Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

— ~ amhey were engulfed not only in silent®, «Thank the Lord!” was ea utter darkness. If they moved toward pression of D th. men. ee the river, they had no means of gers’ ine found’ them in his W' ing whi ey. . e5 + when they came to the openin ja ‘a admitted Joie and the negro. ‘Then As the flame get : .. if they were able to feel along the match to the ae bs ‘ roof and locate the entrance to the stone men clasped hands. eer chamber it would serve nO purpose, be- ee ae as two em tional wna ave done. ae ar To remain inactive, just NOW, istogam- § At their feet lay baste bere 0 o€ ble with our reason,” said Bruce. “ Move “ Stynned—that's au, said Bailey, D& — ill feel ing over him. ay up so you can grasp MY arm—we Wl Re rs cha along until we come to the muddy “ They evidently use he down her part of the passage, and then determine on a human punching bag,— was Bruc some line of action.” ment. ‘ See how considerate the ne Once more they experienced the horrors been to hit him on the same spot t of silence. Instinctively they were voicing bartender used. Maybe it is part mind game to gamble on how far they c@ their thoughts in hoarse whispers as ™ and nerves battled for something tangible. Groping their way in the darkness, Bruce suddenly halted, and his grip on Bailey tightened. “Don’t move,” was his hoarse com- « My foot is touching something— a h mand. ‘a body, I think.” : Then he leaned down to investigate. > he added a second « Give me your hand,’ do you make out later. “ There—what him into eternity without shoving ain the line.” valuable time. Lifting the battered wreck of a mar int sitting position, they were gratified to Sé im slowly open his eyes. ee “ What happened?” asked Bailey. | « Fddie Carbon hit me,” mumbled JK “ What for?” asked Bruce. pie. “J dunno,” was the answer. ss “ Come,” said : Lend a hand, Bruce of it?” “You are right,” said Bailey. “Tt is a will get him on his feet. Per oS man.” serve us better than his brains.” | With profound satisfaction t “Tn that case it would have to be either Joie or the negro. Heavens! If we only had a light.” « Never mind the light. I will tell you which one it is,” replied Bailey. “ How?” “Tf it is Joie, there will be a bandage on his head.” “ Right,” responded Bruce. “Tt put it there this afternoon following the barten- der’s brutal assault.” “Tt’s Joie,” announced Bailey. ‘“ The head is bandaged.” Then he gave an exclamation of delight. “ What is it?” asked Bruce. Bailey failed to offer a prompt reply. Bruce could hear him fumbling in the darkness. He was about to repeat his question when the most joyous sound he had ever heard greeted him. It was the . aoe of a match against the side of a | X. . » ered that their patient could walk, at his progress was painfully slow. | SR “One thing puzzles me,” Sal “J fail to understand how the n his escape in the dark.” Ete “ He was not in the dark,” was Bruc comment. ‘ The last thing he did b leaving was to skirmish for a few ¢ ends, all of which proves that he his plans to desert us.” M “How about the woman—do she is working with the 3 Po} ‘- bass - i + : re negro, OF Har cumstances conspired against her? “JT wish I could tell you,” wa reply. ‘To me she represents t mystery we have so far encountered. Eddie Carbon passed through th Cra Pot to-night I scrutinized her face cl and was positive that she rac him before. Later, when I ¢ whispering, I changed my m | ‘comicboo a a> “eae Ks com