The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

A CUBAN HOLD UP. 119 to,’ howled ‘Tom. ‘‘ Come on, let’s go down at once, and set him after those blasted thieves and murderers. Now, we’ve not a minute to lose.’’ I was equally excited, but I fortunately advised sending the negro, with a request for horses, so that, peradventure the owner of the estate was our prospective host, we might not bring the blush of shame to his brow. Tom assented finally, and we were réwarded for our forbearance, two hours later, by the appearance of a most courteous gentleman, who informed us that he was Don Antonio’s major domo, and who was profuse in his expressions of regret that we should have been maltreated on his master’s property. After him followed two led horses; in charge of our sable friend, to whom, as we mounted and sped away, we gave a half eagle, for the enjoyment of his hospitality. Then we cantered down the hill which we had ascended under circum- stances so entirely different, and in due time arrived at Don Antonio’s door. It was then mid-afternoon, and the planter, the liveried servant told us,. was indulging in a siesta. But he had been instructed to say that the house and all it contained was at our disposal, and he would show us to our rooms. We followed him across a vast and marble tiled hall, and up a broad staircase, to two cool chambers, one of which was assigned to Tom, and the other to me. he man threw open a jalousie, and was seemingly about to depart, when my attention was attracted by a glittering and familiar object, on the dressing table. ‘The servant had halted at the doorway, probably to enjoy and to report to others my amazement ; but despite his presence, I allowed an em- phatic exclamation to escape me. For, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that glittering object on the table was my own revolver, which had been taken from me that very morning |! Attached to the trigger guard was a card, on which was written: ‘°° Mr. _ Arthur Imray, with the compliments of A. G., Xmas, 1895.’’ And as I was hanging over it, in open mouthed amaze, my friend dashed into the room, holding his own revolver, to which, as he excitedly showed me, was attached another card, with similar inscription to mine, only with — ‘the compliments of C..G.”’ ‘Who in the name of heaven is ‘C. G.’?’’ Tom demanded of the ser- vant. AndJI added in the same breath, ‘‘ Who is ‘A. G.’? What does it mean ?’’ “ Outen sabe ?’’ he said with a shrug, and a smile that was meant to be sly: ‘‘Who knows? But as to the initials, why, they are exactly those of my honored master’s most beautiful daughters, the Sefioritas Anita and Con- stancia. Now, if the gentlemen wish to change their clothes, they will find their valises in the wardrobes. Pardon me ; I go to prepare a cooling drink for your worships.’’ With that, the grinning mozo disappeared, leaving us staring at each other in deep bewilderment. ‘Tom, old man,’’ I gasped, sinking to a divan, ‘‘ were you ever buncoed on the Bowery ?’’. ‘“No, by Jove; but Pll freely admit that I’ve been buncoed in Cuba.”’ ‘‘ Exactly my case, om; we’ve been made the victims of a deep laid . scheme.”’ ‘“That’s evident ; but what kind of a scheme, and who hatched it?”’ 6 * ecomicbooks 3