The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

180 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. | As a matter of precaution, he dropped upon the ground ; and then, as another measure of the same kind, he examined his revolver, which was not yet loaded. Such a weapon does not amount to much when its barrels are empty, though it is sometimes a very convenient bugbear. If the persons whom he was to see soon were the man and Tom, an empty - pistol was not the thing for them, and he charged all the barrels of the weapon. Then he listened, and he was not a little excited. He did not’ care even to meet Tom Sawder face to face, for that would mean fight ; but he wanted to see where he concealed himself, Rynon and Andy had been all over the island without obtaining any evidence that there was a human being on it. Andy had resisted the officer’s conclusion and had almost quarreled with him. Now the sound of footsteps, whoever made it, proved that he was right, and he was bountifully encour- aged. The savins grew with their lower branches almost on the ground. They were to be found in groups, and it was an easy thing to obtain perfect con- cealment. At the place where he had halted and dropped upon the ground three of them growing: in the form of a triangle promised him the security he desired at that moment. Andy continued to listen, while he slowly and cautiously worked himself into the clump of savins. ‘The footsteps were still to be heard. Ina few moments he was satisfied that more than one person was descending the hill, whose rough side compelled them to move very slowly and carefully. There were two of them, and they must be Tom and the man. The listener took out his revolver and held it in his hand, for he feared that he might be suddenly called upon to use it. Ina short time he heard voices, though they were not loud enough for him to distinguish what was said. If the two were talking, one of them must be Tom Sawder, though neither of the voices sounded like his. The persons who were approaching reached the plain. They looked about them, as Andy judged by the sounds. Then they came together quite near the three savins which hid him, but they had only searched in the open places. They seated themselves, and having assured themselves that no one was near they spoke out loud. ® The first time one of them used his full voice Andy was astounded and bewildered. It was neither Tom nor the man who spoke ; it was Phin Bark- pool. The listener could hardly believe the evidence of his own ears. Then he heard the answer to the first remark in the tones of Dolph Singerlay. The sons of the two magnates of Montoban were on Bunkel Island, in spite of the theories and the absolute certainty of Rynon that they were not there. The telegraph was pursuing them all over the country, and here they were within three miles of the banks they had plundered! Officers were looking for them in the great cities, but they were in sight of home. It took some time for Andy to realize the truth of this, though his senses gave him all the evidence he needed. If the boys were here, the vast sum they had stolen coud not be far off. (S@) Coimicbooks