Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

oo4 just time to follow you and slip aboard be- fore the steamer sailed. Vosela tout!’’ Despite the fact that the fellow was un- doubtedly a villain there was something likable about him—a something that made anger toward him a trifle of an effort. I was inclined to believe what he had said regarding Mile. Zingaria; and I fully be- lieved what he informed me regarding my butler; certainly, if true, he was doing me a great favor in exposing the man who had undoubtedly been his old pal. Matters were clearing up rapidly; there was but one un- explained mystery. “IT am obliged to you for your informa- tion regarding my butler,” I returned. “ Now, how did you get back to this room?” “‘ Kasiest thing in the world, doctor,” he replied, smiling broadly. ‘“ Interposition of Providence im ‘the shape of fog. Ran out, as you saw. Meant to hide on deck. Was seen by a hand. Had to hit him in the eye or jaw.’ Very sorry. Nothing left but to go up the foremast. When I heard that it was known I confess I considered my cake had reverted to deugh. idea. Slid down the foretopmast back-stay to the deck while my pursuers were gawking up the big stick. Then I came here. Then you came. That’s about all. What are you going to do?” I could not help admiring his Jinglelike ease and impudence, and was in no position to answer his question. I felt that he still had me in his clutch. . That I was a coward I knew, but cowardice for the sake ef a friend may be a virture. “] will have to consider as to what I will do,” I said. ‘‘ Will you send the ring back to the lady?” ‘“ Assuredly not,” he promptly answered. ‘* Not even at the price of your undoing.” The threat was the club he was always flourishing, and it silenced me. I left more angry with myself than with him, and went out on the main deck. Mr. Peck was just going to the captain. ‘“‘ Not a hand missing, doctor,” he said. ‘“ The fellow who went overboard was a ghost, or he came from the passenger list.” ‘““ Nonsense!’ was my only return: and Peck went on. It was not my purpose to perambulate a ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. my way to the wireless-room. The nightJ e <a Ge w* . 92 oh Ws: fi foggy deck at an hour well past ‘midnighti# I had an object in view and finally found& operator was dozing in his chair. send a message?’ I asked. The man looked at me and evidently recognized my uniform. “It is Dr. Kent?’’? c¢ Yes. ? ™ “ Certainly you may, as an officer; other- wise you'd have to get the captain’ S per mission.” “Then send this. wrote on a blank: “Can EE It is important.” u MICHAEL CLANCY, Police Headquarters, New York. Have an eye on my butler, James Hennessy. '| Am suspicious. Will be back in a few days. Henry Kent. | I planked a fifty-dollar bill on the paper. | ‘ Keep the change,” I said, and walked off before the operator could speak. I started to my room with the certainty © that the tenure of office of Mr. James Hen- nessy, however recommended, would be short after my return. In the mean time I trusted to Clancy, and could not have. trusted a better man. My way to my cabin | took me along the promenade and I had | nearly reached the passage opening into the | saloon when something seemed to come | frem the air and strike me a sharp blow on the side of the head from which it fell to the deck. . Considerably startled, I looked around | but saw no one, and there were no lights in § any of the ports—none anywhere save one | electric bulb in the carlines (carline: a short « fore-and-aft timber connecting the beams 5 on which the deck is laid) of the deck over- head, and by its gleam I saw the thing ; which had hit me. It was a ball of paper half the size of my ‘ fist. I picked it up and was about to ex- } amine it when Mr. Peck appeared: ‘‘ Look- § ing for you, sir,” he said. ‘“ Captain Dur- ! and wishes to speak to you. I told him you 3 were on deck.”’ , ‘“‘ Very good,’ I replied, thrusting the ball | into my pocket. I went to Durand, won- § dering what he wanted to see me about, and found him walking up and down his room, evidently much disturbed. ' “ This has been a devil of a trip, Keat!?t: COME OOS - pp = .c@