Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN SYNDICATE. mind to this affair that you have in- trusted to me.” “T suppose 1 must,” Joe responded, slowly taking his feet from the chair in front of him, and getting up. “ Gen- tlemen, you will excuse me, I am sure. I have a prior appointment of an im- portant nature.” . Haskell and Van Dorn said, “ Oh, certainly,” and both kept their eyes fixed on Joe as he walked away arm in arm with his military friend. Then they looked at each other. There was inquiry in Van Dorn’s glance, and Haskell replied: “ Bluff, Van; bluff from start to finish. I thought I knew who he was. He took two or three flyers in Wall Street, and got thrown down on every one of them. I don’t believe there’s a business man in all the States that would back him to negotiate for the purchase of doughnuts.” ‘ But he talks pretty well,” suggest- ed Van Dorn, dubiously. ‘Of course he does, but he doesn’t Say anything. What have you and l learned about his operations here? Nothing from him. He hasn’t men- tioned one name connected with his Syndicate. He has been giving us just what he has been giving to the Porto Ricans, a great big empty volley of wind. He is a bluffer, Van, and just as soon as we learn what his bluff is, we'll call it, you and I, and you mark my word there won’t be any American Syndicate after that.” CHAPTER XVI. THE FIELD OF HONOR. “ CoupLe of fellows down from the States to whoop things up in a business way, said Joe to the captain. “I think they are rather surprised and dis- appointed to find anybody on the ground ahead of them. There’s going to be room enough though for all who come, and I can conscientiously wish them good luck, for the more energy 309 they stir up among the. Porto Ricans, the easier it’s going to be for me to float my schemes.” The captain made no reply whatever, and did not open his lips until they were in Joe’s sitting room. “ Now, Joe,” he said most impres- sively, “ I admire your sang froid, and I’ve no criticism to make for your man- ifesting it in public, but in private, with me, Joe, it 1s time for you to look this thing in the face seriously.”’ “It’s going to be a fight, is it?” asked Joe, dropping into a chair and crossing his legs. “It is. I’ve done my best to make those young fellows reasonable, but it is no use. It seems that your adver- sary was desperately ambitious to fight the American army, and he seems to look upon this affair as his only way of satisfying his disappointed spleen. You have somehow managed to give him offense——” “T don’t see how,” interrupted Joe. “Isn’t there some question of a lady in the case?” asked the captain. “ Did he tell you so?.”’ demanded Joe, quickly. “Not in so many words, but I couldn’t help inferring it.” “T guess Victor imagines that I have crossed his path in the matter of a lady,” said Joe, after a moment of si- lence. “ I wasn’t aware that I had, and on the contrary, I feel that if there were @ question of honor in the matter, it ts my own that should be satisfied. I was outrageously insulted, but no matter. If there’s got to be a fight, I’ve got to fight, and that’s all there is to it. When and where will the interesting event take place? ” “ Half an hour after sunrise,” replied the captain, “in a little valley between high hills a few miles east of the city.” “ That’s right,” said Joe, approving- ly. “It’s quite like what we read about ; a misty morning, grass wet with the dew, half a dozen solemn faced in- dividuals, stalking about with intense regard for decorum, arc)yvee ofotor ae CO