Argosy: The Short Story Magazine — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

HEART OF THE STORM gi centre of the storm will pass over the island in an hour’s time. If that is the case, they may be able to bring her in while the wind is for a short time calm. Otherwise...” “Otherwise, I suppose they’ll have to wait till the storm is over?” “No, Captain. Otherwise, it will be too late. The tugs have signalled. She has so much water on board already. No steam, you see. No pumps working.”’ “I see,” Kelston said unhappily. He had thought that as soon as the tugs got her in tow, it would be all over. ‘‘ Well... let’s hope the met. men are right.” ‘“ Please God. Just this once.” ‘** Pll come down, then.”’ **IT would be glad io meet you, Captain. My office is on ‘A’ wharf. ‘Tell the police guard I asked you down.” Because there was nothing else to do to keep his mind off the steamer, he put on his coat and set off for the harbour earlier than he intended. As he walked down a steep back street he suddenly noticed that the wind had dropped. Looking up at the sky, he saw a handful of stars shining through big rips in the ragged cloud, His heart leapt inside him. With a feeling of immense relief, he said aloud, just to make sure it was true, “‘ She’s in luck, after all.”’ The eye of the storm was focusing on Ponta Delgada. Now _ there would be a brief interval of quietness while the same powerful air wheeled round to the left to attack from behind. Near the gates of the harbour the crowds began to materialize, Everyone on the island seemed intent on seeing the homecoming of the Santa Lucinda. 'They jostled good-humouredly against each other, swarming over the cobbles, ignoring the horns of the grumbling cars. Kelston spoke a little Portuguese, learnt during a year hunting submarines from Lagens in the war. The police at the gates were doubtful. They waved their hands to illustrate their problems. ‘There were so many others who wished to get in. “But Mr. Olivarez,” he said, ‘‘ he asked me to come down.” They still waved. All the others, too, it appeared, had provided the same plausible invitation. He was not employed by the Com-~ pany? He had no relative aboard? They were friendly but firm. Then a voice said in English, ‘‘ Is that Captain Kelston? ’* Turning round, the pilot saw a man in a white mackintosh standing: beside him, hemmed in all round by dark, pushing figures. The arc-lights above them shone down on a plump bald skull edged by a down of white hair. “ Yes. Kelston.” ‘‘T am so sorry, Captain. I have been at the wireless station, I did not expect you so soon.” ‘“‘'The weather’s improved,” Kelston said. ‘‘ Better now.”’ “Perhaps.” The flat voice sounded cautious, unconvinced, There was a quick burst of Portuguese. ‘The police smiled, comiclooks.comn Sul he A | a. leew Jee Wie ty Oo : ‘ 5 ‘ % s r r5 we & a, ue te)! hae med ae TRAST LNCS Mme * 2 Nl