The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

66 was slightly raised. But it was lowered again, and we resumed our former steady gait. It was evident that Joloff was de- termihed to follow till he, as well as Alma, knew where Sanderman had been secreted. “As we drew nearer the north shore the forest of birch and beech became thicker, and we could get closer to Joloff without being seen. In some spots the earth was soft and spongy, and we had difficulty in avoiding the noise of the suction as we withdrew our feet at each step. Joloff was having the same difficulty, but he crept on with the soft stealthi- ness of a cat stalking her prey. At last the foremost two stood on a headland jutting northward into the sea, and we saw Donaldson point down toward the water. Ordway leaned toward me and whispered: “A cave opening from the ocean.” Suddenly we were thrown into con- sternation. An electric outfit, strong enough to kill, could hardly have made us leap as we did. Donaldson threw aside his fur turban, shaking his mas- sive head, his long, dark hair flutter- ing in the night light like a lion’s mane. Then the girl stepped close to him, threw her arms around him, and their lips met. We heard a half suppressed curse from Joloff and the pistol was raised again. But before he had time to fire the islander had disappeared. Joloff waited, crouching like a wild beast, ready to spring. Ordway and I braced ourselves for whatever might seem best for us to do. The intensity of Joloff’s emotion had made him as oblivious of what was oc- curring behind him as the other two had been. Ordway and I were so near him now that with one leap we ,could seize him. We had but a moment to wait. The shaggy, soaked head of the islander ap- peared, and immediately following him was Sanderman. When the airman stood on the head- THE ARGOSY. land the girl, regardless of the dripping condition of his clothing, threw herself into his arms, or rather she snatched him into hers, and burst into a terrific fit of sobbing. The young man seemed calm enough, and Donaldson stood with folded arms, looking at the two. Sanderman was speaking, and we saw him point to Crusoe. The girl in- stantly released her brother, and, springing to the islander, threw her arms around him again in a rapture of gratitude. “Now!” came Ordway’s voice, and we leaped together. There had not been the smallest fraction of a second to lose. As we crashed against Joloff, Ordway grabbed him by the throat, and I, seizing his right arm, bent it upward. The pistol, an automatic, began its terrible series of explosions, till, within the period of three seconds nine shots had gone into the air. The three on the headland turned in their surprise. The girl put her folded hands against her breast. Her brother stood speechless and terrified. The islander came toward us. It was light enough to see his face. It was distorted as it had been when he hurled Ravary into the sea. Joloff cursed, fought, kicked, and bit. But in a few minutes we had him on the ground and under control. ‘ He tried to kill us? ”’ said Donald- son interrogatively. ‘‘ Let me have him.” | “No!” I almost yelled. Leave him to us.” | “Give him to me. He is on my island. I will have him.” “T tell you, Crusoe, leave us alone. He won't do any harm now.” “Curse you!” gurgled from Joloff’s throat. ‘“ You hide a murderer, and in a few hours you steal my bride!” “Your bride!” I gasped. “ Are you married to this man, Miss Sander- man?” ““T am not,’ she answered, strug- gling to be calm. “ He has tried to make me so. On board the Elvira he “Go away. CoOMmicbook CO