The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

622 plank of the Nova Zembla, whose decks were filling rapidly with eager- voiced passengers. The three men and Marjorie fol- lowed him wonderingly. CHAPTER XII. THE Mexican did not see Professor Errol approaching, and it was not until that gentleman laid his hand upon his arm that he noticed him. When he felt the grip upon his elbow he turned sharply, and had the grace to color warmly at the reproachful look that the old gentleman gave him. ‘““T did not expect this from you, Sefior Cardona. I did not expect this return for the welcome I gave you as to a brother craftsman. Why did you take that package containing the sil- ver box from the table in the mu- seum?”’ If Sefior Cardona had ever had any intention of denying the taking of the box in question that intention was frustrated by the keen-eyed Norton, who, in frank disregard of all the rules of courtesy, laid firm hold on the light top-coat that hung on Sefior Cardona’s ‘arm. : “He has it in his pocket now,” he said in a low tone. “It is in the pocket of this top-coat now. Here it is.” : He took from the coat - pocket a small, brown - paper parcel, so obvi- ously the package that had been taken from the office table in the museum that day that each member of the party felt really ashamed to have de- tected in a petty theft one who bore so unmistakably the hallmarks of a gentleman. “T presume that you heard what we said about this box,” said Pro- fessor Errol, tucking -the package calmly into his own capacious pocket, “and that your zeal as an antiquarian and as a collector of relics led you astray. I have seen one or two cases like this before. JI am sorry—exceed- THE ARGOSY. ingly sorry, sir—because, you see, I trusted you. Have you any explana- tion that you care to make? I sup- pose I ought to give you in charge, but I simply cannot do that. I hope that the shame of having been detect- ed in such a flagrant violation of the rites of hospitality will be sufficient. ‘It is enough for me to have the box back. Mr. Oakes, I will now leave you free to make your adieus to your friend. This matter, sir, was not a personal one in any way. It is one that concerns the welfare of the world. You must pardon the vagaries of an old man, my dear madame,” he went on, bowing before the surprised Marjorie. “I am over seventy, and my one lifelong ambition has been— this.” He tapped his pocket. “I have worked and sought and waited for it as—as—as a lover waits for his sweet- heart. It is my one hobby,” he re- peated, laughing. “ But what is it?”’ asked Marjorie. “Each time that you have started to tell us about it something has inter- fered. Tell me what it is that can make so simple a thing as this little box so much desired.” “The telling must be once again deferred,” said Professor Errol, still smiling. “If you have no objection, I will take this box with me at once to the museum, where I will put it in the strongest safe that the place has till the government can take it over, and—then—I—will—rest—” His voice trailed off into odd little silences, broken by his heavy breath- ing. They looked at him astonished, and suddenly realized that the strain and excitement of the morning had been too much for so old a man. Nor- ton called the cabby who had driven him to the docks, and together they helped the old gentleman to the seat of the cab. “T will take him to his rooms at once,” said Norton, “and, Mr. Oakes, if you will come around to the mu- seum in a day or two I am sure Pro- fessor Errol will be glad to see you COMicdoo S CO@