Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

508 what they might do to the place. They were armed with all sorts of weapons and would as soon fire the mansion as any- thing else, and once this rabble under- stood the real situafion—and it was like- ly that some one in the crowd might stumble upon the truth at any second— their rage would know no bounds. Karby thought frantically. He slowed his pacé and permitted the rushing mad- men to pass him. Presently he found himself so separated from the stragglers that he stopped altogether, turned and made for his automobile. He gaihed it, jumped in, swung past his building and sang out orders to his deputies to leave two or three of them on guard—and for the others to hurry to the house of the egg king. The orders were received rather sullen- ly and there were signs of rebellion, but the promise of a handsome reward if they saved the place effected the desired change, and Karby was satisfied to see them start forth in pursuit of the mob, to do what they could to quell the riot. Karby then took one of them into his car to show him the way to the Truxton house. Down one street, up another they flew, taking the shortest route in the effort to get there before the mob arrived. Karby could hear the rioters in the distance, and urged his car to greater speed. At last a huge residence loomed into view. Karby alighted and rushed through the spacious grounds, up a broad flight of front steps | on to a wonderful veranda and rang the bell. A butler responded, and Karby did not wait for ceremony, but brushed past him into the house. He burst into a room where he heard voices, and threw into violent agitation Miss Truxton, her mother, and Truxton himself, who was at a desk-phone in smiling conversation with somebody. V. THE egg king was a tall man, well de- veloped and broad. His hair was gray, his eyes active but rather small and THE ARGOSY. sparkling. He lowered the phone and Stared aghast as Karby swept into the room and rushed toward him. “Quick, you’ve not a minute to lose. Escape from this house at once. The mob you stirred up aBainst me, Truxton, has turned on you and is now headed bere, shouting ‘ Get the egg king, get the egg king!’ ” They only stared at him, apparently too overcome to. comprehend what his words meant. Mrs. Truxton, a sweet rather weak- faced womdn who looked as though her very life was dominated by this husband of hers, showed signs of swooning.. Trux- ton himself rose slowly to his feet. “You are Karby,” he began, and it was evident he intended working himself into a rage, but Karby interrupted him. “Yes, I am Karby, but for God’s sake, hurry. That mob which your own agents stirred up is mad, mad, not alone out of belief in the justice of their cause, but mad from the alcohol which your money furnished them. Do you want to be trapped here like rats? There’s no telling what they will do. They surrounded my storehouse, threatened violence and wculd have demolished the place had not my deputies thought te flash in the windows the huge posters bearing the price list which. will go mto effect on Monday. Then the mob: turned and with a shout or ‘Get the egg king,’ stampeded down the street. “J came here to warn you—it’s more than you deserve, but I don’t want to see violence done. Listen.” He rushed to the window and threw it open. In the distance came the roar of the mob, gathering in violence as the seconds flew. ‘“‘T have turned my deputies in- to try to quell them—but there is no quelling that angry mob. They lust for destruc- tion. Give your butler orders to get the servants out of the house and come your- selves. Don’t wait to order your car. I have mine outside.”’ ~ “The police—” Truxton began with comicloool C©