Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

VIALS OF HATE. “ We'll use that,” said Zorrilla, changing ‘to the latter tongue. ‘‘ Now, who in the devil are you, and how did you get here in my bedchamber?”’ “1m working for Gatlard,” said Jerry truthfully, suspecting that the other doubt- less had heard of him before this and would guess his identity. “ I was fishing, and was prevented by the storm from reaching the other side ef the bayou. When the storm broke, I was blown under the lee of your house and crawled in and found myself here, I’m not a burglar; and I didn’t care to wan- der abofit a strange dwelling lest I be‘mis- taken for one, so I just sat down to wait until I could withdraw quietly. My inten- tions are perfectly harmless, sir.” — A sardonic smile appeared on the ald man’s.face. “ I’ll endeavor to see that you remain harmless, whatever your mtentions may be,” said he. Then for a little the two ates at each other without speaking. Jerry’s regard was open, even somewhat curious, while the look of the descendant of the Zorrillas was inscrutable. ‘“ Before the storm I observed your grand- daughter and a companion, another young lady, sail down the bayou,” the first re- marked mildly. Hernando Zorrilla’s face hardened in a look of morose grimness. - “They are lost,” said he. ‘“ Beg your pardon, but I think not,” said Jerry. “‘ What’s that?” The words came in a hoarse cry of hope. “T think they’re safe, sir. From sheuts I heard about the house at. the beginning of the hurricane I judged your people ta be in despair for them. Well, Gaillard saw the danger they were in; the last I saw of him he was tearing down the bayou: in his moter-beat; and I believe he was in time to rescue them. Probably they’re with him somewhere on his estate, if not actually snug and dry in his house.” “Té this be true; young man, then you shall return to Gaillard unharmed your- self,” Zorrilla declared. “ You'll see the young ladies in the morn- ing, or I’m greatly mistaken,” Jerry as- - gerted with confidence. 1@1 What gave him the conviction, unless a profound faith in his employer, he could not have said. Nevertheless, he was sure, quite sure, that disaster had not overtaken those on the bayou before the hurricane unleashed its harpies of wind; and this re- liance of opinion was not without its effect upon the gray-bearded master of the house. The latter’s countenance relaxed, his eye brightened, and the blood flushed his cheeks. Crossing the room, he stood a while at a window, gazing forth, as if straining to penetrate the still stormy night without and remove his last doubt. Then at last, giving a shrug, he returned to his uninvited guest. “TI. presume ignorance and not boldness brought you into my dwelling,” he re. marked, loaking full at Jerry. “ Any port in a storm, you know.” ‘* But if it should please me to keep you?” “T already have your word I’m to go free —and even Gaillard, your enemy though he is, has always said that a Zorrilla never violates his word when once given.” A grimace shaped the old man’s face un- ‘And damnably inconvenient we've found that fact on occasion,” he remarked. ‘Still, you speak the truth; if the young ladies are safe, you shall go: free.”’ “Thank you,” said Jerry politely. And he slipped his feet into his shoes and laced the latter one after the other. Then he in- quired: “ Shall I depart now? The storm is dying down, and [ can find cover some- where outside until morning.” “ Nay, not so fast. When my little Isabel and her cousin set foot on Zorrilla ground, you may go. But not before. Meanwhile, I'll have you securely taken care of until that time arrives. Follow me.” The man again obtained the candle, and with Moffat, who carried his ceat under his arm and the wallet it concealed, went out of the chamber. Perhaps the idea the youth might attempt to escape at this mo- ment was promptly dismissed from Zorrilla’s mind, as both impracticable and futile. Per- haps in his hostage’s appearance there was something so bedraggled, so acquiescent, that the possibality of flight did not enter his thoughts... But that now was Jerry’s chief object. cComiclbooks.com