Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

THE JUMPING-OFF PLACE. oner,” pleaded the boy. “ And her father discovered the Isabella.”’ “Tf that is. the case, I’ll assure Senor Calbuco that the mine has no real value, and he will release this man.” Walstrom did not desire to be involved in a quarrel in Punta; he had witnessed ugly termina- tions to such quarrels. But Dave’s thin face, lined by hunger, was a mask of de- termination. “No, sir,” he responded promptly. “ That dive-keeper has Bruce in his debt, and he can use Clara. He’ll promise you anything, and forget it as soon as you sail. Clara and her old man have got to go on the ship with you. They’re my friends, and I’m going to stick to them.”’ Walstrom shook his head grimly. “I heard you say you had a score to settle with Calbuco. What would the Norwegian Geo- logical Society say if I helped a thief to even his score—besides, how am I to be- lieve you?” Dave’s quick wit-detected the slight note of indecision. “ You'll believe the girl. She’s sitting up for you in one of the cathedral chapels that’s open all night. You heard her cry- ing, in Calbuco’s place. You’re a square sport, Walstrom. Listen to her, anyway.” Gray dawn was creeping into the drawn shutters of the Kosmos, and Quensel had been snoring like the healthy animal he was for some time when Walstrom returned and woke him up to explain what he had promised the American boy and the outcast girl. “Tt was the only way .to be rid of him,” he answered Quensel’s_ growl. s God’s thunder, man!” he burst into a hearty laugh. “ It will be a good comedy, anyway.” “ Tt’s lucky we sail to-morrow,” muttered the other. At this point in the proceedings Dave Thornton had made a second friend in Pun- ta, the first being the negro. Moreover, he had formed his plan, while pleading with Walstrom. It was then the hour in early dawn when crimson was streaking the cloudy sky behind the bare hills overlooking-the tin roofs of the 29 sleeping town. A fresh breeze was sweep- ing in from the roads. Dave guessed that his pursuers were sleeping for a space. The solitary policeman on his route to the water- front saloon was easily dodged. And Jamaica, awakened in his cubby in the rear of the saloon, rubbed his eyes at the feel of fifty dollars in good silver and bills. ‘“ That’s yours,” whispered Dave in the dark, “‘ if you take me to Mr. Bruce. It ll be dead easy—they’re all pounding their ears.” John Bruce was more or less drunk when the two boys got to him in a locked cabin in one of the water-logged schooners laid up at a near-by jetty. The door being locked and barred from the outside, the sailors who were his captors had been en- joying a good night’s rest. Dave plied the Englishman with coffee at the saloon. But what the boy had to say about his daughter sobered Bruce with- in a moment. His red face paled and his weak lips tightened. “Tl shoot him down, like the dog he is!” Bruce snarled. ‘“No,” said Dave. that. “I got it fixed.” Three or four hours later in broad day- light the carriage of the alcalde who was the friend of Calbuco—the carriage that had been placed at the service of the Nor- wegians—rolled down to the water-front, and Walstrom picked up Bruce. Then they drove to the church, where Clara joined them. Dave Thornton was still invisible. Rumor of what was happening reached ? “We'll do better ’n Calbuco through hismen. Pedro and Man- ~ uel and others gathered at the mansion of the Portuguese to learn what was going to happen and to guard their patron against Bruce, who was known to be reckless. Within the hour the victoria arrived at Calbuco’s door. Four persons entered the house—-Walstrom, Clara, John Bruce, and the alcalde. Calbuco received them polite- ly, and Pedro and others waited in an ad- joining room. “Good morning, Seftor Calbuco,”’ said the girl timidly. “Good day, Senor Calbuco,” nodded COmicloool< (C@