Adventure Magazine Cover — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

IIo “Thanks, old top,” drawled the Major. “This is going to make me rich.” AS THE door closed on his visitor ‘Nathan threw himself back in his chair and laughed long and loudly. He was still chuckling when a few minutes later Dirty Norton burst into the room. Since being cashiered from the police force as Fenwick had predicted, Norton had deemed it wise to leave the Transvaal be- fore other charges could be brought against him. Now more than ever did his appear- ance and conduct warrant the nickname Dirty, so unkempt was his dress, his mode of living so questionable. certain low cunning, he had been useful to Nathan in many unsavory episodes—fraudu- lent schemes for separating newcomers to the colony from their money. “What was the Major doing in here?’’ he asked abruptly. “The Major? Oh, you mean that fool -who just went out. He—he’s—’ Nathan spluttered in his mirth—“got a scheme for getting rich quick.” “Ves, he would have. What is it?” “He’s going to find where all the good elephants die, and I’ve given him a con- tract to buy all the ivory he finds, Ten shillings a pound I offered him. Oh, these fool Englishmen will be the death of me.”’ “You gave him a contract, did you, and at ten shillings?” exploded Dirty. ~ he’s fooled you as he’s fooled all of us, him!” “What do you mean?” “Why, he’s the slimmest thing in pants that you ever ran up against. If he talked ivory you can gamble your soul that he’s got it. He’s no fool for all his soft ways, his cursed drawl and his pink, manicured nails. He’s wise, I tell you; he’s wise.” Nathan looked anxious, then, remember- ing his late visitor’s appearance, quickly recovered with a chuckle. “What are you trying to frighten me for, Dirty? He’s just a monocled Johnny.” “Yes, and he’s the same monocled Johnny that’s played merry ——— with every police force in this country. I’ve been up against him before, and I know. He’s got the goods all right.” “And I contracted to buy ivory from him at ten shillings.a pound and the highest it’s ever gone is ten shillings and sixpence. ’m a ruined man,” wailed Nathan. Possessed of a’ “Then Adventure “What did you want to give him that price for?” “How did I know who he was? He looked and acted like a -—— fool. I thought I was safe and only did it for a joke.”’ “Well, the joke’ Ss on you.” “Pil repudiate the contract.” “Fat chance you’d have. He’d go to court and you don’t want to get your face known there. You’ve fleeced too many of the officials. There’s a better way. I’ve got an old grudge to settle against the ——, and now I’m going to settle up with him. Have you got anybody you can trust, and knows his way about the country a bit?” “How about Smithy?” “No. The Major knows him.” Nathan thought deeply. “Hawkins then? I’ve got him under my thumb. He tried to raise one of my checks.” “Fine. Send him with a note to the oars Write it now; I’ll tell you what to Slowly Nathan typed at Norton’s dic- - tation: DEAR Sir: In order to protect my interests and as evidence— should the Portuguese authorities raise any ques- tion—that you did not shoot the elephants, I must ask you to take the bearer, Thomas Hawkins, along with you on your trip. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, NATHAN ABRAHAM, “What then?” questioned Nathan. “Hawkins will find out where the ivory is, or whatever the Major’s little game hap- pens to be. As soon as he finds out he'll invent some excuse for leaving the Major and report ‘to me. I'll be a day or two’s trek behind them. [I'll take care of the Major afterward. White men die violently in this of a country and no questions are asked.” \ ) extracted from Nathan a promise to pay a higher rate than he had dared hope for the ivory—the Major walked jauntily to the hotel. Outside the building that, served as a hotel Jim accosted him. - “Baas, thé man from whom we ran is here.” | “You mean the policeman, Norton?” “Yah, baas. Nigger boys down at the WELL pleased with himself—having com oN A) chook (EO)