Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

42 “‘Where’ve you been all afternoon?” de- manded Hampton. Warlock grinned, and opened his hand to display a mass of gold coins. “Playing monte—and winning. Like- wise, I been playing with that Mex skipper the Injun told us about. Filled him full o’ lies, and we can have passage if we want. His schooner leaves in the morning. Have any luck? All spruced up for the lady, ain’t you?” “Found Adam Johnson; everything’s set- tled. Here’s our house.” They paused before an archway, which gave access to an old carven black-oak door. Job Warlock pulled the hand bell, and Hampton let the heavy knocker fall—then he found the hand of Warlock gripping his arm. “Look there!’ exclaimed Job, pointing, a sudden glitter in his eyes, and Hampton turned to look at the stone beside the door- way, on the inside of the arch. There, painted in blue on the stone, were the two characters which had appeared on the knife and seal of Dias. “Good gosh, matey!” breathed Job War- lock softly. “Know what this is? Now we're up against it and no mistake—that there sehora was Dofia Hermana herself— the wife o’ Dias!” The door before them opened, and Hamp- ton swung about to face a Chinaman. IV “YOU are expected, sefiores,’’ said the yellow man in bad Spanish. es: “Say quick!”? snapped Job War- lock in English. ‘In or out, matey?” “In,” said Hampton, stepping forward. There suddenly came to him the realization that if this woman really were Dojia Hermana, she could of course assist them on their way—not to Upper California, but to Lower California. If she could be wheedled into assisting them, so much the better. Then, while he stood beside Warlock in the hall for a moment, as the Chinaman took their hats before leading them on into the patio, Hampton could have groaned aloud. The woman took them for Basques; but if his suspicions were correct, Dias’ spies already knew their true names—or that of Hampton, at least. Perhaps, after all, Dias had taken for granted that they Ez Adventure would never reach Panama; yet he was not a man to take things for granted. Hampton gripped Job Warlock’s shoulder, as they crossed the threshold. “T’ve mixed things horribly, Job,” he said quietly. ‘Careful, now!” “Injun does it,”’ said Warlock cheerfully, not understanding yet accepting the words. Then they were following the yellow man into a hidden but magnificent patio, sweet with the spray of a large fountain, the air heavy with flower scents, orange trees and blooming beds all around. The Chinaman led to an awning spread near the fountain, where Doha Hermana awaited them. Now she was clad in a shimmering brocade of dark-blue shot with silver, which richly accentuated her star- tling beauty, and enhanced the slight oriental effect of her features. Yet for all her beauty, for all the smiling warmth of her greeting, Hampton could not feel that he was dealing with a woman, as he knew women; in her seemed no depth of emotion, and the liquid tenderness of her eyes rang false, though her welcome appeared sincere enough. ‘So my paladins could leave the delights of Panama to come and see a poor woman!”’ she exclaimed, holding out her hands to them. ‘‘Sefiores, I am honored; this house is yours.” “Senora, my friend here has been moving all day in a dream,” put in Warlock slyly. “He has talked only of you—by the saints, each hour has been a century for him! I do not know whether he more desires to proceed to California, or to stay in Panama!” At this audacious speech, Hampton flung his friend one angry glance, but the sefiora laughed merrily and directed the full battery of her eyes on Hampton. “Well, sefior, has your desire for Cali- fornia in truth grown so weak?”’ “Not at all,” responded Hampton, re- signing himself. “But what is there in California except gold?” “That was a much nicer compliment, sefior,’ she returned, and for a moment Hampton read singular and disquicting things in her eyes. “I like you both, my bold Basques! Here, sit by me and [I shall roll you something to smoke, and you shall taste my sherbets while we talk.” They seated themselves, and two native women appeared, placing sherbet and cakes micloool © inn