Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

South, West and North on the table and supplying the sefior with smoking materials. When she had deftly rolled cigaritos from tobacco and the fine thin paper that the ricos used, she struck a sulphur match, lighted her own first, in the courteous Mexican fashion, and then when the sulphur had burned off held out the match to Hampton. “Now tell me of vour affairs,” she said, watching the two, although her eyes rested more upon Hampton than on Warlock. “How did you happen to be on the road this morning?” ‘“‘We were lost, coming across from Chagres, and followed jungle trails,” said Hampton. ‘You have money? You have arranged for a passage north, perhaps?”’ ‘“‘Money, yes, but money will not buy a passage north,” returned Hampton. “A ship from Callao is expected next week, every berth is sold, and a bonus of five hundred dollars is being offered without a taker. We have no hope of getting a pas- sage for some months.” The sefiora smiled. _ ‘“‘Then I can in some slight measure repay your service, sefores! My husband’s schooner is now down among the islands, and will return here in a week, to carry me north to Mazatlan. May I offer you a passage to that port? There I can help you arrange for a passage to San Francisco, or my husband can do so. Would this suit you?” 2 Her gaze dwelt upon Hampton’s face, and he endeavored to assume a joy that he was far from feeling. It was ridiculous to think that -this woman was deliberately flirting with him, yet he read curious things in those dark and liquid eyes. “‘Sefora, the thought of that voyage in your company overpowers me with hap- piness!”” he made answer, and thanked her with the stately Spanish phrases that could mean so much or so little. He was un- comfortably conscious of Job Warlock’s grin. ‘“‘Bueno. Then it is arranged,” and the lady waved her cigarito grandly. ‘‘Come, tell me about yourselves and your adven- tures in Cuba! Every one knows that 9 Basques are adventurers and men of great deeds——”’ “‘But, sefiora,’’ protested Hampton, “‘we do not yet know whose hospitality we are so happily enjoying!” 43 The sefiora opened her dark eyes. “What! Have I not told you that my husband is the merchant Juan Avilar y Sortes of Mazatlan, and that I am Inez de Sortes? You must pardon my omission, then, sefiores! Come, what of yourselves?” Hampton made haste to forestall his companion in replying. Now that he defi- nitely knew the lady for a liar—he was convinced that she was the wife of Dias— he did not hesitate to deliver a bold stroke. In any case, she would know sodn enough that he was not what he represented him- self, but an American; and if Dias had left any word of Hampton, she would quickly know him for whom he was. Perhaps be- fore the night was out. “There is little to tell, sefiora,”’ he re- plied swiftly, building on the lady’s evident failure to meet her husband here. ‘We obtained passage to Chagres from the Havana with a most charming gentleman, a North American, whom we expected to meet here, but so far we have not found him. He came ahead of us from Chagres, you understand.” ‘His name?” she murmured. ‘Perhaps I could help you in the search.” “His name,’”’ said Hampton, while War- lock gave him an oblique glance, “was Senior Day—James or Diego Day. You have heard of him, yesP”’ By the brief narrowing of her lids he knew the shot had driven home. She only picked up a fan, however, and began to move it lazily. : “T regret not to have heard of him, sefior,’’ she said. “I shall have inquiries made.” “That will be most kind,’’ said Hampton earnestly. ‘“This Sefior Day must cer- tainly be in the city; had we not become lost in the mountains for several days, we should have met him, though by now he may have gone to Tobago Island. He was much enamored of a lady aboard the ship, and has perhaps taken her to the island to await a north-bound vessel.” Now was reward, certain and prompt, for the eyes of the lady flashed with a sudden and fierce glint, as the eyes of an angered tigress, and her long fingers checked the fan for an instant. Then it passed, but Hampton knew that he had scored a hit. Job Warlock by his silence betrayed his perplexity, so Hampton swiftly ordered him to tell the sefiora of their adventures, micloool C© inn