Adventure Magazine Cover, October 30, 1924 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

Something’s Doing in Mexico them to a large one-story adobe building which was brilliantly lighted. They could hear the roar and rattle of machinery in operation within. <A truck stood near the door and workmen were loading it with small paper cartons. Another truck stood in line, evidently waiting its turn. “What are they doing in there?’’ Sam asked General Nieto. “Making money,” was the astonishing reply. “Farewell, fifty thousand dollars,” Sam groaned, not aloud, but nonetheless ear- nestly. He no longer stood in awe of the im- posing figure, two millions. In fact he wouldn’t even wait in line for it. “General, we have come through the enemy’s lines on a very dangerous and im- portant mission,” he said. “It is neces- sary for us to return at once. Will you be so kind as to place us ahead of the others who are waiting?”’ General Nieto examined again the note they had presented and stepped inside. A moment later he reappeared and sum- moned them, explaining that there hap- pened to be on hand two millions of dollars in currency of large denomination—one hundred dollar bills, to be exact. If they would accept their two millions all in bills of one hundred dollars they could have it at once and proceed. Sam did not need to ponder this proposition. Having his own private opinion of the value of the currency he would have ac- cepted it in seven dollar bills or seven thousand dollar bills. He found no reason to object on that ground. Consequently all was arranged within a very few minutes. However, Sam and his companion wasted half a minute watching the workmen who were making this money. Sheets of it were rolling out of what appeared to be a newspaper press. Other bills were being produced one at a time on little presses originally designed for printing letter heads. The workmen were stripped to the waist, attired only in trousers and sandals, and running about evidently in feverish haste. Streaks and daubs of ink splashed their brown shoulders and faces with somber or gaudy colors. In fact this printing plant seemed to be the very heart and center of the revolution. With the two-million-dollar cargo care- lessly stowed between cans of water and 85 gasoline Captains Barnes and Tupper ad- journed to a restaurant operated for the artillerymen of the printing presses and drank black coffee. They were also sup- plied with handfuls of dried beef, but an experiment indicated that eating it would be a time-consuming operation so they ‘cai- ried it away with them. Less than an hour after their arrival they were again on the road. The return trip would be made principally by daylight, but Sam figured that this was far less suspicious than traveling by night. It was their plan of campaign to trust entirely to speed. If closely pressed they would shoot, otherwise not. If captured they were to report that their goods and an additional automobile had been taken from them by the rebels who had paid them with the currency in their possession. This story was carefully rehearsed as they sped toward the Rio Grande and they were sure of agreement on the details. But they were not challenged. Sam’s guess about riding by day was correct. Night found them again in the camp of General Juan Jesus Cassiano, caked with dust, and very much in need of sleep. The gallant general called them heroes as he took their hands in both of his. Imme- diately word spread through the camp that there was money in the treasury and Sam observed a marked improvement in the facial expression of his more humble com- rades-in-arms. However, he was too tired to participate in the joys of his successful mission. He and Captain Barnes retired to their saddle blankets without checking the currency or even asking a receipt for it. = slumber by no less a personage than the commander himself. ‘“‘Look at this!’ hissed General Cassiano holding before his eyes one of the hundred dollar bills. It seemed all right to Sam. But when the genera) turned it over it was not all right. The reverse side read “‘Fifty pesos.” No wonder the general was excited. More- over, he explained that the entire cargo of currency was printed like this. On one side it was fifty pesos and on the other one hundred pesos. ‘There will be mutiny,’’ General Cassiano declared. SAM was awakened from a troubled micloool C© inn