Adventure Magazine Cover, March 20, 1925 — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

dheAtl antic lakes a Hand by Kalvh R.Perry wa) APTAIN DAN WILLETT bit clear through his cigar in his anger and spat away the butt contemptuously. “You're not accusing me of smuggling, are your” he snapped. “Not at all. Quite the contrary in fact, Captain Willet, as you will see if you think over what I have been saying,” the customs inspector responded suavely. | He was a gray, square-cut man; gray of hair, with pale lips and a square chin, dressed in a gray suit, with only the force and keenness of his glance to indicate the detective. His colorless voice and appear- ance were in striking contrast to the crisp brown hair and nervous intensity of the sea captain, who was beginning to smoke again in short, angry puffs as the inspector continued to outline the case. ‘‘As I have been telling you, we are con- vinced that some one aboard your ship is smuggling in valuable jewels. Note that we do not merely suspect, Captain. We are sure of it. For nearly a year our agents in Paris have reported the sale of very valu- able stones. Worth ten, twenty thousand dollars apiece, Captain. Very large rubies and emeralds. Stones for an Eastern raja or an American millionaire. All our force watches for them at the customs, but—”’ the inspector waved his hand deprecating- ly—‘“we find them first displayed on the throat of some wealthy woman. Always we can trace the sale to one jeweler. You understand, Captain, that although we know he is smuggling, we can’t convict Author of “Stowed Away.” him of it before a jury. He declares the stones were bought in America. It’s non- sense. He knows it, we know it, and all we can do is watch him grin at us!’ “But where do I come in on this?”’ Willett demanded. ‘‘We have shadowed the jewelers in Paris and have spotted the smuggler. He is a member of your crew. His name is George Schwartz.” “Like you to pick the best quartermaster that ever twisted a ship’s wheel,” com- mented Willett bitterly. “But all right. If you’re so sure he’s a crook, pinch him. Or I won’t sign him on. I’m not going to have the Sachem under suspicion, and that’s flat, Inspector.” A mirthless smile twisted the inspector’s lips. “On what charge shall we arrest Schwartz?” he asked ironically. “And if he gets a berth on another ship, will that stop the smuggling?”’ The inspector’s leveled forefinger shot across the desk almost into Willett’s face. “We want to get Schwartz with the goods,” he said. “We want to find out how he does it, and prove to him that he can’t make a monkey of Uncle Sam. I’ve asked you here because I need your assistance and support. As a loyal citizen and a law- abiding seaman I must ask you to do mea favor. “Say nothing. Do nothing to lead Schwartz to suspect. Only, you must sign one of my operatives on as a quartermaster on your ship. His job will be to shadow 146 GomiGcdoo CO