Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

i had made such a nuisance of himself ever since the word of Margot’s marriage _ had been spread that Valdez was tempted to throw him out bodily. Guy loudly blamed Valdez for the girl’s escape and when he ferreted out the truth _ that she had gone to New York under con- tract to dance on Broadway, he acted as if the Brazilian had been sei to a fraud on her guardian. ae | cane what’s the matter! You're afraid! Otherwise you’d take it out of that low fellow, somehow You’d have him in jail. Sell out his café! Make him pay dam- ages!” “You must be crazy!” retorted the en- raged Valdez. ‘“‘ How can [ sell his café? Gian’ Bori is part owner. And se has friends in Rio.” “Well then, why don’t you fight him? I say, are you really afraid of that beggar? Because if you are, Tl fight him myself.” Such taunts were not to be borne! They might cost him his leadership in Rio. Val- dez flushed under his dark skin; his heavy lidded eyes flamed with resentment and he clenched his fists as he threw curses at Guy Dalby in English and Portuguese. “ T’ll fight the scoundrel,” he growled. That same night two young men of the lounge-lizard type entered the Café La Scala and drew George into a quiet corner. They had the honor, they explained haughtily, of bearing a challenge from Senor Pedro Valdez. There was only one alternative: if George would make a public apology, his insult might be overlooked. Otherwise, they de- sired to know the name of his seconds. “Vou expect me to apologize?” cried George. ‘‘ Ask pardon of that kidnaper— that thug?” “Ves, An apology—here in the café before his friends—will avert bloodshed. Pedro Valdez is dangerous. I advise you to accept his generous offer.” ‘Valdez can go to hell with his gener- osity. He wants to see blood, does he? Fine! He’ll see gallons of it! His own!” One of the young sports bowed and pre- sented his card. George read the name, ‘“‘ Carlos Pulcherio,” and the address at the Jockey Club. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “Tl send my seconds to you in an hour,” George said. “To-morrow morn- ing I'll have the pleasure of letting day- light through your fat friend. Tell him to make his will.” The elegantly clad youths bowed with elaborate politeness and left the café as if i (eteheteng 4 ‘ Diels Pa ys ie " AA ay. oe EME vu ater a " A 5 hi Ors nM ny Vrs ks pure kad sae they were afraid of touching something un- clean. Once outside they breathed more freely, “What a savage!” exclaimed Carlos Pul- cherio. “ These Americans of the north! Uncivilized!” His companion assented. “ Drinkers of blood! They are indeed savages.” ~~ But an hour later they were discussing the arrangements for the duel with one of their own countrymen. George had been able to find only one acquaintance who un- derstood such matters, and that was Lieu- tenant Rico, the admirer of Tina. That gentleman, when asked for advice, was delighted to be of service to Tina’s supposed brother. “Allow me to act as your second,” he cried. “ Forget that I took orders from Valdez to arrest you. In an affair of | honor such things are overlooked. Valdez is not a personal friend of mine. No, he would not hold a grudge against me for this. It is quite impersonal.” And he added, with a smile: “ If you kill Valdez, I need not fear him; if he kills you, he will be pleased. Either way, I have the pleasure of serving you without danger to myself.” But Tina, when she heard of what was planned, did not show such confidence. “ Don’t trust that man too far,” she warned that night in their sitting room. ‘ Make sure that your gun is properly loaded; don’t let them slip blanks into your gat, or do you dirt some other way.” “ Why? Do you think your friend Lieu- tenant Rico would double-cross me?” ‘“‘ No—not that. He’s straight—but he’s not very bright.” She pondered for a moment, then added: “But maybe he won’t be so dumb when he’s dealing with men. Just the same, you watch out.” ‘““ [ll take care they don’t put one over on me. And one more thing.” “ Yes, George?” bool ae Conn (Q) com