Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

924 ‘“ Senor—it was not his fault—I told him —that you had deceived me—and made me a tool—” ‘“ And, therefore, he was willing to be- tray me? Adios, senorita!” “Senor, if I give the alarm—’”’ ‘Listen, foolish child,” said El Cantor, “I cannot touch a girl, but consider your fat father and his family. Consider that, Alicia, and beware. I see you for the last time, but perhaps vour friends will see me again!” He was gone through the gate, swiftly across the gap to his horse and then away down the outleading road until he came, some three miles out, to a great widespread ranch house in the Spanish style. He passec| straight into the patio and cried out aloud: ‘Don Mateo! Don Mateo!” A window was slammed open above him: ‘What is it, at this hour when honest men are sleeping?”’ ‘Important news for Don Mateo.” “From whom?” ‘The Senorita Alvarez.” é6 Ah?” The obscure head disappeared. There was a Stir’in the house, and presently the door of the house was cast open and into the patio ran Don Mateo, half dressed, all breathless. ‘“From the Senorita Alicia!’’ he cried. ‘“ What is the—” Then he saw El] Cantor and understood. Instinctively his hand went where the re- volver should have been, but there was no weapon on him. “You have caught me!”’ he said calmly to the other, and folded his arms, disdaining either to flee or to beg for his life. ‘What shall I do with you?” “You consult me on that point. are pleasant, senor.” “Don Mateo, you have betrayed me.” Don Mateo shrugged his shoulders. “ As you please,” he remarked. ‘“ Some might say that I brought justice up with you; you call it betrayal.”’ “You confess, then?”’ “Confess?” exclaimed the young Mexi- can proudly. ‘I tell you, sevor, that there has been nothing shameworthy in my con- duct.” You ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ At least,” said El Cantor through his teeth, in a sudden fury, “‘ at least, nothing that cannot be wiped away.”’ ‘““T understand you perfectly. You mean in blood. Very well, senor, I am defenseless, but I shall not either run or kneel.” ‘ Tdiot,” snarled El Cantor. ‘“ Do you dream that I mean murder? This is for you!” He tossed a revolver through the air and Don Mateo caught it dexterously enough. ‘* Are you ready, Don Mateo? Then be- gin.’ “ I scorn an advantage, senor. You may move first.” “As you will!” And with that, he whipped out his re- volver with a vicious speed. Long, long before the weapon in the hand of Don Mateo was leveled, Jingle-Bells had pulled the trigger. But there was only a loud click as the hammer descended—the faulty shell did not explode. A fresh chamber was under the ham- mer, but El} Cantor did not fire. For yon- der was Don Mateo, his gun hanging at his Side again. ‘“You did not fire, senor?” breathed El Cantor. ‘“T was so much slower,’ admitted Don Mateo, ‘‘ that I had time to see your diff- culty.” : ‘“ And seeing that difficulty you did not take advantage?” ‘“ My friend, I am not a murderer!” “ By God, Don Mateo, vou have placed me under an obligation.” The youth could not restrain a smile. “It was not a great gift. I would not have been able to hit you even if I had fired. I have no talent for this sort of thing.” E] Cantor slowly shoved his revolver into the holster again. ‘“ Senor,” said he, ‘“‘with vour permission, 1 apologize for having called you from your sleep.”’ . “ Senor,” said the other with an equal formality, ‘it has been a delight to see you again.” “You are kind.” ‘“ Indeed, sezor, I feel that I have Killed a most terrible enemy!” lDOOlK