Argosy All-Story Weekly — "Sea Marauders" — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

Neosat ye 7 tiles Bes la. eee = ee ems —_ >. eS ae oe, Se a Oe eee CF ~ a ot + eke eee DOR ee Se 4 <3 fees Pes pe ae oS Soe, Per ee me ae Bae Meme ; io Sete ee ak oe .~ nS. ae ee) - & 546 “Yes, I know it’s a wild thing to do, and [’ll probably spend the rest of my days straightening it out, but I want that contract signed to-day! Brage’s red-hot and ready to do busi- ness!” “Yes, but—my Lord, Dick!” stut- tered Mr. Reeves, after he had sent three distinct gasps over the wire. “I couldn’t do a thing like that! Look at the trouble it might make—will make! Think what—”’ “T’ve thought about all of it! You got me into this fool thing. Are you going to let me lose out now?” “Yes, but Dick! I—I—” “Wait, Bill!’ said Richard, and contrived to throw such feeling into his voice that Gwen nodded admiring- ly. “First and last, you and I have been in some tight places together. Nothing very important, of course, but we've always been pals, Bill, and I’ve always done what I could to get you out of a pickle. “T’ve never sat down to figure out the risks, I mean. I’ve always just sort of—well, you know, leaped to the rescue when I could. And I’ve always thought you were like that, too, Bill.” And here there was a slight quiver. “ Now, if you want to throw me down on this thing, it "ll be all right with me, old man. The subject will never be discussed again. ‘That’s on the level; I’ll never even mention it. Only—” His voice trailed away. He smiled; he could almost see Mr. Reeves mop- ping his brow as he answered: “Well—say! If you’re going to feel that way about it, Dick, and—and put it like that, I—well, there’s nothing I can do, of course, but just come up and—” “Luncheon is at one!” said Rich- ard, and rang off. Mrs. Bragg’s eyes were fairly shin- ing as he turned to her again. “Dicky, I'll say one thing for you: you have nerve!’’ she commented. “I had no idea that pirate streak was in you. Only—later on?” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “As a matter of fact, this ‘later on’ stuff may not be so serious,” Richard smiled calmly. “ Bill’s handwriting and signature are very similar to mine, for one thing; if this goes through smoothly, one copy of that contract will be in the company’s safe—and I doubt very much if even Seymour would notice the difference unless he looked twice. “A good deal later on—months from now, when the place is well-un- der way, I'll have to come out with the truth. But we'll all be better friends by that time. I’ll take the chance!” Richard said, with his new, indomitable effect. ‘‘ Now, as to you, Gwen—” “Good gracious, Dicky! I’ve no idea of telling Samson you’re not yourself, if that’s what you mean,” the lady said uninterestedly. “It’s just good fun.” : Her thoughts seemed to be drifting away, too. Mr. Melton drew a deep breath, Well, at least,” he went so far as to say, “ I’ve done one thing right since [ arrived in this house!” “Yes?” said Mrs. Bragg. “ Then let’s try another walk in the garden now and—yes? Come in!”’ Haggin entered and surveyed the scene with an eye that just lacked plain insolence. “Mr. Vane, if you please?” said he. “Colonel Bragg would like to see you for a moment.” “Be right down!” briskly. Funny thing, too, the way he stepped out now, the way he felt! It was just like getting one’s second wind in a race. He had reached a pleasant state, where battering no longer hurt him or confused him. In fact, if the colonel had worked around to another of his ferocious moods now, as seemed likely, and pointed a pistol at Richard, Richard suspected that he would turn the muz- zle aside with a firm hand and then t Richard said = com icbooks-e Pe Dr pm. SS Ae re om —