Argosy All-Story Weekly — "Sea Marauders" — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

SEA MARAUDERS. were escorted by two of the pirates with flourishes of guns. They were driven upon the porch. “Ts everybody here?” demanded the big man we know was Captain Gib- hens. “Yes,” said Lovering firmly. “Which of you is the wireless gman?” demanded the pirate captain. No answer. ** Speak out,”’ ‘gun. “ He is not here. him,” said Forbes. “ That’s the bozo that fired the shots down on the beach,” shouted Gibbons. “Spread out and get him. Shoot him if he shows fight.” Steve, lying on his stomach a hun- he shouted, waving his We haven't seen ‘dred feet distant, decided it was time to depart. He crawled snakelike to the corner of the house and ran down the slope at the rear, stumbkng over obstructions, but unpursued. Behind Gibbons on the porch stood Wattie the cockney. » “ We'll lock these up till morning,” said the captain. “‘ Go down and look at the cellar. See if it’s a good place to put them.” Lovering, who had drawn his daugh- ter to him, spoke out: “ What are your intentions?” he de- manded. ‘“‘ What have we to expect?” “ Well,” said Gibbons amiably, “‘ I’m going to lock you all up and then go through the house. We'll collect all the junk the ladies has got, and help ourselves to your coin. How much money have you got in the house?’ * About ten thousand dollars in my safe.” “Where is the jewelry? safe?” “ No, the ladies have their gems in their rooms. We Sauce no robbers here.” “That’s where you fooled your- selves. Sorry to scare you, ladies,” he said with an attempt at good nature. Mildred eyed him scornfully, two of In the .the women began to weep and Mrs. es Fee ee Pt a he a ein Sa 2 eee So OO ee gt al ae En ee 3 suddenly had hysterics. “ Cellar’s O. K.,” reported Watson. “You ought to see the champagne down there.” Gibbons scowled at him. lay. Now you people march down cellar. Lovering, stay here. I want you to go round with us and show us where everything is,” “Pardon,” said the Spaniard, “I suggest that all be locked in the cellar and we defer the collection of valuables until daylight. There is a man at large with a gun, and it’s our business to run him down.” The captives exchanged glances of hope. Everything was not lost if a friend who was armed remained free. “March,” commanded Gibbons. “You, too, Lovering. Ill send for you when I want you.” Mr. Lovering and his guests obeyed their orders, and were conducted by Watson down the basement stairs into a wine cellar, which was without win- dows and about thirty feet square. It was lined on all sides by filled bottle racks. <A single electric lamp gave dim illumination. “ Surely,” pleaded the master of the house, “‘ you will give us chairs for the ladies.” “ Aw, let them sit on the floor.” “You're not going to pack the serv- ants in this place with us?” protested Forbes. Watson favored him with a surly grin. ‘ Goon; they’re as good as you,’ The servants, black and white, were driven into the cellar with their em- ployers, then Watson slammed the heavy door and locked it, and put the key into his pocket. Immediately there went up wails and groans from the women, mistresses as well as maids. Y friends,” said Lovering with a break in his voice, “I can- not express my anguish at the situation in which you are placed by. accepting my hospitality.” 451 >» Platt, whose husband lay dead within, “Let it - comicbooks.cor mn >= ees CAE SS re ie Ses 28 = “ie