Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

298 guess we’re only built to stand so much. I was about at the end of my rope when the mail steamer put in yesterday. I hope I haven’t idealized my sojourn here in a way that would cause you to minimize my necessity for getting away, no matter to where or by what means! Nanu and I went out to the ship in his outrigger. Per- haps I would have had better luck if I had run into any other than the particular mate I did. I don’t know. 1 offered to work my passage. Perhaps my fame had already gone abroad—or aboard. . He invited me to make another excursion into Dante-land. But when he turned his back on me I slipped below, and tucked myself in béhind some of the copra sacks they were loading. Once the steamer was away I was away with her, and I was willing to take what was coming. But I didn’t get a chance. I guess the mate was sharper than I gave him credit for. After about four hours of heat and stink down there below decks that I had to grit my teeth to stand, he hauled me out as though he knew I had been there all the time. I was thrown off the steamer. ‘But -lewasn’t through. Steamers do not call here every day. I wonder if you'll know what I mean when I say 1 was be- ginning to be afraid of myself and what might happen if I had to stick it out much longer? That mangy cur I spoke of had me lashed to the mast from a social stand- point. I tried it again—to-night. Nanu fixed it for me with one of the crew to hang that rope over the side, and—well, I believe you said you had seen what hap- pened. I believe you said, too, that a chance still existed of my sailing with the mail boat, depending upon my story.” He laughed a little raucously. ‘I hope it’s been interesting enough to bail me out; anyway, that’s all of it.” The tall man sat for a moment in silence. “Ves,” he said at last; “I am quite satisfied. Dressed as a gentleman, with money in your pockets, and such other de- tails as go with the rdle, you would never be associated with that affair in Honolulu. As a matter of fact your share in it was not so serious that the police would dog you all over the world on account of it. In other words, and what really interests ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. me, is that you are not what is commonly designated as a ‘wanted’ man. Yes, I may say I am thoroughly satisfied.” The young man yawned and stretched himself, “T’m delighted to hear it. I haven’t any packing to do. Shall we stroll back to the ship?” | ‘““T hope so.” The quill toothpick was busy again. ‘‘ The decision tests with you. I am not a philanthropist. I am about to offer you a situation—to fill which I have been searching a good many years to find some one who had the necessary qualifica- tions. I am satisfied you are that man. You do not know me; you do not know my name, and though you have already asked what it is, I shall still withhold that infor- mation until your decision has been given. If you agree, I will here and now sign a contract with you to which we will both affix our bona fide signatures; if you refuse we will shake hands and part as friends, and strangers who have been—shall we use your expression?——-moon-mad under the in- ° fluence of the wonders of a tropic night.” ‘Something tetls me,” said the young man softhy, “ that the situation is not an ordinary one.” ‘““And you are right,” replied the other quietly. ‘‘ It is not only not ordinary, but is, I think I may safely say, absolutely unique and without its counterpart. I might mention in passing that I am not in particularly good health, and the sea voy- age I was ordered to take explains my presence here. I am the sole owner of one of the largest, if not the largest, business enterprises in Ametica; certainly its turn- . over, at least, is beyond quéstion the big- gest on the American continent. I have establishments in every city of any size in both the United States and Canada—and even in Mexico. The situation I offer you is that of my confidential representative. No connection whatever will be known to exist between us; your title will be that of a gentleman of leisure—but your duties will be more arduous. I regret to say that in many cases J fear my local managers are not-—-er—making accurate returns to me, and they are very hard tg check up. I would require you to travel from: place to (CO