Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

By ELLIS PARKER BUTLER HEN the word reached Paris that WV the fearless La Besse had drawn his sword for the last time and had fired his last rifle and was, in fact, dead, there was consternation. Until that moment it had not been fully realized how completely the government—all the govern- ments for the last thirty years—had de- pended on the fearless La Besse. Dumont, of the pointed mustaches, looked at Tallien, of the close clipped beard, aghast. At that moment they realized that La Besse had been France, the strong arm and the power of France, in Moturoa. “The women and children!” gasped Dumont. ‘The factors! The warehouses! inhabitants!” moaned Tallien. “But you, my old one,” said Dumont, The “could not know the valiant La Besse was to die so suddenly, without warning the office. Do not take the awful catastrophe so heavily. If we are investigated—”’ “Quiet, my friend!” rejoined Tallien sternly. “I shall not shirk my responsi- bility. If the massacre is consummated there is still my pearl-handled automatic!” “Your automatic?” “Or poison. Or the Seine. must not survive his dishonor.” “You are a noble soul,” said Dumont with feeling. “‘ You are a giant among men, old cabbage! As for me, I echo you. A Dumont must not survive his dishonor. If Kakaua comes down from the mountain I, too, will efface myself.” “A bullet in the brain, yes?” said Tallien. A Tallien 7O Go NOOK = a (C@