The Argosy for May — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

AT HIS “You say we. Who’s the other one?” ‘““Haverson. He’s with me.” “Will you stick?” the tower operator demanded. ce Yes.”’ The wire was “broken” again, and from miles across the country there came a message from the division chief, who had been listening: _ “Your message overheard. Superin- tendent of company says he thanks Cal- kins and Haverson for their nerve and attention to duty. Asks that they as- sume charge of office and company’s property, and arrange it among them- selves so that one man will be on duty all the time. The company will pay each of you fifty dollars a day, and in addition will not forget your service.” - Haverson was standing over Bob’s key when that message came in. “Tell him we'll stick with or without that raise of pay,” he said. But Bob was already working the key, and that information was wired to the superintendent. Then Fred went to another key and talked with the north, while Bob re- mained talking to the south through the junction tower. Bob asked whether any progress had been made toward solving the mystery. “Scientists are now making their way completely around the city, following the invisible wall,’ came the reply. “ Ex- pect to arrive back at tower to-night some time, and turn in report. What are conditions inside?” ; “Criminals looted city,” Bob wired. “ Stores and residences broken open and articles of value taken. Several bank vaults blown open.” ‘Troops are searching every one who comes out,” was the answer, “ and, have already arrested many of the looters. What else?” “ We are taking liberty of getting food in groceries and bakeries. Water in mains is growing stale, but we'll locate a well, Guess we'll have to find an oil-stove and cook up here in the operating-room, if we have to. be on duty continually. No lights, of course, except candles. Believe the city is wholly deserted. Went up on tower of building, and couldn’t locate a human being on any street as far as I could see. Growing dark now, MERCY. 231 but can’t see lights anywhere, except out- side invisible wall.” Bob closed the key, and the tower operator broke in. ‘Mayor instructs yourself and .Haver- son to use all stores necessary and make yourselves comfortable. If you see any- thing suspicious, report immediately. Be careful to keep wire in order at your end. The city is cut off from the world if this wire goes down.” ‘We'll be careful,” Bob wired. “Your father sends his regards, and says for you to stick.” “Tell dad I’ll stick.” _ There was silence then, for a time. Fred had given the same information to the north, and the two operators, having nothing more to wire, walked to the window and glanced over the city. There was not a flash of light, not a sound from those streets which were usually thronged at that hour. From the distance came the bay of a dog. It was, indeed, a dead city. Far away they could see lights where the crowds surrounded: the town outside the invisible wall. “Rather lonesome here,” observed Fred. “ But it’s all right, just the same,” added Bob quickly. ‘‘ Everything de- pends upon us now, Fred.” Just then Haverson uttered a cry. Bob sprang to the window again. What he saw startled him. Throughout the city row after row of street lights were flashing. Gradually the entire city was illuminated. Incan- descents glowed on roof-gardens, and be- fore theaters. But for the absence of human beings the dead city was alive once more. ‘What does cried, ‘Some good chap has stuck to his job, that’s all,’ Bob answered. “ Let’s say ‘hallo’ to him!” He rushed to the telephone to call the electric-plant. But after he had stood at the instrument for a moment he made a grimace and hung up the receiver. “T forgot,” he said. ‘“ The Central girls are not at work.” “T’m sorry we can’t talk to the fel- lows at the plant,’”’ added Haverson. “ It would help some if we could. We might even get them to eat with us. No sense it mean?’ Haverson MICLOOOLK CO)