The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

LOOSING THE TEMPEST. is trying to give you what assistance he can, andsoamlI. Weare not, how- ever, American rogues. Kindly guard your tongue.” Ravary’s eyes blazed with wrath. The good-looking face of Delatouche gave a quick, spasmodic movement and then became calm. It seemed to me that he had almost laughed. “ After all, Ravary,” he said, “ the man has not left the island. A search here cannot be one-half as difficult as in Paris.” 7} Oh, help.” | “ Well, I am sure you will have help now. These gentlemen seem to me to be quite honorable.” “It complicates the whole thing so,” added Collins, who was distinctly nerv- ous. “I wish the fellow had not run away.” Delatouche was looking steadfastly at the islander, whose head was slightly bent, as he continued plucking the goose. Ordway called him. He rose, and with a perfectly inscrutable face, but with volcanic fires burning back of his eyes, he came to us. “ Crusoe,” said Ordway, “ we are in trouble here. Where is Sanderman?” “Tsn’t he in the cave? ”’ “ Now, look here, Crusoe Donald- son,” argued Ordway, dropping into a soothing, coaxing tone, “ you know well enough he is not in the cave. When Dagwell and I went to meet these gentlemen from the war-ship, we left him in the cave. Where is he now?” The islander drew himself up to his full height. He was simply splendid. I could have horsewhipped him for complicating the matter, but I certainly could not but admire him. And I saw Delatouche look at him with the same admiration I felt. “T know nothing about your war- ships,” he said.. “ I have read of them. They are to kill, destroy. I have had books that told that. I care nothing for your war-ships.” in Paris one has efficient 53 “But look here,’ burst in Collins, who was becoming exasperated. “ You have no business to give shelter to a man wanted for a crime. Nobady is going to eat him alive. He will have a fair trial in court, and the representa- tives of our country will see that he gets fair play. It is not for us to de- cide a matter like this. Your action is illegal.” The islander looked at him calmly without a reply. I suppose he was hazy as to what “ illegal ” really meant. “What do you say, gentlemen— you, M. Dagwell, and you, M. Ord- way?” asked Captain Delatouche. “Shall we make a search of the island? ”’ “It seems the only thing to do,” I answered. “ I am sorry for young San- derman; but his story as he told it to us was that he was attacked by Nicasse and he struck him in self-defense.” “Then,” put in Ravary, “ how was it Nicasse was found near his own hangar? ”’ “Sanderman explains that. He says he had gone there to look through a window to see if the International Air Navigation Company really had an air-ship exactly like his. As he was turning away, M. Nicasse met him and attacked him. Sanderman stated to us that-he was not armed, and by chance found an iron bar, part of a propeller-shaft from an aeroplane, and with that he struck Nicasse down.” “Once was enough, then. But that is his story. Come. We cannot re- main here idle. I want my prisoner.” Silence fell upon the entire group. Collins was pale. Ordway vexed. Ravary enraged. Donaldson -imper- turbable. Of the lot, Delatouche alone seemed to see something amusing in the situation. He was a man of-war. This wasn’t war. To him it was more like a comic opera. Ravary’s rage overcame his judg- ment. He stepped close to the islander. “Unless you produce Sanderman at once,’ he said, “I will place you in irons and take you to Paris.” oO CoOMmicbook CO