The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

LOOSING THE TEMPEST. “The hospitality of the Vigilante is for all,” -said Captain Delatouche. “And ‘so,’ added Morley, “is the hospitality of my yacht.” “Of course, my prisoner goes with me on board the Vigilante,” said In- spector Ravary. “T go where my son goes,” an- swered Mrs. Sanderman. “I know I shall not be accorded a mother’s rights when he is before a French judge. But you, Captain Delatouche, will admit that a mother has some rights.” “ Of all persons on earth,” answered the gallant captain, “a mother to me is first. Please accept a stateroom on the Vigilante, after we have had our break fast.” “We seem to drift toward the Vigi- lante,” said Alma Sanderman. “ Of course, I must go where my mother and brother go.” “Mr. Morley,” spoke up Ordway, “it seems we'll have to be your guests.”’ “Not I,”’ said the islander. where—”’ “Oh, come away!” exclaimed Ord- way. ‘It’s too soon. You can’t ex- pect the action to move as swiftly as it does on the stage. Give the girl a chance to breathe.” “You will keep your funny talk to yourself, or I’ll stop it for you.” Ordway looked amazed, and I felt it. Certainly, when we discovered Crusoe, we had unleased a tempest. “Oh, I say!” broke in Lord Dul- mondy. ‘If we stay here and argue about how we go, we'll never go, you know. I should say, since we are all going to the same place, we—”’ “This isn’t a death-bed scene,” growled Ravary. “I’m tired of all this talk. I have my prisoner. I pro- pose to get to Paris as soon as I can.” “My launch is ready,” put in Gor- don Morley. He was trying not to laugh. A man had been arrested on a neutral island for a murder in Paris, but the tragic element in the thing had been swamped by comedy. 73 ““ Come everybody on board the Vigi- lante,” said Captain Delatouche. “ M. Morley’s yacht can find its way back to ‘Havre without him.”’ No voice was raised against this, and we gathered on the shore where the launch was waiting, but all could not go in it at once. There had come into my mind a throbbing, surging idea that I must speak to Alma Sanderman about. I whispered to her: “Let Crusoe go in the first load. I want to speak seriously to you.” She bowed her head in token of assent. CHAPTER XXXV. A PARIS SURPRISE. AT last we were in the launch on the way to the Vigilante. With us were Lord Dulmondy, Joloff, and Ordway. I managed to get a seat by the side of Miss Sanderman without making my purpose too obvious. And when I had accomplished that I was lost. It had been my intention to warn Miss Sanderman, but the words that were so eloquent in my mind failed me when I was where they might be spoken. Miss Sanderman, however, was not at all abashed. “Mr. Dagwell,” she said, with a smile, “ you wanted to tell me some- thing. I fancy I know just what it is. You wish to speak of Crusoe Don- aldson.”’ “T—I—did. Yes, that was my in- tention.” “Well, you like him very well, do you not?” 6¢ I do.”’ “Then why may not others? Or do you wish to save him by scold- ing me?” “T had no idea of scolding you.” “Then what do you want to say? We shall be on board the French cruiser pretty soon. Better hurry.” CoOMmicbook CO