The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

620 passing cab, and then ensued a silencé during which no man spoke. Pro- fessor Errol rang the bell again. The servant reentered the room, looking somewhat confused. “Hi arsk your parding, sir, but did you say the package was hon the ta- “ Yes, of course. Hurry, Ambrose. It is on the table where the two gen- tlemen are writing.” ‘Sir, they ain’t no gentlemen there! They’ve gone, sir, an’ there ain’t no box on the table—” Professor Errol sprang to his feet and rushed into the room that they had left a while before. Men and package were gone. Astonished, he turned to Oakes and Marjorie. “ This is overwhelming! ” he said breathlessly. “‘Of course, I knew that sooner or later it was bound to be stolen—it is the history of the box. But it never occurred to me that it could be taken so soon. In fact, I did not for the moment remember that part of the tale. I know now, though, that some catastrophe is at hand—” “Yes, yes—quite so—of course. Any one could see that. Now if you will sit down here and tell us all about it,’ began Oakes in a persuasive tone that made his wife look apprehensively at him for a moment. Then his own thought flashed through her brain, and she sat down quietly in her chair. Professor Errol noticed his. manner and laughed sardonically. ‘“ No, my dear sir, I am not crazy—not a bit of it. Tell Mr. Norton that I wish to see him at once. At once, Ambrose, and call another cab. I will wait here.” Though he waited, it was manifestly with great impatience, and presently a young, keen-faced man_ entered throtigh a side door, hat in hand. ‘What is it, sir? Did you send for me?” he asked briskly. “Yes, yes, Norton. I must go to the docks on most important public business. You must take a cab that you will find at the door and go at once to the Turkish embassy and ask Nova Zembla. THE ARGOSY. for the Effendi Hashid, the military attaché. A few moments ago a pack- age was taken from the outer office by one of two men—either by Effendi Hashid or by Sefior Cardona—and it must be found. Describe the contents, if you please, Mr. Oakes.” Oakes did so in a few words. “Do you understand, sir, what it is that you seek? I will tell you for your own further guidance what it is that you seek. This very day Mr. Oakes has presented to this museum, and there has been stolen from it a few minutes ago, the box of Augustus—the thing that was Caesar's! I am going now to see the man who gave it to Mr. Oakes. Now do you understand? Get it, if you have to go to the north pole for it. Go!” No further word was needed. Elec- trified at the words of his chief, Nor- ton fairly leaped at the cab at the door and was off down the street before the others had fairly realized he had left the room. Oakes started to speak, but Professor Errol cut him short. “T ask your pardon, my dear sir, but time is most important just now. I see a hansom at the door. I will take that. I simply must see your friend before he sails. You and your wife can take another cab and follow me to the docks. The South Atlantic ‘Transport Line, I think you said. The Meet me at the docks.” Before either of the two could de- mand an explanation of. this mysteri- ous conduct he was off, leaving Oakes and Marjorie staring, frankly puzzled, into each other’s eyes. “As mad as a March hare,” said Marjorie presently. “They are all crazy, I believe. What a mercy it is, Jim, that he has not seen the jewels that you have. He would have gone clean demented over them. We must ‘go, Jim. All the crazy people in the world must not keep us from seeing Mr. Hemingway to say _ good-by. There is a cab now. Hail it.” _ Jim did so, and a moment later the two were whirling down to the river COMicdoo S CO@