The Argosy, April 1916 — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

180 THE “And warn the witch of our intention?” “Miss Susan had a child’s idea, but ’twas an honest one, sir,’ Michael explained. “She was afeared for us here, and espe- cially for you, seein’ that’s she fond of you —and why wouldn’t she be, the only kin she has? “Just as we all here out of our wisdom decided that Mother Juliet would have a lot of influence with the blacks in case of an uprising, so Susan_figured it out. And she says to herself, says she: ““T'll go down to Mother Juliet and twist her round so she’ll work on the blacks in favor of my father and not against him.’ Didn’t I say ’twas a child’s idea? “‘Hlowever, she never got a chance to try it out, for she never saw Mother Juliet at all. What’s more, Mother Juliet never saw her.”’ “Flas she sent you any word by Rebecca, asking you to speak with me?” the captain asked keenly. “T was afraid you’d see through me sooner or later, captain.” Michael rose from his seat and saluted. He glanced toward the door before pro- ceeding. “Miss Susan knows nothin’ at all about what I’m tellin’ you. ’Tis Miss Addison told. Her words, sir, as I recollect them: ““*This message is for Captain Neville’s private ear and is sent by Miss Addison without the knowledge of Miss Susan. Oscar Molle secreted a love-letter to Miss Susan in the pocket of her sailor-jacket without cause from her of any faintest de- gree and to her great offense and distress. ‘“‘“Imprudently in her anger Miss Susan burned the letter. When she had resented with some temper the addresses of Oscar Molle, made to her in your office that day before you arrived, he took his gentlemanly revenge by telling you of her excursion to Mother Juliet’s hut in such a way that you found her guilty without fair trial of warn- ing Mother Juliet, whom she did not see.’ ” “That sounds like Miss Addison, Mi- chael,” the captain said thoughtfully, and shut his eyes wearily. At this moment the door opened and Oscar Molle entered briskly. He carried a long sheet of yellow paper bearing the wireless message he had re- ceived. “If you please, captain,” he began as he saluted, “it’s from the Fruit Company, sir. ARGOSY. ‘Read it,” murmured Captain Neville, steadfastly regarding the fire: - Oscar read: Referring to previous messages in re wrecked S. S. Cacique from Philadelphia, and passenger Stephen Weir of New York, for whom ten thousand dollars reward is offered: S. S. Napatan, New Orleans to Colon, reports finding life-boat marked “Cacique, Philadelphia,” floating bottom up. Boat badly worn and battered. No trace of crew or passengers who put out in the boat found by S. S. Napatan, or reported from any service. Palladium Trust Com- pany through Acme Detective Agency states belief that Stephen Weir has been drowned. If recovered alive original reward of ten thousand stands. If recovered dead reward is five thousand dollars, offered personally by an officer of the Trust Company, Vernon Hart Tulk, who is stepfather of said Stephen Weir. Relay this message, as previous one, to Belize. JARVIS. The captain did not lift his head as he instructed Oscar to tack this message on the bulletin-board beside the first one. Also a transcript of it was to be made for Wil- liam Ransom’s use at the Settlement. The captain’s mind was on Oscar Molle, and in no sweet mood. Of course, the servant trick of slipping a love-note into the jacket of the woman who was in a sense his employer, and then his mean revenge for her repulse, marked the limit of Oscar’s usefulness on Big Twin Island. It abated nothing, however, of Susan’s underhand behavior in even attempting to see Mother Juliet. Captain Neville had about decided to hail the first steamer that could convenient- ly touch at Half-moon Bay when he heard Oscar’s voice again beside him. “Tf you please, sir, William Ransom wishes to speak with you.” “Something that couldn’t wait till to- morrow, I suppose.” ‘““He says it’s most urgent, sir, and that he must speak to you alone.” The captain stood up, inquiring for Michael’s opinion. ‘All I can say, sir,” Michael answered, his seamed face puckered into a very cob- web of lines, “is that he must not dish up again that yarn about an outbreak of ty- phoid, such as he did when they sailed away to the mainland. The least he can do is to make it black measles this time.” The captain smiled wearily and agreed to receive William alone. When Oscar, MICLOOOK C@