Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

AMERICANS tried hard to be careless. ‘‘ That’s all, Pedro!” The man glided away. Breathing hard, Hemmett led the way back to the terrace of his own beautiful home; and now it was no amused Girton that he faced. “Was it all imagination, Steve?” Hemmett asked. ‘Is there something afoot in this town and this country that has gone clear over our heads? Does the presence of an arms factory, prac- tically owned by that European nation, mean anything?” ‘“* Anything or nothing, perhaps, but—”’ ‘* And our new navy, Steve!’’ Hemmett went on almost wildly, as fact after fact rose up before him in the illumination of this startling evening. ‘“‘ The new battle cruiser Almiranta out there in the harbor —why do they object to people going aboard her? Why is that boat—and others of the new boats—supposedly bought as second-hand junk, so infernally modern as to lines? Why—” “Why is all of it?” Girton laughed shortly. “I don’t know, but I do know this: it’s time to have a look at the National Engine Works at close range!”’ ‘“Can we manage it?” “Can any one stop us if we sneak down there at night—to-night, even?” the late secretary of war asked. ‘“ You know—I’m not exaggerating the thing— yet. But if any European nation is establishing a base of armament here, with the United States just a little way north, Ned—” It was too absurd, perhaps. not say it! ‘“The old Monroe Doctrine’s in a fair way to be blown into a million pieces!” finished Hemmett for him thickly. He could CHAPTER V. THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE in the darkness, utterly peaceful, surrounded by _ every manifestation of civilization and wealth and placid prosperity, Girton and Hem- AFTER ALL. 365 mett stood aghast. Seconds passed be- fore Girton was capable of: “It’s not impossible! Guanama owes too much to the United States to sell her out like that! Such a thing couldn’t be carried on secretly, and—”’ “It has been, so far; and_here’s another point: look at the way prominent Americans have been getting out lately! Carter had an offer from New York; a native combine bought out Donaldson’s business, and he went back to Chicago with the whole force; Britt traded his interests for others in Panama, and made fifty thousand dollars; and Dixon’s gone, and Morton, and Fowler!” ‘“ And we’re here.” “Yes, we’re here, and—-I’m beginning to think that we’re not Guanamans!”’ Hemmett’s voice thickened suddenly and shook a little. “I’m beginning to think that we’re Americans, after all, Steve, because the very thought of what this forlorn little hole of a country is trying to put over on the United States makes me so damned furious—”’ He caught himself, but there was an- other breathing hard just beside him. Stephen Girton would have spoken sev- eral seconds sooner but for the peculiar clogging of his throat. When he did speak it was very quietly: “We'll go and see the National Engine Works now!”’ he said grimly. One disadvantage of popularity is that one doesn’t wander about without attracting attention. To step from Hernmett’s home to the motor would have been simple—and conspicuous. They conferred very briefly on this point, and made their decision; and each of them thrilled a little, for stealing out in the old khaki, taking back streets and back roads to the National Engine Works savored strongly of the good old days before prosperity came, when the blood moved fast, and one’s wits, now and then, were all that stood between one and the hereafter! Carmen Hemmett, fortunately enough, for she did not approve of adventure that MICLOOOK C©