Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

AMERICANS first, I’ll have the life of every one in Guanama that’s mixed up in this plot!” It was, to be sure, a rather sweeping statement, the size of the intrigue con- sidered. Having made it, Mr. Hemmett snatched up his hat and moved toward the door, and even Barton shrank from before the eyes that blazed in his bloodless countenance. Yet as he turned the knob the door opened from the other side, and they saw the plump, elderly Elenida, evidently the last remaining of the household servants, and behind her the thick, squat figure of Domez, chief of detectives. He was more than merely nervous. He entered with what was meant for jaunti- ness, and his smile was a ghastly thing to see. He bobbed his head at them, and, turning away after his first look into Hemmett’s eyes, nevertheless addressed that gentleman directly: “You have sent for me, senor?” “Yes, and now—” “As to the ladies, sehor—yes, of a certainty!” the little man broke in. “It is of them, Heaven be praised, that I bring news!” 6c What?” “It is indeed the truth! They are still to be recaptured without great ef- fort, senor!’’ Domez declaimed fervently, thrusting out his hands. ‘“ This has been discovered by my men, sefor: that the ladies, even now, have been started on their journey to the hill country!” CHAPTER XIII. ALVAREZ BRINGS TIDINGS: C OMING through the red haze of fury thaf enveloped the senses of all three; there was something. strangely steadying in the statement of the de- tective chief. It was, as a matter of fact, the very first, definite, concrete bit to rise to the surface of the turmoil—and Hemmett at least seized upon it within the second. One stride, and he had gripped the AFTER ALL. 389 smaller Domez by either shoulder, his eyes were burning into Domez’s own, and he was saying: “ Hill country? Which hill country?” “Ah, senor! Not to that accursed region where rocks freeze the soul and—” ‘“‘ Never mind the poetry! Where are they being taken?” “To the region of Las Almas, senor, where once the senor’s great army was in training! There, senor, are the es- teemed, the suffering senoras, the lovely senorita, to be taken!”’ This time he faced Hemmett squarely —and the effect was rather curious. Mr. Hemmett returned the stare, and found himself facing a smile in which relief played no small part. Mr. Hemmett’s lips opened suddenly—and closed again so suddenly that they heard the click of his teeth. “ Well, go on, Domez,” he said quiet- “Your men found out that much?” ‘‘ Mv men, indeed, senor!” “It was clever. What else is there to tell?” And now he even smiled, and a deep, pleased breath escaped the chief of de- tectives. He looked keenly at Hemmett for an instant and grew downright bland. ‘“¢ See, senor, what it is to have trained men to the great efficiency!” he said. “It has been learned—it has been re- ported to me, by Perequito, peer of all detectives in Guanama, that a vast plot exists, even as the senor has suspected— that the ladies were to be held as hostages! This came to my ears, senor, and I leaped to action that should pre- vent the crime! Too late! Even as my men were mustered word came ‘that the worst had happened!” “TIT see,” said Mr. Hemmett even more quietly. “ What else?” “With all speed I despatched Pere- quito and seven others, senor—to learn what might be learned, and that without an instant’s delay. And, senor, the hon- ored secretary of war had but telephoned me, a little while ago, when they came to report once more. ly. comicloool C©