Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

392 long white cloak. Her features he could not see at the distance, nor was there any need of seeing them. Mercedes Tesoro was an intimate of the Hemmett household; since the early part of the season Hemmett had seen that same white cloak, wide and volumi- nous, spreading at the bottom! Mercedes! “You're right!”” Hemmett said briefly. “He has them there and—and he means to carry out the program he threatened. Come!” “We'll never catch them in your motor-boat!”’ Girton cried, running beside him to the steps and the street. ‘Never, and we couldn’t get aboard if we did, Steve!” said Hemmett. “ But we'll get them—we’ll get ’em or—is that your car, Alvarez?” ‘‘ At the service of yourselves!” ‘“‘'Yacht-club dock, and go like the devil!’? Hemmett directed as he leaped in. There was a roar from the motor— and for a time the two most eminent Americans in Guanama had left their home neighborhood. Just why Alvarez failed to dash them to bits on the steep hill passes explanation; now and then his light car left the ground altogether, bounding crazily from one side of the street to the other; now and then, turn- ing a corner, it seemed that they were about to leave the vehicle altogether and hurtle through the windows of a home.— and yet Alvarez had not lost his smile when they came to the level part of town and, with Girton jabbing incessantly at the horn, broke every speed law ever laid down for the regulation of Puerto Carlo traffic! - The business section merely flitted past, and then the poorer residential quarter. Out there in the twilight the harbor stretched away mysteriously, with every now and then a glimpse of El Fuego steaming straight for the open sea. Hemmett, jaws set, was ready to leap at the yacht-clubhouse before the car had even slowed down, and, cheerfully aban- It was THE ARGOSY. doning his property, Alvarez darted after at Girton’s side. . There was a certain mistaken attend- ant who came forward, smiling and bowing and smirking, to welcome the eminent members. Because of his error in bowing directly before Hemmett, he picked himself up from the far corner of the big assembly room, vaguely of the impression that a tropical earthquake had taken place; and while he was still sitting on the floor Edward Hemmett had leaped into the beautiful cedar boat and was working over the engine, while Alvarez and Girton dragged back the canvas cover. And they were off! Spray whirling up in a white mass, settling then until it seemed that a sheet of clear glass stood high above either side of the speed-boat, the expensive, ex- quisite craft whirled out into’ the harbor with Hemmett camped grimly behind its automobile stering-wheel. Just once Girton managed: . ‘* Where?” “‘ Destroyer — Pavoroso!”? Hemmett shouted. ‘“‘ Only thing—afloat around— here that’ll catch her!” Then he pushed spark and throttle for- ward to their last notch and bent his head before the wind; and so _ they whizzed down Puerto Carlo harbor and directly to the side of the Pavoroso, com- panion destroyer to the El Fuego! But two or three sailors were visible, languid and not greatly interested until the speed-boat came directly alongside. As the motor stopped, however, the trio above quickened and grew visibly excited and expectant of—just what? Mr. Hemmett would have given much to know as he climbed the short Jacob’s ladder, cast one backward glance at Alvarez, busy with securing the motor- boat, and barked: ‘“’Mozo! Where is he?” “El capitan, senor? He is ashore,” the sailor nearest responded. ‘So much the better! You’re in com- mand of the craft, Steve! Drill any man who disobeys or ‘tries to leave. Alvarez!”’ DOOK AMUC C©