Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

30 Walstrom. ‘I have come to say good-by. My steamer weighs anchor at noon.” John Bruce said nothing, but his gray eyes were savage. The Portuguese looked at them all and licked his thick lips. He saw Bruce, apparently on good terms with Walstrom—Bruce, whom he had left locked in one of his schooners the night before. He bowed to Clara, who had been captive in one of his bedrooms twelve hours ago. You see, Calbuco could not know what Clara had told her father, nor what John Bruce had told Walstrom, And he could not guess what the three of them might have confided in the alcalde. | He was powerless, in this present situa- tion, to molest father or daughter. The Norwegian consul general had run down from the Chile coast to say farewell to the explorers, who were terminating their brief stay in Punta to seek the richer field of the upper Amazon; and the alcalde himself had been commissioned to do honor to the Scandinavians. ‘““And your friends,” Calbuco nodded affably at Bruce and his daughter, “‘ do they also sail on the steamer?”’ “ Assuredly.” Walstrom took it on him- self to reply. ‘“ Mr. Bruce has information regarding the mineral deposits of the straits — most interesting information.” - And he looked at the Portuguese. Cal- buco squirmed, thinking of the Isabella claim and the nuggets he had seen. He had never succeeded in bullying the infor- mation he wanted from the Englishman. Moreover, his conscience made him afraid., Imprisoning Bruce might be ex- plained to the authorities; but kidnaping the Englishman’s daughter was quite a dif- ferent matter. Calbuco felt that a sword was suspended over his head; yet it was his own imagination that visioned it. If he had held his peace he might have suffered nothing. But even in his fear his greed rose up and voiced itself. While Wal- strom was making his adieus Calbuco stepped nearer to Bruce. ‘““T was anxious to help you,” he whis- pered. ‘‘ Do not misunderstand me, my friend. What are you going to do with your claim?” Bruce’s gray eyes were hostile. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘““T’ve been talking to Walstrom about that. I don’t want to talk to you. You are a dog and a thief.” Calbuco, out of the corner of his eye, made certain that the alcalde had not heard this. He put his plump hand that quiv- ered with anxiety on the other’s shoulder. Mention of the Norwegian geologist in con- nection with the Isabella, coupled with the abrupt departure of the two men together, could mean only one thing in his mind. Bruce was seHing out to Walstrom. ‘Till pay you more,” the whispered, “ i you'll show me the claim and let me ee ine it.” “How much of a fool dn you think TI am?” Bruce laughed. “ You’ll_pay my price now.” Walstrom and the alcalde turned around. Calbuco read their faces and imagined that _ an enormous fine would ‘be inflicted upon him—if Bruce had made complaint against | him. The flame of his greed &till warmed his brain. “How much, Walstrom,” he demanded, “do you think Setior Bruce’s claim is worth ?”’ The Norwegian shrugged. “Three thousand pounds,” said Bruce, ** to you, Calbuco.” - The Portuguese still watched Walstrom, whose beard was strangely agitated, as if he were profoundly moved. “Tf you work it long enough,” amended the Norwegian. ‘Tm selling you the biggest thing in the strait,” growled Bruce. “ It’s on one of the western islands.” Walstrom looked at his watch and raised his brows. “We must go,” he said. That was what decided Calbuco. If he could tempt Bruce, who was penniless, with ready cash, unseen by Walstrom, he might make the Englishman sell out. If Bruce took his money, no claim for damages could be brought. against him. So~he reasoned, impelled alike by caution and greed. The others, still queerly non-committal,’ were watching him. At the dock Calbuco tendered Bruce a hastily drawn-up title deed to sign, and another paper indicating the location of his cConmiclbool (C@