Page 114 - Adventure Magazine, 1921, July 18th

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Sorcery and Everhard 109

That was just about like a woman's pro- I WOULD not undertake to say how
posal; about as desperate and illogical as her much of what followed was, so to
previous attempt to bring me and Hur- speak, gin and how much was Lord
gronje together, and with far more chances Bob.
of something going wrong. But, I knew, it "All I want," he said, "is one swipe at
showed that she was acting in good faith; Hurgronje, an' I mean to have it. I'll never
treacherous intent would have discovered be able to look myself in the mirror if I sit
something more simple and more plaus- back an' let you or anybody else do the job
ible. for me. You get a lot o' credit for bravery
The part about the key to the basement that you haven't got comin' to you."
was what really appealed to me. With that I acknowledged as much with a nod. It
advantage I felt sure I could find some would have taken a great deal more to put
more acceptable way of getting to Hur- me-out of patience with Lord Bob just then,
gronje. for I had been much relieved and pleased to
"All right," I said to Lord Bob. "I'll try find him after all incapable of treachery.
it." "What I mean's this," he went on, just a
He studied the burning end of his cigaret trifle more friendlily, but only a trifle,
thoughtfuUy for some time. though somewhat modifying his last state-
"Say," he began, "do you know that ment. "You don't do things 'cause you're
she's deathly afraid of Hurgronje, but she full of courage. You do 'em 'cause you just
went to him think.in' that he was about all naturally don't get scared. The ·very idea
the protection she had from you?" of puttin' even a fellow like Hurgy out of the
I was inclined to think there was some way just gives me the chills; you're too --
truth in that. She went, having that cold-blooded to have chills. But what I'm
thought in mind; but she had gone, not be- leadin' up to 's this: You turn this offer
cause she thought that. She was going to down-see?"
him anyway . The death of Cantella had He rattled the 1etter, which I had re-
no doubt increased her readiness to go-- returned to him.
with some story that "explained" .Cantello's "I'm sayin' you've turned it down any-
death to Hurgronje. . way. Partly because it's a frame-up . on
I said as much, and Lord Bob blinked you. B'sides, some way or other I'll get to
several . times without taking his eyes from Hurgy-an' take my own chance on gettin'
me. He could not understand the unerring out. I know the house. I got to go over
accuracy of guesses. there tomorrow night on a little special
that's got nothin' to do with it- work. I'll go some other night on my own
now. All I'm tryin' to do is play square hook.
with you. An' remember what I said a "I heard you right, didn't I? You
while ago. You an' I are done-as friends. turned this down-" he tapped the letter-
We've just got a common wish to see Hur- "cold. You don't trust her."
gronje ki- put out o' the way. I might as "You would not even accept help from
well commit suicide if he •isn't; an' you- me?"
it 'lJ be about the same with you when he "Well," he said slowly, doubtfully, "I
finds out." don't know."
I nodded. I asked him to state in just so many words
"Well, I never asked any man to do somf!- what was his grievance against me.
thing I ought 'o do myself. I'm not goin' Lo He started off impulsively enough:
begin now. You'll plug Hurgronje aU right · "Why you-you-you-" then, weaken-
-'cause you never miss. You c'd knock ing a little, "you've acted funny-I-I
the fringe off a bald man's head without don't know what you're up to."
wakin' 'im-but they'd get you right then Pause. Then resolutely-
an' there. "T just don't trust you, that's all."
"An' I'll be honest. Zoronna more than Then as if clinching the grievance:
half hopes they do get you. She's afraid of "You did mean to do something to Zo-
you. So am I, in a way. I quit trusLin' you ronna. That's enough."
long ago. We're bein' frank now.", "Correct," I admitted. "I was suspicious
I acknowledge that I was begining to ob- of her."
serve as much. "You're not now?" he asked dubiously.