Johnston McCulley

“ Haakon the Lover had been a giant of a man, with long fair hair, a proper brother of Svend the Bloody so far as strength was concerned. Yet his great frame protected the heart of a woman. He had been kind alike to men at arms and thralls. He had been known to weep at the death of a close friend in battle. And a great love had softened him.
Edvard Haakonsson, these people of Svend's supposed, would be another such giant. Yet in his blood flowed the influence of the soft land to the south. Perchance his great frame, too, would hide the heart of a woman. ”

“ A grey dawn came that morning to San Diego de Alcalá, for the heavy fog hung like a pall over the valley, rolling in great billows against the hills. The mission bells rang, and into the church trooped frailes, soldiers, ranch owners, loyal neophytes, none appearing more devout than those same soldiers whose license and cruelty had done much to make the Indians dissatisfied and undo the work of the frailes. ”

“ Barbados looked at the goblet, struck by the light from the nearest torch. It glowed and glistened like some live thing. The pirate chief recoiled.
“Away with it!” he cried. “I do not want to touch it—do not wish to see it! It is a thing of ill-omen, the thing that old fray was trying to protect!”
“But, master—”
“Ill-luck will follow the man who has it. It is some sort of holy thing! Away with it! Keep it for yourself. Gamble it away, and the sooner you get rid of it the better. You may be struck down for taking it. ”

“ Less than a hundred feet from him was James Cranton, sitting in an automobile, looking over the people, talking meanwhile to a broad-shouldered man who had detective stamped all over him.
Polland dodged behind a group of people who had just left the train. His heart was not standing still now—it was pounding at his ribs like a sledge-hammer in the hands of a giant. He dodged away from the group and got behind a massive pillar, and stopped there for a moment. His breath was coming in gasps; he was afraid, and he could not explain his fear, and he was ashamed of himself for being afraid. ”

“ She had her head propped on one hand, and she was looking through a window at the fires in the distance, and her mind was full of thoughts of Señor Zorro.
She remembered the grace of his bow, the music of his deep voice, the touch of his lips upon her palm.
"I would he were not a rogue." She sighed. "How a woman could love such a man!" ”

“ IN THE PLAZA AT ANTIGUA. NOW the siesta hour was at an end and the shadows lengthened on eastern sides of the buildings, and in these shadows sat sundry caballeros, some in purple and silks and others out-at-elbows, but all brave-hearted gentlemen, ready for a jest or a joust, a guzzle of wine, or the flashing look of admiration from the dark eyes of some señorita new-come from Spain. ”

“ Botello whirled in time to dodge the darting weapon, though it ripped through his clothing.
"Another tatter, eh?" he cried, drawing blade in turn.
He knocked Garabito's sword arm aside, and struck his foe across the cheek with the flat of his hand.
"That for a man of your stamp!" he cried. "As foul with blade as you are with speech and in mind and actions, eh? 'Tis a disgrace to our king if you draw such sword in his cause. On guard, señor! You fight for life now!" ”

“ Kate Gilbert asked.
"You want to let the fellow go?" the masked man cried. "Why, we can use him as a sort of hostage!"
"As if Sidney Prale would care if he never saw his valet again!"
"He is more than a valet; he is one of Prale's spies! If we can hold this man prisoner, and attend to Jim Farland, that detective, Prale would stand alone. There are not many men he would trust to help him. And, if he stands alone, it will be easier for us to torment him, cause him trouble, drive him away!" ”

“ Magnus suggested.
"A free man? Are you out of your wits? How could such a thing be arranged?"
"Eric the Dumb is a free man—now!"
Magnus whispered. "How I detest the creature! He follows at the black jarl's heels like a cur, struts among his betters—"
"It is an idea!" Svend admitted.
"We can take him at night and bear him to the sacrificial chamber. After his blood has bathed the sticks, his body can be thrown over a cliff. And none will know, save trusted men! Would not that be honoring the gods and flinging defiance at Olaf?"
The eyes of Svend the Bloody glistened. ”

“ Then Thubway Tham began to dream, much as countless thousands have dreamed before they purchased cars. He saw himself behind the wheel, leaning back easily against the cushions, shifting gears and touching the accelerator like a man born to motoring. He saw himself stopping at corners, darting forward at the beckoning of the traffic cop's hand, swinging close to the curb and frightening men, women and children. He saw himself speeding, yet with eyes half closed and hands touching the wheel lightly, as if speed were a matter of everyday life to him. ”

“ Señor Zorro then whirled toward the door.
"Blow out your candle," he directed. "They must see no light when I open the door."
In an instant Fray Felipe had complied, and they were in darkness. Señorita Lolita felt Señor Zorro's lips press against her own for an instant, and knew that he had raised the bottom of his mask to give her this caress. And then she felt one of Fray Felipe's strong arms around her.
"Be of good courage, daughter," the fray said. "Señor Zorro, it appears, has as many lives as a cat, and something tells me he was not born to be slain by troopers of his excellency." ”

“ Inez Malpartida gave a little cry of disappointment and fear. Botello half drew his rapier from its scabbard. But Fray Felipe sprang quickly to the table and snuffed the light on it; and then they heard him fumble at the door, and a heavy bar drop into place.
"Son! Daughter!" he whispered. "To me—here! In the dark of night you must be wed, for it appears the only way now, yet may your hearts and souls be illuminated by your love. Tarama, crouch you here behind me, and be silent!" ”

“ Bertram Blaine was sound asleep. His face was turned to the wall. He breathed deeply, regularly, after the manner of a healthy man. Warwick watched and waited.
Blaine was a man of about fifty-five, he judged, a man who always had known prosperity and had lived well. He was a giant in body, and was known to possess an active and keen mind.
Warwick sat down in a chair a dozen feet from the side of the bed, faced the sleeper, held his weapon in readiness—and waited. After a time the consciousness of the lights burning seemed to arouse Bertram Blaine. ”

“ Warwick said now, glancing at Silvia.
“It is, indeed, John,” the girl replied.
“True to all the forms of life—and all that sort of thing,” he went on. “I always did admire a man or woman in the autumn of their existence—mellow with age, rich in experience, wise to the ways of the wicked world, and all that sort of silly rot! Live and learn—what? Quite so! A man gets really fit to live about the time he has to die. My word!”
“John Warwick, you are speaking like an old man, and you certainly are not one!” ”

“ A PRICE TO BE PAID. The face of Captain Ramón turned livid as he struggled to get his sword from its scabbard. There was a look of fear in his countenance, too.
“Zorro!” he cried. “Señor Zorro, eh?”
“Sí! Zorro!” came the answer. “There is not water enough in all the sea to drown me while there remains something to be avenged. We have crossed blades before, señor, and I have marked you. But this time shall be the last. A fatal wound this time, capitan! It is an honor that I do not cut you down without giving you the chance to defend yourself!” ”

“ The old witch was beside him now, bending forward. "Look, jarl! You love a maid, but she soon will be in peril. You must fight to protect her. Look again, jarl! There is blood in the air. There is strife abroad. Before the night is over, men will die. Your own life is threatened, and that of the maid you love."
Edvard Haakonsson gave a cry and covered his eyes with his arm. Whether he saw it or not, he believed that he did. He bent forward again and looked at the foaming stuff in the pot. ”

“ The Señorita Inez Malpartida was the first of these—a dainty bit of femininity, with tiny feet twinkling beneath silken skirts and tiny hands grasping the folds of her mantilla, and black eyes that sparkled and dimples that played about a perfect chin, and black hair in a mass, a high comb glittering in the back of it. She smiled upon the caballeros, upon the servile natives, at the trees and the buildings and tine gulf—smiled upon life in the concrete with the optimism of twenty years. ”

“ They will think that you came to rob Don Diego. And turn honest, señor, for my sake. Turn honest, I say, and claim me. No man knows your face, and if you take off your mask forever, none ever will know your guilt. It is not as if you were an ordinary thief. I know why you have stolen—to avenge the helpless, to punish cruel politicians, to aid the oppressed. I know that you have given what you have stolen to the poor. Oh, señor!"
"But my task is not yet done, señorita, and I feel called upon to finish it."
"Then finish it, and may the saints guard you, as I feel sure they will. ”

“ Magnus saw, and growled low down in his throat. Brynhild was not the one to pass by a jarl and accept a jarl's lieutenant. Her eyes burned with ambition more than love. In her heart she despised the black jarl for his small stature, yet she gladly would wed with him.
The feast went on. Warriors were teasing the shield maidens now, and scuffling with them. Shrieks of merriment rang out in the great hall. Dogs fought at the sides of the tables, and thralls scrambled with them for bits of food.
Svend the Bloody lurched to his feet, a huge wine goblet in his hand. ”

“ I am not mistrusting you, Señor Garabito, and neither am I allowing a woman who wears the Great Cacique's sign to be molested, or slaying men who may possess his friendship."
"You would release these Spaniards?" Garabito cried.
"No; nor slay them now, señor. We shall hold them as prisoners until we are certain of all things."
Now hope was born anew in Botello's heart, and in the hearts of Ruiz and Inez. For dead men are but dead men—but prisoners always have the chance of escape. ”

“ The riders stopped at the end of the adobe wall in a cloud of dust, the Indian a short distance in the rear to handle the pack mule. His master swept sombrero from head, bowed, and dismounted. Neophytes held back, but the frailes crowded forward and around him, and Señor Lopez, making his way through the crowd like a ship through tossing waves, stalked toward the new-comer with arms extended and moustaches lifted by a broad smile.
“A welcome, Rojerio Rocha!” he called. “Welcome to San Diego de Alcalá! No man is more welcome than you!” ”

“ With my own hands will I slay the last of the brood of Svend, in the name of the cross!"
Edvard Haakonsson stood straight and tall and pale against the wall. His eyes narrowed as they pulled the weeping Thyra away, and he looked after her with love in his glance.
Harald the Just grasped the ax a man gave him and stood before the black jarl.
"It is but justice!" he said.
"Would you strike down an unarmed jarl?"
"This is an execution, jarl! You are not worthy to be met in honorable combat! Scum of the Svend blood! Do you even falter in the face of death?" ”

“ And when the first streak of dawn scattered the jungle blackness and Tarama had not come, he arose with a heavy sigh and turned back into the cave, but tried to smile bravely when he found Inez awake and looking up at him.
Now Botello began the playing of a game, even the hardest game of all, which is for a man to keep from the woman he loves all hint of the dread he feels.
"The good native has but been delayed," he would say often. "What is another night and a day in this spot, beloved? It means more rest for you, regular food. ”

“ I laugh at you and your efforts, as I laugh at the police. I am not going to run away! I’ll even keep you informed of my movements—and then you cannot get me. And, for the trouble you and your man have caused me, I am going to get you, Roger Verbeck, and get you good! I do not contemplate violence on your person—that would be the resort of an ordinary thug. But I’ll hurt you, Roger Verbeck, in a thousand ways, break you down, ruin you, make you a joke, until you’ll curse the day you first heard of the Black Star. It’s a fight to a finish between us. ”

“ Botello heard not the slightest sound on the other side of the high fence, yet he knew that even by now Tarama was far from the stockade, moving like a shadow into the jungle, to reappear on the opposite side of the plaza.
Botello smiled to think of the eagerness with which this Tarama had sought to free him. It restored a part of his former belief in human nature. Tarama was a native, first had been a slave to Botello and later a companion on tramps through the wild jungle. Botello and a fray with De Balboa's party had taught him proper speech and a few things regarding religion ”

“ Captain Adams and his mate looked down—to see Señor Guerrero standing there talking to Norene.
Sudden hatred had flamed in the señor's eyes.
"Ragged, ignorant fools!" he cried. "You call them that? They walk through jungles with naked, bleeding feet, they die because of exposure and poisonous snakes, they are shot down like dogs when found, they starve, they die of thirst, they let themselves be strung up and riddled by bullets—and you call them ragged, ignorant fools! They fight for what your country boasts every man has there—the right to live and be free. ”

“ DON CARLOS LOST NO time in hurrying out to the veranda again—since he had been listening and so knew what had happened—and endeavoring to placate the embarrassed Don Diego Vega. Though there was consternation in his heart, he contrived to chuckle and make light of the occurrence.
"Women are fitful and filled with fancies, señor," he said. "At times they will rail at those whom they in reality adore. There is no telling the workings of a woman's mind—she cannot explain it with satisfaction herself." ”

“ There you may mark the true caballero, when his dignity is to be observed through his rags—not that I seek to praise myself, but to damn you more! I count it dignity, señor, to have followed the intrepid De Balboa across the jungle to the Great South Sea, which, I believe, you never have set your eyes upon. My tatters were gained in the service of Spain, señor, and that same king whom you but now wished God to preserve. What hard spots are on my hands came from wielding blade, perhaps, and not from twirling a handkerchief!"
"You are modest concerning yourself!" Garabito observed. ”

“ While Inez bound fresh leaves upon her feet, Botello and Ruiz walked aside a short distance, as if to get water to carry with them, and once more Ruiz spoke in a whisper.
"I, also, met a native, good Bartolmeo, who in the past had been friendly to me. I was forced to slay him. There are evil whisperings in the jungle, my friend, that I cannot understand. We must make all haste to the Great South Sea. We face a difficult time if we have to fight off a pursuit and the natives, too. I had thought that Tarama of yours would prove loyal." ”

“ Barbados whirled to look. Señor Zorro, as silently as a shadow, darted along the rail through the black night, on his way to the little hatch and the storeroom below.
“Fiends of hell!” Barbados was shrieking. “Sanchez, what is it? You screech like a shocked wench!”
Sanchez, still shrieking, staggered back and turned beneath the flaring torch to face them. On his forehead was a freshly cut letter Z.
“The mark of Zorro!” Barbados gasped. “So—”
“A demon struck me!” Sanchez cried. “I saw no man! Something came out of the night and struck me!”
“Fool!” Barbados shrieked. “A blade made those cuts.” ”

“ Then a head appeared, slowly, inch by inch, first the crown of black hair now covered with dust and soot, then a sooty brow, two piercing eyes, a moustache that looked absolutely disreputable now, a well-formed mouth that flashed open in a smile and showed two rows of even white teeth, an aggressive chin!
The two women scarcely breathed; their eyes seemed to be bulging from their sockets. Two hands gripped the edge of the fireplace, more blocks of adobe bulged, and the man himself stumbled into the room, bowing before them and throwing wide his arms as if to indicate the state of his apparel. ”

“ On the boulevard, the street cleaners had removed most of the snow, but the slush had frozen, and the going was treacherous. The car skidded from side to side, at times almost turned end for end, lurched and swayed sickeningly.
Detective Riley gritted his teeth and clung to one end of the seat in which Verbeck crouched. Muggs bent forward, squinting his eyes and trying to get a clear view ahead. They turned corners and swept around curves at dangerous speed, sprang down hills as if the car was some wild thing running for life from a hereditary foe. ”

“ You already have arranged to put upon this man who stands accused indignities no caballero could endure and live. He has done well, instead of ill—"
"Señorita!" the governor cried angrily: and then—"What interest can you have in this Señor Botello?"
"Such interest as a woman may have who loves him dearly, your excellency."
"Girl!" old Malpartida cried now, despite the governor's frown. "Have you no shame? Do you disgrace your noble name and lineage? Love this man? ”

“ More battering at the door, while Tarama crouched against the wall, more in fear for his master than for himself, and Botello scarcely could take hand from the hilt of his rapier, so certain was he that all things ended here.
"The door will hold until we have accomplished our purpose," Fray Felipe whispered, as if he had read their thoughts. "Forget your weapon, my son, and have thought of nothing save your lady and what true marriage means. Be of good courage, daughter!" ”

“ One must be in Seville and at court to perceive romance, eh? Hah! I think it not!"
"One woman can cause trouble enough for any man. May the saints preserve the caballero who has two on his trail!" a dicer wailed. "Let us on with the game, and await the meeting of Botello with this fine Pasqual Garabito!"
Now a soft breeze came up from the gulf to stir the foliage and make more endurable the heat of the afternoon, and now the great doors of the governor's domicil were thrown open by native slaves, and more caballeros, gorgeously dressed, fared forth into the plaza, his excellency among them. ”

“ Captain Ramón declared.
“More biting than the blade you wear at your side, señor! Why do you not show your true colors? Why not go out and fight with your friends, the pirates and thieves and murderers, against men of gentle blood?”
Captain Ramón bowed in mockery. “If you will be kind enough to glance through the open door, señorita, you will perceive that the fighting is at an end,” he replied. “What caballeros are not dead have been taken prisoners. And the women and children are mocking them. Go, hag, and mock with the others! I’ll guard the señorita well.” ”

“ And then the jungle darkness came again, and once more Botello sat at the door of the cave, and it seemed that the jungle darkness entered his soul. After a time he slept; but he was awake an hour before the dawn, searching the myriad night sounds of the jungle for one that would speak of the approach of a human being.
They ate a morning meal, and then Botello was forced to confess that he felt some fear.
"Death lurks in every corner of the jungle," he said softly. "Even a native cannot escape always. ”

“ A fray insults me—and I cannot fight a man who wears a gown! Meal mush and goat’s milk! But wait until we meet up with these pirates! Let a pirate but insult me, and—ha! My blade shall be bathed in blood!”
Sergeant Gonzales turned away abruptly to nurse his wrath, and Fray Felipe smiled and his eyes twinkled. He waited a moment, then touched the sergeant on the shoulder.
“Soldiers and frailes alike are needed in the world,” Fray Felipe said. “There are times when a hardy soldier should be gentle—and even there are times when a fray should fight. Let us be friends!” ”

“ The craft of ill-omen cannot get far before we are upon her heels again. She is running out to sea once more. She would lose sight of us before she turns toward the accursed spot where they have their land rendezvous. Their behavior astounds me; they acted as if they had seen a ghost!”
“And so did I!” Don Audre declared. “I’ll swear that, for an instant, I saw Señor Zorro standing at the butt of the bowsprit—and then he was gone!”
“By the saints, I saw him myself!” Sergeant Gonzales shouted. “He was here to aid us! Man or spirit, I know not—but he was here! And now he has disappeared!” ”

“ Where is the rogue?”
“Ah, wouldst see Captain Fly-by-Night?” the sergeant asked. “A rogue, is he? Now when did he cross your path, good pirate? Is he your friend or foe?”
“Is he? There’ll be one sergeant less for the hostiles to combat if you dare intimate the man to be friend of mine! A pretty scoundrel! Where crossed he my path? Hah! Like a whirlwind he descended upon the pueblo of Reina de Los Angeles one night, as you know very well, Cassara mine! ‘Fray Felipe of San Fernando says I am an honest man, and that you are one,’ he states. ‘I would sleep until an hour before dawn,’ he states. ”

“ The other caballeros rallied and followed.
“The ghost!” one of the pirates shrieked. “It is the ghost from the sea!”
“Ha!” Señor Zorro cried, and cut down another man. “Ha, scum! So you fear ghosts? Have at you—”
“Pirates, eh?” Sergeant Gonzales was crying, puffing and blowing out his great cheeks as he fought. “Stand, pirates, and fight like men! Is this a fight or a test of speed, dolts and fools? Meal mush and goat’s milk!”
“A ghost!” another man shrieked.
Barbados whirled around in time to see Sanchez, a look of terror in his face, about to retreat. ”

“ The pirates must still think that I am one of them, else I cannot get to San Diego de Alcála and fetch the soldiers.”
“There is small need of further pretense, señor,” she replied with much scorn in her manner. “I know you for what you are!”
“You are inclined to show bravery, now that you know this Señor Zorro is alive, eh?” he said. “But will he live long, in the hands of these pirates, some of whose friends he has slain? This Barbados loves ransom money, but Don Diego Vega is one man who never will be ransomed. For Barbados loves vengeance, too!” ”

“ The man scurried away along the deck, and Barbados, his courage returning, whirled around and issued a volley of commands. From the darkness Señor Zorro hurled another small bolt, and for the third time the bell sent forth its ringing message.
Barbados whirled around again, his face suddenly white. He was within six paces of the bell, and he knew that no other man was nearer it than that. He felt the eyes of the terror-stricken crew upon him, and knew that he must show courage now, else lose his control over his men.
“Some one is playing a trick,” Barbados said. ”

“ Barbados warned him. “Enough of this! Pick the men who are to land, and get ready the boats!”
An hour later the anchor had been dropped, and the pirate craft had swung with the tide and was tugging at her chains like a puppy at a leash. Over the sides went the boats, Barbados growling soft curses at the noise his men made.
“We have nothing to fear, fools and devils!” he said. “But there will be no surprise if some converted native sees us and carries to Reina de Los Angeles word of our arrival. There is many a hacienda in these parts where pirates are detested. Silence, rogues! ”

“ Sanchez observed. “But I like not this talk of ghosts.”
“Here is the jest, fool and friend! It develops after a time that this terrible Señor Zorro is nothing but a caballero out to have a bit of fun and protect the weak. There is a waste of time for you—protecting the weak. And other sundry caballeros joined hands with him and punished minor officials who sought to steal and deal crookedly. That is right and proper. If a thief, be a thief! If a pirate, be a pirate! But do not play at being an honest man and try to be thief and pirate at the same time.” ”

“ Señor Zorro fought with what skill he could, keeping a wide circle with his flashing blade. He heard the voice of Sergeant Gonzales roaring in the distance. He heard, also, the thunderous voice of Barbados.
“Alive! Take them alive!” the pirate chief was screeching. “There will be rich ransom! Ransom and torture! Take them alive, fiends!”
Sanchez echoed the command, and the pirates shrieked in answer that they understood. And Señor Zorro and his friends understood also. The pirates would have rare sport baiting caballeros who were not ransomed speedily enough to suit them. ”