Page:Weird Tales Volume 23 Issue 5 (1934 05).djvu/106

 as yet. Every time they released hold of his arms he leapt erect, shrinking, starting to run one way or another.

Finally at dawn he started to scream demands that he be allowed to go downriver immediately. The grimly disgusted policeman nodded at this, and went forth to make preparations. The sooner Lake Maza-Cuyuni was rid of this specimen, the better Natheshire would be pleased.

No sooner was he out of sight, how-ever, than Landrigan settled matters for himself. With the sudden strength of a maniac, he broke away from Bisbee Alden, and rushed down to the dock where was moored his power cruiser. After frantic work, and some ineffectual shuff-shuffing of the motor, there came a bar-rage of sudden explosions.

Then, despite Alden's half-hearted attempts to stop him, and Natheshire who came running and yelling angrily, Landrigan shoved off alone, and roared out in a sweep across the lake. He was bound for the Essequibo River, and Demerara far downstream,

"Good land alive!" breathed the half-exhausted Alden. "He didn't even wait for a river pilot or a crew!"

"He may not make it. You have to know your way through those marshes of the lower river," said Natheshire, grimacing. "Well, perhaps it would be just as well. The man is stark, raving crazy.

"Let's you and I, Alden, go bade there to the bamboos. I'm a policeman, after all—though maybe I'll refuse to do any guessing in this particular case."

"It shouldn't be hard to imagine," said Alden soberly. "Poor Smith must have exacted revenge—of a sort."

In silence after that, just as a red sun was rising, they walked to the bungalow and the little glade in the bamboos near the mouth of the Mazaruni. There Natheshire, once chuckling grimly to himself, pointed out the new stump and the fallen top of the great bamboo which had bellowed. Then, moving back of the stump a few steps, he bent down.

"Look at this, Alden!" he said.

Bound firmly to the base of the upper portion of the bamboo stalk, just where it had been sliced away from the stump, was a five-inch tuft of waved chestnut hair!

Bisbee Alden shook his head slowly, wordlessly. Then he suddenly tensed, reaching over and gripping Natheshire's wrist. They both turned their heads.

There, motionless behind them, stood a tall, gaunt-featured man. Without being told, Alden realized full well that this must indeed be the mysterious Smith.

, Lieutenant," said the man in a deep, melancholy voice. "I suppose this must be the Mr. Alden I've heard about, the new agent for the Cuyuni?"

He advanced one stride, proffering a handclasp.

"My name is Smith. I have had the Mazaruni station. I—I resigned today."

"Quite!" interjected Natheshire dryly.

After a moment's hesitation, Bisbee Alden accepted the handshake, and liked its firmness.

"I suppose I ought to arrest you. Smith, on suspicion," cogitated Natheshire aloud, scratching his stubbly chin. "But I'm damned if I think I will! Anyway, I'll wait until someone swears out a warrant."

"Thanks," said Smith, with a hint of a grim smile in his mouth corners. "No one will."

"Probably Landrigan even forgot his report," chuckled Alden with relief, sensing an end to the tension.

"This probably doesn't seem like