Adventure Trails, February 1929 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

tiny ae edna / oy sh ; ~~ ’ os 4 ‘ \ \ ary f lad os tee ayy THE MIGHT OF THE SCORPION 2. 5 x Tue TABLES TURNED ED rode along slowly, eyes and ears alert to detect the first trace of danger from any source, yet his mind busy with other matters. First of all, who was the girl? What was her connection with the Scorpion, and why was she essential in helping him put over his share of a plot that was evidently international in its scope? And why had she jeopardized her cause by helping Ted’ It was evident, the letter proved, that she was not entirely in accord with Jarnoff’s plans; that she was becoming, in fact, an obstacle. Tt was all too confusing, and at last Ted gave it up. Just one thing was sure, and that was that Jarnoff, or the Scorpion, must not attend the meeting at which he intended to incite the superstitious, impul- sive, easily led Mexicans to strike against the gringos. Just how he was to detain Jarnoff he was not quite sure, but if his guess was right it might not be difficult. “It’s about time luck played in my hand!” he mused grimly as he dismounted and led his horse off the trail. “Now that everything’s coming to a head, this rendez- vous will no longer be needed, and they’ll probably be breaking camp and scattering. They’ll be afraid of me bringing the ru- rales swooping down on them, too, al- though it’s a hot chance I’ve had of doing anything of the sort!” A sound from up the trail attracted his attention, and a few minutes later a little group of riders came into view. They were laughing and chatting, and passed by Ted’s place of concealment without even a glance. A moment later two other riders appeared, and Ted chuckled to himself. “Luck’s turned!’ he exulted. “They’re breaking camp right now. The old boy will be the last one to go—won’t leave until the others are safely out of sight. Too much familiarity would breed con- tempt, sure enough, in this case. His pres- . tige depends upon his ability to keep in the shadows. I’ll bet he never allows him- self to be seen except in the mysterious night. I’ll just creep up close to the camp, — 3 = 3 where I can watch things, and wait until friend Jarnoff shows himself. Then— well, this high-handed business of forcibly detaining people is a little game two can play at!” | Silently, cautiously, he approached the camp. It was nearly deserted, and the two who were there were on the verge of leaving. In three quarters of an hour the camp was utterly deserted. Still Ted waited. Twenty minutes, a half hour went by. Still there was no sign of the Scorpion or his companion. Ted began to wonder if he had taken another trail out when suddenly the Scorpion and the girl, still dressed in her vaquero’s cos- tume, came into sight. ED worked his way close to the trail along which they must pass and hid himself behind the massive bole of a cen- tury-old tree. As they came abreast of him, he stepped quietly into the trail con- fronting them, his revolver menacing. “Just a moment, please! Put them up, both of you!” Ted commanded grimly. The bearded rider swore furiously un- der his breath in some foreign language that Ted did not understand—but he obeyed the silent command of the re- volver. Watching Ted curiously, the girl too, lifted her hands to the level of her shoulder. Quickly Ted took possession of their guns, and then, with the rope that hung at the horn of the girl’s saddle, he made the cursing Scorpion fast to a tree some distance from the trail. “And now, sefiorita,” he said to the girl, “IT would speak with you.” She flushed when he addressed her by the feminine title, but she merely nodded and stood watching him curiously, a faint, contemptuous smile on her lips. Ted led her a short distance away, where Jarnoff could not hear what was said. At first she listened with a deaé ear, her imperious, scornful head held high, but at length Ted saw interest kindle in her eyes, | “You say this Jarnoff is fooling me, cComicbooks ~ - ‘ 4 oJ Ree hints} wtf tyr an} : ’ y US amet ae wae”: 9) mi.” oe fxr ane ak ei 8) aa! Sa, hora Oral) aya are : : BS i Ph , . ‘ “wt "se 1a A, ald “Nae ’ 4 4 &é iy CO