Adventure Magazine Cover, August 18, 1921 — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

84 Watriss nodded assent. They looked toward the door as five or six patrons en- tered. Bissel made an abrupt movement and touched Watriss’ arm. “See that last fellow in? agent at San Marcos.” “YT know him,” replied Watriss. “TI used to be on a local run that stopped there every day.” He watched Crane sit down at a table at the far side of the room. By slightly turn- ing his head the agent could have looked directly at the pair, but apparently he had not noticed them. Bissel was frowning. “A fresh young guy!” he said. He seemed to hesitate, then continued. ‘‘He had me worried some today.” “How was that?” asked Watriss. “T tossed up things in his depot last night, youknow. But this morning he didn’t wire in to the office about it. I began to get uneasy; thought he might accidently have found something out. You can be sure I kept my eye peeled. Sure enough, here he came in on Number Sixty-six. I held him up, but he wouldn’t say anything about his business. Sassy as the He went up to Munn’s office, me trailing. Didn’t know what to do, but finally decided I’d bust in on ’em and see what they were talk- ing about. It took some crust, but I did it. As far as I could learn everything was all right thoufh. Crane had just come in to report personally to Munn it seems. I saw my chance and bounced ’em about giving me a set of the station-keys. They tumbled right off, and as soon as I got the keys I beat it.” “You don’t think he’s wise to anything then?” “Not a bit,” said Bissel with assurance. “Well, that’s good,” said the express messenger. “But I expect it'll be just as well to put the thing through just as soon as we can, eh?” “Sure. First chance. happen to have it.” “Anything over a hundred thousand?” “Right. It’s got to be worth while.” “You said it. And IJ’ll join you in little old Mex afterward. I’ve got the substi- tute package all ready; wrapped, tied and sealed—junk! All I'll have to do will be write on it the same address as the one we want shows. I ought to get around twelve hours clear start; you a few hours more than That’s Crane, Tonight, if you Adventure that. That should be plenty. It looks good; let’s try not to gum it up.” “We'll not gum it,’ declared Bissel. “Here’s one hombre who'll be over the border before sunup. You'll come and get yours there, of course. We'll mail Sperry his.” “That’s the dope,” said Watriss. He rose. ‘‘Well, I'll drift. Keep on your toes. So-long.”’ He went out. A few minutes later Bissel saw Crane leave, and not long after- ward the ofticer himself departed. AFTER leaving Superintendent Munn’s office, Crane for a time dallied about the Carbon City de- pot. .Presently he saw Officer Bissel walk through the entrance and start down the street. Tom debated, then followed. “Might as well keep looking around,” he decided. ‘You never know what you'll see.” After making several turns Crane saw the officer enter a door above which a sign read “Henry’s Café.’”? Tom lingered on the opposite side of the street for probably five minutes while a number of other per- sons passed in and out of the door. Then entered one he recognized; a slender, thin- faced, spry man. “Niessenger Watriss,’’ said Tom to him- self. ‘“‘Used to be on Number Ninety-One. Ummh! Undersiand he’s on Number Seven now. Seven leaves Carbon City around eleven P.M. Wonder if this might mean anything.” Tom waited outside a few minutes more, then himself entered Henry’s place, unob- trusively easing in behind several other patrons. Watriss and Bissel were seated together in a corner. Tom saw that with eyes that appeared to see nothing. He selected his own place and sat down. “I’m much intrigued,” he cogitated. He ordered a bite to eat, then set himself to mastication and _ reflection. Without once looking directly in their direction he nevertheless perceived that Watriss and Bissel were engaged in apparently casual conversation. “Too casual,” ruminated Tom. ‘Poor teamwork. When one is serious the other smiles. Then vice versa—too regular.” With deliberation he nonchalantly munched his food. Yet his brain was busy —pulling apart details, piecing details MICLOOKS |