Adventure Magazine Cover, June 18, 1921 — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

24 ““Sacrel”’ exploded the Mexican. much!” “Ditto!” hand. It was between Beers and MacDowell and Tex swiftly decided that Beers had a four-card straight flush. They would prob- ably figure him to draw one card to his four aces. By having the two cards on top of the deck fitting in on either end of the straight flush, Beers would make his hand whether Tex drew or stood pat. It was a whale of a frame-up, if true, unless “I can draw my check for some thirteen hundred dollars,” drawled Tex, while Ran- som listened in amazement. ‘That raises you eight hundred.” “Called,” said Beers, producing a large roll of yellowbacks. “And Pm willing to take vour I. O. U. up to two thousand, if you're game.” “Too Searles likewise threw in his “Tf F should lose, it would take me at > least six months to pay it, although I’ve got a few assets I might realize on,” hesitated Tex. ~The Mexican leaned over the table eager- ly, his snapping black eyes fixed on the flyer. “Be the sport, lieutenant,” he urged. Searles puffed tranquilly on a brown cigaret. : “All right. Let’s see, and I’ve got close to three hundred dollars in chips yet.” He counted them. ‘Two hundred and ninety. I'll make out the check and the I. O. U. now.”’ In dead silence he made out the required © documents, throwing the assortment into the middle. “Let’s see—that makes me owe two thousand, two hundred and ninety dollars,” Beers said. ° He counted his roll swiftly. “Will you lend me five hundred, Searles? 1’ll give you a check if I lose.” Searles counted out the money—a hun- dred dollars of it in gold. It was added to the pot and Beers picked up the deck. - ‘Any cards?” he asked. MacDowell, his eyes boring into the cold blue ones that held no hint of expression, slowly drew two cards from his hand. ‘““Ves—I need two,” he said softly. With a sibilant hiss the Mexican drew in his breath, his eyes stealing toward the mo- tionless Beers. Ransom literally forgot to breathe. He had not the least idea what Adventure MacDowell’s object was in making that crazy draw, but the showdown was only a few seconds away. Beers. wet his lips with his tongue anda dull flush stained his leathery cheeks. “Two, did you say?” “Two, ” repeated Tex, his eyes still fixed on the other man. Slowly Beers dealt the cards, taking one himeelf, “My hand is three aces,’ spread it. He had drawn an eight and a king of hearts, which would have filled either end of a nine-queen straight flush in hearts. Beers hesitated. “TY didn’t fill,” he said huskily and threw in his hand. Like a flash Tex was on his feet, the Colt in his hand. He was taking no chances. ‘Scoop in that pot, Dave,” he said, with- out taking his eyes from the men at the table. They were looking at him with al- most ludicrous surprize. “Put your hands on the table—all of you!” snapped Tex. They obeyed silently. The Mexican’s face was a study in impotent rage, his eyes pools of malice. “Put the kale in your pocket and count the chips, will you, Dave?” Tex went on. Ransom quickly completed the opera- tion. “Seven hundred and ten dollars, ” he an- nounced, his voice shaking a little. “Now if you don’t mind finding out whether they have guns, old man, before he cashes those chips, we’ll get out of here quick.” we Mexican. Searles, however, was carrying a long-barreled six-shooter. This was laid on the chiffonier, out of harm’s way. Beers counted out the money for the chips without emotion. Not a word had been spoken by the three gamblers since Beers’ hand had gone into the discard. He ’ said Tex, and BEERS had no gun, nor did the handed the money to Ransom. Together the flyers backed to the door, the Colt still with its business-end foremost. At the door Tex paused a moment. “T don’t know what your right names re,” he drawled, leaning easily against the wall. ‘But for the sake of your self-respect and to alibi yourselves to Fitzpatrick when CN Vp) COmicloo CO