Adventure Magazine Cover, June 18, 1921 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

When Good Fellows Get Together you report, Ill just mention that my part- ner and I knew several days ago that: Fitz- patrick was gunning for us and some of his methods are well known. I came here to- night like Daniel into the lions’ den and I waited for you to start something so long I thought maybe you-all might be straight. “Then you switched decks and I made a lucky stab, figured your game right, and didn’t have to call on the Colt except to make things safe. In case you have any idea of making a squeal about all this kale we’ve got, just remember that we have friends on the outside that put us wise to your game before you started, so I figured you’d better grin and bear it. So long— and thanks.” As they closed the door behind them Mac- Dowell’s last impression was of the imper- - turbable Mr. Searles looking straight at him, the most unreadable of expressions in his eyes. As they walked down the hall Tex ex- plained his coup to Ransom. “Of course if I’d figured wrong I’d have pulled the gun and accused them of switch- ing decks—a sure shot after I’d cocked a snook at my four bullets. Much bet- ter this way—a couple of thousand better!’’ “T'{l say it is!” “Your help was sure opportune—gave me all the trumps to have a friendly -wit-’ ness at my right hand, to say nothing of an ally in a scrape.”’ “T—I’m glad if I helped along any,” said Ransom awkwardly as they entered the elevator. “You sure did. I’ll be looking forward to the next few days being quite interesting with you to help me double-cross these Fitzpatrick thugs. Of course we can’t be sure, but from the looks of them when I mentioned the old bird’s name, that shot struck the bull’s-eye. Round one in favor of the Army, eh?”’ “By a knockout!” grinned Ransom as they stepped out of the lift into the crowded lobby. As they walked: toward the desk Tex, strange to say, was thinking less of Fitz- patrick than he was of Ransom. “Hope it keeps up,” reflected Tex as he made ready to deposit his surplus cash in the hotel safe. ‘‘Ransom’s acting as if I were almost human!” 25 Ix % THE days that followed were un- satisfactory. Beers, Searles and Se Sefor Aldez disappeared, nor was there a ridple in the smooth surface of life to indicate that Fitzpatrick was still on the warpath. And Ransom, whom Tex thought had almost decided to let bygones be by- gones, went back to his former attitude of aloofness and dislike. The two McMullen- ites had gone riding with Natalie one after- noon and a thoughtless remark of Mac- Dowell’s to Natalie, regarding some of the strange effects of booze, caused Dave to think that Natalie had heard the story of that day in Arilla, and that she and Tex were laughing at him. Miserable and angry, the young observer drew into his shell and made himself so dis- agreeable that the afternoon was far from pleasant for any of them. Tex nearly spoke his mind to Ransom that day, but the mem- ory of his promise to Captain Kennard held him back. And for the remainder of their stay in El Paso he avoided Natalie as far as possible and left Dave a clear field. All these things were running through the pilot’s head as he sent the De Haviland across the Big Bend on the way back to’ McMullen. Theit duty at.El Paso was com- pleted and they were homeward bound. Tex was some two thousand dollars richer, but nevertheless he was not enjoying the trip back. He had failed with Ransom and there could be no alternative for Captain Ken- nard when they returned. Ransom would have to go. And despite his attitude Ran-. som was a likable fellow, reflected the pilot. It would set the seal on his misery to be ordered away from McMullen, a failure. A slight unevenness in the steady roar of the motor brought MacDowell’s attention back to his work with a snap. It was nota miss, but there was a slowly increasing vibra- tion which was obvious in contrast to the former even rhythm. A glance at his in- struments showed nothing wrong. He bent his head inside the cockpit and listerted again. Was it imagination or not? Every cylinder was firing, anyhow, but there seemed to be an unsteadiness about the tiny intervals between explosions that sounded ominous. He looked downward, striving to locate himself exactly. About sixty miles from Sanderson, he thought. Back of them was COmicloo ZA UM) C©