Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

Pards saved my life by killing him. I’m going, DeLouge. It depends on you if there’s to be more killings.” He began slowly backing to the door, pushing the box behind him with his foot. As he maneuvered thus his widely opened eyes seemed to be watching the three men, although his gaze was concentrated on DeLouge. The box was shoved to one side and his free hand reached behind him and opened the door. DeLogue, bending slightly for- ward, his twisted lips snarling more broadly, waited for the second when the gun barrel should waver. But the gambler never ceased his cat-like watchfulness as he hooked a foot into the box and worked it over the threshold. DeLouge’s distorted lips wrinkled as he saw the climax almost upon him. For an instant his fierce eyes darted a glance at the square opening that served as a window, and he was prepared to attack the instant the gambler followed the box and closed the door. But Goss halted in the doorway and com- manded— ~ ‘Seth, come here.” ‘ “Stay where you are,” ordered DeLouge. “Come her with hands up, or I'll shoot DeLouge and then shoot you.” “For ’s sake go, Seth!” shrilly begged snap. “The man’s bluffing. He doesn’t want any more shooting,” said DeLouge. But he did not again countermand the gambler’s order. Seth unwillingly advanced to the door- way, his hands high above his head. Goss spun him about and with his free hand ripped a gun from his belt and tossed it into the darkness behind him. Then he warned: . “Tf you people want more biogdshed you shall have it. I won fair against a cheat. I killed a murderer to escape from being mur- dered. Step backward, Seth, and pick up that box.” The man obeyed, and when he stood up with the box in his hands Goss stood be- hind him, the revolver resting on his shoul- der and always covering DeLouge. But the latter was patient. His attack could not be initiated until the door closed. Then he would leap to the window and commence 125 shooting. But the door was left open and he was left framed in the light while the two men backed away into the darkness. With a yell of rage DeLouge started for the door. The gambler fired, the bullet whistling unpleasantly close to the infuri- ated man’s head and bringing him to a halt. Seth howled as the explosion deafened him and he all but dropped the box. En- tirely reckless of the consequence to himself or his companion DeLouge whipped out a gun and began firing into the darkness. But Goss now had Seth by the collar and was directing his steps down the creek to where he had left the horse. Nor did the man need any prompting now that DeLouge was raking the darkness with first one gun and then another. They came to the horse and Goss com- manded— ‘Make for the cabin and step fast.” Seth started running and jumping from side to side as if he were a visible target, and he kept crying— “Don’t shoot, DeLouge! It’s me! Don’t shoot, DeLouge! It’s me!” Mounting and holding the box before him Goss rode down the creek path. Behind him cracked guns, rifles now being used as well as revolvers, but the lead was sent by guess. Passing the curve in the trail Goss took time to stuff the money into his pockets and drop the box. | Realizing DeLouge’s desperate nature he risked a fall and broken bones by covering the next quarter of a mile more rapidly. When he halted and listened he knew he was not being followed by horsemen. Yet De Louge was a determined man and could be cruelly persistent. Goss had read him quite correctly. He even believed DeLouge might venture back to Canon City to look forhim. Therefore, on reaching the Arkan- sas he rode downstream until two miles be- low the town before venturing to cross. Then he traveled half a mile from the stream and made a cold camp and sat hugging his knees for the few hours before the east could redden. | “Won more’n two thousand,” he told himself. “Cost two lives. A bit over a thousand apiece. Price is too high.” ~ The double tragedy shook his nerve. Death had never intruded on one of his games before. TO BE CONTINUED COMIGDIOOKSEEO