Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

856 had spoken when he came upon him in his own cell with his hand on Morgan’s tunic. The charge which Pearsley had laid on him was from its peculiar nature sacred, but he could not fight for it. Again he groaned and said in agony: “ Don’t make me hit you!” Suddenly the woman was at his side again. There was the spat of a small pistol, and the two melted away before him. She faced about and the weapon in her hand covered the batman. “No! You shall not!” For a moment the five were motionless, then her small hand found Morgan’s and drew him away. “Come. Pick me up and run!” He bent and lifted her and ran until a patch of broom clogged his steps. ‘“‘ Stop here,” she whispered. “ Let me down, and hide. They will go past us.” He set her down and they crouched in the wet brush. There were blundering steps about them, and low-pitched, earnest voices. She pressed the blunt automatic into his hand and whispered. “Tf they come again, you must shoot. Do not be afraid. My word, but you do not fight at all—as if you were asleep. You do not know how I am surprise’.” CHAPTER VI. MORGAN DECIDES. HE gas lamp was like a ball of gray light. The steps drew close to them at times, always a huddle of them, for the attacking party did not dare separate in the fog. Morgan heard his name spoken in a low voice and coupled with a curse. Once some one said: “ That damned Yank!” “Tt is you they compliment so,” whispered in his ear. In time the steps went away and did not return. Morgan drew a long breath and stretched his limbs. He was deeply ashamed of the part he had played, and all at sea as to what part his companion might have played. He had obeyed her when she ap- peared at his side, out of desperation. She arose, too, and her hands went to her head. she ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘IT have had an accident,” she said. “I have lost my hat. It is lucky I have two. Did you know them?” His heart thumped and he countered by asking: “ Did you?” “ No. I have never in my life seen them. When they came I withdrew, sir, and cov- ere’ my eyes so that I might not see how you would handle them. I was thinking you would take two of them and crack their heads together. But, no! ‘After a time I hear you groan, and when I look I see you fighting as if you had chains on you. If it had not been for me— ah!” she finished with a long sigh, and he saw the small, ghostly face turn suddenly up toward him. “Ah, I think I see! I think I know suddenly why they attack’ you. But I do not know why you do not fight.” ‘““T killed a man boxing,” he said in a harsh voice. ‘‘ Since then I have watched myself as if I were dynamite. I have a hot temper, and when I strike, I strike hard- er than I mean to. I never speak to a man without praying he will not lay a hand on me. Time and again people have wanted me to fight or to box or to wrestle, but, so help me, God, I shall never strike tas man as long as I live!” She looked up at him for a long mainte. then sighed again, softly, and nodded. “So that is your trouble. I knew I could not make a mistake. At first I think you must be a coward, but then when I think again, I know it cannot be so. I see you sunning in between the rolling wheels, and I hear the trumpter boys say you are a great man. “That is why I come to your rescue. I think if we walk to our left, sir, and al- ways keep just close enough so that we can see the lamps in the fog we shall get to that road out which we came.” Morgan could not speak. It was a relief to find that she was not a crook, that she had not betrayed him; so great a relief that the words would not come. And he had spoken of a thing buried so deep in his heart that it was a sheer physical pain to wrench it out. He put his arm about her to steady her as they stumbled over the uneven surface of conmmicboooks CO nn