Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

THE CONFIDENCE MAN, “Ves,” said Corvan, “I’ve done it.” He walked over to the bed and picked up his coat. With the coat on his arm, he faced Wade very gravely. “I’ve decided,” he said. Wade’s laugh was a fearful thing. “You've decided to go to hell!” he snarled. ‘‘ When you go down to this little party of yours, that bunch of rubes will give you a slather of soft soap. But I’ve got something to say, too! When I’ve finished speaking, they’ll ride you out of here on a rail!” Corvan, still facing the other, slipped on his coat very gravely. ‘““You’d best save your breath,” he said, “down here.” ‘“ And when they’ve chased you out— hunted you out—by God, it’s into the pen for yours! You double-crossed me, Cor- van! You'll get the works!” Corvan inclined his head. “TJ know,” he said. “I decided on that.” He passed Wade and went from the room. “ All right. You know!” snarled the voice of Wade behind him; and Corvan knew that had Wade been by the breadth of a hair a lesser man, he would have fallen dead that moment with a bullet in his back. Tt was with the sure knowledge that this adventure in the pleasant pathways of sim- plicity was to be his last; with the sure knowledge that he must pass from this gen- uine, happy gathering into the depths; it was with this knowledge in his heart that he ran lightly down the stairs to greet his friends with a smile that rivalled the hap- piest face among them. There was one, however, whom Corvan did not see when he rejoined these people who had come to do him honor. Maddox had watched with troubled eyes the pass- ing of that check from Corvan to Queritt. And after Corvan had ascended the stairs, Maddox had never lost sight of Wade. He followed Wade when Wade had followed Corvan, for Maddox, too, had seen the murder which lurked in the big man’s nar- rowed eyes. es Wade had spoken his thick voiced A Ailes += Cais . An tee a << ——— Spe Tg a ee see oS a ag ie = FPS Ao, SORT rg ee _— ~~ y sentence to Corvan, Maddox had lurked in the passage outside with his coat lifted -up by one hand that held by a thumb te the belt above his pistol pocket. He had waited there until Corvan had gone out again and disappeared down the stairs. He had waited there until Wade, having com- posed himself, emerged from the room to follow. Then Maddox had slipped forward to stand solidly in the big man’s way. <A single electric bulb lit the passage where they stood facing each other. “Well?” Wade spoke through clenched teeth, harshly. Maddox still held his hand in his belt. “You know how it is,” he said, “I’m Dan Corvan’s man, see?” “ Well?” uttered Wade again. Maddox: didn’t flinch. ‘‘T heard you,” he blurted out. “I heard you. And I want to say that if you squeal to-night, if you do Corvan harm—I’m goin’ to bump you orf—See?” The eyes of Maddox had grown straighter and brighter of late. His voice was keener. He was less the snake. Wade tried to stare him down; he failed. “ G——!” He cried out a curse. With a short arm he fling Maddox back against the wall. ‘ You rat!” he cried; and strode away, down the stairs. Maddox with white lips, grinned. He took a shining instrument from his hip pocket. He examined it carefully and re- placed it. Then he followed Wade. CHAPTER XLI. FACING THE GUNS. Y means of planks and trestles, the heavy colonial table had been made to extend the length of the dining- room, and to be continued in a short T square across the farther end. To Corvan had been given the place of honor in the center of this T; and from this place he sat regarding all the happy faces that lined the board. Queritt sat almost opposite him. Henry Sumpty and his lively family were at his right. At his left were five chairs left va- — Eomicbooks re ped — +€ =e) he See com ; j e ey : ron ite < : f ¢ $i } 1. Le iy ) PRY tua rteh he, MBE ed \ Ce eh ere ere Y » rd j > ” Prat y Mee May Pt MTs Bi tee ive Pets | a | x = Zz