Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

from the grass. 514 The force of the brutal, cowardly blow toppled Nick over. He fell against Bill. “Now,” said Crawley taking out a cigar and turning to face his men, “‘ we’ll dope out a quick getaway. I slipped up, but I’m not going to lay down on my job. How about getting another truck, Slim?” - While Slim debated the question, Crawley struck a match and lighted his cigar. With well assumed confidence he flipped the match over his shoulder. The tiny flame made a thin arc of light to within a foot of the ground. Then came a startling, cu- rious puffing sound. A burst of flame leaped In narrow lines, two streams of yellow fire sprang up. One rivulet ran towards the truck. The other flamed crackling and hissing venomously in the direction of the garage. In an in- stant, a barrier of fire covered the open door. In that garage was May. Unable to escape. Crawley had given the order for her to be tied! CHAPTER VIIL. BY THE HEEL OF ACHILLES. RAWLEY was in the lead of the stam- pede of men away from the fire. Only two were left near the truck. They could not run, either for the safety of their own skins or to the rescue of May. Bill writhed in his bonds. His helpless, ineffective fingers worked spasmodically. Against. him leaned Nick, half insensible from the kick Crawley had given him on the side of the head. Yet when Nick moved, there was purpose and method in the convulsive heave of his body. _ He wriggled and rolled until his head came within reach of Bill’s hands. Those hands were bound at the wrists, but directly Nick’s head touched Bill’s hands, his fingers ceased clenching and unclenching. They ripped and tore at the gag tied at the back of Nick’s nead.. In a few seconds the shredded rag fell lose. “Easy now, Bill,” cautioned Nick with a gasp, “ I’m going to roll over you so that you can get your fingers on the knots on my wrists. For heaven’s sake keep your ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, head and wntie them. Remember you can’t possibly break the rope. Quick—but sure. It’s the only way. Those yellow curs ’Il stampede in a moment. They won’t give a thought to May or to us.” Beyond the hedge of fire the gang clustered about their leader. “It’s each man for himself egos de- clared Slim. A murmur of agreement came from the men. Then as Crawley was about to speak, Slim let out a shout. ‘ Look,” he yelled, “that inventor chap is loose. what’s he doing? He’s manipulating that keyboard.” “Crazy,” sneered Crawley, “ we’d bet- ter—”’ He stopped. His mouth gaped open. The rest of the gang stood staring—fas- cinated, their eyes fixed on the bulk of the: steel man. Kneeling in the flickering glare of the flames, Nick was manipulating the key- board. His actions were deliberate. He seemed to be indifferent to the danger that the truck’s gasoline tank might blow up at any minute and spray him with red hot metal and liquid fire. The shoulders of the colossus heaved; his arms crooked; his knees bent, and his body rose to a kneeling position. He backed away from the truck. The spell- bound watchers heard the tearing rasp of the crumpled steel as he tore his head free. The next instant he was firmly erect. The light of the flames playing over him seemed to add to his stature. He loomed gigantic; a magnificent figure all the more wonder- provoking by reason of the battered, crushed head. With steady, long strides, the steel man walked to the front of the garage. Behind him, hampered by his still bound legs, Nick dragged himself, alternately lifting and rest- ing the keyboard. Facing the door of the garage, the col- ossus stopped. Hauling himself upright by clinging to his steel man, Nick looked over the ridge of flame rising from the pool of gasolene barring the entrance. Against the farther wall, he saw the huddled form of May. ““T’m going to get you out, ” he shouted, “Don’t be scared and strugele when he picks you up. He’s coming—now!”’ oO CORMIGL OO KS 5€O)