Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 7, 1925 — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

THE . UNDER DOGS. Broken, awe-struck exclamations came irom ~ “ Yes; just a few reasonable conditions,” - their lips. “My God; look at that!” EE never seen the like of that before.” ‘Nor will you ever see its like again!” “God, Jess, you’re a wizard!” “Put it in your hair, Jess! Nobody’s got a better right!” Jessie put it in her hair, and turned her- self about, smiling at them gaily. From across the room Black Kate and Sam watched the scene with bitter faces. Jessie cunningly sought to work up the men’s cupidity. ‘The paper said it was worth half a million,” she said. ‘“ And they said Walbridge Sterry got it at a bargain, because there wasn’t half a dezen men in the world with the money to put into such — a thing. Taken down and sold separately it would bring half as much again. That in the middle’s the biggest emerald in the world.” ‘Let me have it in my hands for once, Fuzzy-Wuz,” begged Fingy. ‘““And me, And me!” from the others. “Sure,” said Jessie, “I regard every one of us as having a share in it.” It was passed around from hand to hand. “When you're ready to hand it over—” said Black Kate from between tight lips.” Jessie took it back into her own hands. “ Half a million at the least,” she said to the men. ‘‘ And 1 brought it in, with the help of Annie there. It’s my job. And I guess it’s a big job, even for this big or- ganization.” “You're dead right!” somebody said. “Well,” said Jessie meaningly. “ Are we — going to divide or stick? It’s up te you, boys! Shall I hand it over to her?” “No!” cried Abell and Fingy simultane- ously. And “No! No!” Bill and Tim came in with a moment later. Pap said nothing, but at least he ranged himself on their side of the room. “What does this mean?” Kate, white to the lips. ‘““Té means we're going te stick together hereafter,” said. Jessie. “Are you going to hand over that stuff Or ain’t yeh?” “Tm willing to hand it ever en certain demanded conditions. 2 you re dippy about her, twist you round her pinky. said Fine Helder. “A conspiracy, eh?” cried Kate. “ Tr said this girl was dangerous. You, Bill, this is where your craze for her peroxide hair has landed you. Anybody could see You're too old for love, Bill, your wits is softened.” “That may be,” — Bill undisturbed. “But Dm ony one,” “She’s got you all locoed!” cried Kate furiously. “All ef you’s ready to let her My God! what a set of fools you are, standin’ there! You Tim, and you Bill, at least you are old enough in the organization to know ‘what will happen. What’s this emerald -crown to the boss? Less than nothing at all. But the organization is everything. It’s - not the first time you: have seen some fool operative try to make trouble among the others. What happens, eh? What hap- pens?” “ Same old line of talk!” interrupted Jes- sie-—* all designed to split us up.” Black Kate essayed to laugh. ‘‘ Suppose. there are a half a dozen of you in this? What do you count against the whole power of the organization?” “We count this much,” said Jessie. “ ANE these dozens of other operatives are just scouts and runners-up for us. principals of the show. And if the boss Steps on us, his business stops, see? [If it breaks it will be his doing, not ours. We’re strong for the organization. We on’y ask to be treated like human beings.” All the men signified their approval. As the discussion went on, Black Kate cooled off. From the first day she had hated Jessie with all the power of Ker soul, and up to this time Jessie had always suc- ceeded in putting her in the wrong. Now Black Kate felt that her feeling was justi- fied; Jessie was giving her a handle to use against her, and the older woman had a sweet foretaste of triumph. “ Well, what are your conditions?” asked Kate. “A fair division of the stuff,’ said Fes- sie. “So much to the one that Wings it in, and so much to a general fund for all of us.” We're the Eomicboo cS (6) él