Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 7, 1925 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

obeyed—”’ He concluded with a forcible gesture. “Just the same I’m going to say my say,” said Jessie doggedly. ‘“‘ We ask to be treat- ed as human beings, that’s all, and for a fair division of the profits.” _ He coolly ignored her. “ Where’s the stuff?” he repeated, turning to the men. ‘Fingy Silo’s eyes bolted, betraying him as the possessor of the loot. ‘“ Hand it over,” said the masked man. Fingy drew back in a horrid state of in- decision. “Tf you give it to him we’re done,” warned Jessie. “Hand it over,’ repeated the masked man in his quiet, awful voice. ‘““What’s the matter with you all?” cried Jessie. “ Will. you let him bluff you? Are you full-grown men, and taken in by a bit of hocus-pocus like this? There are four of you. Tear the mask off his face. You'll only find a man like yourselves behind it. A fat man, too soft to put up a good- fight!” A slow smile wreathed the thick lips of | the masked man. He stood before them perfectly motionless, the two blue sparks shooting out of the holes in his mask. He gave them plenty of time to act on Jessie’s suggestion. But the four cringed before him abjectly. “Then Pll show you!” cried Jessie, mak-. ing a move forward. One could -hear the gasp of horror that escaped them. Bill Combs flung his arms around Jessie. “No, no, my irl! ” he muttered aghast. 3 Hand over the stuff!” the masked man said to Fingy. It was evident that he sneered. And Fingy, hanging his head, placed the tiara in his hands. It had been returned to its little green. baize bag. The masked man looked inside to make sure that the con- tents were intact, and pulled it shut again without betraying the least concern. “Tt’s no use,” Fingy muttered shame- facedly to Jessie. ‘ You can’t stand out against im.” S Bill released Jessie. She tapped a fresh cigarette on the back of her hand, while THE UNDER DOGS. » is the same. the men looked at her, astonished at her. effrontery. She was just as well- pleased, of course, not to have the scene prolonged. SoS nothing to me,” she said, “if you enjoy-being hocused.” And so the great conspiracy petered out. The masked man turned to leave the room without another word. what a capacity he had for keeping his mouth shut. “What am I to do now?” Kate cried helplessly. | SG He paused. ‘Go back to your beds,” he said as if faintly surprised. ‘“ Nothing is changed. The orders will be issued as usual and if they are not obeyed the penalty If anybody still thinks he can buck the organization, let him try, that’s all. 23 Black Kate. He hesitated just = the twinkling of an eye. 1 suppose it occurred to him what a wonderful servant Jessie would make if he could but bend her will to his. _ Bill Combs spoke up. “ Boss,’ ” he said. = “Dve learned my lesson. And I’m pared to serve the organization faithful if you'll let me— Boss, this girl, she didn’t ‘mean no harm. She's new here. She didn’t know what she was doing. She’s learned her lesson now if youll overlook it.” In view of Jessie’s open defiance this was rather ridiculous. But one couldn’t help but feel for the big fellow whose devotion blinded him to the truth. “Boss, she’s one in a thousand for our work,” he stumbled on. -And—and— glanced around. ‘“ A-ah! I don’t care what you all think—TI can’t let any harm come to her. And if you’re too many for me, if she goes, well, E got to go, too.” My heart warmed toward that great brute of a man, whose heart was so deeply stirred. The masked man said in his detached voice: ““ For the present the girl is placed in the custody ef Bill Combs. She is not to be allowed to leave the house.” ‘Thanks, boss, thanks,” said Bill humbly. “I will answer for her.” Observe how cunningly the man evaded his dilemma. If he had pronounced Jessie’s doom on the spot, Bill would certainly have «615. It was extraordinary © =e What wil bdo with the girl?” asked. _—pre- (E) Gomicbooks