Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

ae, — 4 - Ae a Bo Ot a a ee en Breas See ee Or ee! on ee at oa A ag a8 OT gS en ge Ee eae THE INNOCENT. “We all do fool things and get into trouble some time, sister! It’s human na- ture—even among society people and those who are supposed to be above human cus- sedness!” He couldn’t refrain from that little jab; however: “ What you need is a change. Get away from everything. Why not go down to Arizona?” ‘“To-night? In this deplorable car?” “No. In a few days.” Her face brightened. “T might. I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t know.” : Hammering footsteps announced the ap- proach of Shorty and Slim, who halted in the doorway. Steve waved them to seats. Sober but shaken, they made themselves uncomfortable in the nearest chairs. Steve minced no words. “ Are you fellows willing to tackle a dan- gerous job?” he asked, point-blank. There was a moment of constraint. “ How dangerous?” qualified Shorty. “ Kidnaping. I’ve got a man already roped and tied.” : * There was another large silence. “I dunno,” considered Shorty. “ What’s the plot?” “He has to be driven without ey to Arizona.” * Impossible!” said Paula. “ What’s the main Scheme?” Slim. “J want you fellows to bring him to Casey’s hole—you know the place, ’way up in the mountains, forty miles from the ranch. I want you to treat him rough. I want you to make him write letters to all his bootlegger friends, asking them to visit him. I’m even willing to have him send railroad tickets. Maybe they’re wanting some nice place to hide. I’m aiming to get the whole gang there. Maybe I can’t; it’s a long shot; but if I do—” Steve closed his right hand. “ See?” | “Can we make him act up?” wondered Shorty. “You can. He’s flabby.” Shorty looked at Slim. Slim looked at Shorty. Both began to grin. Steve ex- plained his situation and plans thoroughly. “You'll have to treat ’em rough,” he warned. “ But this is war!” insisted “7 ” . a ie - =z —— AD = oR ee rT aT ne ee , iets Mn aan a 213 “It sounds real interestin’!” chuckled Slim. ‘“But suppose we’re caught?” inquired Shetty. “Then run for your lives!” “It’s too dangerous!” exclaimed Paula. ‘Shall I let the prisoner free, then, to spread the alarm?” ¢ No! ) “Then we'll go on with this!” Steve turned impatiently to his employees. “ Can you keep sober and attend to business?” ‘““ Tf we don’t,” said Shorty, “ we’ll prob’- ly stop a few years in the penitentiary. Safety first!” “Tl take a chance, then. fellow boost Arizona, see? Make him write like a boom-town circular. Make his friends crazy to join him down there. It’s the only way I know to reach ’em. I can’t fight ’°em here. I’m a lost maverick here. I’ve got to get ’em on my own ground!” Steve swung around to Paula. Make this “ Who are the fellows that robbed me, the pals of this man, Hammond?” Paula ‘replied reluctantly: “Oh, I’ve met some of them. There’ S Angelo, Joe Walker, Hymie Baum, Big Bill Kramer, Kid Hink, and Red Kruse. That’s all I know.” “ That’s plenty! It’s a wonder they left you the kitchen sink!” Paula’s olive skin whitened. Slim and Shorty stared at her with frank curiosity. Steve saw he had been too frank. Instant- ly he started toward the door which led to the cellar stairway, giving his men a nod. They followed to the lower floor, where the prisoner was unbound and lifted to his feet. His face was malevolent and his eyes blazed with hatred. The light was switched on and the gag removed from his mouth. He began to chafe his hands. “You'll pay for this!” he promised, glar- ing around at the three of them. ‘“ You don’t get away with this! Not with me! Wait till my men come! We'll see about this! Huh! We'll see!” Steve considered the man judicially. “Tie him up again!” decinted Steve. “ He’s not ripe yet!” There was a short scuffle which left the — -c€omicboo cS . ~ , r ae rc - = . st Sap" Er: wee enim See HS Po I > SNC SORE Sita ">> ieeent Se ee a er ee Fiabe ee ne ee oe st i + . ~ * .& - A ~~ Sug joie Pe Rae