Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

THE INNOCENT. “ Thanks,” said Steve, nodding. “ Come to think of it, you ave a hard crowd. I’d better protect myself. When I’m through with you I’ll ship you back to San Francisco in a box car under guard. I'll put you so far away that you'll never come back!” A mighty hand shoved Hammond side- ways. Another hand slapped him across the mouth, knocking him against the wall. Both hands belonged to Big Bill. “You simp!” he raged at Hammond. ‘ Are you tryin’ to put this guy wise? Are you tryin’ to get us all cooped up in a box car, maybe in the pen?” “No!” howled the crowd. . Big Bill turned to Steve and tried to be more engaging. “Let’s cut out the bull. What’s your proposition?” Steve pointed to Bill, Taylor and Baum. “You fellows took my money. Four of you. I don’t know who ‘the fourth man was, so it’s up to you three.” “Suppose you get it. Do we go free?” ‘‘ Some of you, probably.” “ Suppose we tell you to go chase your- self?” ‘“ Fair enough,” bluffed Steve. keep this up all year.” Growls issued from many throats. Eyes glared. Some one made a quick motion, but was arrested by another. Big Bill’s hands clenched, but an upward glance warned him to keep them at his side. ‘We'll dig out!” he threatened. “Go ahead. It’s grariite.” Big Bill’s choleric face turned purple. His mouth opened and his eyes became murderous; but a voice yelled in the crowd: * We can “ Aw, give’m what he wants! He’s got us!” The battle light faded from Big Bill’s eyes. “Well, wadda you want?” he demanded. ‘That money.” “Tt’s in the bank.” “Oh! Then maybe you brought your bank books with you. I'll look into ’em.” Steve held out his hand. He was not to be denied. The long imprisonment and the armed ranch hands above the shaft seemed to have a persuasive effect. Big Bill reluctantly produced a little book. 231 “Yow ’ll pay for this!” he promised. ‘T’ve paid already. And now you, Tay- lor; and you, Baum.” ‘“ My coin’s in ’Frisco,” explained Baum. ‘All right. I'll get a power of attorney to take it. ll find where you live. All of you. Ill file attachments against the properties of you three fellows, wherever they are.” “What?” roared Big Bill. “Suré. I want that money back.” “That boy’s clever!” sneered Hammond, from the wall. ‘“ And you thought he was a boob! Ha-ha!” Big Bill twitched around viciously. © “ That’s enough from you!” he howled, catching Hammond by the throat and shak- ing him to his knees. four-flusher—I’ll kill you!” A shot exploded into the mine. Acrid powder fumes clouded the air. Big Bill jumped back. ‘‘ Ya-a-a-a-a-a!”’ whimpered the helpless: Big Bill. ‘ You crooks!” But Steve took advantage of the moral effect of the shot. pockets and into suit cases, bringing forth bank books, memoranda and other things which might help in his future exploration for his money. “And now, gentlemen, a few papers to sign,” he suggested. ‘ Powers of aitomey and so forth.” They signed. The ear-splitting crack of the pistol had shaken their morale. It was a sullen, silent crowd. Steve was glad of it. He stuffed the booty into his pocket and | started up the ladder, and reached his friends. “Hey!” came Hammond’s voice. “When do we get out? You were only kiddin’ about the box cars, wasn’t you?” “ Certainly not.” There was a howl. voice: “ All right. Then came another How soon do we go?” Steve, with about fourteen thousand — dollars’ worth of assets under his hand, and possibly more coming when he could filehis attachments, gave his reply down the shaft: “Tl let you get out after I’ve collected all my money. Then I'll ship you ina - _ freight car to the city, where rss arte: = “You crook, you - He rummaged through — . 5 ; 7. A! y : \ : ¥ > . ie cs s ’ felts - Ml hy AN ty AN is hae uff / \ ba vee) ey \ By is Mpa) :' yr, fat ‘ ad Vo dee Do TUT ae he ap Talere tg my was ‘we sats NAGY = us Aah g hy » ‘| n" PoE GS bar Ve Ky “) y fon r A NG ee eat - sb aN ye yond ieee