Argosy All-Story Weekly, December 4, 1926 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

440) in the snow this morning. They were too big for a coyote. They were about the size of that Malemute’s tracks, same shape. Different than a sheep dog’s, too. See where Pete and Joe have walked, then look where the Malemute stepped, and you can see the difference!”’ “ Pll look into it, Nelson.” “You'll do more than that, Brick. I don’t aim to pick no fuss, but I warned you he’d turn wild. He did. If it ’d been your sheep he killed, it would have been none of my business, but he killed my sheep, and that makes it my business.” “Tf he killed your sheep, I'll pay for it, but I’m not sure he did!” Brick found himself defending Sandy, though secretly believing him guilty. The door opened, and Marie appeared. ‘“‘ What is the trouble?” “Your dog killed a sheep of mine last night,” Nelson said quickly,. ‘‘ and you know the penalty for horse thieves and dogs that kill sheep—death!”’ “Yes, I know, but Sandy never killed, that sheep. Why, in the North he was around reindeer,’ the wolf’s natural prey, and he never bothered them. I know Sandy!” ‘And I know my sheep is dead!” “We'll investigate this, Nelson. If Sandy killed your sheep, we’ll dispose of him and pay you for your loss.” “And if he kills another while you are investigating—”’ “Vou'll be settled with in full.” “Tf you don’t do something, I’ll settle him in full. Lock him up to-night, and see what happens. There’ll be no killing!” Nelson started his motor and rumbled away. He was thoroughly angry. That night Brick locked Sandy up in a shed, and®the last thing he remembered was Sandy peering at him from the wooden bars as if conscious of mistrust on the man’s part. “It’s the only way, old fellow!” Brick walked back to the house in a thoughtful mood. This killing of Sandy was going to be tough on Marie. She had given up a lot to come down here and marry him. She was of the North and he had uprooted her, ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. so to speak. Sandy was the connecting link between her girlhood and her woman- hood. The next morning Sandy was waiting on the back steps. Marie could have told Brick that a Malemute quickly enaws through wooden bars. He got the dog out of sight and waited, watching the road Nelson would certainly take if there had been another killing. “If Nelson comes, Marie, I’ll have to dispose of him. You understand, don’t you, dear?” “Yes, [ understand, but—oh, Nelson is coming!”’ Nelson’s rage was a bit cold this morn- ing. He wore an I-told-you-so expression. ‘Well, he raided the flock last night, Brick. Did you tie him up?”’ “No, I locked him up, Nelson!” Nelson looked puzzled. ‘‘ And did he get away, Brick?” “Yes, Nelson, he got away!” Nelson’s laugh, brief, unpleasant, devoid of humor, broke the silence that followed Brick’s admission. ‘All right, Brick, Vl be on my way. This must be settled in full. Dll send you a bill for the sheep, market price! And to- night I’ll be hidden in my flock with a thirty-thirty rifle!” Brick nodded. “ You’ve a right to pro- tect your sheep, Nelson. But I can’t be- lieve the dog’s guilty.” ‘“That’s because it’s your dog, Brick. I'll be going along. We’ve both got violent tempers,-and more than one worthless dog has led to the killing of good men.” Brick had to thank Nelson for that. could not blame Nelson, either. He noticed that Sandy slept throughout the day as if he had ranged far the previous night. Brick searched in the ranch store- room and found a section of chain. As the chain rattled Sandy lifted his head, then like a flash he sensed restraint and vanished. Brick saw him bounding for a clump of brush bordering the creek. He looked back appreliensively and was gone. “It beats the deuce how much dogs know,” Brick growled. He found his hand on the butt of his gun. He Gomichbooks (EO)