Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

— 948 Tell him I want to thank my lawyer be- fore he leaves town. Tell him anything. But bring him here.” Red grinned. “ Nothin’ easier.” And he was off, his high-heeled boots clanking down the tiled corridor. Then, breathlessly, Jim waited. He saw the sun outside dip gradually lower over the hills as they changed in the dying light from orange to purple. He heard, faintly, the toot of number three. Seven o’clock came, and eight— And then at about eight thirty, a nurse came to help him to the phone in the cor- ridor. “| tried to take the message,” she apolo- gized, “‘ but he said it was very important and that he wouldn’t speak to any one but you.” Eagerly, Jim placed the receiver to his ear. ‘““ Howdy,” came the voice at the other end, “ this’s Red. They got me down here in jail.” “Tn jail?” gasped Jim, his heart sinking. “Yea, bo—kidnapin’. Your bozo wouldn’t come along so I ambled uptown an’ got some o’ the boys an’ we lassoed an’ hog-tied him an’ Morton both. Only before we could git ’em more’n a couple 0’ blocks, the girl’d called up the police, an’ we run into the whole force—yeah, both of ‘em, but they had guns. Reckon we orter’ve tied up the gal, too, but it didn’t seem nice to do it to a lady.” “And Morton and Brown got away on the train, then?” “Wal, Brown, he was ready to go, but Morton said they’d gotta stay an’ make sure I got my ninety-nine years in Flor- ence.” Jim heaved a sigh of relief. He returned to his room to sleep rest- fully. But along toward morning, he awoke, the prey to fresh doubts. Suppose Morton were really intent on sending Red up? From what he knew of the man, it was likely enough. And fur- thermore, if Morton could drag his father and himself into the mess, wouldn’t it rather spoil the chances of the judge’s believing their story? ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. His father came in toward nine the next morning. And quickly, Jim went over all that had taken place. His father nodded. His blue eyes grown very serious. “But, Jim,’ he said, ‘“‘do you realize what this may mean for Red—and for us, too? Assault and battery, if the judge is lenient, and something worse, if he isn’t. I'll try to see Brown right away, and fright- en the thing out of him.” The rancher returned in half an hour, his eyes even more serious. “Well, son, we are in trouble now, I’m afraid. Morton’s been just one too slick for us. Brown’s nowhere to be found. Morton evidently sent him out of town on the eleven fifty, last night.” For a long second, they looked at each other. Then Jim sat up, painfully. “Dad,” he commanded, “ get me my clothes, and get me out of here. I can drag along on crutches out to the car. And I reckon I can stand a short ride if you’re careful of the bumps. Here’s where Mor- ton’s overplayed his hand. If we can show the judge that our witness skipped town just as we were looking for him, maybe the old boy ’ll listen to us. Besides, we can make Morton explain just why Brown did leave.” His father took his hand. His eyes lit up. “ By golly, you’re right. Brown’s dis- appearance really helps us!” They were off in about fifteen minutes, despite the protestations of the nurses, Jim hobbled painfully, supported by his father. But just as they gained the outside door, 2 hired touring car drove up with a loud squeak of brakes. And out of the car jumped Elizabeth Worth, waving frantically at them. *¢ Jim—er, Mr. Bell, I mean,” she began breathlessly. ‘“‘ I want to know what you’ve done with Mr. Brown. A man said you wanted to see him yesterday. And a little later that man tried to take him by force. Well, now he’s gone again. What do you know about him?” Eomichooks (E©)