Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

888 tracks, I slipped into a blacksmith shop and picked up a hacksaw. It was an easy matter to pass it through the barred window in the back to Red. ‘“‘ All the time we fellows were searching around the hills Red was sawing away. And just after it got dark, he slipped out. I’d been there to join him right away if those two old-timers hadn’t been watching me all the time. I could not give them the slip nohow—they was afraid I was going to get lost.” “But how comes you fellows are stick- ing so close to town?” [ asks, weak like, my eyes blinking as Sam jiggled the gun. Sam scowled. “We were figuring on making our get- away on the hand-truck that you and me took down the tracks yesterday. But Red lost his bearings in the dark, and never showed up here until it was light. And we can’t risk getting hold of that truck in the daytime. “We were just chewing the rag, when you walked in, whether it would be better to lay low here until dark and grab the truck to-night, or start right away to pull up farther into the hills. Seems to me, we'd better wait, for your posse will never think of looking for us so close to town. But if we go farther up into the hills we’re liable to run into them.” “Then you had it all fixed, when you left the saw, to meet in this cabin after the posse got under way?” I wheezes, begin- ning to see through the whole thing. “ Right you are, sheriff! At the time Red and me held up the Limited, we got to know this country pretty well. We stayed right here in this cabin for two days before we pulled the job. So, you see, it’s kind of like home to us. “T never thought Red would have any trouble finding it, even if he did go a round- about way to throw you off the scent. Of course, it was easy for me, coming straight from town.” “J wouldn’t had a bit of trouble either, if I hadn’t wanted to travel that creek for a long piece, to throw you off my trail,” Red growls. ‘“ That’s where I got all balled up! PP] By this time I was doing some tall think- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ing. When I saw how I was about the dumbest two-legged critter that ever wore a star, I cussed myself under my breath. Yet, the way everything had worked to- gether, many a smarter fellow than me would have been fooled. “Seeing how you’ve got me fast, gentle- men, just what are you reckoning to do?” I chokes, feeling terribly sick at my stom- ach and awfully weak in the knees. “Since we’ve given you the whole dope,” Sam answers, “‘ you can’t expect us to take any chances on getting caught. So here’s where Sheriff Gruber cashes in.” “Pop him off quick and let’s get out of here!”? Red snarls, jumping up from his chair. ‘‘ We’d better find a'place farther away from Highridge to wait till dark.” While I’d been expecting just this thing, yet when it came out in cold words it gave me a terrible shock. Even if I was getting old, I didn’t take to the idea of passing out no more than you would. My eyes were glued to the yawning muz- zle of Sam’s gun, held square and steady at my heart. In a second more she’d spit, then the jig would be up. My mind went back to the wife waiting for me at home and our only son, a bank clerk ’way down in Chicago. It was hell to think I’d never see them again. It just didn’t seem as if I could leave them like this, without a word. “Wait a minute before you pulls the trigger!” I coaxes in a hoarse whisper. ‘“‘ Give me a chance to write a few words to my folks! You oughtn’t refuse a fellow that!” “ Hain’t got any time for such soft stuff!” Red grunts. ‘“‘ Have we, partner?” Sam’s eyes drifted to the floor, thought- ful like. ‘‘ Don’t know about that, Red. You see, I’ve got a woman and a couple of kids down in Arizona myself. I know how he feels. Let’s give him a couple of minutes to write his good-by.” “Make it snappy, then!” Red growls. *“* And see that he don’t work in any tips!” Sam placed his left hand on the back of the chair while he kept the gun trained on me with his right. “ Sit down, sheriff, and be mighty careful what you write. Got a pencil and paper?” Gomichbooks (E)