Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

a ‘Stevens grinned. | THE WHISTLING WADDY WARBLES ON. ” “ Right, chief.” The other man moved swiftly for- ward toward the sound of the shoot- ing, then turned to his left as he disap- peared from sight. The Ace moved on, and then he moved toward the right among the rocks. He had not gone far when a sharp voice rang out in front of him. ‘Stick ‘em up— I got yuh cov- ered!” The Ace started to reach for his gun, then changed his mind as he caught sight of the expression upon the face of the man who stood a short distance away, two heavy Colts held steadily in each hand, their muzzles pointing directly at the pack’s leader. “Put. ’em up, I said,” the mam re- peated sharply. ““I mean what I say.” The Ace laughed shortly and with- out mirth, but he slowly raised his arm above his head. An’ who in th’ hell are yuh?” he asked. 7 “T’m Stevens,” Solitaire answered. “Yuh was lookin’ for me, weren't yuh? Yuh’re one of the Ace’s pack, ain’t yuh?” “No.” The masked man shook his head. “I’m a little more important than that—I am th’ Ace.” “Oh, so yuh’re the big boss, eh?” “Right glad tuh meet yuh—I was hopin’ I would.” “ Solitaire! Look out!” came Jim- my’s voice wildly. “ There’s a man be- hind yuh.” Solitaire glanced over his shoulder and ‘caught sight of a second masked - figure just reaching for his gun. As Stevens shifted his gaze the Ace’s right arm dropped with light- ning swiftness. His gun roared, and Solitaire felt a warm, burning sensa- tion across his chest. His guns flashed in rapid succession, one in either direction. The man behind him muttered an oath and sat down suddenly. The Ace twisted halfway around from the im- THE 83 pact of a bullet in his heart, then tot- tered and fell. Solitaire moved to the man who had been behind him. The latter’s mask had fallen off, and he saw that it was “ Hasty” Craven who sat there rock- ing with pain. “ Yuh—yuh got us, damn yuh,” said Craven. “ But th’ Ace got Jim Harper anyway, and that ‘Il teach that kid a lesson. He—” The bad man’s eyes grew glassy and he rolled over on his side. _ Stevens ran to the limp form of the Ace. Eagerly he leaned down and re- moved the handkerchief. Above all things he wanted to know the leader of the pack’s identity. He gave a gasp of surprise as he caught sight of the short gray mus- tache. The Ace was Hawkner, the sheriff ! , “Well, what d’yuh know about that!” murmured Solitaire. “‘ No won- der there ain't much law and order round here!” Very thoughtfully the Whistling Waddy moved over to where Jimmy now stood close to Ed Jenkins, who still lay prone on the ground. As he did so Solitaire observed that the boy held Jenkins’s heavy Colt in his hand. “He started tuh come tuh,” said Jimmy, grinning. “So I socked him with this an’ put him tuh sleep again.” He laughed. “I figured yuh was too busy tuh be bothered with him.” Stevens looked at the boy and laughed. “Reckon th’ hand’s about played, pardner,” he said. “ We’re gonna take this feller Jenkins back tuh town and make him talk right considerable tuh the folks of Vereston.” Solitaire smiled as he picked up the limp form of the half-breed and moved toward the spot where he had hidden his horse. The smile grew into a broad grin as he heard a noise behind him. Jimmy whistled right well for a kid. END EOMIEDOOKS Eo)