Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 28, 1928 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

952 balance was missing. Possibly, Poley thought, the holder had kept the wrong bit. With popping eyes, he read: —because the old mill tower had served us before and it is not too far from Welliver’s. [ am glad Welliver’s was picked, there ought to be a percentage there. The gang will be pleased. As long as the mill is the wind-up, it will be only natural that something in the line of a celebration should be pulled off at Tripper’s. We'll meet there, at any rate. Meantime, you need not worry about my letting anything drop; an oyster is a roarin’ fool, stacked up against me. Wednes- day night at Tripper’s, I’ll have an ear- ful for you— “Whew!” ejaculated Poley and crinkles stirred up and down his spine. He glanced at his watch. Wednes- day night! It was practically that al- ready—half past six! What luck! Here he was in posses- sion of the plans of a desperate gang to rob the rich Welliver home, within a few hours, too! The old tower of the disused Flecker woolen mill on Bearcat Creek named as a rendezvous! Gosh! He must step fast! It might weil be that other robberies were to be pulled off simultaneously. Yes, they probably intended to do several jobs and meet at the mill to exchange reports, check up on things. Then on to Tripper’s road house for their celebration! Poley considered. He dare not broadcast the news. The gangsters most certainly would be warned off if he did so. He wanted to catch them red-handed, Furthermore, he wanted the glory himself. He would show that upstart, Clem Pitts, a thing or two. He would swear in some deputies right away and form a plan. The robbers who should visit Wel- liver’s must be caught in the act. The others could be picked up either at the mill or at Tripper’s; he guessed the mill would be the best bet. Fred Carney, the town clerk, entered ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. the office at that moment. With in- stinctive generalship, Poley button- holed him. “Fred,” he said, “I gotta swear you in as deputy cop. I can do it, you know, under the town by-laws.” Fred nodded. “Sure you can. What’s the row ?” “First,”’ resumed Poley, “ you take the oath.” He proceeded to repeat the formula enjoining, among other things, abso- lute, unquestioned obedience to the chief’s orders. Fred swore to all of it. “My first order is to keep your mouth shut!’ Poley told his ally. “Next, you go down to Welliver’s. Stick around there an’ keep your eyes peeled. I got a tip somethin’s goin’ to be pulled off there to-night. You get on the job; take your gun. I'll have a couple more fellers down there with you ’fore many minutes. But I want t’ git certain points covered right away. Savvy?” “Yes. But—say! Well, you better get those boys down mighty quick.” “Sure I will. Nothin’ won’t hap- pen f’r hours, I guess. But I ain’t takin’ no chances. See?” “Allright. I’m on my way. Hurry up yourself!” “TI will,” said Poley: “Ha!” He had spotted Clem Pitts through the open door and a delicious idea was born in that instant. He ran out on the heels of the departing Fred and hailed his enemy. “Come here, Pitts,” he commanded. “T wanta see you.” “Oh, so?” answered Pitts, languid- ly. “What you got on your mind, chief. Burglar catching yarn for the paper? Time’s short.” “Yours ‘Il be, if you don’t close your trap an’ listen to me. I’m swearin’ you in as deputy under the town by- laws. Get that? You know the oath, but [ll run through it. Stick up your mitt now. You swear? All O. K. My first order is to keep your mouth EOPMIGLOOOKS (E@)