The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

JUST ‘““What’s up?” demanded Pete in a thick voice, having been aroused by the strenuous shouting. ‘Thieves! The board-room has been broken into. The ballot-box is busted,” explained somebody in the crowd. ‘“You don’t mean it!” replied Pete, ducking his head back. ‘“He was out last night, all right,” Spooner said to Hicks. “I gave him the five-dollar bill to stay home, but probably he just left the light burning to represent his presence, and then went out to celebrate.” ““That’s the way it looks, all right,” replied Hicks. “ You’d better not wait, Hicks. You go and get those men who saw Pierce with the ax-handle. We've got to work that thing out; there’s no time to lose. They may have some circulars printed before long that will throw the suspi- cion on us. We've got to get the goods on them first. ‘There seems to be only one clue, the ax-handle; go after that, and get some evidence out of it.” So Hicks hurried away to hunt up the men willing to testify that Pierce had carried home a new ax-handle the night before. Meanwhile Pete came down, shame- faced, and grinning sheepishly at those who knew his failings. Yet, underneath all that surged a sort of shifty - eyed fright that amused the onlookers who knew in what peril Pete’s job always stood. ‘Well, Pete, this is a nice mess, and you’re responsible,” said Spooner. ‘““T didn’t hear a word. I was sleep- in’ sound. I worked so hard on election, sir. I didn’t hear a word; never a word,” cried Pete stoutly. | “Didn't hear a word!” repeated Spooner sharply. ‘“ Who thought there were any words? You must have been dreaming, Pete! What’s the matter?” “TI mean, I didn’t see a thing. I didn’t see a thing,’’ went on Pete with hysterical reiteration. ‘We know you didn’t, Pete,” Spooner quickly. ‘‘ The fault .we have to find is that you neglected your duty.” “I did not. I was sleepin’, never knew a thing had happened till this morning, sir.” “ Better be careful. Pete. This may FOR SPITE. replied cir, <=] 635 all be used as evidence against you. You know you've lied out of little things before, and that your jo! here isn’t any too secure.” “S’elp me! I didn’t hear a thing, sir. I went to bed at nine o’clock, sir, an’ slept like an honest man.” ‘“ You’re a liar!’ cried somebody from the edge of the crowd. ‘ Didn’t Pen Ellison kick you out of his saloon at two o'clock this morning? ”’ A wave of red went over Pete’s face. It was quickly followed by a sheet of white. Pete stood convicted. He knew he could not lie out of that, for the evi- dence was against him. ‘Well, Pll throw up my job and go,” he said, running a trembling hand through his unkempt hair and sticking out his ugly jaw. “Oh, no, you won't, Pete.” said a new voice, and a hand clapped down on the engineer’s shoulder. ‘“ You'll stav till this ballot-box mystery is cleared up. You were supposed to guard it; you'll be an important witness. And, mind you, if you heard anything. vou’d best tell about it right now.” The crowd swayed back a little as they recognized the judge of election, who had suddenly appeared before Pete. “Well,” said the engineer slowly, “ I believe [ did hear a Uttle breakin’ of glass durin’ the night, but I was too sleepy to care.” “We'll find out all about that,” re- plied the judge. ‘‘ Now, we'll see what the damage is.” He unlocked the door to the board- room, and entered with Spooner, Pierce, and several other prominent citizens, Pete bringing up the rear. Stepping quickly to the broken win- | dow, the election judge picked up the ax-handle and looked at it. ‘The handle had been thrust through the window and had also crashed through the glass front of the ballot-box, knocking it to the floor and strewing the ballots about. “Gentlemen, this is very serious,’ said the judge, holding out the ax- handle for inspection, ‘and this is all the evidence we have to work on.” ‘“T saw Hicks carrying home that ax- handle yesterday afternoon,” cried Pierce suddenly. All eyes were fixed upon him. Conmicyoo