Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

AVALANCHE TACTICS. voice that spoke, however, was to the agent unknown. ‘* Jessie! ”’ She had half risen. calmly sat down again. “Yes?” she answered. There was a quick step, and a man ap- parently but slightly over Dexter’s age ap- peared in the doorway—a tall, powerfully built young man, with a rather handsome face and snappy dark eyes, but with some- what thin and straight, tight lips. He paused as he beheld the two at the table; an unpleasant light crept into his eyes as he regarded the agent. ‘““Come in!” invited Lister’s daughter. ‘“ No thanks,” he returned bruskly. “TI came in to see your father—on business. Thought I’d look in here and say hello.” ‘That was right,” she replied evenly. But at the call she She turned and looked at Dexter. “ Mr. Mitchell, this is Mr. Kehoe.” Dex rose and bowed slightly. This, then, he reflected rapidly, was the man whom Lister was expecting to see about six. Bode Kehoe, he knew, had been ab- sent from the Corners since the day of his arrival—back in the country somewhere, he’d heard. Dexter eyed the man with in- terest. ‘‘ I’m pleased,” he murmured. Kehoe bobbed his head. ‘““Glad to know you,” he declared, his own eyes dwelling in an appraising sort of manner on Dex’s tall figure. ‘Mr. Mitchell is the new agent at the Corners,’”’ explained Jessie. There was, the new agent believed, a suppressed sort of twinkle in her eyes as she said it. ‘“‘T heard there was another one here,” said Kehoe, his voice, if anything, more brusk than before. His brow wrinkled slightly. Now Dex, on his way up to the Corners, had turned over in his mind ways and means of action when he arrived; and the conclusion he had reached was simply this: not to attempt to avoid trouble, to act quick and trust to luck. So now he said: “I have understood, Mr. Kehoe, that you have been taking quite an unusual sort of interest in the Corners’ agents.” 25 ‘Yes,’ responded Kehoe, clearly a lit- tle surprised despite the flash of savage amusement that flitted over his face. ‘Tl! likely have some dealings with you then,” went on Dex. The swift, savage grin once more crossed Kehoe’s face. ‘“T wouldn’t be surprised,” he answered. But at this point Lister’s daughter ap- parently decided that the imminent hos- tility should have no further opportunity to flare forth—not just then, at least. ‘“Won’t you have a bite with us?” she broke in, looking at Kehoe. ‘“No—thanks,” he _ replied. ‘I’ve eaten.”’ There was a jealous flicker in his eyes as he stepped back from the doorway. ‘““T’'ll be in again,” he finished, and turning quickly he went back into the store. Dex seated himself once more and coolly resumed his meal. ‘“A big man,” he observed. ‘Tf you mean physically, yes,” said Jes- sie. ‘‘ Wonderfully strong.” Here, reflected Dex, was an opportunity to press a point. But he refrained. Cer- tainly, he ruminated, there had been noth- ing in the attitude of Lister’s daughter to betoken any particular sentiment for Ke- hoe. He was pleased, mightily. They finished their meal. Dex offered his services as assistant dishwasher. They were declined, politely but firmly. So he took his cap from the rack and moved to the door that opened toward the store. ‘““T think I'll step over into the store a minute and see how things are,” he re- marked. She turned at once and faced him. No evening since his arrival had the agent done that. A quick look of alarm came into her face. T$ D on’t! ) He paused, his hand on the knob, in his eyes the interrogation that his lips did not utter. She hesitated the merest instant. ‘“T think you know why,” she said then, as if he really had put the question aloud. ‘“ There may be trouble if you go in there where all the men are gathered.” She cast a quick glance at a clock on the mantel; its hands stood at a few minutes past seven. ‘“Thev’ll be in by this time; and it will be Conn lON@OOLK CO