Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

26 especially dangerous to-night when Bode—_ when Kehoe is present.” ‘“T’m sorry,” he responded, ‘“‘ but I can’t allow that to stop me. This ragging of the Corners’ agents has been going on long enove’t.”’ She seemed to comprehend the things he left unsaid. — “Then you're going in there deliberately —with the deliberate mtention of showing them—him—that you cannot be bluffed?” He inclined his head shghtlv. *“* Something lIrke that,”” he admitted. She was regarding him steadily with her big, dark eyes. A thrill went through him as he considered her beauty, her magnifi- cent freure. ‘“ But there are so many of them, if any- thing should start!” she persisted. ‘‘ None of the cther agents ever went into the store ~ at night.” He shook his head gently. '“ Nerther numbers nor precedents must stop me,” he returned. ‘‘ F must go in, if only to show them that. Ef anything should develop I'll try to come through. But F’ll net wait around, or try to sidestep anything they may hatch up fer me; I’ve promised myself that.” She crossed the room quickly. and held out her hanced; her eyes were shiming. “If you must go, shake first!” she said. “IT know just how you feet!” Eageriy he clasped her warm, strong fin- gers, “delighted with the straightforward unexpectedness of her move. “You're wishing me luck!” he ex- claimed, looking steadily into her glowing eyes The top of her head, he noted, came well above the level of his shoulders. Truly a magnificent woman! A magnifi- cent couple, an observer might have said. “TI am,” she replied. ‘“ The best of luck!” “Even with Bode?” For the life of him he could not keep the question back. Her answer was instant. “Even with him,” she said; and then added, somewhat surprisingly: ‘‘ why not?”’ _ “@Oh—” he stumbled, in confusion. “I thought—I understoed—” Quite patently she divined his predica- ment. THE ARGOSY. _. ‘“ Ne,” she said, with not the faintest trace of self-consciousness or embarrass- ment. ‘ No; nothing.” He was rather astounded at her candor. But on the other hand there was some- thing wonderfully appealing about her ut- ter directness, something that seemed to grip him and make his blood dance through his veins. Any reluctance he may have felt regarding Kehoe fled; he was elated. “You've doubled my strength!” he told her, then he turned quickly, opened the door and went out into the little hallway that opened into the store. V. By the sudden silence that fell on the assembly as he entered the store, Dexter judged that the subject of the interrupted diseussion more than likely had been him- self. On cownters, boxes, barrels, and a few odd chairs, the men were ranged—a score and a half at least. On lis chair under the lamp Cal Lister sat, blinking and puffing placidly at his pipe. He, as well as the others, quite ob- viously was surprised at the agent’s en- trance. After a short, embarrassed pause, Cal spoke, in an effort to ease the atmes- phere. ‘“ Boys,” he remarked affably, ‘I guess you all know the new agent.” A murmur of assent ran through the gathering. Dex moved unobtrusively, yet not timidly, to one side of the irregular circle about the stove. He leaned back at ease against a corner of the counter. “ Yes,” said a voice near the front door. ‘We know him.” Mitchell looked and perceived that it was Kehoe whe spoke. The latter stood with his coat buttoned up, his fur cap pulled down, as if about to leave. ‘* Ah, yes,” said Dex evenly, “ Mr. Ke- hoe. The man who beat up Agent Farley —one whom I’ve heard was ten years your senior and about half your weight and size. A brave deed, Mr. Kehoe.”’ Something like a gasp sounded in the store. All eyes were turned to Dexter, then to Kehoe, tensely. In the lamp light Kehoe’s face fhushed furiously. He strode forward two steps. COMmiic|ooo S (CO)