Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

300 them criminals since you left. They have as much courage now as sheep. “That Jim Dayton is some man. He is a good thinker. When you left, he gave over the job of watchin’ the men to me and went prowlin’ over this here club. He finds _ there is a garret up-stairs. It’s a fine place to listen to what’s being said below. Day- ton has two guns on him, and I have one. Dayton told those suckers that if they made a move they would be dead men. He said they was a railroad gang out here, brought by you, to break into the place and an- niilate them if a sound of struggle come out to them when Jensen arrived. So all you need to do is to wait, Jerry.” ‘“‘ Dayton’s a good man in a pinch,” Jerry said. They stood away from the house so that they would not be seen if Jensen should come out unexpectedly. It had not occurred to Jerry that any- one else would come to the place, and he was unprepared for the three figures that suddenly loomed out of the snow. He was sure he and Pat would be seen, but the men passed them with bent heads. The door was opened and closed. | “We've got to get up close to the door,” Jerry said. “ The arrival of those three men may give the other fellows courage. They may tell Jensen what has happened.” They edged up till they were just beside the door. There they stood, listening in- tently for a. sound within the room. Jerry’s fear was well founded—for five minutes. When the newcomers entered the room, the others had an impulse to confess to Jensen that the girl was no longer their prisoner. But the same thought came to all of them. If they so confessed, Jensen would punish them. They had seen that he was nervous and irritable. He had been drink- ing a good deal. The men did not know the others who had just arrived. But they knew their kind. They were professional criminals, reckless and bloodthirsty. At a signal from Jensen they might neatly and quickly dispose of the three guards. Be- sides, Jensen would know presently that Mamie had escaped. When he did learn that, he would refuse to pay the men the THE ARGOSY. money: he had promised them. They had nothing to gain by confession and all to lose. So they held their peace. The three newcomers sat down, back from the table, and eyed the original three with cold disfavor. “You seem to have a crowd, mister,” one of them said. He was a thin, slightly built man with a face like mottled marble. It was as cold and hard as marble, too. ‘“ They'll be leavin’ in a minute,” Jensen said. He turned to one of the men. ‘““How’s the girl business?” he asked. “She’s been meek,” the man answered. “T reckon she’s asleep. They ain’t been a sound from that room for more’n two hours.” The leader of the criminals got to his feet swiftly and noiselessly. “Girl?” he said harshly. “I didn’t know there was any girl in this. If you’re mixin’ a girl with business, just count us out. Them two things never did mix and they never will.” He turned on Jensen a look of such utter malignity that Jensen felt a shiver of acute fear run through him. He hastened to apol- ogize and explain. “She was just stoppin’ here till you men came,” he said. ‘“‘ She’s leavin’ right away. Bring her out, boys, and take her to the carriage down the street. Take her to my place. Tell Bill to see that. you get in without bein’ seen. Hustle, now.” The men moved toward the door of the adjoining room, but with less alacrity than suited Jensen. He spat out an oath at them. “Hurry,” he ordered. One of the men opened the door. On the threshold he stopped, staring in pretended bewilderment. ‘“ Before Gawd,” he whispered, “she’s gone.”’ Jensen’s chair was overturned by the swiftness of his rising. He ran to the door and steod staring over the shoulders of the other men. Then fury ran riot in him. He seized the man nearest him and bore him back. The man went down. Jensen cast himself on him and started to beat him, mouthing curses as he did so. ~~ Gomiuichbook (C@)