Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

606 THE 4 “The driver ought to be_ back soon, then?” Pre “T been expectin’ him every minute. Them horses ain’t had no long feed, an’ they got to have it before they go far.” “Tf I handed you another five-dollar bill, could you find out where the driver took this man?” 4 Easy.” Jerry handed over another five. “You jest set back there in the shadows,” the hostler said. ‘‘ When Dan comes in, I'l] just ask him carelesslike if he had much of a trip, tellin’ him them horses ain’t had their long feed. You'll hear what he says. I guess I got a right to know how far them horses is travelin’ with nothin’ in their stomachs but cats. A horse ‘ll get indiges- tion if he don’t have his long feed give him proper.” Jerry stepped back into the darkness of the stable. Waiting was irksome, but he had to wait. There was no place here to pick up Manners’s trail. He thought he waited half an hour at Jeast, but not more than ten minutes elapsed before a team was driven in on the floor. The hostler started to unhitch the horses. “Now, Dan,” said the hostler with an effect of irritation in his tone, “ that’s the last time you get this here team without waiting till they have their hay. ‘I suppose you been drivin’ them hell-bent. Are they sweatin’? They ain’t had no water since noon neither.” ) ‘Naw, I didn’t drive ’em hard,” Dan answered. ‘I just went down to the river and dropped this guy an’ a girl we picked up at the head of the next street. I don’ know what th’ hell they want down by the river in this weather. Mebbe they think it “ll freeze an’ they'll wait an’ go skatin’. I’m goin’ to get my supper, ol’ Mustard Plaster.” He went out and Jerry emerged from the shadows. He did not wait to thank the hostler, but started for the river on a dog- trot. There were few persons in the street and those that were paid no attention to a white-faced man who was running toward the river. When Jerry reached the boat-house he saw that it was dark. But it had been dark ARGOSY. the-night Jensen had been in it and Jerry was sure that Manners and Mamie were there now. He paused to get his breath and then it occurred to him that Manners might have help. Jensen could whistle up a crew of thugs at any time, because many of them were indebted to him. On the other hand it was possible that Manners was alone with Mamie. One thing Jerry saw clearly: Jensen was losing what little cunning he had had. It was a brazen and foolish thing for him to have had Mamie taken to the boat-house, because if Dayton, for instance, went seeking her a blind chase might lead him there. Jerry had a glimpse of what whisky and nervous fear were doing to the big Swede. When he had recovered his breath, he crept around to the rear of the boat-house. The door was closed, but there was a big, worn keyhole in it and Jerry applied an ear to this. For a time there was silence, and then Mamie’s voice said quite suddenly: ‘Why don’t you tell me what you have to tell me? Why did you bring me to a place like this? Couldn’t you have told me at the station?” “Aw, shut up ly, “TI ain’t got anything to tell you.” “You lied, then?” “Call it that. I had to get you down here. I thought you’d come if I said I was goin’ to release you from your promise. I couldn’t think of nothin’ else to say.” ‘How long do you expect to keep me here?” * Till Jensen comes.” “Oh, you’re employed by Jensen, are your” “Shut up.” Jerry straightened up with a sigh of re- lief. Certainly only Manners and Mamie were inside the boat-house. Rescue of Mamie would be easy. 7 For the moment Jerry forgot the sad news he had to break to his girl. Cold rage had wiped recollection of it from his mind. He didn’t know what he was going to do to Manners, but it would be sufficient. He softly turned the knob of the door and when the catch clicked back, he threw the door open and stepped inside. His re- volver was in his right hand. 1»? om Manners said petulant- COnmMicloookKs (C@