Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 27, 1925 — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

850 to act,” reproved Monty. “ You're such amateurish and avaricious crooks that you don't even notice that we're adrift—and sinking again!” He pointed to the side seams of the floor where water once more was pouring in. That and the gentle dipping of the barge corroborated him. Either the old tub had been insecurely moored when it was snubbed back, or somebody had cast it loose. The tide had risen, carrying the clumsy craft downstream, filling as it went. At Monty’s warning, the crooks momen- tarily turned their startled glances to the bubbling seams. In that instant’s shifting of attention Trescott took a chance for his gun. As he snatched, Fenton’s automatic streamed fire. Trescott toppled backward, his gun firing upward. Its roar mingled with the crashing of glass as the bullet shattered the lamp, plunging the cabin into blackness. X. AUTOMATICALLY, Monty dived to the floor as the lamp shivered to bits. He was just in time, as shots flashed out in the dark- ness overhead. His hands touched the wet leather case which had been dumped off the overturned table. Stretching his chain so cautiously that it did not rattle, he wriggled to its limit. This carried him to where lay the still form of Trescott, which he used as a shield. Swiftly locating the crook’s keys, Monty unlocked his leg chain. In the dark around him were four men ready to shoot, each hesitating to fire for fear of hitting a pal or betraying his own whereabouts. A sound would invite an ex- ploring shot. Wriggling back noiselessly, Monty again found the suit case. With all his limited strength he tossed the grip up into the air so that it would fall as far from the door as possible. That unmistakable thud of wet leather landing heavily on the floor was the signal for a concerted dive by every other man in the room. ‘Monty could hear them plunging, grunting and striking as they fought for the prize, and he also heard ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Belle begging to be cut loose. He did not pause. At the first sound of scrimmage, he wriggled as fast as he could go toward the door, reached up, pulled it open and darted outside. What to do next was his problem as he slammed the door shut behind him. He would have to improvise instantly, which was one of the best things Monty did. He could dive overboard, although he was not a powerful swimmer and the barge was well off shore. As long as Ruth was a prisoner on board, he would not desert. And he knew that, alone, he could not hold shut the door against the exertions of the men in the cabin. That they would follow as soon as they could untangle them- selves was certain, for he was the one common foe of them all. They were crooks, and he was their intended prey. He had to act quickly. Startlingly, a man’s head and shoulders rose above the side of the canal boat. The man was standing, spread-legeed, in the cockpit of a motor boat which tossed on the gently heaving river. He_was trying to sink a boathook into the barge’s deck with which to hold the motor launch alongside. “That you, Gil?” demanded Monty eagerly, hurling at the shadowy figure the name he remembered hearing Trescott use in ordering the boatman to return after dark. “Yeh,” came the hesitating response. “Who are y—” “ Quick! Come aboard—you’re needed,” urged Monty, seizing the boathook and steadying it. “Toss me your line, and I'll make it fast. Trescott needs you on the run.” He seized the line thrown to him and gave its end a turn about a cleat. The boatman was scrambling aboard from the launch which Monty had drawn alongside. In the darkness the man was staring at: him. “Tn there, with your gun,” directed Monty imperatively, waving toward the cabin door. ‘Chief and Paul and Bat having a row with a couple who tried to hijack the dough. Quick.” He gave the man no time to think. As Gil hesitated, trying to make out this in- COMmica@oo SS Co