The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

520 amalgamator, at bay, would have made a fight of it, even against such odds. O’Hara’s long body shot clear of the chaparral. as though propelled by springs, and with the swiftness of lightning he caught the steel and tore it away. “That pulls his fangs for him,” remarked O’Hara, stepping back. “He has no sense at all or he’d know when he’s trapped.” | ‘““What’s this?” puffed Big Steve. * Who's stoppin’ me?”’ “The sheriff,” replied that official briskly. “ Andy!” Both deputies were’ out of the bushes by then, and Andy hurried to the prisoner with a pair of handcuffs. Big Steve showed his mettle and his desperation and began a wild fight against the inevitable. “Leave him to me,” said the flute- player, and caught the thick, hairy wrists. With a strength no one but Brem- erton knew he possessed, O’Hara slowly but surely brought the hands of the prisoner together in front of him. “Don’t be in a rush with those come-alongs, Andy,” cautioned OHara. ‘“ Bremerton wants his coat, do you mind. There’s another one to be dealt with.” The words caused Big Steve to remember Chombo, and he lifted a roar of warning. The other deputy came up behind and slapped a hand over the prisoner’s mouth. “ Off with the coat,” said Bremer- ton, bringing the light closer. “I don’t think the yell caused any harm.” With the sheriff’s help the coat was stripped from the amalgamator’s shoulders and the handcuffs snapped in place. Bremerton put on the coat over his flannel shirt, and picked up a black slouch hat that lay in the trail. “Take him off to the wagon,” he went on the deputies. A twisted handkerchief was _ tied between Big Steve’s jaws as a precau- THE ARGOSY. tion against any further use-of his voice, and the two men half dragged and half carried him alore tke road. Ransom borrowed the lantern and turned its light-into the open mouth of the sack. “Caught him with the goods, all right!” There was a throb of satis- faction in his husky voice. “ Bremer- ton, we’ve a dead open and shut so far as that fellow is concerned.” “We'll get the others in the same way,’ was Bremerton’s response. “There’s only one more, Lee,” put in O’Hara quietly. ‘‘ Make sure.” “We will make sure of it, Mike.” Bremerton stuffed his own hat in the front of his coat and put on Big Steve’s. ‘‘ We’ve got to proceed care- fully, from now on, if we locate the amalgam.” He picked up the bag and threw it over his shoulder. “ Shut off the lantern,” he added, ‘and follow well in the rear.”’ “Wait a bit.’ O’Hara_ stepped closer to his friend. ‘“ This is the part of your scheme, Bremerton, that has little appeal to me. The breed may think you’re Bryden for a few mo- ments, but how will this play get you the location of the amalgam? If you think you can act the part of Steve and get Chombo to talk, then you’re far wide of your trail. Again, sup- pose Chombo heard that yell of Big Steve’s? If he did, he'll be waiting and ready for you.” ““Chombo will be in the dark of the arroyo,” explained Bremerton. ‘“‘ We can’t hide out and wait for him, as we did for Steve, and the three of us can’t approach the mouth of the arroyo without arousing the breed’s suspicions. There’s a flat to cross, and practically no cover. This is the only move we can make that will lay Chombo by the heels, and I may get a tip regarding the amalgam.” “And you may get something more than you expect,” muttered O’Hara. “Not from Chombo. He has only one good hand.” | “Well, go ahead,” cut in the sheriff COMicdoo S CO@