Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

LOCAL TALENT. work to get lonesome; agreed that at times the trails were pretty bad and the living problem knotty, but seemed buoyed up by unfailing optimism and guided by shrewd common sense. She volunteered little, but talked readily enough when Holt and Gus asked questions. : Holt ceased questioning finally and showed evidences of thinking. Finally, “‘ Gus, c’mere a minute,” he said. The two went to a far corner of the room and began to argue some question in whispers. May Carr rose. “ This place is getting stuffy,” she announced. “ If you don’t mind I'll open the window a bit.”’ An absent-minded nod from the two in the corner gave her permission. She pushed the window high. A gust of wind shook the cabin. The coal-oil lamp flickered sharply, then went out. May Carr’s frightened exclamation was echoed by the shouts of Holt and his part- ner, a scuffle of feet, an exclamation from the prisoner in tones of evident annoyance, “Me try to break away! Where d’you get that stuff?” Then the woman’s voice: “Tl find a match in just a second now. Sure had a box by this stove when I started supper. Now where in the world—”’ “ Better make it snappy, lady,” Holt sug- gested grimly. ‘Don’t like this dark—” From the prisoner: “ Hell, I’m not start- ing anything!” ; From Gus: ‘‘ Who kicked my leg? Ow! Get off my corn, Holt!” . Holt was protesting sharply. “I ain’t on your Gorn, I tell you!” when a match was scratched and they saw May Carr at the lamp. The light glowed again. She closed the window briskly and _ smiled. -“ Didn’t know it was blowing so,”’ she apol- ogized. Holt grumbled. “No harm done, I guess,” and picked up the black leather bag knocked from the table to floor in the confusion. . Then he turned to their hostess. ‘“ Me and Gus was wondering,” he said, “ if you could keep an eye on our prisoner for us? You see, Poe’s partner is liable to be coming down that trail ’most any time, and we 93 aim to bag ’em both. That’s the policy of Atkins’s Agency, Miss Carr. Make a clean job of it no matter how much trouble it costs.” He grinned genially. “ We thought if we tied Poe up good maybe you’d just as lief keep an eye on him for a few hours while we watched the trail? If the other fellow don’t show up by morning, why we'll go to Hydro, and telephone for some fresh men for that job. Guess you ain’t afraid ito stay with this Poe, eh? I'll leave you a gun—”’ “T have a gun. And I’m not afraid.” May Carr smiled slightly. “By gosh, and that’s no bluff, either!” Holt vowed with real enthusiasm as he sur- veyed her erect, vigorous figure. ‘“ You could lick six of him! Eh, Poe?” He guffawed delightedly. Gus had produced a length of stout cord and was already making a hobble about Poe’s ankles. Holt unfolded a handker- chief and thrust it into his prisoner’s mouth. May Carr protested. .“‘ Oh, must you do that?” “Well, it’s this way,” Holt’s husky voice whispered confidentially; ‘he’s a foul- mouthed, hard-boiled guy, miss, and leave him alone with you this way and he’s liable to say something rough—maybe make you uncomfortable, y’see?”’ She nodded thoughtfully. It was perfectly plain, when they had finished, that the prisoner was not going to make anybody any trouble, either vocal or otherwise. He was hobbled by the ankles; his wrists were held securely by steel bracelets and his jaws were spread apart by ‘the gag. Holt addressed ‘him with his ready grin. “* Just take it easy, Poe. Don’t excite your- self none. Keep calm whatever you do, and maybe if you’re patient we’ll come back and get you pretty soon. Ready, Gus?” ‘“ Ready,” Gus declared, picking up the black leather bag. ‘* Good luck, boys,” said May Carr. “I hope you find your man.” When they had gone she resumed her seat at the table, studying the prisoner. He sat facing her, his hands held stiffly before him, his face half obliterated by the gag. cComiclbool< (C@