Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 16, 1921 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

96 Higher! I’m awful nervous with a gun. Now, come into the center of the room.” They came, followed by the rays of the torch. Her deft hands robbed them of their firearms. She stored the extra weapons in her sweater-pockets. Then she addressed Holt sharply, reliev- ing him of the light as she spoke. ‘“ Up with you, alongside your friends. All three of you back up against nat wall.” “ Hey, listen!” She gestured 2 teaca i with the pistol. Holt rose and backed slowly toward Poe ‘and Kidder, his manacled hands held above his head. The three of them lined up, facing her, pinned to the wall by the stabbing light and the menace of her weapon. May Carr backed swiftly toward the open door. From the doorway she spoke again. “Tf any of you huskies think you can wriggle through that tiny window you're welcome to try, after I’m gone. I don’t think you can doit. And this door is going to be barred from outside, so I guess that ’l hold you until I bring up some of the boys from Hydro. Take my advice and you won’t try to get loose. It’s a long trail back to Snoquamish Pass and you’re bound to get caught one side or the other. Good- by.” “ Wait!” Poe’s husky voice quivered re- ‘proachfully. ‘Somebody swiped them bonds out of our bag. Gus claims it was you. I ain’t sure, but if it wasn’t you, me and Gus have got a little settlement to make to-night—” “It was you! Gus entreated. “Ves,” said May Carr. “I took them when the light blew out. I have them with me. I took them because I hoped you and_Gus would come back looking for them.” Poe muttered something eloquent of bit- terness. May Carr took another backward step. ‘“‘-Veah, how about me, lady?” The detective’s hands stretched out en- treatingly. “Listen, you ain’t going to leave me here to be murdered?” “T don’t think your friends will murder It was; wasn’t it, lady?” _ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. you... Not really. Because a posse will be back for them in a little while—and that would mean swinging for them. Of course they might feel a little sore—”’ “ But I tell you i’m Jack Holt, of the Atkins Agency. I thought you said you be- lieved me—” “T’m inclined tto believe you. Sometimes I think you are just what you say—” “* Well then, for God’s sake—”’ Her voice was cool—brisk. “ And if you really are Holt—” “Tam. You must know I am—” ~ “Well, if you are Jack Holt, you're get- ting just what you deserve. Let me remind you: Ed Mears, deputy sheriff at Hydro, has been flat on his back with a fever. Too weak to stir out. But it was Ed Mears who figured out why and how Poe and Kid- der would come over Snoquamish Pass. He figured it all out and sent for Jack Holt, of the Atkins Agency, and they made a bar- gain to go halves on the reward. But Jack Holt being a really great detective couldn’t see it that way. He wouldn’t wait for the man Mears wanted to send to help him. No. He decided to do the job alone—and take all the reward. No help from hick constables for Jack Holt. He’s a man who can use his own brains!” She chuckled grimly. Then she added: “But maybe you’re not Holt after all. How can I tell? T’ll just leave you with your friends until Ed Mears has a look at you.” “You framed this! out!” “Remember, even you said I was smart —for a woman! I knew about you—and the way you double-crossed Mears. I came looking for you.” “ But—but, lady, who the hell are you?” She laughed contentedly. “ Nobody. No detective at all, Holt. I’m only the girl that’s going to marry Ed Mears the day we cash those rewards.” She was still chuckling when the door was barred and she was free to turn down the trail to Hydro. But there were no chuckles in the cabin where two sorely tried crooks were considering what to do to the hapless Jack Holt. You figured all this 6A Go NOOK ©