Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

v7) ld A\j Part Ve a by Theodore ~ Goodridge Roberts Author ef “The Wasp,” “ Twe Shall Be Born,” etc. CHAPTER XXII. TIME. AVE BARKER emerged from the 1) brush into Starling’s field of vision. He walked circumspectly, with up- raised hands, and his face was immobile and expressionless. His eyes did not meet those of his partner. A tall, powerfully built man followed at his heels, carrying two rifles—Dave Barker’s and his own. Barker halted beside his partner. Neither made any movement to lower his hands. Dazed though he was by the sudden turn that events had taken, Starling felt an instinctive and compelling curiosity re- garding his captors. In the firm lines of Victor Kent’s clear-cut face he found no indication of the criminal or man of vio- lence. Kent regarded Barker and Starling with coldly impersonal gray eves, whose expression was neither friendly nor inimical. He spoke easily, in the tones of one who was accustomed to giving commands, and he knew that he was master of the present situation. He addressed the deputy sheriff. ‘“‘ Promise me that neither you nor your companion will pull a gun until I have talked to you, Barker,’ he said, “ and Ill let you drop your hands.” “TI promise,” replied Dave Barker in a flat, expressionless voice. John Starling only nodded his head. The moment was one of pcril for both of them. It seemed to him that their lives might depend upon the next words spoken, yet fear was not the sensation which dominated him, but rather a hectic interest in the ac- tion that was unfolding before him, and a curiosity as to the next stage of its de- velopment. He felt also chagrin at the ease of their capture. In this meeting with Kent and his wife the plans that they had formed and discussed by many camp-fires were rendered futile by the reversion of the positions of the actors. The scene was well played, he thought, but the rdéles were badly mixed. At Kent’s direction they seated themselves side by side, but three feet apart, upon the loaded sled. Victor and Flora continued to stand, with rifles ready. | This story began in the Argosy-Allstory Weekly for December 17. 141 comicloool C©