Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 21, 1922 — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

142 ~“ You men realize how things stand,” Victor said. ‘‘ We could shoot you and take your dogs and outfit. You can see that. They would be invaluable to us. We have lost our dogs, and are short of grub—I have a chewed shoulder. But we do not want to shoot you two.” “ Much obliged,” murmured Barker. “Tf I were the murderer you think me, Barker, I’d as soon shoot you as Swithen, or any one else. Have you thought of that?” The deputy sheriff met Kent’s eyes squarely. His voice was sullen, but held no fear. “ Tt don’t matter to us officially what sort of a murderer you are,” he said. ‘“ And we're here officially, as I reckon you know.” “ You could be dead in more ways than Officially if we pulled a trigger, Dave Bar- ker. But that is what we don’t intend to do. I believe that there is no need for it now, if you will be reasonable. Time is what I need—not your lives. And I sup pose that your lives are of more value to you two than the little time that I want.” ‘Time? What d’ye mean by time?” questioned the deputy sheriff uncompre~- hendingly. ‘You have cost us plenty of that already.” ~ “ T judge from my map that we are about seven or eight days from Mooseyard, with good dogs and good luck. What do you “T reckon that’s about right.” Victor nodded. His voice was more friendly now and a humorous light had crept into his eyes, so that John Starling, though troubled, felt danger passing, and admiration for his captors growing. Dave’s attitude of sullen and argumentative defi- ance pleased him. The old-timer was cer- tainly game. John listened attentively to Kent’s words, and kept an eye on the girt and the gun she held so lightly. “Ves,” continued Victor. ‘“ Well, the idea is that I don’t want to be in Moose- yard so soon as that. Fourteen or fifteen days would suit us better.” “We ain’t runnin’ this show to suit you. We represent the law.” Flora laughed, and it was a laugh that gave John Starling a shock of surprise. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, ‘You are not running it at all, Mr. Bar- ker,” she said, ‘‘ and perhaps—if my hus- band proves too considerate to teach you reason—you will be taught reason by me. You needn’t stare. I mean it.” “Good Lord!” exclaimed the deputy sheriff, continuing to stare. ‘“ Would ye shoot a man, Miss Scott?” ‘* Of course—an unreasonable man,” she replied. “*T believe you, Miss Scott,” said Dave slowly, then turned his eyes to Victor. “What d’ye want the time for?” “Perhaps you will know that some day, Barker,” replied Victor. “As yet I have not even told my wife. Two weeks more away from Mooseyard, instead of one, won’t make any difference to either of you, your duty, or your reward—unless a vast difference for the better. Give us your words of honor that we shall all remain here in our camp for seven more days, and we will hand our rifles and pistols over to you, here and now. I feel sure that you will agree to this.” Dave Barker turned inquiring eyes to his partner. John saw that there was no alternative. The proposal was a strange one, but John did not waste time in search- ing for the reason why Victor Kent should voluntarily surrender himself for seven days’ grace when he appeared to have them completely m his power. Chance was deal- ing them some strange cards, and his pres- ent hand was absorbing. The reward would be theirs—at least so Kent had promised, and he looked like a man who would keep his word. Kent was willing to accept their words of honor in a vital matter, so John felt safe in accepting Kent’s. He nodded his assent. “We will accept your terms, Mr. Kent,” said the deputy sheriff, “‘ though they ain’t exactly regular or legal. I knew you are a gentleman, even if you are a murderer, and John Starling and I keeps our promises when we makes them. I reckon you know that there’s five hundred dollars reward on your head, Mr. Kent.” ‘“‘T knew there was a big reward, Barker. And you will get it, or rather your share of it. Well, we will go to our camp, where you will find some one who will be relieved COMmiclboo SS C©