Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

MAGNIFICENT FOLLY. to remove the outfit to a new location. He met a stern refusal. Charlie pleaded the dire need of it by his company, pointing out the delay the work had suffered on ac- count of his illness and now the hindrance by lack of material. The receiver was ada- mant against his petitions. Charlie threw up his hands in disgust at his first en- counter with red tape. “Tf it was in the old days,” he reflected aloud, “‘I wouldn’t be bluffed by no re- ceiver! But, with Mike representin’ the law ”—he hesitated—‘‘I don’t reckon— No, that wouldn’t do at all.” He sighed as he replaced his six-gun. This moral renas- cence had its disadvantages. The Cottonwood dive, although outward- ly quiescent at the efforts directed against it, seethed with indignation. The institu- tion had never ceased to resent the success- ful coup of Knox, and the smoldering fires of animosity threatened to burst into flames at any moment. This new law and order league was an added affront. It had hurt the business and the proprietors had en- dured the upstart movement longer than they liked. Oily Duke never missed a chance to anathematize the situation. He had a dou- ble purpose in fanning the flames of resent- ment, for, besides his grudge against Knox, his funds were running low. Consequently, he planned a revenge of double purpose. Pearl helped him to scheme. When the plans were complete Duke took the others into his confidence. He was very adroit in leading up to the issue. The small house group was gathered forlornly in the temple of chance, and Cady Steele bewailed the situation with blasphemous disdain. ‘“‘There’s no more money to be made in the Cottonwood. If this keeps up I swear I'll be going to church as a last resort!” “‘ What for, Cady?” asked Pearl, who sat with her arm thrown around Oily Duke. Cady showed a row of tobacco-stained teeth in an unpleasant grin. “In hopes of getting a chance at the collection plate. Darn that cuckoo Knox’s Law and Order League!” Pearl nudged Oily Duke, and he asked: “How much longer you going to stand it, Cady?” 265 Cady Steele spread his ineffectual hands and gave his shoulders a shrug. ‘“ What can aman do? He’s the popular idol-now, and when he says ‘ frog,’ everybody hops.” “‘ If you could put something over on him and get everybody to laughing at him,” sug- gested Duke. “Oh, certainly. Ifi—” “ It wouldn’t be hard with drilling condi- tions as they are.” “What do you mean?” asked Cady, giv- ing him a curious look. “I’d hate to see you bumped off.” “Nonsense. Since the government has come in and tied up so much machinery, the way is clear,” declared Duke. “ Drilling outfits were hard enough to obtain before, but there’s such a shortage now that ma- chinery and pipe are almost legal tender.” “Yes, I know all about that,” returned Cady dryly. ‘I seen Charlie Renfro al- most in tears, pleading with the new receiver to let him have that extra rig of the Win- ning Wager’s rusting out there on the dis- puted land.” “ That’s just it,” averred Duke. ‘ Now if we organized a gang, made a raid on some of the wells, tore down the machinery and hauled it off, right under this poppy- cock marshal’s nose—on top of the govern- ment nuisance—it would cause a big out- cry, wouldn’t it?” “It certainly would,” agreed Cady with- out enthusiasm. “ But the cottonwoods would be bearing a new kind of fruit if you tried it. We never could swing it,” he finished, “‘ with all the guarding that’s being done.” | “It would be as easy as anything,” per- sisted Duke with a smile, from which mirth was entirely eliminated. “ Now, listen!” The group drew their chairs closer, and Oily Duke unfolded his plan. It must have been a good one, for, presently, looks of approval began to overspread faces that had worn looks of skepticism. After a while Cady leaned across and brought his hand down on Duke’s knee with a slap. “ By ganny! It’s a peach of a scheme! It ought to ruin him!” “ ‘Yes, and bring us much beautiful money besides,” added Duke with an avaricious gleam in his eyes. “ We will rush the ma- comicboooks C©