Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

‘Man to Man lipped mouth, leaned forward in dirty shirt- sleeves, chewing at a moist cigar-stump. “Hello, stranger,” he offered offhand- edly. ‘“‘What’s the word?” “Know Blenham, don’t you?” asked Steve quietly. ‘Works for old man Packard.” ‘Sure, I know him. What about him?” “Seen him lately?” “Tf you call ten minutes ago lately. Why? Want him?” Packard had not counted on this, having no idea that Blenham was in town. He hesitated, then said quickly: “Hasn’t left yet, has he? now?” “Down to the depot. Trailin’ a skirt. An’ some skirt, too, take it from me.” He, laughed. Steve wanted suddenly to slap the broad, ugly face. Since, however, he could formu- late no logically sufficient reason for the act, he said instead: “Maybe I’ll see him before I pull out. If I don’t, ask him if he lost a wad like this?”’ Fleetingly he flashed the little roll of banknotes before Hodges’ eyes. “Greenbacks?” asked Hodges, much?” Packard laughed. ‘ “Not so all-fired much,” he said lightly. “But more than enough to buy a hat!” “Tf hats are sellin’ ten dollars or under?” ventured Hodges. Packard affected to look surprized. “What do you know about how much is in this roll?”’ he demanded innocently. “One dollar bills?”’ said Hodges. “Ten of “You don’t look like a mind-reader.” Where is he “How 29 “Well, you’re right about the wad bein’ Blenham’s. . Leave it with me, if you want. I'll see he gets it. There ain’t enough there for a man to steal,” he added re- assuringly. “How do you know it’s Blenham’s? If he told you that he had lost it he’d have told you where. What’s the answer; where did I pick this up?”’ _ “Blenham didn’t say he los’ nothin’, But I know it’s his because he got most of them bills from me.’ “Tell me when,’’ and Packard held the roll in a tight shut hand, ‘‘and I’ll leave them with you.” “Las’ Saturday night,” said Hodges, after a brief moment of reflection. Packard tossed the little roll to the bar. ‘“There’s the money. Tell Blenham I thought it was his!’’ He turned to the door, his blood suddenly stirred with certainty; Blenham had stolen the ten thousand dollars, and the theft had been committed no longer ago than last Saturday night. Just a week—there was the chance—— | “Hey, there,” called Hodges. ‘Who'll I say lef’ this? What name, stranger?” Steve turned and regarded him coolly. “Tell him Steve Packard called. Steve Packard, boss of Ranch Number Ten.” And Dan Hodges, dull wit that he was, felt that something was wrong. The look in the stranger’s eyes had altered swiftly; Ss the eyes had grown hard. Steve went out. As he reached the sidewalk he glimpsed a red automobile racing townward.from the station. Behind it, riding in its dust, came Blenham. TO BE CONTINUED (C (E@) A =< . = ee Oe WN me > ae ee eee FS emer