Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

*} 500 shouldn’t be indicted for this crime, ac- cording to the sworn testimony I have here?” He pointed to some papers on his desk. “Turner has told you to indict me—. - and of course, you must indict me,” said “ That’s all there is to “ You’ve nothing else to say?” “ Nothing else,’’ Bert replied, clenching his fists. “ But—” Perhaps Turner anticipated just such a move on the part of Bert, for he flung him- self aside at the very moment that Bert leaped at him. He was not quite quick enough, though, to escape Bert’s flying fist, and the blow found his cheek, hurling him back to the wall. men had hold of Bert, pinioning his arms. He did not struggle. He looked at them, and then at Turner, a twisted smile on his lips. “ That’s the second one I’ve given you, Turner,” he said quietly. ‘One of these days I’m going to give you the thrashing of your life.” Spigot had run to the door, and in an- - gwer to his lusty calls, Sheriff Warren ap- peared. ‘* Sheriff Warren,” cried Spigot, pointing a shaking finger to Bert, man!”’ With averted gaze the sheriff advanced and laid his hand on Bert’s arm. “This is a durn poor way 0’ showin’ | gratitude,” he muttered, as he led his pris- oner to the door. _“ Forget it,” said Bert. sh ; hid ; “ Duty is duty, CHAPTER XVIII. e DAVID TELLS A FUNNY STORY. HEN Prosecuting Attorney Spigot entered his office the next day, upon his return from dinner, his first impression was that he had been cast into the very heart of a London fog. Where the smoke was heaviest, there sat David Hodge, sprawled out comfortably in Spigot’s armchair, converting the last three minutes of one of Jarge’s ‘‘ Thirty - ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. In a thrice, the four’ “arrest that Minutes Near Havana ”’ into dense bi clouds. 3 For a moment the prosecutor stood back in the doorway, his face screwed up into a. sniffing grimace; then hurried across the: room to the window and flung it open. . “My! My!” he exclaimed, walking” back to the center of the room, where he could face the station-master—since David, had made no move to face him. in the world are you smoking?’”’ ‘ Seegar,” David replied. nificantly. here with the window down?” “ Didn’t even notice it,” said David looking about him, as if he observed thie: smoke for the first time. - “ That’s how it - is with some men’s souls, Noah. They let, "em git rotten an’ smelly so gradual like, they don’t hardly notice it, themselves, even though most everybuddy else kin tell, . it soon’s they see ’em. How you been. Noah? Ain’t seen you fer an age.”’ “T been quite well, David,” replies Spigot. ‘‘ How about you?” “ Tol’rable,” said David, rising. “ Guess youre wantin’ your own chair, Noah. TE. take this’n.” There was a space of silence while the. two men seated themselves.. Then Spigot, asked: ‘“ Come to see me about anything in par ticular, David?” “ Oh, no; nothin’ partilar,” David an swered. “ Jest thought I’d drop in an’ have a leetle talk with you; since I aint: seen you fer such a long time. You ain™ too busy now, are your”’ “No, no; no, indeed!” assured Spigot. “ Business can wait when an old friend cails. a As a matter of fact, Spigot was “intense ly curious. He had known the station- master long enough to feel certain that his visit was not without purpose. David's actions, he knew, were always motivated. Besides, their relations had not been such as to warrant a purely pcialecall. ‘“‘T hear you locked up that young Boom feller,” said David after a pause. Spigot nodded. ‘ You bet I did. There’s a @ tough proposition for you, David. Why, “ Have one?”.:- “No thank you,” Spigot declined sig. “How could you stand it is. ..%, CONC OOOKS.COMr