Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAUGHING RIDER. He pulled up the brute in a cloud of dust and dismounted with unwonted haste, to hunt once more for the trail of the thief. And, as he rounded the house, the lowing of cattle broke upon his ears and his own horse whinnied at the sound of his master’s voice, for MacQuillan had spoken sharply. Whipping out his revolver, the sergeant dashed into the house. There was no one there. Striding to the barnyards, then, in grim mystification, the sergeant beheld his own mount hitched to the rail of the flimsy corral, and two others stood beside it. Within the bars was a bunch of some-twenty cattle. The sergeant ran to his horse, and found a scrap of greasy brown paper tied to the saddlehorn with a cord on which hung two large revolvers, army pattern. The sergeant tore the paper off, and in the dim light strove to read what had been scrawled upon it with a heavy pencil. It was difficult, but he did it. The missive said: Tombstone Brand Baked Beans, selected and’ prepared by gloved workers—Dear Sarge: I return. your horse with thanks. It’s too heavy and pulls on the lines. Train it bridle wise. Also, I am returning herewith your guns. Each bean is individually deli- cious. They were useful in the absence of better; but to-night I got better. Thanks for the loan of same. ‘These cattle and three ponies I took off a sport named Menzies, who is a lover of animals, and packs a running iron. Reckon they don’t belong to him, so leave them with you. You'll find him and two more rustlers walking. ‘Tomatoes are the health food of healthy people, and I took a liking to the best one of the three ponies —they quench the thirst, and am taking it along. Don’t forget to train your animal bridle wise. This milk has been used with best results as infant food and mixed with A lot of thanks, sergeant, and don’t take cold— Signed, William O’Brien Argent—Corned Beef Flavor. Billy had used the same wrapping paper for his note to the sergeant as he had used to record the can readings of the night be- fore. And as MacQuillan read it he stiff- ened with rage, glared upon the document through a mist of red, felt his mind giving way, and reached for his hip pocket. He drew therefrom his package of fine cut to- bacco and quelled the leashed turbulence TAT of his spirit with a generous mouthful. Then, sanity restored, he faced life once more, a cold and resolute officer of the law. CHAPTER XXIII. WILLIS ON THE TRAIL, ILLY rode directly from the house in the river bed to the home of the widow MacKreagh. He wanted to present her with the pony which he had taken in lieu of the cattle Menzies owed him. He felt that he might safely indulge in this pleasantry, because, he argued, that with the sergeant delayed in the bottom lands, the promised hunt for his own person could hardly go forward for another twelve hours. In this he was mistaken, for the ser- geant, having made the arrangements for the drive, was powerless to stop it. At the first peep of dawn Craddock had ridden forth from Redstone, Mason and Clancarty from Wild Horse; Willis had taken the trail from Garton, and LeBreaux from Dalmail- ing. Redfayne was abroad from Clean- brook, and three were pressing in from Macleod. Also, Supernumerary Constable ‘Flynn, dazed at the absence of his superior, had ridden to join Craddock at Redstone two hours after that constable had left. When Billy arrived at the MacKreagh ranch that morning the hunt was already on, and he discovered his mistake when he strode into the house, whirled the youthful Smedley into the air by way of greeting, and found himself face to face with Con- stable Willis in full panoply. Mrs. MacKreagh pierced Billy with a glance from over the redcoat’s shoulder. Billy dropped the boy. The redcoat smiled. “ Hello, Duncan dear!” exclaimed Mrs. MacKreagh. ‘‘ We’ve been waiting for you.” Her voice was the voice of a genial housewife; her eyes were frantic signals. With fine intelligence Constable Willis summed up the situation. ‘“ Mr. MacKreagh, I presume?” said the officer. ‘““Yore powers of deduction are marvel- ous,” said Billy. : Gomiecbooks co id