Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

COLOSSUS OF THE RADIO. “ Seconded, and the motion is carried.’ The words fitted the occasion, but the one who had spoken them did not belong to the party. Standing partly in the shadow cast by the partition into the garage, the intruding stranger smiled sardonically at the furious Bill and Nick. He carried an auto- matic. It was noticeable that although he kept his eyes on the two men, his weapon was pointed in the direction oi—May. “Tt would be just as well,” he remarked, “if you don’t attempt any rough stuff. There might be an—accident and I’d hate to hurt a lady. But in case you should either of you think you can get away with anything, J’ll call your attention to the gen- tleman on the window sill and I’ll mention the fact that I have another friend keeping guard outside. Just put up your hands and we'll save you the trouble of walking home. As for the lady, she will oblige by keeping her hands down and—remain quite still. Now—Bill, you first. Walk straight through the doorway and keep going until you get to the outer door.” ee CHAPTER VII. BITTER IS HELPLESSNESS. N the moment that he stood stiffly obedi- | ent to the order of the cruelly smiling stranger, Bill tasted to the full the sting of humiliation. Had he been alone there would have been but one reaction to that order to put up his hands. There would have been a wounded or dying Bill Murray; or—a crumpled and broken crook. As it was, May was the key to the position. Not for a fraction of a second did the hold-up man’s weapon waver from being in line with the girl. “ Keep straight on,” he said, ‘ and what-. ever happens don’t make the least resist- ance. If you do, the girl will go first and you and the other fellow next. We’ve got you where we want you and there’s to be no fooling.” Evidence of this came immediately Bill had walked beyond the radius of the patch of light from the inner room. From each side of the garage came two men. A rope was flung over his uplifted hands. The 511 noose of it was passed down his body; tightened and knotted around his knees and ankles so that he could only move his feet a few inches ‘at a step. Then, he was ordered to lower his hands one at a time. His captors paid Bill the compliment of allowing him not the slightest opportunity to take his life into his own hands. When he was securely trussed, Bill was told to Shuffle as best he might, to the exit of the garage. The same procedure was meted out to Nick. May was not bound, but she was gagged. : ‘* How about the others, Crawley?” asked one of the men. ‘‘ Going to_leave them free to let out a yell while we’re aboard the truck?” The chief shrugged his shoulders. “I had an idea,” he said slowly, “that you and the others might be able to keep them quiet with the butt end of a gun, but since you seem doubtful, Slim, why, shove a rag in the mouths of the pair and stow them aboard quick as you like. now.” Crawley’s orders were easily carried out —toa point. The hitch in the proceedings came when they tackled the steel man. Crawley jeered at his men for a bunch of weaklings, but sweat and low, angry words flowed before the ponderous colossus was lifted into the back of the closed truck. “Look after that thing same as if it was made of glass and valuable as diamonds,” said Crawley, “ we’re going to make that contraption work for us. He may look a freak, but I’ve a good idea he’ll be worth a half million or so to us.” When the loaded truck quietly started on its journey, Slim edged closer to his chief. “How do you figure to. make good on what: you said about that steel thing?” he asked. The chief maintained a long silence be- fore he answered. ‘Then he turned a sneer- ing face to Slim. ‘ I’m boss of this outfit,” he said, “and I don’t have to answer fool questions. It ought to be enough for you and the rest that I’ve gone to all this trouble to get that steel man. Wait till I get my fingers on that keyboard and I’ll show you all something that’ll make you open your eyes. I’ve seen that bird move - CONNIE OOOKS ACEO) Here’s the truck —