Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 44: what you’re looking at

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674 Another floating head, another lift and fall of his terrible weapon—and another ruffian lost all interest in the proceedings. A third and a fourth Jem treated in similar manner. Then he leaped over the bodies at his feet and boldly turned to the three bandits still left, who by now were begin- ning to waver in their struggling to wonder doubtfully at the sudden succumbing of their fellows. The sudden dimly defined apparition with the flailing arm that now sprang into being before them struck them motionless with surprise—and before they could recover two of them lay senseless on the floor. The third turned toward the door for terrified flight— stumbled over the piled bodies—and the next instant crumpled upon them in the companionship of obliviousness. Jem swung his bar around his head in a rapture of glee. ‘““Come on!” he chortled. ‘‘ Any more? Trot ’em out! Ill take ’em all!” ~ He went outside and drew his rope and chain down off the wires. The fuses on the transformer must have blown, as the room remained dark. Jem whipped out his knife and cut loose the rope. He rolled his senseless victims out into the road and, one by one, tied their hands and feet. There was little likelihood of their returning to consciousness for quite some time; but he was taking no chances. On his trip to the barn he had observed an automobile standing in the road—probably the one in which Goss had come in from Sky City. He trotted up the road now to where the had seen the car, climbed in and start- ed the engine, throttling it down to as low a note as possible. He drove to the cabin and piled his prey in an indiscriminate heap in the rear. The precious bag he placed on the seat beside him and then started out of camp. As he passed the bunkhouse a last mis- chievous suggestion spoke within him. It was a silly bit of braggadocio, and danger- ous; some of the off-shift men were un- doubtedly asleep in their bunks, and might hear him. Yet he could not resist the temp- tation to extract the last dramatic thrill out of his achievement. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. He hopped out of the car and slipped into the bunkhouse. He went to the tele- phone and called Judge Lawton, in Sky City. A sleepy voice at the other end of the We answered. “I’m coming in to town, judge,” Jem announced, “‘ and I’m prison a humdinger ofa delegation with me. Shine up the bars on your jail and get out th’ brass band t’ welcome us on th’ courthouse steps!” CHAPTER X. JEM CALLS IT A DAY. WEEPING down the main street of S Sky City, Jem jammed his fist joyous- ly upon the signal knob. As he surged up to the curb before the courthouse he added to the barking horn a shrill, trium- phant whoop. On the steps of the courthouse stood a small group of sheepish looking citizens, called out of their beds and urged into as- sembling by Judge Lawton. Jem could read in each face the feeling of foolishness that filled each spirit, and the lack of faith that they placed in the value of the telephone call the judge had received. Jem climbed out of the machine. He picked up the bag and held it out to Judge Lawton. ‘““Here’s the pay roll of the Nancy Hanks,” he announced. He waved his arm at the rear of the machine, with its load of inanimate freight. ‘An’ there’s the high- waymen,” he added, “ responsible for this job and the others that ’ve been pulled off around here lately.” The committee of citizens moved stupid- ly toward the automobile. On top of the pile of limp forms sat Herb Hoskins, whom Jem had retrieved on the way in. The bound youth, the only animate creature in the load, glared at them in vicious rage. With a flourish Jem helped Hoskins from the car. The grouped men still stared uncompre- hendingly at the heap of senseless flesh. “Harry Goss!” Judge Lawton suddenly exclaimed, as he emerged from his aston- ishment sufficiently to begin distinguishing individuals. ‘‘ What in the world—” COMmniclooo S (S@