Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

COPPER IS KING. And suddenly his bitterness against Mor- ton rose until it choked. It was bad enough to Jose the case in open court. But to lose it through treachery ! He gazed helplessly at his plaster cast. The girl’s words returned mockingly. “ Morton’s the soul of honor and justice.” Honor and justice! The words stung. Justice! ‘‘ While I risked my life for him and his niece, he went on coolly plotting.” He gazed again about the white room which had suddenly become like a prison to him. There was but one thing to do. He re- alized this and realized it with swift clair- voyance. That was to get hold of Brown immediately—before he had a chance to leave town, bring him back to the judge who had tried the case, and force a con- fession out of him. : In that event, there’d be sufficient basis for a new trial. But he realized at the same time that it was a case which cried for speed. Once Brown got safely out of the State, evidence might seem too flimsy to have him brought back. Furthermore, Morton undoubtedly had political power in his own neighbor- hood so that extradition might prove doubly difficult. He looked out the hospital window. About four thirty, judging by the sun. And Morton’s private car would be hooked onto number three, due out at six. Meantime, his father was out at the ranch where there was no telephone. And it was a good two hours and a half round trip by automobile. Another thought returned and stung. ‘“ And this damn leg that keeps me here, I broke saving him!” | This rancor, however, passed. For he realized that even had he been able to fore- see all this, he would have behaved no dif- ferently the day of the Parada. No, he had been amply repaid for the leg and the skull, both, by Elizabeth’s deep, wordless gratitude when she ministered to him throughout the weeks when he had seen the world through a veil. His heart rose, choking, to his throat. It was Elizabeth’s part. which now hurt worst of all. Though it was entirely con- ceivable that she knew nothing about all this. In agony, his hands clenched the sides of his bed. It was ghastly to be so helpless. He sat up finally. Then, cold perspiration springing to his temples as he moved in pain, he slipped his good leg over the side of the bed. It seemed curiously numb and lifeless as it touched the floor. He sat there for a moment. Ring for a nurse? No, there’d be too much explain- ing. She’d make him stay while she sent for the sheriff. Then he’d have to go over it all again. And he wasn’t sure whether the sheriff would think his suspicions sufficiently strong. After all, Morton had done a lot for Cottonwood. The sheriff might very well hesitate, without better grounds, to lay hands on him, No. Jim pounded his foot on the fioor. Only one thing to do. He reached forward to grasp a chair, Then, steadying himself on this, he worked his way to the closet. No clothes. Hospitals don’t trust their patients. He grinned in spite of himself, But there was a bathrobe—and a pair of crutches awaiting his convalescence. He slipped into the bathrobe. Then he turned to behold a pale scarecrow in the glass of the dresser. Then, suddenly, he realized the impos- sibility of his present situation. Suppose he did make the street successfully and un-. seen? He wouldn’t get two steps outside before he’d be sent back as insane or de- lirious. But, as he stood there in contemplation, the door burst open. And he saw, framed in its portals, the huge, bulking form of Red. Red grinned amiably. “ Been tryin’ to see you every day, but this’s the fust time they thought you was well enough to see anybody but that gal and. yer dad.” mae ae Resting on his crutches, Jim stretched out his arms. oe 947 “ Red, you're an angel from heaven.” Swiftly he explained the situation. “ Now, Red, get me this man, Brown, books (E(@)