Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 14, 1928 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

274 on his trail. If we’re going to do any- thing—we’ll have to do it mighty soon.” “Tf I can aid—” The professor stopped. From the other side of the yard came the sound of voices raised in altercation. Plainly their huge fellow passenger was in an argument with old man Kelly, the stage driver. ‘“ Drive-a nail at twenty paces! He can't do it—not from the hip,” they heard the big man bellow. “Say, look here, stranger,’ shout- ed Kelly. “ You don’t need to think just because you are from San Antone that you can lay it over us boys.” “Don’t you “stranger” me. My name’s Titus Coulter and I got money to say he can’t do it.” “* Let’s see what the ruction’s about,” Hal Donald whispered. “Do you think it safe—safe with a man of that type—at large?” was the frightened question. “Just leave it to me—lI eat tough hombres—alive.”’ They edged into the circle of men gathered about Titus Coulter and old man Kelly. The big man was vocifer- ous in his declaration that neither the driver nor his guard could drive a nail at twenty paces with a six-gun. “You've got to show me,” he bel- lowed. ‘“ You Pecos boys may think you can shoot, but my money says you can’t.” He strode across the yard to fix three nails in the heavy oaken corner post of the empty horse corral. “T’ve got a nice pretty little gold piece for every one you drive—from the hip,” he told the stage guard, when he had returned to the circle. “ Money talks—now let’s hear that old six-gun of yours answer it.”’ “Go to it, Bob. Take his money,” urged Kelly, the driver. Gingerly the man stepped forward. ‘A flash, as the sunlight struck the pol- ished surface of his revolver. ‘Three shots rang out in swift succession and ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. the weapon was slipped back into its holster. Titus Coulter crossed the open space to examine the target. “ Here’s ten for the one you drove,” he said with a grin, handing the guard a gold piece. “I didn’t think you could do it—not from the hip. TI still got twenty dollars and there’s two nails left if any of you gents feel lucky.” “T don’t mind taking a sucker’s money,” Donald spoke in soft tones. “Show me the cash.” Twin gold pieces were held aloft. “Oh, Mr: ——’” Professor Darley’s hand reached out to touch Donald’s arm. Before he could voice his words, a weapon had leaped from nowhere and two shots rang out. “Pay me,” said Hal Donald. His gray eyes were cold, their laugh- ter gone. His mouth unsmiling. A slit in his well-tanned face. “Well—I'll be dog-goned,”’ ‘Titus Coulter looked at the corral post twenty yards away. “ Gosh-all-fish-hooks— now that’s what I call shooting. Two of them—bing-bing—just like that. Let me look at that shooting iron of yours, stranger.” “T just reckon I'll keep my hands on this six-gun, mister.” Donald’s gaze was held upon the other in cold ap- praisal. “ Don’t believe in letting my gat go wandering.” He turned to see Professor Darley wiping the dust from his steel-rimmed spectacles, a comical expression of be- wilderment in his mild blue eyes. “My goodness me,” he was mutter- ing. “ That was—was extraordinary. You must tell me more about yourself, Mr. Donald. I have never seen such a wonderful display of muscular co- ordination. What a perfectly marvel- ous weapon that must be, sir! In the interest of science I should like to ex- amine it. I understand, of course, your distaste for trusting it to strangers, but—” He hesitated as Hal Donald scanned Gomichooks (E)