Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 3, 1924 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

TOTEM SIGNS. Mac tensed, ready to leap clear of the bed and reach his pistol before the other could act. With a swift movement he hurled the bed clothing clear and bounded over the foot of the bed. A laugh, low with the note of madness filled the room. ‘“T got your gun first, MacGregor. I'll get vou next!” It was Fleming. It was the same voice he had used in the court- room when he warned them he would not be taken alive. It was the voice of a man half insane who was prepared to defy the world. MacGregor remembered the stone that had fallen on his head at Treadwell. “You’re taking a chance coming into town, Fleming,” he said calmly as he switched on the light; “ you know you are wanted.” ‘“T want my girl!” panted Fleming, “want her now! If you thought by lock- ing her up you’d bring me in, your scheme worked, but if you’ve arrested her for murderous assault, then the complaining witness will never live to testify. Nobody saw me come in and by Heaven I can leave without being seen.” “Your girl!”’ exclaimed MacGregor, ** We haven’t arrested her. She went with you that morning, didn’t she?” “You lie! She remained to nurse vou, and, you dirty cur, you arrested her. I want her, and so help me God I'll get her if I have to tear the jail down stick by stick, stone by stone. She’s like a bird, beautiful and free, and she’s not going to rot in a dirty cage.” “Just a minute! Now listen, Fleming. Your girl went down to the creek for water and did not come back. I found the pail and concluded she had joined you.” Mac- Gregor was calm though he had a lively realization of his dire peril. You lie!” “Tl prove it! Keep the knife at my back if you wish. I'll call up the jail.” “Any crooked work and you'll get it.” Fleming pressed the knife blade against MacGregor. Only a thin nightshirt sep- arated blade and flesh. After some delay Mac got the jail on the telephone. “Would you mind giving me a list of the female prisoners?” he said. Then he passed the receiver over to Fleming. Three 827 names came to the father, but Edith Flem- ing was not one of them. Even then he was suspicious. He returned the receiver to the hook and there was a moment Mac- Gregor might have overpowered him, but he did not. ‘* Fleming,” he said at last, “ what do you know of Limpy Ford? Who killed Jennings? Perhaps if these questions are answered then we can find your daughter. I am with you heart and soul.” ‘ll find her!” the other snarled, “ be- lieve me, Ill find her. And I'll kill, yes if there’s harm come to her I’ll slash him to ribbons with this knife and I’ll burn him by degrees at the stake.” The glitter of insanity seemed literally to leap from his eyes, and the knuckles of his hand stood out white beneath the skin as he clenched | the knife. “I’m going!” he announced. ‘Let me help you. Let’s settle this thing together. Don’t forget I've known Edith for years, that I—” A heavy tread sounded on the stairs and the door burst open as the marshal bounded into the room. He had drawn his automatic instinctively. Fleming leaped half the length of the floor and plunged head first through the window carrying a part of the sash and considerable glass with him. “ Halt or Ill fire!” The fugitive struggled to his feet and raced madly for the shelter of the nearest building. ‘“ Halt!” shouted the marshal again, then the pistol cracked. A suppressed cry came from below. MacGregor switched off the light before he peered out. The man down there might not be dead and with a light at their backs they would make fine targets. ‘IT winged him,” shouted Gregory, ‘hated to do it, but if he’d got behind that building he would have been gone. Come down and help carry him in.” Both officers had forgotten doctor’s orders. “Gimme a chance to find her!” pleaded Fleming when they reached him. ‘“ why did yqu shoot? God help her now! You fiends!”” He was snarling in his anguish. The marshal slipped on handcuffs as a matter of precaution, then with MacGregor’s help carried him into the deputy’s room, and telephoned for a doctor. CORE Ooo! (©