Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

18 away, leaving Flash in tlie care of the lu'o men, .Silver and Jim—and Uieir going was witnessed by a watcher on the crest of a liill overlooking the rail- load. For if the crooks imagined that Buck Sawyer had been fooled by the denial of Flash's presence they were mistaken. In the men he had met at the corral Buck had recognised two of Currier's gang, and had hardly asked after Flash before he realised that he was not likely to obtain much information from them Thus, after conveying the impression that ho was abandoning liis quest lor Flash, he liad made a detour behind the cover of the hill and had gained a van- tage point from which he could command a view of the shelter. lie caught sight of Flash, and, when Currier and the main body of the crooks had departed, he began to work his way to the corral again. He was careful to avoid being seen by Jim and Silver, and, as Flash gained a glimpse of him, he held up his hand in a mute gesture that enjoined caution. Only by an involuntary start had Flash shown any sign of excitement that miglit have warned his captors. But it passed unnoticed, and a moment later the joungster had hit upon a ruse calculated to help Buck in his attempt at rescue. He began to struggle violently, and theieby concentrated the attention of the gangsters. Buck at once darted to the corner of the corral and crouched there, within a few- paces of the two men guarding Flash, but the rogue known as Silver must have had keen ears, for ail at once he looked round. Buck was stooping beyond the angle of the fencing, and Silver did not see him. The crook stood in an attitude of suspicion, however, his head on one side. "What was that, Jim?" he demanded. "Huh?" muttered the other. "I didn't hear nothin', pardner." "I'll swear I didl" Silver declared emphatically. Flash renewed his struggles with even greater enthusiasm, and once more suc- ceeded in diverting the gangsters. "It's no use you tryin' to get loose. Flash!" growled Jim. "You can't bust them cords nohow. Keep still, will yuh?" The crooks again had their backs to the Lazy B foreman, and Buck pulled his six-gun from its holster and stepped to the front of the shelter. "Stick 'em up!" ho ordered curtly. Silver and Jim whipped round in alarm. Silver thrust his hands into the air promptly, but Jim carried his hand involuntarily to his hip. He changed his mind as Buck jabbed his "forty-five" towards his ribs. "You heard me!" he ground out. "Up with those mitts, or I'll drill 3-ou !" Jim obeyed sulleidy, and Buck relieved the two rufhans of their "irons."' "Now cut the kid free," he ordered Silver, indicating Flash. The man did as he was told, and, once he had been liberated. Flash proceeded to bind Currier's hirelings hand and fooi'. They were then pushed into a corner, and Buck thrust his gun back into il6 holster. "Take n seat," Buck said to the crooks with a grin. "You won't have to wait long. I'll send the sherilF lo collect you just as .soon as I can. And Flash." he added, "you head for Mon- tana—pronto. The law's on your trail." "Thanks, Buck!" Flash answered fer- vently, "you're a pal." "Go on, kid!" Buck told him. "Beat it—and good luck to you." Flash turned towards his hor.sc, which was tethered near by, but on an after- thought he paused. I, November 21st, 1931. BOY'S CINEMA Our Grand New Annual Gripping Film Stories and Pictures L-1 ERE'S a topping gift book that will make a big hit with every boy—a world of ad- venture In pictures and stories— that's what you'll find in the BOY'S CINEMA ANNUAL, the splendid new film story book. Here you will find pages and pages of grippmg film stories, numerous pictorial articles which tell you all about such interesting subjects as Film Making, Life Stories of Well- Known Film Stars, Filming Wild Animals, Sports and Pas- times, and the Big Pictures of the moment. There are also three beautiful coloured plates and sixteen plates of famous film stars. If you want a tip-top gift for yourself or for a friend—the BOY'S CINEMA ANNUAL is the very book to choose. BOY'S CINEMA ANNUAL at led At alt Newsagents ^^ I and Boolisellers IJ / *" nel Every Tuesday "Hold- on, Buck!" he said. "Cur- rier's gone to the Lazy B ranch-house to get that ten thousand dollai-s I paid you for the stock. Silver and Jim were to take delivery of the cattle while the rest of the gang raided your outfit and took the dough. That's why I fell out with 'em. Come on, I'll trail along wita you." "Wait a minute," Buck jerked, lay- ini;' a hand on his arm. "I've got a better idea. I'll take the short-cut by Kod Canyon. You ride the long way round and meet the boys w-ith the'cattle Tij) 'cm ofr to Currier's little scheme, will you?" "Right, Buck!" Flash agreed, and, springing into the saddle of his horse, Iil' clapped spurs to the animal's flanks. In the meantime Buck sprinted to where he had left his bronc, and less than .1 minute after he had parted with Flash he was galloping at to|) speed in tlia direction of Bed Canyon. The Raid on the Ranch-House. RIDING by the same route that Buck was to choose, Currier and his men sighted the Lazy B outfit shortly after sun(k)wn. The shadows were falling swiftly, and ere they had tethered their ponies in a chaparral thicket fifty or sixty yards from the ranch, the stars were out. The gang advanced on foot, and. the veranda of the house, Curiier cal a halt. "Blaney, you and Carson guard ilio outside in case of accidents," he .^iiid, picking out two of his hirelings. "You other guvo follow me." The Lazy B ranch-house was a sump- tuous, two-story bi ilding. There were lights in tiie upper floor, but the lower windows were in darkness, and, the front door being unlocked after the free- and-easy style of the West, Currier and his companions had no dilPiculty in entering. Each with a gun in his hand, they fded into the lounge-hall with iioiscles.s tread, but they had scarcely made their way across the threshold when they heard the sound of a door opening and closing sonicwhere above their heads. A man began to descend the stairs, and Currier and his gangsters crouched down beside the banisters. The man proved to be Marsden, and as Iho attorney reached the founge he switched' on a light and walked over to a safe at the far side of the room. Currier restrau.'cd his men aiid,j watched with interest. He permitted- Marsden to open the safe and take from it a legal document, which was actually a copy of the will that had been maile by Dorothy's father. Then, before the attorney could close the safe, the gang- leader moved from hiding. "Elevate, pardner," ho drawled. " Elevate." Marsden spun around and saw threa armed mei. He uttered an exclamation and stuck up his hands with a scared look, the will falling from his gra.sp. "Friend." said Currier, "we're hero, to make a collection. The cattle wo bought from you will be on the railroad by now, with a coupla of my men travel-' lin' along to take .snot cash on delivery..' We dropped in to get back the ten thousand we paid for 'em. Stand aside from that safe, brother " One of his men pulled at his siccvc inlerrupting him. " Listen, l)o.ss." lie hissed. " Soina?^ bodv el.se comin' down the stairs." Currier and his men crowded Marsden into a corner, and held him there as tho newcomer descended. It proved to be Dorothy, and, without seeing Iha (Continued on page 25.) ve^j