Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

"No, not exactly," answered Sergeant Wilson. " But we've made an airost, and I think it should lead us to the whereabouts of the gang. The prisoner won't talk, but with the rope dangling near his nose I guess he'll spill it." "How about telling me (he whole J;UM?" The sergeant frowned. "It's brief and not too pleasant," i\v;is tlic answer. "You know Marshall I w.is sent up here to make certain in- vestigations. Marshall had a hunch that ..several of tho gang frequented the Kldorado, Silver Creek's saloon. Wo got a call there last night, and found there had been a shooting affray up- Ktair.s in one of the private rooms. We found Marshall there. He'd been shot, "Is Marshall alive?" O'Malley \£)iapped out. The sergeant shook his head. O'Malley's face set in grim linos. ';A grand fellow was Marshall," lie Ijiiuttered. "We were pretty good friends." He jerked up his head. "Well, sergeant, what else happened?" "Jyving uriconscious on the floor was another man, and in his hand was a /evolve)'. Tv.-o shells were spent, and iho lead we found in Marshall's body. Before Marshall died he tried (o say something, pointed at the oUier figure, and fell back. We arrested Bud llyland on a charge of mtudei'." "Has he pleaded guilty?" "Seems soria dazed. He was jiretly drunk. We figure it out that some of (he gang wore uj) in that room and that Marshall hornetl in and was shot by Hyland. The proprietor of the dump heard the sound of high words. T might add Marsliall liad been acting (ho part o.' a drunken lumberman." "What do you know of Bud JJvland?" "Came liero about six months ago, au(.l tried to start some sort of ranch Mith a few head of cattle." Tho ^ol■g•oant turned np a dossier and tossed if across his desk. "That's as much as V. i<. know." "Twenty-one," O'Malley exclaimed. " Doesn't seem much against him bar this shooting. He says lie's innocent?" "Pretends he was very drunk and • Njosn't know a thing about it till wo broke in and found him stretched out beside Marshall . If he don't talk it will bo just too bad." " Without seeing him, I've a hunch lie Mon't squeal. If he's tried and a verdict is brought in against him it moans that gang is still at large." " Alaybe you can make him talk?" Suggested the sergeant. "Alaybe I can," O'Malley retorted. ".Just think out a real bad man's name for me and a real desperate crime, and I'll do the rest." "What are you aiming to do, 0'.\ralley?" "Have myself arrested and chucked into tho same cell," was the answer. "'J'wice I've tried the scheme, and it's v.orkod botli (inios. J lore's what I wan! you to do." Some while later (ho prisoner in cell No. 8 heard a .sound of struggling and cur-sing. He saw a door swing open and a big man, dressed as a (rapper, come staggering in with two Slouutics on cither ;;ide. Hi; saw the pri.sonor break free and foil one constabli;, saw (hem fight and finally overpower him. 'I'ho ))risoner shouted taunts and threats in harsh tones. Coll No. 0 was p))oned, and ro\ighly (hi> piisonor was pushed in.side and (ho C'll door slanniKHj. "Diity roflcoals!" growled (he big, Jaiiuarj <M\, 1937. BOY'S CINEMA man. "I'd like to ba.sh your heads in! Pah, you make mo sick!" "Cool your heels, l^an IJawlings!" mocked one of the -Momities. "It's taken us two years to get you, and you'll be growing a beard before jou're a free man again." "Don't be so sure." Dan Rawlings otherwise Trooper O'IMallcy, gripped the bars of the cell. "You scum can't scare me!" The Mountios left and locked tho outer door. Dan Rawlings sank on to the iiard bunk, while Bud Hyland stared at his cell-mate curiously. Qaol-break AFTER a moment or (wo the new- comer became aware of the young man's gaze, and grinned. "Swell, so I got company," he chuckled. "Usually I get solitary con- finement. Geo, this is a break!" The white - faced, hollow - eyed youngster stared at him. "What are you in foi', mister?" "Oh, everything!" O'Malley beat his broad chest and clenched his fists so that tho rippling muscles in his arms stood out boldly. "Dan Rawlings a sucker. For (wo 50ars (hose fiat feet Mounties have been after me, and I've laughed at 'em, then this happens. P'ell down some cur.sed trap set by some Injuns. Some Mountios chanced that way and saw me lying thoro. Next thing I know the handcuft's wore on my wrists—one of tho m;igs had I'ocognised me. Gee, it makes me mad!" "What's tho charge against you?" the young fellow asked. " Well—most everything," O'Malley an.swored wi(h a hoar.se laugh. "Yo\i should see (ho things they've tried to pin on^mo, even a couple of killings." "You've killed someone?" " Son, if you've lived up in these wilds all the >ears I've been here with every man's hand agin you maybe you'd have had a few killings agin you," the big man answered. "But don't get me wrong—they was fair show-downs. Gee, liow I remember (hat double-cross- ing, two-timing saloon-keopor! He chiselled me out of my gold-dust like he did all the rest, l)ut he went too far when he had my liuddy shot in the back and robbed. I got proof, and I offered him (lie chance of shooting it out or letting the taw take its course. He fancied himself with a gun. The guns were jilaced on a table, and at the count of si,\ we was to grab '0111 and shoot. Of course, the skunk juniped for his gun at five." Ho |)ulled open his shirt. "See that scar mark—the bullet grazed me, but though spilling blood I got my gun and he got \vhiit lie deserved. And these einsed Momities would try to run me for ridding the world of that pesky crook." He grinned at the younger man. " Say, son, what have these coyotes pimiod on you?" "They accuse me of killing a man," Bud said in hollow tones. "You don't say!" O'Malley's eyes gleamed admiringly. "(loo. that's giand. I thought niaybo you was just some sneak thief." "But I didn't do it I" cried Bud. "Yeah, \ye all say that!" O'Malley .shrugged his shoulders. " But it don't get you far. Once behind these bars on a killing charge and you ain't got much hope. Who did yon kill, son?" "1 didn't kill him. I say." " (^kay. son, it's your story. Who was (he guy"?" "]\larshall—he was a tioopcr in dis- guise." "A Mountie!" O'AIalloy gasped out. "Gosli, (iiat's tough! A life for a life-- you've heard (hat said. Well, if a Mountie cioaks (hey go((a have someone Every Tuesday for it, even if it ain't the guy what done it." "My lawyer'll get me out of this." " None of those birds are any good, except to take your dough. How did it happen?" "I got drinking one night, and when I recovered my senses I was under arrest." Bud looked away. "Marshall was found dead near ine in one of the private rooms. They said I shot him. 1 reckon I must have staggered upstairs to sleep it off and collapsed." "Where did this happen?" "At the Eldorado." " Gee, I know that dump. Been in some pretty hot joints in my time and .got out of 'em, but never had no liking for the Eldorado." He gazed specida- tively at the bowed head. "How you come to get mixed up in that place?" Bud gave his companion a somewhat suspicious glance. "That's my business," he muttered. "Okay, pal!" O'Malley stretched him- self on his bunk. "It ain't no concern of mine, but if you don't waima swing just let me know." "What can you do?" O'Malley, who had shut his ej'es, opened one and grinned. "I ain't aiming to stay in this place over long." It was obvious to the trooper that Iio would not get anything more out of the prisoner for the moment, and as he pre- tended to sleep he was trying to think of some way to break down the barriers. He was helped by the arrival of Bud's sister. O'Malley opened one eye as the gaoler led the boy out to talk with the girl, and, lying on his back, was able to watch the two talking. The news that the girl, who was young and quite pretty, brought seemed to disturb the boy immensely. When the cell door clanged O'Malley opened his eyes and yawned. Seeing the despondent figure, he sat up. "More bad news, sou?" " !My lawyer's chucked up the case. Says everything is dead against nie and I haven't a chance. My sister just told me." "What did I say?" shouted O'Malley in his hearty manner. "Them birds ain't no good. Son, things look pretty bad. When is the trial ?" "Two days' time. (Juess I'm a goner." " You don't wanna talk that way. What's ver monnicker?" "Bud Hyland." "Well, Bud. I reckon I can help you." O'Malley had lowered his voice. "When is your sister coming to see you again?" " To-morrow. She's going to see JNlcPherson again. Why do you ask ?" "Because your sister can play her part in saving jour neck if she docs as I say. Come closer," O'Malley said hoarsely. "Look!" From his leather top-boots he produced a file, and then glanced towards the cell bars in a sigiiificant manner. "You moan an escape?" gasped Bud. "No prison was ever made that could hold me for long." derided O'Malley. " The mugs only frisked me for a gun. If we start filing to-night we can do a lot on those bars, and when your sister comes to-morrow we can get everything fixed for a getaway about midnight." "How?" "Get your sister (o meet us some place widi a couple of good hor.ses. Near that bear-trap I saw three long pines on high ground, and I should say their position " I know those pines, and so does my sister!" excitedly exclaimed Bud. "Good! Get her (o be there at mid- night an<l to bring three days' supplies. We gotta trek north." (3'Malley rubbed