Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

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14 City. I'm dead sure they were Burton's." "How do you figure out that?" "Burton's brand is a circle and bar. These horses were newly marked with a circle and ooss. Easy enough (o change a bar into a cross." Xorris asked: "Who owns circle cross?" "It was registered two weeks ago under the name of Judge Blake of Pecos City." "Judge Blake?" Norris stared. "But he's an appointed judge. A hard sort of fellow, but there's nothing on him heie—except that he runs his court at the Golden Apple." The thickset youth stated: "Steve's got something else." Ainslee pulled out Luke's wallet from his pocket and took out the draft. "A cheque foV twenty thousand dol- lars, captain. Payment for the herd Burton was trying to save. By a little sleight-of-hand 1 got it from Luke Brady, the fellow in charge of the drive. Then Jeff joined in the hunt—and—and we got away." "I was waiting for Steve up liie street," Jeff grinned. " Siiooting kind of frantic at him as he passed. I shot iit him ail the time—with blank cart- ridges ! It was beautiful to hear them cheering mo as I went pounding after him, yelling ' Stop thief—stop thief! ' " Norris nodded appioval. " You're two good boys. But this is a bad business. Blake's in absolute con- trol of (he countuy round Pecos. It would take four times as many men as v.e've got here to go and get him." Ainslee put in: "I've planned out an idea. Fll go in to Pecos and give the judge this draft. I'll think up a story—tell him Brady was out to double-cross hiin. Then, when Blake goes to cash the draft, I'll accuse him of compounding a felony and throw him on a horse and get him out of Pecos before anything can get started." " Seems a mighty long chance, Ainslee. What's your opinion. Carter?" Jeff Carter glanced towards Ainslee, grinned in his sheepish way and shrugged. "I let Steve do all the thinking," he said. Captain Norris still had misgivings. "Suppose this Brady turns up?" "He won't," Ainslee declared. "He'll bo afraid—after losing the cheque." "I'll go with you, Steve," Carter oli'ered. "You're aiming at being prin- cipat guest at a necktie party!" Alice Runs a Risk ABUCKBOARD carriage, drawn by a couple of ranch horses and driven by the Burton foreman, pulled up before the sign of the Golden Apple. "This here's the placo, Miss Alice," said Jordan to the nearer of the two ladies with him. "Court-house can't be far away." A stranger passing by stopped and doflfed his hat. "Can I help you, ladies? This is the court-house—the com-t-room's right inside the bar." "Thank you, sir," said Alice. "Put up the horses, Don." Jordan helped her to alight while the stranger helped down Aunt Carrie. Again thanking him, Alice led the way into the Golden Apple. "Come on, auntie—nobody'll bito us!" .she said. Inside the noisy bar the women glanced askance at the crowd ol drinkers and eamblers, drawing theii- Mardi 27lll, 1937. BOY'S CINEMA full skirts about them all ready to run out. But Blake spotted them at once and came forward. "I'm Judge Blake," he stated. "Can I do anything for you?" "We're looking for the court-house," Alice began. Blake smiled in a fatherly way. " This is the court, miss. Come into the hotel, where we can talk quietly." They followed him through the long bar, aware of the many inquisitive eyes watching them. Blake took them to his own room and put chairs for them in a very polite way. "I came to see about probate of my father's will. He—he was killed about a week ago. I've brought the title deeds of the ranch—Major Burton, per- haps you've heard of him, sir?" "Oh—yes. Of course." Blake's ex- pressive face showed a deep concern. "You poor child—I knew your father quite well! Who didn't? A fine fellow." He shook his head sadly. "A tragedy—but we'll catch the scoundrels yet." Ho paused a moment. "I'm glad you've come to me. You'll stay here a few days as my guests— while I get things settled for you." "Thank you indeed." Alice gestured towards her aunt. "This is Miss Caro- line Biuton, my father's sister." Blake shook hands v.armly with the older lady. "Glad to meet you. Miss Caroline. We'll try to make you happy at the Golden Apple." Steve and Jeff had been refreshing themselves in the bar. They hadn't failed to notice Alice and her aunt. "Burton's sister," spoke Jeff. "I've heard of her. And that must be the daughter.'' When the judge had returned to the bar, Jeff and Steve moved out. They went to the hotel entrance, where Steve asked to see Miss Burton. Presently Alice came down to the quiet lounge with Aunt Carrie at her heels, still very alarmed and anxious. Steve doffed his hat. " Could I have a word with you. Miss Burton?" he asked. "Certainly, sir," Alice answered, blushing at his admiring eyes. "My name is Steven Ainslee. And this is Jeff Carter, my friend." "You evidently know me." Alice smiled as Jeff grinned widely at her. " This is my aunt, Miss Caroline Burton." "I was thinking," said Jefl", "that maybe Miss Caroline wd\ild like to see the sights of Pecos City whilst Mister Ainslee and Miss Burton are disctissin' things?" Aunt Carrie simpered. "I'd sure be charmed, Mr. Carter." Left alone, Steve spoke in a low voice: "Miss Burton, wih you keep what 1 tell you in strict confidence, please?" They regarded each other steadily. Alice held out her hand at last. "I will." " Miss Burton, I'm a Texas Ranger. I'm here investigating a bad business. It's cotmected with your father's death— I have good reason to believe that Judge Blake is involved in it." Alice stared all the moie, her pretty face registering doubt and a little fear. "I—I can't believe it!" "It's only too true," Steve told her. "I have evidence in my pocket. Your horses were rustled, rebranded—then sold in Dodge City by a man acting for Blake. Captain Norris, of the Fourth District, has allowed mo to take charge. You know him? Here's his Every Tuesday letter of authority—and here's my badge of office." He handed her a note taken from his pocket; then turned up tJie collar of his black coat to show a small silver star stitched underneath. Alice read the note. " I know Captain Norris. He was a friend of my father's." She hesitated a little. "It's hard to believe that the judge But I suppose I nuist believe it if you're a policeman." Steve answered her. " A Texas Ranger, please. A soldier. Miss Burton. I'll have to go—it won't do to raise suspicions in this place. Go very carefully with Blake." Down below, Luke Brady was closeted with the judge in his private office. Luke wasn't feeling too good—he had just told Blake that he had lost the cheque. "I couldn't help it, judge," he mumbled, his fi-ightened little eyes watching Blake. " Two guys jumped me as I was coming out of the clerk's office and knocked me flat." "Where were the rest of the men? Carlos and Palmer?" "In a saloon. I went alone to keep things looking natural, see? But you can get another cheque—no one would dare forge your name aiound here." Blake relaxed a little. "Maybe that's so. But I still think you're dumb." He glared at his hench- man. " What I pay you for, I duiuio. But here's a last chance—get this through your thick skull. Burton's daughter is here. Come to me for legal aid and advice. She don't know a thing—and she needn't—unless you showed yourself when Burton was shot?" " She wasn't there," said Luke posi- tively. " There was no one to see who— who did the accident." Blake chuckled. "Accident, that's good! We'll fix it that way with the coroner. Now, listen, the girl's got the ranch deeds with her. In case she lost 'em, that ranch could be declared open to homesteading. Get the idea?" "I do, judge." Luke's crafty eyes sparkled. "And you might apply for the place.. You or Carlos—well, it's worth going after. But you'll have to act on your own." Thieves in the Night THAT night, whilst Steve and Jeff were getting to bed in their room along the balcony of the Golden Apple, Steve hoard stealthy footsteps below the window. H(! was on the bal- cony before Jeff could guess what his chum was after. Along the balcony stole a dark figure. Steve, crouching in the shadows, saw the man pause at Alice's window to peer in. He turned with a gasp as Steve's hand was clapped on his shoulder. A straight punch between the eyes sent him reeling over the balcony rail on to the patio below. There he lay quiet for a moment—but Steve spotted that he was trying to draw a gun on him. Steve leaped the rail straight down on to the fellow and gripped his wrist. Winded, the man collapsed with a grunt, to lie still. Wasting no more time on him, Steve ran up the steps of the balcony to Alice's apartments. The french window was open and a burglary of some sort had been evidently in progress. Very quietly Steve entered—there might be a pair of the rascals. Advancing, gun in hand, info the darkness of the room, Steve gave the