Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

Every Tuesday steatlhy sliadow hi'liiiul him an easy inaik (or a (.'oward's blow with the butt Olid of a heavy six-shooter. Witli a Kasp of surprise tlio Raiiffcv went down -only to turn on tlio instant on his assailant, who proved slippery as an eel. ] lo wriprgled free of Steve's half-numbed f,'rip and slithered out of the room just as a cry from Alice caused Steve to start to his feet. She came out from an inner room in her dressing-gown; Aunt Carrie, simi- iaily clad, close behind her, clutching at a lighted candle. "It's all right, ladies," spoke Stevo. "There was a fellow in this room up to mischief. I've an idea who it was." From outside came a murnun- of voices. Steve stepped back to the bal- cony to lind Judge Blake, with some of the guests and hotel servants, gather- ing there. Lanterns and candles gave faint, flickering illumination to the Scene. "What's all this?" Blake demanded, at once covering Ainslee with a rc- xolver. " Someone broke into Miss Burton's room," Stevo answered. Blake's cold eyes flashed towards Alice.' Pie saw that in her alarm she had clutched up her papers—her father's v.ill and the ranch title deeds. "You hear this man, Mi.ss Burton," he said. "Is it true?" "Yes, judge," she answered flutter- ingly. Blake turned again to Steve. "And who are you, anyway?" " Steve Ainslee—just one of your guests, judge. • The bineau clerk let my friend Carter and myself share a room. I'm a representative of Da\i> Biothei^, of Dodge City—I ha\c a di >ft foi \ou BOY'S CINEMA for those horses you sent us. Your man lost it." Blake was eyeing him intently, Iiis gun directed at Steve's middle. "Cot it on you ?" " Sure I have. I was going to give it you in tlio morning." IIo drew out of his pocket the wallet ho had taken fioiii Luke Brady. All eyes w(>ie upon them as Blake took it. Alice suddenly gave a little scream. "That's my father's wallet I Look at (Iks crossed awoids marked on the out- side ! My father put those there." She pointed a trembling linger at the leather cover of the wallet. "You look it from him !" she accused Steve shrilly. "It was you—you who killed him!" " Why, Miss Burton " But Blake's gun muzzle, thrust sharply into Steve's stomach, checked his denials. Blake spoke grimly. "Davis Brothers, huh? You're under ai rest, my friend I In the name of the law. I charge you with the theft of that wallet, horse stealing, and tho niurder of Major Burton ! Boys "—he called to the servants—" Take him to gaol !" Stevo had to submit. There was no way out—he couldn't sec liis course Better wait—Jeff would bo sure to help h.im. But Jeff seeiiied to have vanished altogetlier. When quiet had been restored, Blake turned to Alice, who was weeping on Aunt Carrie's ample shoulder. " I'm terribly sorry yon had to bo dragged through all this. Miss Burton. But I promise you that man will get all the punishment he so thoroughly deserves." Alice gulped. "And I trusted him. He—he said he w a^- a Tc\a^ Rangei " Blake ^ cold ejes lit up. 1.-. "Oh, lie did, eh? Now tliat'ii very ilileresling." Alice pulled herself logotli<'r. "Koigive me, judge, but when I think of my dear father " Sho held out the deeds and tho will to him. "I'd like to leave theso papers with you. You'll know what's to bo done." "Ill look after you as if you \\cro my own daughter," said Blake. Aiuit Carrie put in : " And now we'll go, sir. We'ie too upset to stay here." "(j'o, in the middio of the night?" Bjake took the deeds. "I'll put theso with tho wallet in my safe. You'd best stay till the morning." "I'd like to leave now," Alice de- clared. "As soon as we're dressed.'' Blake shrugged his heavy shouhli'i--. "All right. I'll find your man ami get the teanr brought round." Downstairs in the bar customers woro still drinking and gambling. Blake signalled to Luke Brady to .--land l)y. He rapped on the counter with tho mallet for silence. "Boys, I'm not calling cou't.' I just want to say a few woids for law and order." All eyes were turned to him. "I want you to know I've arrested the feller who killed Major Burton. This outrage is doubly pitiful —because tlu' killing of a gallant gentleman has madi> an orphan of a little girl wlio's helpless to figiit the world." Murmurs broke out from all present. "Now, boys, I know how jou feel. I know your ideas as to what is a fitting end for boss thieves, rustlers and killers. The feller is named Steve Ainslee, and he's lying snug in the prison-house waiting trial. I want to warn you. boys, if any of you should feel inclined to deal summarily with him—well, I'd be mighty upset !" Alice bound up the broken right hand while Jeff flred at the sniper outside who had ventured to show himself. March 27th, 1937.