Wild Norene by Johnston McCulley Read online

Page 3

“Yes.”

  saying. “You’ll thrash him for me because

  “Perhaps to-morrow afternoon I’ll

  of the insult he has offered?”

  be walking along Commercial Street,

  “Consider it done,” Connor said.

  where you saw me to-day. I am not

  “But first you may walk as far as

  certain—”

  the corner with me, if you will.”

  “I’ll watch for you then.”

  He ushered her from the place, put

  She held out her hand, and he

  himself at her side, and they hurried to the

  clasped it.

  corner. She clung to his arm, and Connor’s

  She smiled at him again, then

  heart throbbed.

  hurried away.

  “I suppose you think I am a peculiar

  Connor looked after her until she

  girl for asking you to do such a thing,” she

  had disappeared in the darkness down the

  said.

  street, then turned back toward the resort.

  “I have no right to think so. No

  He did not question. She had asked

  doubt you have a good reason for it. But I

  him to thrash a man who had insulted her,

  would suggest, if you’ll allow me, that this

  and he promised himself to do the task

  part of town—”

  well.

  “Is no place for me? I can take care

  He did not care to know the

  of myself, sir.”

  circumstances. He did not care to

  She was smiling as she spoke.

  remember she had entered the resort to call

  He met her eyes again, half afraid

  him. He gave her credit for courage in

  of what he might see there.

  doing so, feeling that it had taken courage

  And she read his thought.

  for her to stand there in the midst of

  “I don’t want you to think that I am

  painted women and men who thought

  a—a bad girl,” she whispered. “Don’t nothing of approaching any woman to be

  All-Story Cavalier Weekly

  10

  found there.

  looked at the face of the old sea-dog.

  When he reentered the resort he did

  Captain Adams was the sort of man who

  not see the man Riney at first. Riney had

  would proceed with deliberation and

  left the bar and crossed the room again, to

  refined cruelty in such a case.

  sit at the table within a few paces of

  Not for any amount of money

  Guerrero and Captain Bill Adams.

  would Guerrero have stood in the shoes of

  The captain was bent over the table

  Mate Riney.

  in the shadow, listening, waiting.

  But as Adams turned to confront

  “Garza has arrived,” Guerrero was

  the traitorous mate another man lurched

  whispering to him.

  across the room and half fell against the

  “Has he located Riney yet?”

  table at which Riney and Garza were

  “Yes; he is coming this way. He has

  sitting.

  nodded to Riney. Now he sits down beside

  It was Jack Connor, feigning

  him.”

  intoxication.

  Garza was wise, however. He and

  “Look where you’re going,” Riney

  Riney regarded each other as if they had

  growled.

  been strangers.

  “Keep out of the way!” shouted

  Garza ordered a drink and when it

  Connor.

  arrived tossed it off. Then he looked across

  He kicked at the table, and it went

  at Riney and winked.

  over. He reached for Riney, who sprang to

  “Fishing good?” Garza asked.

  his feet and aimed a terrific blow at Jack

  “Great!” said Riney. “I know a craft

  Connor’s head. And then Riney realized his

  whose hold is full.”

  mistake; Jack Connor was not intoxicated.

  “Shipping ’em south, eh?”

  He stepped swiftly to one side, and his fist

  “I should guess,” said Riney slowly,

  crashed into the mate’s face.

  “that she would float out tomorrow evening

  In an instant they were at it, and

  with the tide.”

  every one in the room had crowded

  Guerrero’s eyes met Captain forward, making a great ring of human Adams’s across the table, and the captain

  bodies, to watch the combat.

  nodded slowly.

  Members of the Amingo’s crew

  He had heard. Riney, his mate, had

  were there, cheering on their mate, who

  sold him out. There was nothing had a reputation as a fighter. Jack Connor’s enigmatical about his conversation with friends were there, too, and stood in the Garza, the secret-service agent. The hold

  ring, grinning with delight.

  was full of fish—the ship would sail to-

  They had seen Connor fight before.

  morrow evening with the tide. The hold

  He had punishment in his blows, and he

  was full of arms and ammunition; the had fistic science in addition.

  Amingo would start on her voyage to the

  The mate’s terrific blows struck

  aid of revolutionists in less than twenty-

  empty air; Connor’s fists played on the

  four hours—that was the meaning.

  other man’s face, head, and breast.

  Captain Adams stood up, and so did

  Slowly and surely Connor was

  Guerrero.

  beating his antagonist down. He was

  The captain’s rage was not of the

  delaying the final blow purposely, making

  sort that makes a man “fly off the handle”

  Riney take all the punishment he could

  and “have it out.” Guerrero shuddered as he

  stand. He remembered only that the man he

  Wild Norene

  11

  was beating had insulted the girl he had

  floor, and others of Jack Connor’s friends

  met that afternoon.

  had met with disaster. The crew of the

  Riney’s shipmates saw how the Amingo could fight. Connor found himself battle was going, and edged forward. It was

  almost alone, in a circle of flying fists.

  an axiom of the sea that Captain Adams’s

  His rage redoubled. The odds were

  men stood together in brawls.

  not fair. He threw himself into the fray with

  A foot was thrown out, Connor was

  renewed zeal.

  tripped, and as he saved himself from

  A weight of human bodies assailed

  sprawling on the floor a blow from Riney’s

  him. His foot slipped and he crashed to the

  fist caught him on the side of the head and

  floor. Men were on top of him, striking

  staggered him.

  him, trying to choke him.

  A roar of rage at the foul trick came

  Some one near him was screeching:

  from a score of throats. In an instant the

  “Let him up! Tie his hands behind

  fight had become general. Connor’s friends

  him!” Take him to the cap’n!”

  sprang to meet the men from the Amingo.

  Others of the Amingo’s crew took

  But in that last instant Connor’s fist

  up the cry
:

  stretched Riney to the floor.

  “Take him to th’ cap’n! Cap’n Bill

  Garza had made his escape. will know what to do with the man that Guerrero hung close to the wall.

  smashed the mate!”

  Captain Adams, towering above the

  Connor began fighting again as they

  other men, watched the combat as it raged,

  let him up. He had heard of Captain Bill

  his arms folded.

  Adams; he didn’t intend to let these men

  Riney, getting up from the floor carry him aboard the Amingo.

  with the intention of continuing the

  But his struggles were in vain. They

  combat, saw his captain’s eyes fixed on

  fastened his hands behind him and started

  him. He recognized the coat the captain

  him toward the alley door, half carrying

  was wearing, and knew that the captain had

  him, some of them guarding the rear to

  been sitting a few feet away while he had

  prevent Connor’s friends from effecting a

  been talking to Garza.

  rescue.

  Riney knew well nothing but

  “Take ’im to th’ cap’n!” they cried.

  suspicion would bring Captain Adams to

  A giant of a man stepped between

  such a place. And he realized what form

  them and the door and held up a hand.

  the vengeance of the captain would take.

  “Stop!” he cried. “Turn that man loose!”

  He stooped and started toward the

  The sailors of the Amingo gazed at

  combatants again. But as several men came

  him in amazement. One of them laughed

  between the captain and himself, he turned

  aloud. Another looked away, afraid to meet

  and darted toward the door, escaped into

  the skipper’s eyes.

  the night, and fled toward the water-front.

  “Why, it’s th’ cap’n!” another cried.

  Sally Wood, standing on the “It’s Cap’n Bill!”

  platform against the end of the piano,

  Jack Connor, knowing the captain

  caught sight of the mate’s face as he had heard his conversation earlier in the flashed past her and to the door.

  evening regarding himself and his niece,

  Her own face turned white, and she

  felt something like fear clutch at his heart

  staggered to a chair and sat down.

  for a moment as he looked at the giant in

  Morgan had been beaten to the front of him whose eyes met his and held

  All-Story Cavalier Weekly

  12

  them.

  Even Jack Connor would have difficulty

  “Turn him loose!” the captain standing up to Captain Bill.

  repeated.

  Captain Bill sat down at the table

  “But he beat up Mate Riney, and motioned Connor to the other chair.

  cap’n!”

  Guerrero remained standing against the

  “I saw it! Turn him loose!”

  wall a short distance away, wishing the

  “He beat up th’ mate!”

  captain would hurry, fearful for the success

  “That’s why I’m telling you to turn

  of their enterprise.

  him loose!” cried the captain, walking

  The mate had been unmasked;

  toward them. “He saved me a job. I was

  Garza, the secret-service agent, knew facts

  going to beat Riney up myself.”

  and details. They might not wait many

  Wondering

  at

  the

  skipper’s manner,

  hours before making a move.

  his men obeyed him, and Jack Connor soon

  Even now, when the captain was

  stood in their midst with his arms and away, they might be descending upon the hands free.

  ship, and the few men left aboard might be

  Senor Guerrero, who had been making an inspection of the cargo in the standing beside the door, hurried forward

  Amingo’s hold.

  and stood on tiptoe to whisper something in

  “You’re a sailor?” the captain asked

  the captain’s ear. The captain nodded his

  Connor.

  head.

  “Yes. I’ve got a mate’s ticket.”

  “Go aboard, men—all of you!” he

  “It is none of my business why you

  commanded. “Round up the others! I want

  thrashed Riney,” the captain went on. “I’m

  every one aboard in half an hour—every

  glad you did it, however. I had just

  one except Riney!”

  discovered that he was a man I couldn’t

  It was the old sea-dog giving a trust. I’m minus a mate. Do you want his command. The men disappeared as if by

  job?”

  magic influence.

  Connor looked up quickly and met

  “As for you,” said the captain, the captain’s eyes.

  stepping up to Jack Connor, “I want to talk

  “You’re offering me the berth?” he

  to you. Come over in the corner.”

  demanded.

  Connor followed him slowly, ready

  “I

  am.”

  for the combat he felt sure was coming.

  “And to-night you sat here and

  He remembered how he had made

  heard me grill you and say things about

  sport of Captain Bill in the captain’s your—your niece.”

  hearing; remembered what he had said

  Captain Adams’s eyes flashed for

  concerning the captain’s niece, Wild an instant, then he regained his composure.

  Norene.

  “I’m not speaking of that. Do you

  Morgan, on his feet again, holding

  want the job?”

  one hand to a bruised and bloody face,

  Connor laughed lightly.

  sensed the situation, and attracted the

  “No, thanks!” he replied. “You’d

  attention of certain of Connor’s friends. At

  get me aboard and beat me to death as soon

  a short distance away they waited, ready to

  as we got to sea. I’m taking no chances

  plunge to the rescue if Captain Bill Adams

  with you after you heard what I said this

  opened hostilities.

  evening. Do you think I am a fool? And,

  They had heard of Captain Bill. besides, I don’t like the voyage you’re to

  Wild Norene

  13

  take. I don’t like your cargo.”

  THE throbbing of engines, the washing of

  The captain restrained his anger and

  waves came to the ears of Jack Connor. He

  bent forward across the table.

  opened his eyes, sitting up quickly at the

  “As to my cargo,” he said, “that is

  same time, and in an instant was lying

  none of your business. You are not down again, for his head had struck sharply supposed to know anything about it when

  against the top of the bunk.

  you ship. As to the other thing you

  He realized then that he was in the

  mention—you’ve heard whether my word

  forecastle of some craft.

  is good.”

  He slipped from the bunk and tried

  “I’ve heard it is as good as gold,”

  to stand up. The vessel was rolling and

  said Connor.

  pitching. Connor guessed instantly that she

  “Very well. I give you my wor
d of

  was passing out over the bar at the mouth

  honor that I’ll not lay a hand on you during

  of the Columbia River.

  the voyage. Understand? Does that satisfy

  He cursed softly to himself as he

  you? And you can bring your friend put his hands to his aching head and tried Morgan along. I need another man or two.”

  to remember what had occurred. He had

  “I don’t doubt your word, captain.

  risen from the chair after hurling his

  But I’ll decline the job with thanks.”

  defiance into the face of Captain Bill

  Their eyes clashed again.

  Adams, and gone to the bar, to be joined

  “I want you,” said Captain Adams.

  there by Morgan and some of his friends.

  “You’re the sort of man I need on the

  As they drank they had watched

  Amingo. I’m going to sail within twenty-

  Captain Adams and Guerrero walk through

  four hours, and when I sail, you’ll be the room and out the front door.

  aboard.”

  Connor had talked with Sally Wood

  “I guess not!”

  again for a short time, but Sally had acted

  “I’m a man of my word, you’ve

  in a peculiar fashion. Sally’s face had been

  admitted. And I give you my word right

 

    Mike Goes to a Movie by Stuart Friedman Read onlineMike Goes to a Movie by Stuart FriedmanLocal Color to Burn by Charley Wood Read onlineLocal Color to Burn by Charley WoodPulp - Popular Western.41.11.Riders of the Rain - Allan R. Bosworth (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Popular Western.41.11.Riders of the Rain - Allan R. Bosworth (pdf)YOU CAN’T HIDE THAT CLUE By LEE E Read onlineYOU CAN’T HIDE THAT CLUE By LEE ECop with Wings by Bruno Fischer Read onlineCop with Wings by Bruno FischerProtective Armor by Norman A Read onlineProtective Armor by Norman AHatched in a Mare’s Nest by S Read onlineHatched in a Mare’s Nest by SThe Time Annihilator by Edgar A, Manley and Walter Thode Read onlineThe Time Annihilator by Edgar A, Manley and Walter ThodePulp - Adventure.19.07.01.Colonel Sutherland Intervenes - Gordon Young (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Adventure.19.07.01.Colonel Sutherland Intervenes - Gordon Young (pdf)FOLLOWING our Camp-Fire custom, Clyde B Read onlineFOLLOWING our Camp-Fire custom, Clyde BTippecanoe and Cougars Two Read onlineTippecanoe and Cougars TwoPulp - Munseys Magazine.07.10.Made in Borneo - Leo Crane (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Munseys Magazine.07.10.Made in Borneo - Leo Crane (pdf)The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Planetoid Of Peril, by Paul Read onlineThe Project Gutenberg eBook of The Planetoid Of Peril, by PaulThe Moth Message by Laurence Manning Read onlineThe Moth Message by Laurence ManningPulp - Popular Detective.38.03.Trapped by Astronomy - Ray Cummings (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Popular Detective.38.03.Trapped by Astronomy - Ray Cummings (pdf)A Voice from the Inner World by A Read onlineA Voice from the Inner World by AEVANS OF THE EARTH-GUARD By Edmond Hamilton Read onlineEVANS OF THE EARTH-GUARD By Edmond HamiltonHard Harman: A South Seas Rover of the 40’s by Dan L Read onlineHard Harman: A South Seas Rover of the 40’s by Dan LInto Space By Sterner St Read onlineInto Space By Sterner StThe Image of Sesphra by James Branch Cabell Read onlineThe Image of Sesphra by James Branch CabellSand and Diamonds By Victor Rousseau Read onlineSand and Diamonds By Victor RousseauWings in the Spanish Legion by Lee Robinson Read onlineWings in the Spanish Legion by Lee RobinsonShrieking Coffins by G Read onlineShrieking Coffins by GA Ranger Rides to Rimrock by John G Read onlineA Ranger Rides to Rimrock by John GPeon of the Snows by Chart Pitt Read onlinePeon of the Snows by Chart PittThe Cruise of the Cadis by Raymond S Read onlineThe Cruise of the Cadis by Raymond SThe Skeleton By B Read onlineThe Skeleton By BPulp - Action Stories.38.12.The Gun-boss of Whispering Valley - James P. Olsen (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Action Stories.38.12.The Gun-boss of Whispering Valley - James P. Olsen (pdf)Pulp - Adventure.20.01.18.Ike Harpers Historical Holiday - W. C. Tuttle (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Adventure.20.01.18.Ike Harpers Historical Holiday - W. C. Tuttle (pdf)The War of the giants by Fletcher Pratt Read onlineThe War of the giants by Fletcher Pratt“Chivalry” by Gordon Young Read online“Chivalry” by Gordon YoungBrother Enemies by Frank Blighton Read onlineBrother Enemies by Frank BlightonDavey Jones’ Loot by Albert Richard Wetjen Read onlineDavey Jones’ Loot by Albert Richard WetjenThe Mind Magnet by Paul Ernst Read onlineThe Mind Magnet by Paul ErnstThe Terror by Night By Charles Willard Diffin Read onlineThe Terror by Night By Charles Willard DiffinThe Pendulum of the Skull by J Read onlineThe Pendulum of the Skull by JThe Earth’s Cancer by Capt Read onlineThe Earth’s Cancer by CaptPulp - Wonder Stories.34.01.Moon Plague - Raymond Z. Gallun (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Wonder Stories.34.01.Moon Plague - Raymond Z. Gallun (pdf)The Time Tragedy by Raymond A Read onlineThe Time Tragedy by Raymond AThe Heart of A Man by William Merriam Rouse Read onlineThe Heart of A Man by William Merriam RouseA Matter of Ethics by Harl Vincent Read onlineA Matter of Ethics by Harl VincentThe Big Money Man by Wayland Rice (hhouse pseudonym, credited to Norman Daniels) Read onlineThe Big Money Man by Wayland Rice (hhouse pseudonym, credited to Norman Daniels)The Winged Doom by Kenneth Gilbert Read onlineThe Winged Doom by Kenneth GilbertPulp - Ranch Romances.29.09.27.Fort A Woman - H. A. Woodbury (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Ranch Romances.29.09.27.Fort A Woman - H. A. Woodbury (pdf)Snatchers Are Suckers by Robert C Read onlineSnatchers Are Suckers by Robert CPoisoned Hearts by Ted Coughlan Read onlinePoisoned Hearts by Ted CoughlanOur Three Days’ Hunt By William A Read onlineOur Three Days’ Hunt By William APayoff in Lead by John S Read onlinePayoff in Lead by John S$-Rays by Henry Leverage Read online$-Rays by Henry LeverageThe Nitwit By William Merriam Rouse Read onlineThe Nitwit By William Merriam RouseThe Dark Sea-Horse by Charley Wood Read onlineThe Dark Sea-Horse by Charley WoodSuicide Satchel By J Read onlineSuicide Satchel By JThe Last Joke of Joker Joe by Hapsburg Liebe Read onlineThe Last Joke of Joker Joe by Hapsburg LiebeClose to my Heart by Chester S Read onlineClose to my Heart by Chester SPop-off Rookie by Leo Hoban Read onlinePop-off Rookie by Leo HobanJust one more case, Uncle Sam by W Read onlineJust one more case, Uncle Sam by WThe Bloodless Peril by Will Garth (Henry Kuttner) Read onlineThe Bloodless Peril by Will Garth (Henry Kuttner)This Beats Hell by Dixie Willson Read onlineThis Beats Hell by Dixie WillsonA Knight of the Road Read onlineA Knight of the RoadPulp - Popular Detective.43.12.Death Signals - John L. Benton (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Popular Detective.43.12.Death Signals - John L. Benton (pdf)The Winged Ones by H Read onlineThe Winged Ones by HPulp - Adventure.19.04.01.Evidence - Gordon Young (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Adventure.19.04.01.Evidence - Gordon Young (pdf)Luck by J Read onlineLuck by JRed Hamblin Entertains by Raymond S Read onlineRed Hamblin Entertains by Raymond SThat Sharp Yankee by Raymond S Read onlineThat Sharp Yankee by Raymond SStrange Guardian by Carter Critz Detective Mystery Novels, Winter, 1948 Read onlineStrange Guardian by Carter Critz Detective Mystery Novels, Winter, 1948The Running of Silver River by C Read onlineThe Running of Silver River by CBrain of Venus by John Russell Fearn Read onlineBrain of Venus by John Russell FearnThe Brain Jungle by Edward Mott Woolley Read onlineThe Brain Jungle by Edward Mott WoolleyWith the Aid of the Spirits by L Read onlineWith the Aid of the Spirits by LGunman’s Hate by Col Read onlineGunman’s Hate by ColThe Second Act Is Murder by W Read onlineThe Second Act Is Murder by WTime for Sale by Ralph Milne Farley Read onlineTime for Sale by Ralph Milne FarleyWhen Oscar Went Wild by W Read onlineWhen Oscar Went Wild by WThe Flame-Worms of Yokku by Hal K Read onlineThe Flame-Worms of Yokku by Hal KPatrols of Peril by Frederick C Read onlinePatrols of Peril by Frederick CFlyers of Fortune by Frederick Lewis Nebel Read onlineFlyers of Fortune by Frederick Lewis NebelKilgour & Co Read onlineKilgour & CoWild Norene by Johnston McCulley Read onlineWild Norene by Johnston McCulleyThe Fetish of Remorse by Achmed Abdullah Read onlineThe Fetish of Remorse by Achmed AbdullahFulfillment by Will Garth Read onlineFulfillment by Will GarthMurder, Haircut and Shave by William De Lisle Read onlineMurder, Haircut and Shave by William De LislePulp - Thrilling Ranch Stories.33.11.The Renegade of Painted Mesa - Ruth Anderson (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Thrilling Ranch Stories.33.11.The Renegade of Painted Mesa - Ruth Anderson (pdf)Crimes of Old London: The Scoured Silk by Marjorie Bowen Read onlineCrimes of Old London: The Scoured Silk by Marjorie BowenU Read onlineUThe Face of Isis by Cyril G Read onlineThe Face of Isis by Cyril GPulp - Argosy.95.02.The Silver Clock - Thomas F. Hart (pdf) Read onlinePulp - Argosy.95.02.The Silver Clock - Thomas F. Hart (pdf)Welcome Home, Sucker by Joe Archibald Read onlineWelcome Home, Sucker by Joe ArchibaldTrial by Typhoon by Albert Richard Wetjen Read onlineTrial by Typhoon by Albert Richard WetjenHark Read onlineHarkThe Hormone Menace by Eando Binder Read onlineThe Hormone Menace by Eando BinderIn the House of Screaming Skulls by M Read onlineIn the House of Screaming Skulls by MThe Living Galaxy by Laurence Manning Read onlineThe Living Galaxy by Laurence ManningIntimately Dead by Stuart Friedman Read onlineIntimately Dead by Stuart FriedmanThe Heat Ray by O Read onlineThe Heat Ray by ODr Read onlineDrDown Among the Dead Men by S Read onlineDown Among the Dead Men by S“Ma” Bingham Meets A Nazi by Frank Marks Read online“Ma” Bingham Meets A Nazi by Frank MarksDead End Street by Owen Fox Jerome (pseudonym of Oscar J Read onlineDead End Street by Owen Fox Jerome (pseudonym of Oscar JCold Light By Capt Read onlineCold Light By CaptHours of Grace by Herman Struck Read onlineHours of Grace by Herman StruckOne Reward Too Many By Harold Francis Sorensen Read onlineOne Reward Too Many By Harold Francis SorensenThe Molten Bullet by Anthony Rud Read onlineThe Molten Bullet by Anthony Rud