Strona 25 z 439

"You seem to have the call, gentlemen," he smiled. "Would you

mind telling me what it's all about?"

"You know what it's all about as well as we do. Collect his gun,

Tom."

"This hold-up business seems to be a habit in this section.

Second time to-day I've been the victim of it," said the victim

easily.

"It will be the last," retorted one of the men grimly.

"If you're after the mazuma you've struck a poor bank."

"You've got your nerve," cried one of the men in a rage; and

another demanded: "Where did you get that hawss?"

"Why, I got it--" The young man stopped in the middle of his

sentence. His jaw clamped and his eyes grew hard. "I expect you

better explain what right you got to ask that question."

The man laughed without cordiality. "Seeing as I have owned it

three years I allow I have some right."

"What's the use of talking? He's the man we want, broke in

another impatiently.

"Who is the man you want?" asked their prisoner.

"You're the man we want, Jim Kinney."