Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1906-09-19

feter's breast and pulled the trigger.
His antagonist fell to the floor, with
out a murmur, just as the convicts
sprang across the threshold.
The conyicts, under the leadership
of Bill Hawks, rushed upon Louis and
in moment disarmed him. No pro-
testation by Louis that he was one of
them awaited him; the convicts
seemed assured that he was an enemy
and proceeded to tie his hands behind
his back. The leader of the gang in
the meantime knelt down before the
safe and proceeded to open the same.
First he took his knife and cut
cash in the index finger of his right
hand to attempt to feel when the
combination struck the right clink.
For about minute Hawks worked at
the safe, turning the knob very slowly.
AT last he seemed to have struck the
right combination, and in a jiffy he
guessed two numbers which to him
seemed to fit the first combination,
and strange to say opened the safe.
Bill Hawks, the safe cracker, was a
very superior gentleman in that line.
Bill Hawks, we may say, was no
fool He knew just what he was do
ing when he went after the plate. 81
know you, Louis Lang" Hawks said,
when he and Louis were left alone to-
gether for minute. How much will
you give me for that plate?"
Nothing" replied Louis, surprised
at the mans tone.
The man leered at Louis, insinuat-
ingly. II am not blind! 1t was never
your intention to deliver this plate to
Black Jack. You and Black Jack mean
to play us false"
Louis couldn't guess whether Hawks
was trying him or not. Things began
to look very blue for him, but he man
aged to keep calm. you can think
what you like. am personal friend
to Schiller now, and to Black Jack
am known as his leader in this revolt.
You are the man who will be held re-
sponsible for the plate, not mel"
Enough of this folly!" Hawks eX-
claimed. 81 know who and what you
are! You are pupil of Jim Denver!
From him want my life for this plate
and l get it, or get your life!
See?"
Lang was dumfounded. This was a
fix he had not anticipated getting into
What was the best thing for him to do
under the circumstances? IF you
know who l am why don't you give
me the plate, and trust me to protect
you from him?"
Because 1 can't trust you! l want
to see Denver"
q cannot make bargain with you,
then"
Tho march you into Schiller's
cam5 as traitor and spy" said
Hawks.
Under ordinary circumstances Lang
would have done well to have bought
off Hawks, but he considered that he
had not Implicated himself. Hawks
might or might not be really aware Of
the co-partnership existing between
Denver and Lang. 1t would not do to
trust the schemer too far. So Lang
refused to compromise, resolving to
risk being brought up before Schiller,
and trusting to be liberated by that
worthy in view of the partnership ex.
listing between them.
The victorious party, after ransack'
ing the office, set off toward the pal.
ace of the king Whether they meant
| really to go to him or to some one who
might now be in charge is only con,
| lecture. Half of the town was in
ruins, the walls and several buildings
were quite effectually destroyed, but
| the bombardment had ceased. The
| convicts had mastered the situation,
and then discovered that they had
been fighting for nothing-after they
gained their freedom. To continue to
demolish and kill would only be to
cripple themselves. They realized,
when almost too late, that they had
been made catspaws of by shrewd
band of conspirators who now were
leaving them to answer for their sins.
Rodgers, Golden and Black Jack, dur
ing the first melee, had managed to
make their escape unobserved. But
Lang, unfortunately, was left in the
| hands of the mob!
ITO be continued.)
Substitutes and Its Dangers.