Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-05-22
CHAPTER xXxItI.-continued.
@7HZE2T N0.

der the leadership of the honest men
of property could easily force the big
bandits to consent to an honest, just,
| rock-founded, iron-built reconstruc-
ton My statement appeared in all
the morning papers throughout the
land. Turn back to it; read it. You
will say that was right Well
Toward two o'clock Inspector Craw-
ford came into my private office, es-
| corted by Joe. I saw in Joe's scanned,
green-Sray face that some new danger
had arisen. You've got to get out of
this" said he. The mob in front of
our place fills the three streets. It's
made up Of crowds turned away from
the suspended banks
! I remembered the sullen faces and
the Kisses as | entered the Office that
morning earlier than usual. Ny win
| dOWs were closed to keep out the
street noises; but now that my mind
was up from the work in which | had
| been absorbed, l could hear the sounds
| of many voices, even through the thick
| plate glass.
We've got 200 policemen here
said the inspector. Five hundred
more are on the way. But-really,
Mr.. Blackjack, unless we can get you
| away, there'l be serious trouble.
Those damn newspapers! Every one
of them denounced you this morning,
and the people are in fury against
you"
I went toward the door.
Hold on, Matt" cried Joe, spring
ing at me and Selling me. where
are you going?"
'To tell them what think of them
replied l, sweeping him aside. For
my blood was up, and 1 was enraged
against the poor cowardly fools.
For Gods sake don't show your
self" he begged. eff you don't care
for your own life, think of the rest
of us. We've fixed route through
buildings and under streets up to
| Broadway. Your electric is waiting
| for you there"
st won't do" I said. I'll face 'em
its the only way"
l went to the window, and was about
to throw up one Of the sunblinds
for a look at them; Crawford stopped
me. They'll stone the building and
then storm it," said he. you must
| go at once, by the route we've ar
| ranged
Even if you tell them I'm gone,
| they won't believe it, replied I.
I'VE can look out for that" said
| Joe. eager to save me, and caring
nothing about consequences to him
self. But ] had unsettled the in
! spector
Send for my electric to come down
here said I. 'T'H so out alone and
| get in it and drive away
"That'n never do" cried Joe
But the inspector said: You're
right, Mr.. Blackjack. It's a bare
chance You may take 'em by sur
prise. Again, some fellow may yell
| and throw stone and" He did not
need to finish.
Joe looked wildly at me. You
mustn't do it, Matt" he exclaimed
you'll precipitate a riot, Crawford
II you permit this"
| But the inspector was telephoning
for my electric Then he went into
the adjoining room, where he com
manded view of the entrance
Silence between Joe and me until he
| returned
"The electric is coming down the
street." said he.
rose. Good" said l. I'm ready
wait until the other police get
here" advised Crawford.
IF the mob is in the temper you
describe said I, ''the less that's done
to irritate it the better. must go out
as If hadn't suspicion of danger"
The inspector eyed me with an
expression that was highly fattering
to my vanity.
I'll go with YOU said Joe, start
ing up from his stupor.
NO." ] replied. You and the other
fellows can take the underground
route, if it's necessary"
1T won't be necessary" put In the
Inspector. CAS- soon as I'm rid of YOU
and have my additional force. I'll
clear the streets" He went to the
door Wait, Mr.. Blackjack, until I've
had time to get out to my men,"
Perhaps ten seconds after he disap.
4 RS~AS "AtAOQI IuIIu0r WORDS. DIT
on my hat, lit cigar, shook Joe,s wet.
trembling hand. left in it my private
Keys and the memorandum of the
combination of my private vault
Then / sailed forth.
l had always had a rayenous anne
tite for excitement, and 1 had been
In many tight place: but for the
first time there seemed to me to be
an equilibrium between my internal
energy and the outside situation. As
l stepped from my street door and
glanced about me. had no feeling
OF danger. The whole situation
seemed so simple. There stood the
electric, just across the narrow
stretch of sidewalk; there were the
200 police, under Crawford,s orders
scattered everywhere through the
crowd. and good-naturedly jostling and
pushing to create distraction. With.