West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-02-07
ers. one or which he presented direct.
ly at Blnck Hunk.


ers. one OF which he presented direct.
" at Black Hank.
"'Nds up Ec commanded sharply.
Hank was directly covered. so he
Hbeyed. The newcomers eye had n
strangely restless quality. or the 9th
or dozen Inmates OF the room eleven
were firmly convinced that the weapon
and eye not directed at their leader
were personally concerned with them
selves. The twelfth thought he saw
bis chance. TO the bewildered onlook-
ers there seemed TO be a fash aud a
bang instantaneous. Then things were
as before. One OF the strangers weap-
ons still pointed at Black Hanks
breast: he second at each one OF the
others. Only the twelfth man. he who
had seen his chance. had collapsed for
ward 10 the floor. No one could assure
himself positively that he had dis
ccrncd the slightest motion on the part
Of Tie stranger.
Now" said the latter sharply. zone
It % t.@c. gchtlcmcn. Drop your gum
This last - Black Hank. "AIuzzle
down. Drop III Correct"
One Of the men In the back OF the
room stirred slightly on tho ball OF his
foot.
STEADY thcrer' said the stranger.
The man stinened.
Next gent" went ON the little man.
subtly indicating another. The Inter
obcycd without hesitation. Next Now
you. Now you In the corner"
One after another the pistols clashed
10 the floor. Not for an instant could n
single inmate OF the apartment. armed
or unarmed. flatter himself that his
slightest motion was overlooked. They
were like tigers on tho crouch. ready to
spring the moment the mans guard
lowered. II did not lower. The hud-
died figure on the floor reminded them
OF whntm might happen. They obeyed.
Step back" commanded the stran-
ger next. In n moment he had them
standing In o row against the wall,
rigid, upright. their hands over their
heads. Then for the first time the
stranger moved from his position by
the door.
"Call her" he said to Billy-"the
girl"
Billy raised his voice. "Nelll oh.
Nclll'
In n moment she appeared In the
doorway ut the foot OF the stairs with
out hesitation or fear. She had slipped
on n dress. When she perceived the
state OF affairs, she frightened almost
mischicvously.
Would you just as soon. ma'nm, II
Ii ain't troublln' you too much. Just
sort of naturally unite Billy - request
ed the stranger.
She did 50. The hotel keeper stretch
cd his arms.
Now pick mp them guns. please"
The W set about It.
where's that Internal old repro
bate?' howled Billy suddenly. looking
about for Charley.
The patriarch had quietly slipped
away.
You can drop them arms" advised
the stranger, lowering the muzzles of
his weapons. The leader started to
say something.
You shut up!' said Billy, selecting
his own revolvers from the heap.
The stranger suddenly picked up one
Of the Colts single action revolvers
which lay 81 the iloor and. holding the
trigger back against the guard. ex.
ploded the six charges by hitting the
hammer smartly with the palm OF his
hand. In h thrusting motion OF this
discharge he evidently had design, for
the first six wineglasses OH Billy's bar
were shivered. 1t was wonderful work
rafting fire, quicker than n self COCK,
er even. He selected another weapol.
From Il pile of tomato cans he took one