The Glasgow courier., 1915-12-24
AIN)A
e7 u
DIN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS

promise Is to get him. II possible. be-
hind the bars before the mob gets him
in n rope"
Wilfred permitted himself the pleas
ure Of taunting Mizzoo with the very
evident truth that before Wilcox was
hanged or imprisoned he must first be
caught.
Mizzoo grinned good naturedly. "Yap.
Well. we've got clew locked up in
Jail right now that could tell us some.
thing. Judge, and will tell us some
thing before set free. It's name is Bill
Atkins. He's a wise old coon. but as
sour as a boiled owl-nothing as yet
to be negotiated with him than If he
was bobcat catched In a trap. We're
hoping time'll mellow him-time and
the prospect of being took out and
swung from the nearest limb"
Wilfred insisted on an immediate
visit to Bill. Brick declared be
wouldn't tell Bill his hiding place." he
said, "for be didn't want to get him
into trouble. He'll tell me If be knows
anything, and II he doesn't it's an out.
rage to shut him up, old as he is and as
rheumatic as he's old"
On the way to the rudely improvisec
prison MizZoo defended himself. He
wasn't too old and rheumatic to fight
like a wildcat. Why. he had to be
lifted up bodily and carried into his
cell. Not a word can we get out OF
him or bite Of grub into him. be,
ieve that old codger's just too obsti
nate to die!"
When they reached the prison door
the crowd gathered about them. eager
for news. watching Mizzoo unfasten
the door as II he We're unlocking the
secret to Willock's whereabouts. There
were loud imprecations on the head OF
the murderer and fierce prophecies as
to what would happen to Bill If he
preserved his discriminating silence. II
seemed but a moment before hurrying
forms from many directions packed
themselves into a mass before the Jail.
The cells We're in the basement. The
only entrance to the building was by
means Of flight of six steps leading
to an unroOfed platform before the
door Of the story proper. Mizzoo and
Wilfred. standing On this PLATFORM
were lifted above the heads OF perhaps
hundred men. who watched eagerly
the dangling bunch of keys Mizzoo
had stationed three deputies ut the foot
of the steps to keep back the mob. for
II the excited men once rushed into the
Jail nothing could check their course.
MizzoO whispered to Wilfred WED
better get in as quick as possible"
The words were lost In the increas
Ing roar Of voices. He spoke again:
when | swing open the door that
bunch will try to make Il run for it.
You jump inside and III be after you
like shot. Well lock ourselves in
Hey. Mizzoo" shouted a voice from
the crowd. bring out that old cuss.
Drag him to the platform. we want to
hear what he's got to say"
Say. Mr.. Sheriff! Tell him II he
won't come to us. Wen 20 to him
We've got to know where Brick VIII
locks hiding and that's all about it,
Sure" growled Il third. What kind
| VI ~ WV IL ~ tulS iIl WHY y
for highwaymen and MIr,lcrers:"
\ struggle took place II, the foot Of
the stairs. not so good na'urcdly ns
heretofore. \ reasoning voice was
heard: "Iiist let me say n wrrd to the
boys"
Yes" called others. let Il NJ hin"
There WAS Il SUr"in- forward ana n
man WAS lifted literally nv,, III" nrt,l>
Of the three Deputies He rr'r''''i ~"
platform breathless. diSheveled. but tri
umphant. 1t was the survivor Of Red
Kimbalrs band
MizzOo, mistaking his coming for q
general rush, had hastily relocked the
door. and he and Wilfred defended
themselves with drawn revolvers.
Il amt up here to do no harm." call
ed the ex-hiehwayman. Il amt got
the spirit for warfare. My chief 1.
killed, my pards is dead. Even that in
nocent stage driver what knew not othinl
OF us is killed in the attack that Brick
Wilcox made on us in the dark anl
behind our backs. How're you goin;
to grow when the whole world know!
you amt nothing but Il den OF snakes
You may claim it's all Brick Wilcox
| say il he's bigger than the town. /
he murders and stabs and you can
help 1t. then the town amt as good n
him. My life's in danger don
know il III draw another breath
What kind Of reputation is that TO
, you to send abroad? There's maj
+ in this Jail can tell you where Wilcox
hiding. Good day.
The speaker was down the steps Il
two leaps. and the deputies drew asid
to let him pass out. Civic pride, abov
all. civic ambition. had been touche
p to the quick. A hOarse roar fOllowe
the speech, and cries for Bill grey
n frantic. Mizzoo. afraid to unlock tn
= door. stared ut Wilfred in perplexity
Il told you they had civilization o
J.. the BRAIN" he muttered. '"rhe oil
k times are past. daresn't make
mOvn toward thot lcol.