The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-01-01

SAo 49, ~ vAASA eucy WClo AhSca
| preted.
Braine heard OF the failure. The
Black Hundred was finding its stock
far below par value. Four valuable
men locked up In the Tombs await
Ing trial, to say nothing Of the seven
gunner gathered in at the old ware
house. Braine began to suspect that
his failures were less due to chance
than to calculation, that at last he
had encountered mind which eanti-
cipated his every move. He would
have recognized this fact earlier had
it not been that revenge had temporar-
lily blinded him. The spirit OF revenge
ever makes for mental clarity.
There was meeting that night Of
the Black Hundred. Four men were
told of, and they drew their chairs up
to Vroon's table for instructions.
Braine sat at Vroon's elbow. These
four men composed the most danger
GUS quartet In New York city. They
we're as daring as they were desper-
ate. They were the men who held up
bank messengers and got away with
thousands. They had learned to swoop
down upon their victims as the hawk
swoops down upon the heron. The
newspapers referred to them as the
auto bandits" and the men took
deal Of pride in the furore they had
created
Vroon went over the Hargreave
case infinitely; he left no detail I'M
explained. Bluntly and frankly, the
daughter of Stanley Hargreave must
be caught and turned over to the care
of the Black Hundred. 1t must be
quick action. Four valuable members
were in the Tombs. They might or
might not weaken under pressure. For
the first time in its American career
the organization stood facing actual
peril; and its one possible chance OF
salvation lay in the fact that no ones
face was known to his neighbor. He,
Vroon, and the boss alone knew who
and what each man was. But the
ization might become public property;
and that would mean an end to an
exceedingly profitable business.
The daughter of Hargreave rode
horseback early every morning. She
sought the country road. She was in
variably attended by the riding mas
ter of a school near by.
You four will make your own
plans"
If she should be injured?"
Avoid 1t If possible"
I'VE have free hand?-
Absolutely"
I'VE risk bad fall from her horse
II it's spirited one"
Pretend breakdown in the road"
interpolated Braine. "As they ap-
approach, draw and order them to dis
mount. That method will prevent any
accident
We'll plan it somehow. It looks
easy"
Nothing is easy where that girl
is concerned. A thousand eyes seem
to be watching her slightest move"
I'VE shan't leave anything to
chance. How many days will you
give us?"
Seven. A failure, mind you, will
prove unhealthy to all concerned"
with q menace which made the four
stir uneasily.
The telephone rang. Braine reached
for the receiver
"A man. just entered the Hargreave
was the message.
"Is your car outsider" Braine asked. |
I'VE are never without It,"
Then let us be of. No one will
stop us for speeding ON a side street"
Fourteen minutes by the clock
brought the car to stand at the curb
a few houses below the Hargreave
home. The men got out. The watch
Or ran up.
HE is still inside" he whispered.
Good! Spread out. II anyone
leaves that house, catch him. II he
runs too fast, shoot. We can beat
the police"
The man obeyed, and the watcher
-an back to his post. He was des-
oerately hoping the affair would ter
innate tonight. He was growing
weary OF this eternal vigilance: and it
vas only his fear Of the man known
Is the boss that kept him at his post.
lie wanted a night to carouse In, to
10 with the boys.
The man for whom they were lying
q wait was seen presently to creep
autiously round the side of the house.
lie Rugged corner and paused. They
ould see the dim outline of his body.
he light in the street back of the
almost made q silhouette Of
i'm. By and by, as If assured that
ne coast was clear, he stole down to
le street.
Halt"
Instantly the prowler took to his
cells. Two shots rang out. The man
as seen to stop. stagger, and then go
a desperately. +
Hes hit!" +
BY the time the men reached the t
,rner they heard the rumble Of .
otor. One dashed back to the car t,
icy had left standing at the curb He 9