The Jasper news., 1919-06-05

moment. then putting 1t back in the
safe he entered his runabout and
drove away, arriving an hour later at
the Ransome cottage, where he intro
!duced himself to Dick and offered him
his piece of flag and assistance In To-
eating the treasure. It was agreed
that Dick and Polly should call at his
home that afternoon, he meanwhile
making trip to Los Angeles.
Ind this time," said Teel as he fin
ished recounting to them his version
of the former expedition and why 1t
had failed, 1--WE will let no savages
stop us. Through some accident we
embarked upon the other trip with
insufficient arms and ammunition, and
In other ways were not prepared to
hold our own against such force OF
savages as we encountered. But hav-
Ing had the experience once and know
ing the country as I now do we Will
be- able to avoid them, or even If we
should come in contact with them will
give them such hot reception that
they will be mighty glad to let US
alone. He looked at the girl a little
obviously.
However, l question the advisable
ity Of taking woman on such trip.
1t Is a. rough country and we are la
BILE to see rough times. Are you not
a bit afraid, Mrs. Van Brunt?"
She looked up at him with small
smile.
mo" she answered. "With Dick
at my side I would be afraid Of moth
Ing"
"She is as game as they make
them" added Dick proudly. '1f 1t
comes to showdown I'll wager she
| will be the last one to show the white
feather"
II am beginning to think so myself"
murmured the older man with an
other glance at her fearless face. Tell
ing them that he would be back and
meet them promptly as agreed he
turned away and climbed into his ma
chine.
As Teel drove away and Dick and
| Polly turned to re-enter the cottage,
one of Scarface's gangsters slipped
| from beneath the porch and raced
unseen to his chief to report all he
had heard.
"Good," he exclaimed. "We1l all
be at Techs cottage to welcome Them"
Then repairing down the road, he
climbed into a tree and as Teel passed
beneath on his return from town,
caught him about the neck with a
lasso and left him tied to tree near
the house, where, In the meantime, a
charge had torn open the safe and put
the treasured rag in their possession
Crossing the bridge, Dick drove up
to the house and knocked. The out
laws, with guns drawn, strained for
ward ready to leap. Again Dici
knocked; then, hand on latch ant
about to enter, a shout Of warning
halted him.
"Scarface is In there. Look out!"
Teel, by desperate effort had worked
loose his gag and given the warning
Turning, Dick leaped to the car, and
even before the outlaws could gain
the porch to shoot, had gained the
road and was speeding back to town.
Leaping on their horses, the out
laws started after the car, but drew
up when Scarface shouted:
they'll never cross Deep Gap
bridge We've got them"
All unconscious of the trap of
death that lay before him with jaws
spread wide, Dick went hurtling along.
Knowing of course that the ruffians
would stop at nothing to accomplish
their object and wondering what their
next step would be. his brain and
hands were of the busiest as he sped
on, Just what should be his next
move for the moment puzzled him
Would 1t be best for him to seek helr
and then go back and rescue Teel, OF
could he by some bold and unexpected
stroke accomplish this end alone and
thus save valuable time? Could he
think of some plan to bring this about
at once 1t would be much the better
for there was no knowing what devil
try the gang would be into If they were
given time to hatch 1t. Furthermore
they might take 1t into their heads to
murder Teel at any moment.
Racing along In his car at terrific
speed, Dick was within two hundred
yards of the bridge when there was
stunning roar and the entire struc
ture shot up In the air.
There was no time to check thu
speed of the car. To turn either way
meant certain destruction in deep ra
vines. Turning to Polly Dick cried
.uron late to ston. Give her al