The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1919-06-26

our party that they are going 10 Los
Angeles In a big touring car just as
we had things figured out. Now that
we know their plans to a certainty IT
ought to make things cinch for us.
Come on, boys, and we will round
them up good and proper this time"
With low cries of approval they fol-
lowed swiftly In his tracks.
With full hours advantage over
Dicks car, the outlaws made mile
a-minute run down the .inain road
from San Francisco to Los Angeles,
halting where the road was just wide
enough for one car to pass and with n
small cliff on one side and ditch on
the other. The railroad ran close by,
and from huge pile of ties the out
laws carried score or more, which
they piled up In the road effectually
closing 1t. This accomplished, they
concealed Themselves in the brush and
waited with drawn pistols, deter
mined to shoot any of the party who
might survive the plunge into the
ditch when their car struck the ties.
With Dick at the wheel and Polly
beside him, the car was spinning
swiftly along, when the girls keen
eyes sighted the ties. Dick knew at
once just what 1t meant. -
'We're ambushed," he creid, "and
I'm going to run for It," Jamming
down the accelerator, he drove the car
full speed at the obstruction.
Two ties had inadvertently been
placed side by side, extending to the
top, and up these ties the car ran, then
vaulted into space, landed on four
wheels and disappeared around bend
In the road. 1t was miraculous es-
cape, but the differental had been
broken, and the party left the cnr and
proceeded by train TO Los Angeles.
Back In the brush where they had
waited with drawn revolvers for the
wreck of the car, the outlaws watched
the marvellous escape of Dick and
Polly with loud oaths of disappoint-
ment. Scarface turned upon his fol-
lowers cursing like pirate.
"They have fooled us again, but in
the end we are sure to get them.
This is his lucky hour, but every dog
has his day. He has escaped us sew
eral times already, but one of these
times his luck Is going to change and
things will then come our way.
have already got something figured
out and l will tell it to you as we 20
along. Put up your guns and get
hustle on you"
Driving back a few miles, Scarface
gained another road TO Los Angeles.
into which he turned explaining his
newest plan to get even with Dick and
his companions and again get posses
sion of the pieces of flag. All through
the night they rode at reckless speed
that would have outdistanced any ex-
press train, and shortly after daybreak
reached Dicks house. Approaching
with caution, they found it. vacant and
easily gained entrance by climbing
porch and forcing window. Then,
posting the Kid, Screweye and Roper
in side room, he went into the kitch.
en- and all prepared to await the ar
rival of their victims.
Reaching Los Angeles on the night
train, Dicks party arrived at the
house abont noon, and it fell in well
with Scarfacc's plans that Polly and
Chu should 60 at once to the kitchen
to prepare dinner. From behind the
door Scarrncc reached out and with
IlOw from his revolver stretched out
the Chinese on the floor At the same
time, he seized Polly and pressed the
pistol to her head.
Alarmed AT the noise, Dick and his
companions drew their pistols and
sprang toward the kitchen; at the
same instant the three outlaws
jumped out of the room and ordered
them to hold up their hands. Dick
hesitated only second, then cried:
IT'S three to three. Come on!"
Pistols would have blazed death to
several in that room in another In
stant, but the door of the kitchen was
thrown open, showing Polly in the
grasp of Scarface, his pistol at her
head and an evil grin on his face.
He dragged the girl speechless with
fright, into the room and looked
sneerngly about as If daring his ene-
mics to raise a weapon.
mot so fast, gents" he cried.
"Thls woman here is the trump card
In this game. Lift hand and she gets
It,"
Had it not been for the fact that
Polly was firmly In the grasp of the
ruffian, Dicks reply would have been