Gilpin observer., 1920-06-24

just arrived.
"Hear any conversation
"Heard your partner say he was
sick; that's ALL"
"If you heard that, guess you heard
the rest. How d'ysu know we was
partners?"
II did hear the rest" he answered
sharply. That's how knew you were
partners"
"All right, mud-lark," cautioned
Jake. Don't sing SO shrill" In the
same instant the moonlight was re.
flected from a bright barrel he held
in his hand. 'If you heard the rest
you tumbled that we had planned a
little picnic for tonight?'
"Yes."
"An' that my partner is too sick to
make one?'
Yes
AN that you came along just in
time?"
I'm time for what?"
"As you've heard what's afoot, it's
that or"
Jake fingered his revolver with med
itative Indifference.
Anderson's heart was beating like
a riveting machine
well, don't YOU fancy holding up
train?' persisted Jake.
81 would rather hold up a train"
said Anderson mechanically, than"
he stopped short and blushed
"All right, then" went on Jake,
not noticing the hesitation. you've
saved your life, even If you hang for
it. Now listen. In twenty minutes the
Chicago tiier, with n cargo of mil
lionaires aboard, will be along. We
put this red lamp on the track, an
board the train as she comes to halt.
While they're investigating we slip
into the rear car, where my informa-
tiOn is that the millionaires an their
families are travelling, II being a pri-
vate car
It'll only be about nine o'clock,
I'an' no berths will be made up among
that bunch, which makes 1t easier.
go first an persuade 'em to put their
hands in the air. Then you back me
up.
'That's all you got to do-hold a
gun an look devilish. Think you can
do it?"
al think I can." gasped the million.
aire. "if l have mask"
"You will. Now look here. I want
to explain to you that there amt to
be no double-crossing. I'm quicker'n
| f1ashlight. D'yOu ever hear of Dead
Shot Dan, the king-pin scribe Of the
pistol wOrld?"
"Pve heard the name," murmured
Anderson.
"An' now you see the man." pro-
claimed Jake grandly. Besides, the
gun you've got amt loaded"
At the first statement Anderson was
stung into jealous impotence. The Sc
and chronicles of Dead Shot Dan was
great In proportion to its secrecy; but
the last insult was the worst.
| II brought Anderson's mind from
stupor to instant activity. Like flash
his resolve was made. He would
achieve his ambition-emasculat In
form as II was-tO hold up train
|
with the trusty weapon that nestled
in his own pocket, he would capture
the bandit, thus obtaining double
adventure, n double glory and four
fold satisfaction. Revenge and ro-
nance should go hand in hand
II was not until he found himself
in the private car holding pistol over
the cowed occupants while Jake ac-
quired their property, that the full
flood of JOY met his unconquered in
| stnct.
He became facetious, and smiled as
he pointed his pistol at first one and
then another of his victims, more than
one Of whom had been host and guest
TO him. Here was life at last.
Jake kept up a constant patter.
Now be careful, gentlemen" he was
saying. "My partner there is terrible
blood-thirsty. He'd sooner shoot than
eat, an he scarcely ever misses. AS
for me-" his hand patted the chained
pistol Mt his side. "as for me-Tm
Dead Shot Dan. He's pupil of nine"
Liar" he snapped. I'm no pupil
of yours"
| Everybody In the car from honest
man to thief, gasped and stared. They
could not understand It,.
| You aln't?" queried Jake for lack
of other ideas. "Then who are your?
His hand was creeping to the swing
| ing pistol. Anderson was eyeing him
keenly. his left hand resting in his
coat pocket.
I'm Dead Shot Dan" he said, with
tense quietness, and before the de-
scending hand reached the butt of the
hanging pistol the intelligence that
had been Jake's had slipped into the
ether.
As the shot echoed. Anderson
lnnrhed with huStnricnl log than