The Meeker herald., 1923-01-06
BY Courtney Ryley Cooper
cspystshs ~ Hs.Is. Srsvs = @.

and Taylor Bill. And 'ere's where
they start getting their trouble"
He pulled at the door and 1t yielded
grudEingly. The three slipped past.
following along the line Of the tram
track in the darkness, Harry's pick
handle swinging beside him as they
sneaked along. Rods that seemed
miles; at last lights appeared in the
distance. Harry stopped to peer ahead.
Then he tossed aside his weapon.
'There's only two Of 'em-Biindeye
and Taylor Bill. could whip 'em
both myself. but I'll take the big 'un.
You" he turned to Fairchild-"you
get Blindeye."
"I'll get him."
Anita stopped and CROPPED about for
q stone.
"l'll be ready with something In case
Of accident" came with determination.
"Tve got . quarter Of million In this,
myself"
They went on. nifty yards. a hun
dred. Creeping now. they already
were within the zone Of light. but be-
fore them the two men. dOuble-jack-
Ing at . "swlmmer." had their backs
turned. Onward-until Harry and
Fairchild were within ten feet of tile
.high- jackers." while Anita waited.
stone in hand. In the background.
Came . Yell high-pltched. fiendish.
racking. a. Harry leaped forward. And
before the two "high- -jackers" could
concentrate enough to use their sledge
and drill a. weapons. they weic
whirled about. battered against the
hanging wall, and swlrling in . daxe
Of blows which seemed to come from
everywhere at once. Wildly Harry
yelled a. he shot blow after blow into
the face Of his ancient enemy. High
went Fairchild's voice a. he knocked
Blindeye Bozeman staggering for ne
third time against the hanging wall,
only to see him rise and to knock him
down once more.
Dlzzily the sandy haired man swung
about In his tracks. sagged, then fel i.
unconscious Fairchild leaped upon
him. calling at the same time to the
girl:
thu tuo uuHo AAte
handa while he's knocked out!"
Anita leaped into action. to kneel
at Fairchild's side q moment later
with q hempen strand. a. he tied the
mans hands behind his back. Thera
was no need to worry about Harry.
Glancing out Of q corner Of his eye.
Fairchild saw now that the big
Cornishman had Taylor Bill nat on
his back and was putting on the finish-
ing touches. And then suddenly the
exultant yells changed to ones Of com.
mand.
Talk English! Talk English. you
bloody blighter! Talk English Ear
me-I'll knock the bloody ell out of
you II you don't. Talk English-like
this: Throw up your 'andsr Ear
mer
Anita swerved swiftly and went to
her feet. Harry looked up at her
wildly. his mustache bristling like
the spines Of porcupine.
"Did you ear i'm sye III" he asked.
"No1 -Sye 1t again!"
Throw up your 'ands!" came the
answer Of the beaten man o.. the
ground. Anita ran forward.
Its good deal like It," she
answered. "But the tone was higher"
"Raise your tonel" commanded
Harry. while Fairchild. finishing his
Job Of tying his defeated opponent.
rose. staring In wondefment. Then
the answer came: M
~That's it-thats It. 1t sounded
Just like I'll"
And Fairchild remembered too-the
English accent Of the .highwaynan on.
the night Of the Old Times dance.
Harry seemed to bounce on the pros-
trate form Of his ancient enemy.
"Bill." he shouted. 1--WE got you on
your back. And I've got a right to
kill you. 'Onest ave. And I'll do
1t too-unless you start talking.
might as well kill you as not. It's
penitentiary offense to 1t man un-
derground unless there's . good rea-
son., So I'm ready to 60 the ole route.
So tell it-tell 1t and be quick about
1t. Tell it-wasn't you him."
"Him-whoT" the voice was weak,
frightened. :.
AOu AuOW W1tne uiBnt OF tne
Old Times dancel Didn't you pull
that 'old-upf"
There was a long silence. Finally:
"Where's Rodalner
'In Center City" It was Anita who
spoke. Hes getting ready to run
away and leave you two to stand the
brunt Of all this trouble"
Again q silence. And again Hary's
voice:
Tell It. Wasn't you the manr'
Once more q long walt. Finally:
"What do I get for it1"'
Fairchild moved to the mans side.
my promise and my partners
promise that II you tell the, whole
truth, weH do what we eHnsto "a yuu
lehlency. So toll the trdth: weren't
A.