New Britain herald., 1928-02-08

handicaps he faced, Jack summed
 tip the situation and it's possibilities. i They were not as promising as he
 could wish, but-Jack Stuart came
 of tribe closely associated with the John Paul Jones clan. It was when
 the battle seemed hopelessly lost
 that they really began to fight. Jack
 Stuart hadn't even begun, as yet, 1s fight.
 But canny Scot was Jack, and
 he saw no sense in starting any. thing until he had at least a China- mans chance for victory. Only fools
 rushed in where gunmen yielded guns!
 A glance at the sky directly above showed him that clouds were form ing; there was threat of rain in the air. . . If the moon would slip behind a heavy cloud long enough to enable him to crawl over to the left-side running board his service Colt was in a pocket OH the inside, just above the seat.
 The sky above thickened. . . Suddenly the moon disappeared and Jack Stuart seized his opportunity. 1 It was no small feat he was attempt 1 ing as he soon realized. The car was travelling fast, and the road was none too smooth. But once he had 1 Ira 1F ha mud-guard, he breathed easier.
 Another acrobatic twist and his feet were on the running board. Now fer the delicate operation Of lifting the gun, unobserved. and un- caught.
 Luck again favored him.s. :. !. The big fellow guarding Jill, fear ing, pechaps that she would try to jump in the gloom, was using both arms to hold her. He sat well over on the seat. the girl, of courI, be- tween him and the fellow at the wheel. It was the latter of whom Jack had to be careful.
 Crouching low. he worked his right hand, with extreme care, over the side of the seat, and unbuttoned the pocket flap. The gun was there!
 Jack Stuart fully appreciated the desperate character of the men with whom he had to deal. He knew they were both armed. and that neither would hesitate an instant to shoot him down if he gave them the least opening. He must acquire first an advantage and then throw the fear of death into them.
 There was just one way to do this, and in the light of what had occurred. Jack Stuart had no com- punctions whatever in doing it.
 The drivers back was dinly out lined in the gloom just in front of him. Grasping the gun firmly by it's barrel, he brought the heavy butt down on the fellows head, protected slightly by his cap!
 CHAPTER II
 He saw the body sag back, the hands dropping from the steering wheel. Simultaneously, he reversed ends with the gun, reached down with h1s left hand, shut off the power of the car. and grabbed the wheel. Then, while he held the car 1 steady, letting 1t gradually slow down, he raised the gun and fired A shot above the other mans head. As he lowered the muzzle. covering the fellow by the girls right side, the | car came to 8 stop.
 Stick up your hands, Mister Man 
 The command popped from Jacks | lips like an echo Of his guns report. | while at the same instant he | on the lights over the dials in front, outlining, distinctly, both man and girl.
 The fellows hands went up, the instrument board lights showing his face the picture Of astonishment and fright! The entire action from the instant the driver stopped driving" until then had consumed not more than six seconds.
 You step out on tn running beard, please. Miss"' Jack directed the girl. She obeyed instantly, real izing irtuitiveiy that he was friend.
 Now, Mister Man." he went on swiftly. the muzzle of the big Colt aimed straight at the fellow, you slide over this way. keeping your back toward me till I search you. An don't forget to hold your hands up high!"
 The fellow realized quite evidently the folly of any false move. for he instantly to the orders. A quick search brought forth two guns and blackjack. A like per- formance on his partner uncovered two more and another jack" Jack dropped the plumber in his pockets The man under the wheel was sti]l although breathing nat lraily. Business in the ''stick-up'' inc, apparently, had undergone a lump, The moon was again shining right, and outlining everything . with clarity equal almost to day z irhf