The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-23
CHAPTER VII

Brad Lincoln. r..-
Cant be nobody but Hank"
Jim leaped off the rock, crashing
down behind the watching men, star
Ting them. Smoky, it's Hays. I saw
him mile off,"
"Why didn't you say somethin',
them" retorted Slocum gruffly.
Il was too fiabbergasted," replied
Jim, coolly, as he joined them.
tits Hank all right" said Mac.
"Shore, 1 see him now. Thet's
Hank" ...r-...# ......
"Jim, what fiabbergasted your de-
manded Smoky. s-".. z.
Three ridersi' flashed Jim. ....
"Wal. . So / see. What you
make of theft" calculated Slocum.
The three emerged clearly from be-
hind the cedars. A blank silence en-
sued Jim at last got the tigerish
nerves under control His thoughts
were whirling.
"Humph. Little rider in between"
commented Lincoln.
That's Sparrowhawk behind"
"Who's the third party?"
Hank shore is queer duck, takin'
up with strangers like he does"
Somebody with mask on!''
"An' long slicker." .s.- ,-
"Fellers," rasped out Slocum. "thet's
q woman with a veil ]"
Jim thought the moment had come
"Men, Hank has double-crossed US.
He's stolen Herrick's sisterl'
Hank Hays led his two followers to
within a few feet of the cluster of
riders. Jim's nghtning-swift glance
took the three in, their dust-caked
horses, and flashed back to fasten
upon Miss Herrick. Her features were
not visible through the VEIL The linen
coat showed the wear and tear of con-
tact with brush. She had on riding
boots and overalls.
"Wal. you're all here but Jeff," be-
gan Hays.
"Jeff'n be comm by now" replied
Smoky. "Whar you amin fer?"
Brakes of the Dirty Devil"
81 take it you've fetched Herrick's
sister"
you're bright boy"
flank Hays, after all you double
crossed u.s." roared Smoky. You're a
liar. You're a cheat. You think you
can drag US In on a deal like this. 1
thought you acted powerful queer. So
1t was this CURL you tricked US fer?
=. YOU"
Jim Wall strobe forward and aside,
his swift action menacingly signifi-
cant.
Hays, your jig's up. She goes
backI"
"Wait a minute" the robber replied,
stridently. stick or quit, If you
want. 1 fetched this CURL fer ransom.
She come willin', cause If she hadn't
I'd killed Herrick. He'll pay twenty
five, mebbe fifty thousand for her."
Jim interposed again: "Hays, you're
a dirty liar. You didn't steal this girl
for ransom" he called out, fiercely.
Then, turning to the detected figure on
the gray horse: miss Herrick, is he
telling the TRUTH"
YES he stole me for ransom" she
replied, with emotion. "They broke
into my room-one through the win
dow, the other at the door. They
threatened me with guns If I
screamed they'd kill mel If I didn't
come with them they'd kill my broth
eri . agreed"
"We tied Herrick up before we got
the gurl," said Hays. "An' after, we
made him promise to pay handsome
An"
That's enough" snapped Jim. "Giye
me man or two. Wen take her back
and get the money"
"Hold on. Tibet was somethin' I
had in mind" drawled Hays. "But 1t
didn't work. l had to kill Progar.
An" IS ~
who's Progar?"
"Wal. he's Heeseman's right-hand
man. Now it happened tibet foxy
Heeseman was plannin' the same trick
I pulled. Progar an another Teller
ketched us takin' the CURL out The
other Teller got away"
"Thet's wuss than everr screamed
Smoky. "Heeseman will find out"
Huh. Il should smile in perticular
tibet he will. We seen his outfit on
your traili"
"Shet upi Hoses comin'!"
The ensuing rush was quelled by
Smoky's ringing order. Hold onl It's
JeffT