We felt sure they didn't have you, Mr.Reade and Mr.Hazelton, so we let the raiders slip away and spent our time in trying to find where you had been taken or if you had escaped.

Well, it's all right now!" As the automobile party approached the town, searchlights from other cars showed the remaining pursuers had heard the signals sounded by the horn of the first automobile and were returning.
As the returning men entered the outlaying streets the little town was found to be anything but a quiet community.

Despite the early morning hour, the streets were crowded.
"Where's the chief of police ?" inquired Mr.Hawkins, as the first car entered the town and pulled up.
"I'll find him for you, Cap," offered a man on horseback.
"If you will be so good." As the horseman galloped away Hawkins signed to the others to step out.
"Duff, we're not going to be troubled with your company much longer," smiled Hawkins.
Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler was helped to alight.

Duff's hands were still behind his back though, unknown to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free.
With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a revolver from another man's holster.
Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at Tom Reade.
Crack! It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first.

That officer had been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired instantly.
Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly explained the cause of his firing.