His hand went instinctively to his breast where, in a small chamois bag next his skin, he carried a certain treasure the care of which was the one real concern of his present life.
"See here," said the gentleman with the long revolver, "the first of you, man, woman or child, that stirs a finger or utters a yelp gets lead poisonin'.

Understand ?" He looked round.

"This is the whole band ?" he said.
Professor Thunder nodded his head.
"Yes," said the intruder, "I was at your show at Big Timber, Professor, an' I took trouble t' size up the strength of the crowd.

I guessed it would be an easy thing, and it is." "Who are you ?" asked the celebrated entrepreneur, much distressed to find himself in a theatrical situation that was painfully real.
"Don't ask questions of yer betters, Professor, an' you won't get hurt.
Howsomever, yer bound t' hear at The Mills all about Dan Heeley, so I don't mind admittin' I'm little Danny." "Heeley!" gasped Madame Marve, "the man that shot Hollander, the man that's been sticking up the banks ?" Heeley's brow darkened.
"Precisely, missus," he said; "the man the Gov' mint offers L250 quid for, cash on delivery." He turned again to Professor Thunder.

"I noticed you was doin' pretty good at Big Timber, mate," he said, "and I thought I'd follow on and pick up a little loose change.