ter the fight, had been
sent back to Paloma in one of the automobiles.

"We saw some of the raiders fall during the lighting," said Mr. Hawkins,
"but their friends made a quick retreat and got all hands back to their
horses. 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. A loaded revolver was still gripped
in Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much
pain to fire.

Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the
popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the
wounded man to examine him. "Duff," said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a
brief examination, "I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your
last card. Have you any wishes to express before we move you?"

"I--want to--talk to--Reade," groaned the injured man.

"Certainly," replied Tom, when the request was repeated to him. Stepping
softly to where the gamb