As he uttered the words Roger drew his pistol, an action which was quickly followed by our hero, for both understood that the criminals before them might prove desperate.
Of course Dunston Porton and Ben Basswood, as well as Frank Andrews, were greatly astonished by the calls from Dave and Roger. But our hero’s uncle, while out hunting in various parts of the world, had been in many a tight corner, and thus learned the value of acting quickly. He had with him his pistol, and almost instantly he drew this weapon and came forward on the run, with Ben and Frank Andrews at his heels.
“Stop! Stop! Don’t shoot!” yelled Ward Porton in alarm, as he found himself and his companions surrounded by five others, three with drawn pistols.
“We won’t shoot, Porton, if you’ll surrender,” answered Dave.
“Oh, Dave! has he got those miniatures?” burst out Ben.
“He sure has, Ben!”
“Good!”
“I haven’t got any miniatures,” growled the former moving-picture actor.
His father and Brown looked decidedly uncomfortable. Once the former army officer made a 286 motion as if to draw his own weapon, but Dunston Porter detected the movement and instantly ordered all of the party to throw up their hands.
“Oh, Dave! are you sure he has those pictures?” queried Ben, and his face showed his anxiety.