* * * * *
"This night sure is a dark one. I can hardly see the road, can you,
Rube?" It was Pole speaking and he was almost feeling his way along.
"Easy. I can't see the road but I reckon I can feel it," responded Judd, walking along quite briskly. "Keep right behind me, Pole, an' …"
"Hands up!" The voice came from the left side of the road and Judd jumped to the right.
"Don't run or I'll fire!" It was a severe warning. Judd stood perfectly still. The masked highwayman approached stealthily.
"W-what do you want?" Judd's voice trembled slightly.
"We were in the crowd this afternoon; saw you pocket the twenty-five.
Hand it over!"
"We! You?" Judd looked about nervously.
"Yes, there's more of us. Come on an' show yourselves, pals!"
Sure enough! Three masked bandits came into view and stepped up threateningly. Judd started to lower his hands.