Franklin came out of the lodge. He eyed us over.

“Getting out while the going’s good?” he asked, grinning.

“Sure,” I said. “We gave the permit to the guard at the main block. They’ve got a prison break on their hands now.”

He shrugged. “I’m keeping out of it. I’m a man of peace.” He walked to the gate and opened it. “So long, fellas.”

I nodded and drove on

There was only one more obstacle, the barricade. I kept my gun by my side, drove steadily down the sandy track. I could see no guards. The barricade blocked my exit, but no one was there to guard it.

The sounds of shooting and yells came to us from the jail. I guess everyone was too busy to bother about guarding a tree.

Maxison and I got down, rolled the barricade aside; then we got back into the hearse.

We’d done it.

Chapter Five