“That would be a pity, Miss,” answered the man coaxingly, “because,” he went on slowly, “you see——” his hand slipped in his hip pocket and drew out a small, dangerous-looking revolver.
“Billie, darling, don’t oppose the creature!” cried Miss Campbell in a strangled voice.
“Steady! steady!” said the man. “Don’t git nervous, lady. You’ll come through the ordeal as well as you ever was in your life. Jes’ draw in a bit.”
Never had the moments dragged so slowly as they did now. Through the car windows they could see men and women with arms uplifted. Was it possible that one man could rob fifty? No; not one. They perceived two confederates, who had sprung up from somewhere, followed behind with a pistol in each hand. An intense quiet seemed to hang over the place as the robbers went silently through the train, and at last emerged from the back. The herd of officials were now made to get out and walk toward the engine. The engineer was permitted to climb into his engine, the others climbed in anywhere after him. As the train began to get up steam a man called out:
“Good heavens! there’s an automobile full of girls. We can’t leave them at the mercy of these blackguards.”
“They’re confederates!” called another man.
“Confederates? Nonsense! Don’t you see that fellow has a pistol aimed at them?”
As the train started, the passenger ran back to the platform and jumped off. The next moment three train robbers and a young man without any hat surrounded the Comet:
“Now, don’t try any monkey business, young feller,” said the first robber, pointing his pistol at the passenger. “Jes’ stay right where you are. I don’t want to commit murder.”
“Put that pistol up, Jim Bowles. I’m not afraid of you or of any of your disreputable acquaintances. These ladies are friends of mine, and I intend to stay with them.”