"Hands up!" cried a stern voice from the belt of trees.
Merle looked toward Roland Riggs and seemed to appeal for help.
"Hands up, there! We've come, Sir Nabob."
Out of the copse rushed twenty men and the next minute Merle, with half-drawn revolver, stood at the mercy of the bandits.
They had come to surprise Ranch Robin at last.
Merle stood at bay till the band came, and Old Broadbrim, crouching behind a tuft of grass, held his breath, but clutched his repeating rifle with firm hands.
Merle was seized at once.
His hands were tied behind his back, and then the bandits consulted.
Suddenly one of them turned to their prisoner.
"Where's the money?" he demanded.