He was too late. Hollister jumped for his wrist and at the same time Mike flung himself across the bar and garroted him. He struggled fiercely to free himself, but was dragged down to the floor and pinioned. Before he was lifted up his hands were tied behind him.
Unobserved, the front door of the barroom had opened. An ice-coated figure was standing on the threshold.
Houck laughed harshly. “Come right in, Tolliver. You’ll be in time to take a hand in the show.”
The little trapper’s haggard eyes went round in perplexity. “What’s the trouble?” he asked mildly.
“No trouble a-tall,” answered the big prisoner hardily. “The boys are hangin’ me. That’s all.”
CHAPTER XIV
HOUCK TAKES A RIDE
Tolliver rubbed a hand uncertainly over a bristly chin. “Why, what are they doin’ that for, Jake?”