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moment. His wrist was chained to that of the other, and the pull of the deputy's

body was irritating.

Byrne stooped and placed the muzzle of the revolver back of the man's ear.

"Justice!" he muttered, scornfully, and his finger tightened upon the trigger.

Then, conjured from nothing, there rose between himself and the unconscious

man beside him the figure of a beautiful girl. Her face was brave and smiling, and

in her eyes was trust and pride--whole worlds of them. Trust and pride in Billy

Byrne.

Billy closed his eyes tight as though in physical pain. He brushed his hand

quickly across his face.

"Gawd!" he muttered. "I can't do it--but I came awful close to it."

Dropping the revolver into his side pocket he kneeled beside the deputy sheriff

and commenced to go through the man's clothes. After a moment he came upon

what he sought--a key ring confining several keys.

Billy found the one he wished and presently he was free. He still stood looking at

the deputy sheriff.

"I ought to croak you," he murmured. "I'll never make my get-away if I don't; but

SHE won't let me--God bless her."

Suddenly a thought came to Billy Byrne. If he could have a start he might escape.

It wouldn't hurt the man any to stay here for a few hours, or even for a day. Billy

removed the deputy's coat and tore it into strips. With these he bound the man to

a tree. Then he fastened a gag in his mouth.

During the operation the deputy regained consciousness. He looked questioningly

at Billy.

"I decided not to croak you," explained the young man. "I'm just a-goin' to leave

you here for a while. They'll be lookin' all along the right o' way in a few hours--it

won't be long afore they find you. Now so long, and take care of yerself, bo," and

Billy Byrne had gone.

A mistake that proved fortunate for Billy Byrne caused the penitentiary

authorities to expect him and his guard by a later train, so no suspicion was

aroused when they failed to come upon the train they really had started upon.

This gave Billy a good two hours' start that he would not otherwise have had--an

opportunity of which he made good use.

158

The Mucker