www.freeclassicebooks.com

Oh, nuts!" exclaimed the other disgustedly. "Youse don't tink youse can put dat

over on any wise guy from Chi, do youse? Who will dey tink croaked de old

woman an' de ki-yi? Will dey tink dey kilt deyreselves?"

"Dey'll tink Byrne an' his pardner croaked 'em, you simp," replied Crumb.

Dink scratched his head, and as the possibilities of the scheme filtered into his

dull brain a broad grin bared his yellow teeth.

You're dere, pal," he exclaimed, real admiration in his tone. "But who's goin' to

do it?"

I'll do it," said Crumb. "Dere ain't no chanct of gettin' in bad for it, so I jest as

soon do the job. Get me a knife, or an ax from de kitchen--de gat makes too much

noise."

Something awoke Billy Byrne with a start. Faintly, in the back of his

consciousness, the dim suggestion of a loud noise still reverberated. He sat up

and looked about him.

"I wonder what that was?" he mused. "It sounded like the report of a gun."

Bridge awoke about the same time, and turned lazily over, raising himself upon

an elbow. He grinned at Billy.

Good morning," he said, and then:

Says I, "Then let's be on the float. You certainly have got my goat; You make me

hungry in my throat for seeing things that's new. Out there somewhere we'll ride

the range a-looking for the new and strange; My feet are tired and need a change.

Come on! It's up to you!"

"Come on, then," agreed Billy, coming to his feet.

As he rose there came, faintly, but distinct, the unmistakable scream of a

frightened woman. From the direction of the farmhouse it came--from the

farmhouse at which Billy had purchased their breakfast.

Without waiting for a repetition of the cry Billy wheeled and broke into a rapid

run in the direction of the little cluster of buildings. Bridge leaped to his feet and

followed him, dropping behind though, for he had not had the road work that

Billy recently had been through in his training for the battle in which he had

defeated the "white hope" that time in New York when Professor Cassidy had

wagered his entire pile upon him, nor in vain.

184

The Mucker