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he used to pillow his head, of a big capable hand that was wont to smooth his

brow and stroke back his red hair. Eddie gulped.

You ain't joshin' me?" he asked. Billy Byrne caught the tremor in the voice.

I ain't kiddin' you son," he said. "Wotinell do you take me fer--one o' these greasy

Dagos? You an' I're Americans--I wouldn't string a home guy down here in this

here Godforsaken neck o' the woods."

Billy heard the lock turn, and a moment later the door was cautiously opened

revealing Eddie safely ensconced behind two six-shooters.

That's right, Eddie," said Billy, with a laugh. "Don't you take no chances, no

matter how much sob stuff I hand you, fer, I'll give it to you straight, ef I get the

chanct I'll make my get-away; but I can't do it wit my flippers trussed, an' you wit

a brace of gats sittin' on me. Let's have a light, Eddie. That won't do nobody any

harm, an' it may discourage the rats."

Eddie backed across the office to a table where stood a small lamp. Keeping an

eye through the door on his prisoner he lighted the lamp and carried it into the

back room, setting it upon a commode which stood in one corner.

"You really seen maw?" he asked. "Is she well?"

"Looked well when I seen her," said Billy; "but she wants her boy back a whole

lot. I guess she'd look better still ef he walked in on her some day."

"I'll do it," cried Eddie. "The minute they get money for the pay I'll hike. Tell me

your name. I'll ask her ef she remembers you when I get home. Gee! but I wish I

was walkin' in the front door now."

"She never knew my name," said Billy; "but you tell her you seen the bo that

mussed up the two yeggmen who rolled her an' were tryin' to croak her wit a

butcher knife. I guess she ain't fergot. Me an' my pal were beatin' it--he was on

the square but the dicks was after me an' she let us have money to make our get-

away. She's all right, kid."

There came a knock at the outer office door. Eddie sprang back into the front

room, closing and locking the door after him, just as Barbara entered.

Eddie," she asked, "may I see the prisoner? I want to talk to him."

You want to talk with a bank robber?" exclaimed Eddie. "Why you ain't crazy are

you, Miss Barbara?"

259

The Mucker