Ther one
that did come told about a plot ter lay-way an' rob a woman--an' ther
three of ye war in on hit."
The terror of the unaccountable and wholly mystifying situation held
them now in its paralysis. In no conceivable way could he have learned
these things--yet he knew them and fears crowded as they wondered what
else he might know as well.
But Halloway allowed them little leisure for abstract reflection.
"I've done throwed away them guns. I reckon ye knows whether mine's
loaded or not--I don't. Now ther four of us air going ter hev a leetle
frolic, right hyar an' now--a leetle four-cornered fight--jest fist an'
skull fashion."
He walked across and locked the baggage-room door, though it was
shuttered from the outside, and dropped the key within his pocket.
"Come on boys, let's start right in," he invited. "Fer yore own sakes
hit's kinderly a pity ye couldn't git these irons offen me . . .
they're right apt ter scar somebody up."
They knew that to get out they must fight their way out--and after all
there were three of them. Flinging a heavy chair above his head, the
quickest-witted of the trio hurled himself forward to the attack.
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