Part 60 (1/2)

A few minutes pa.s.sed. Then the door opened, and the negro who had helped to pick Hal up came in.

”A feller wid an empty coach jess drove up,” he said, somewhat excitedly.

”It must be Macklin!” exclaimed Hal. ”Where is he?”

”Jess gitting ready ter c.u.m in, I reckon, sah.”

”We'll go down and meet him,” said the policeman, and he led the way.

The door leading to the bar-room was partly of gla.s.s. Beaching it, the policeman pointed to a man standing at the bar, gulping down a gla.s.s of liquor.

”Is that the chap?” he asked.

Hal gave a look.

”Yes, that's Macklin. Don't let him get away!”

”No fear. I've dealt with many a tough customer, and I know how to handle them.”

”I will step in first, and give him a surprise,” said the youth, and he opened the door.

Macklin's back was turned at the time, and he did not see our hero until Hal tapped him on the shoulder.

”Well, Macklin, were you looking for me?”

The tough turned quickly. Then he grew pale, and the gla.s.s almost dropped from his hand.

”Wot--where----” he stammered.

”You didn't expect to meet me here, did you?” went on Hal, pleasantly.

”No--dat is--where did yer c.u.m from?”

”From your coach, Macklin. I got tired of riding in such a cramped fas.h.i.+on.”

The tough s.h.i.+fted uneasily. Hal beckoned to the policeman.

”Here, officer, is the rascal.”

Macklin wheeled about, and gave the policeman a single glance, when, muttering something, he made a dash for the door.

But both Hal and the policeman were after him, and our hero caught him by the arm, and held him until the officer had slipped a pair of hand-cuffs onto him.

”I'll fix yer fer dis!” hissed Macklin in Hal's ear.

”Your days for fixing people are about over, Macklin,” replied the youth. ”You and the others have overreached yourselves for once.”

”I didn't do nuthin'.”