Part 39 (2/2)

Get them from him!”

Into the cabin, already crowded, the boys flung themselves.

”Just in time!” cried Cora, motioning to Jack. ”Get those papers from him before they burn!”

Over in the corner poor Denny had fallen unconscious under the attack of Kelly.

”Cut it and run!” advised Moran, making for the door.

”No, you don't!” shouted Walter, blocking it. ”Guard the windows, Dray--Ed!” he called.

”The papers! The papers!” voiced Cora. ”Get them before they burn, or Mrs. Lewis will lose the land!”

”I'll get them!” shouted Jack.

He flung himself upon Bruce as he had often flung himself upon a player in tackling him on the football field.

”Look out for yourself!” threatened Bruce.

But Jack was not afraid. He twisted himself about Bruce, and sought to reach the papers.

Bruce, to get them out of Jack's reach, held them high in the air, over his head. The two were struggling. Moran and Kelly were wrestling with Ed and Walter, while the other girls cowered behind Dray, who had caught up a chair as a weapon.

Cora saw her chance. She slipped around behind Bruce, and with a leap that had often enabled her to outwit an opponent in playing basket ball, the plucky motor girl s.n.a.t.c.hed the papers from the man's hand.

Full and clean was her jump, and the smouldering papers came away in her grasp.

”I have them, Jack!” she cried. ”Look out for the men!”

And with that, to make sure that she would not lose the precious doc.u.ments, Cora held them tightly under her arm and ran out of the cabin door, after putting out the little blaze.

”All over!” cried Jack, putting out his foot, and tripping up Bruce, who aimed a savage blow at him. ”All over!”

Bruce went down heavily. At the same time, from without the cabin there flashed several lights, and the voices of men were heard asking:

”What's going on here?”

”Who's been screaming?”

The plotters gathered together. Bruce leaped from the floor.

”Come on!” he cried desperately. ”It's all up. Get away!”

He leaped out of the window, followed by the other two.

”Get them!” yelled Ed.

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