Tom and Harry had already leaped down to the sidewalk when the gambler
was helped to alight. Duff's hands were still behind his back though,
unknown to his captors, he had succeeded in working them free.
With a stealthy movement the gambler suddenly reached forward, drawing a
revolver from another man's holster.
Ere the owner was aware of the loss of the weapon Duff took full aim at
Tom Reade.
Crack!
It was the pistol of a deputy sheriff that spoke first. That officer
had been the only one to detect the gambler's action, and he had fired
instantly.
Jim Duff sank, to the sidewalk, groaning while the deputy sheriff dryly
explained the cause of his firing. A loaded revolver was still gripped
in Duff's right hand, though the gambler was too weak and in too much
pain to fire.
Dr. Furniss' office was near by, and the young physician, sharing in the
popular excitement, was awake. He came out on the run, bending over the
wounded man to examine him. "Duff," said Dr. Furniss gravely, after a
brief examination, "I deem it my duty to tell you that you've dealt your
last card.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262