," said West. Leading the way back toward the office, he
explained, "I'll get these beggars out, you hide round the corner, and
soon as the way is clear rush in and get your instruments, and duck for
the barn. I'll join you later."

"How are you going to get them out?" whispered Jack.

"Watch," said the reporter.

As Jack drew out of sight about the rear of the building his
mystification was added to when he saw West pause before the door, stoop
and pick up a handful of gravel. But immediately the reporter entered the
doorway and spoke his purpose was explained.

"Hello, you two big rummies," he said in his most offensive tones. "What
are you doing here?"

The two men were in a momentarily genial mood, however, and missed the
insult. "Why, hello pard, ol' man," responded one of them cordially.
"Come in an' make 'self t' home. Wanta buy a telegraph office? Cheap?"

"Cheap! You are the cheapest article I see here," replied West, yet more
insultingly. "What do you mean by sitting down in respectable chairs? You
ought to be tied up in a cow-stable. That's where you belong."

There was an angry growl as the two men scrambled to their feet, and
peering about the corner Jack saw West back into the door.

"Come on out, you big, overgrown cowards," shouted the reporter. "I'll
thrash the both of you, with one hand tied behind me!

"And take that!"

With his last words West suddenly threw the gravel full in the faces of
the now enraged men, and spinning about, raced off down the road. They
stumbled forth, shouting with rage, and one of them fired. The bullet
went yards wide, and West ran on. Without further wait Jack darted into
the office, in a few minutes had the relay and key from the table,
secured some spare ends of wire for connections, and sped for the barn.

[Illustration: LOOPED IT OVER THE TOPMOST STRAND, NEAR ONE OF THE POSTS.]

There all was darkness. Entering, a search with matches soon produced a
lantern, however. Lighting it, Jack stepped without to discover whether
its glimmer could be seen from the direction of the office. As he closed
the door West appeared, panting and laughing.

"Well, what do you think of that stunt, youngster?" he chuckled. "Did you
get the instruments?"

"Yes. I was out here to learn whether the light of a lantern I found
could be seen."

"Good head! No; it doesn't show.

"And come on! Here the beggars are again!" West led the way inside, and
closed the door behind them.