Boys, I'll fire!"

"Say! don't do that!" cried the bandit, in alarm.

"That's the law."

"But I really don't---"

"One minute."

"For Heaven's sake, let up!"

"You are wasting valuable time, Wood Hite."

"If I knew I'd tell you quick enough."

"Your time on earth is growing mighty short."

"Won't anything else satisfy you?"

"No. Two minutes!"

"Good Lord A'mighty!"

"Speak--quick!"

"It's as much as my life is worth!"

"Very well. Ten seconds more!"

The outlaw was as pale as death.

The bandages around his head added to the look of unutterable woe upon
his haggard face.

He trembled like an aspen, and burst into a cold, clammy perspiration,
and was breathing heavily.

Jack glanced up from his watch.

"Time's up!" he exclaimed.

"Mercy!"

"Speak, or perish!"

"Yes! yes! I'll tell."

"Well?"

"To-morrow at two o'clock they'll be in Husking Valley."

"What for?"

"To raid the town."

"Any particular place?"

"Yes--the bank."

"Good! We'll be there. What's the plan?"

"Jess did not mention it."

"That will do."

"Can I go now?"

"Oh, no; we want you."

"What for?"

"To go with us. I want to see if you lied. Come here!"

Wood Hite slouched up to the stage, cast a regretful glance at his horse
which was browsing the grass, and Tim tied his hands behind his back.

He was then hustled into the stage, and Jack had a short conversation
with Timberlake about the place where the alleged raid was to occur.

The town was a place remote from where they then were, and the sheriff
directed Tim in which direction to go.

Meeting with another farm house, they procured some water and then sped
away.

That night they arrived in the vicinity of Husking Valley, and Jack
entered the town to reconnoiter the ground.

CHAPTER XVII.
RAIDING THE BANK.

On the following afternoon there were a great many strangers in the town
of Husking Valley, but the residents did not consider this very strange,
as the County Fair was being held there.

These fairs were matters of great importance to the natives.

They always brought large crowds of strangers from the surrounding
country, and created a rather lively scene.

Jack was lurking near the bank with Timberlake, and Tim and Fritz were
aboard the Terror in easy hailing distance, yet completely concealed
from view.

The inventor and his companion stood in a doorway close to the bank,
intently watching the thronging natives.

"Here's