r leaving him alone."
"But think of the sport, Pole. Think of it! Can you picture him
begging for mercy when I point that gun at him and say, 'Hands up!'
Can you?"
"I guess almost anyone would beg for mercy in a situation like that,"
replied Pole, not easily moved.
"Oh, come on, just this once," pleaded Benz.
"... All right, it's not my funeral," yielded Pole, finally. "But
you'd better not go too far."
"Bosh! Rube's slow as mud. He'll never tumble to the fact it's not a
real robbery and we won't put him wise to the joke until we get back to
college."
"All right, as I said before, it's not my funeral," muttered Pole,
indifferently. Then to Judd who was standing some few feet off: "I
say, Rube, let's you and I be piking it for the college. The rest of
the bunch are goin' to hang around a bit and I'm anxious to get back."
"Suits me! So long, fellows--see you later!"
Pole and Judd started off.
"Now, gang!" cried Benz, "Wait here for me. I'll be back with the
stuff and we'll take the short cut. Gee, it's dark out, ... and no
moon!"
* * * * *
"This night sure is a dark one. I can hardly see the road, can you,
Rube?" It was Pole speaking and he was almost feeling his way along.
"Easy. I can't see the road but I reckon I can feel it," responded
Judd, walking along quite briskly. "Keep right behind me, Pole, an'
..."
"Hands up!" The voice came from the left side of the road and Judd
jumped to the right.
"Don't run or I'll fire!" It was a severe warning. Judd stood
perfectly still. The masked highwayman approached stealthily.
"W-what do you want?" Judd's voice trembled slightly.
"We were in the crowd this afternoon; saw you pocket the twenty-five.
Hand it over!"
"We! You?" Judd looked about nervously.
"Yes, there's more of us. Come on an' show yourselves, pals!"
Sure enough! Three masked bandits came into view and stepped up
threateningly. Judd started to lower his hands.
"Up they go!" mumbled the ringleader, brandishing his revolver
fiercely. "Are you goin' to come across,--or do we take it from you?"
Pole stood back some three paces watching the proceedings quietly.
"Pole, what shall I do?" asked Judd, despairingly. "Help me!"
"I'm covered, Rube," replied Pole, helplessly. "Looks as if you'd have
to dish up."
Judd hesitated. Finally, "It's in my vest pocket."
"That's the boy!" came a muffled voice. "Best way to do a
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