n' no blood
shed. Jack, you get the coin an' I'll keep him covered. You other two
guys watch that friend of his!"

Benz was the ringleader; the man referred to as Jack was Curns; the
other two men were Potts and Oole.

As Curns approached to take the money he pulled the mask well down over
his eyes and nose so that he could not be recognized. All went well
until he placed his hand in Judd's vest pocket. Then Curns sensed
trouble. He started to withdraw and step back but Judd was too quick
for him. Like a flash his fist shot out and caught Curns on the point
of the jaw, knocking him unconscious.

Benz was standing just two feet behind Curns. Judd reached him in one
bound, struck the unloaded revolver from his hand, and crashed a bony
fist into his face. Benz went down without a cry.

Judd swung about for the other two. Potts and Oole were standing not
far apart, supposedly guarding Pole. Judd had acted so quickly that
they were not yet prepared to protect themselves, or to put Judd wise
to the intended joke. Potts tried to escape but he did not move fast
enough. He was dropped where he had stood by a stinging blow behind
the ear. Judd wheeled swiftly, ready for the final victim.

"Rube!" Pole found his voice. "For John's sake, let up. It's all a
joke!"

Judd had already grabbed the huge Oole and was shaking him as one would
a baby.

"A fine joke, I call it. Tryin' to rob a fellah!"

Oole gasped for breath. "Let go! You're killing me!"

"It's Oole, Rube, let loose!" Pole grabbed Judd by the arm and tugged
at him frantically.

The rest of the fellows who had been silent onlookers now rushed out as
they saw the comedy transformed into a near tragedy.

Of a sudden the truth of the whole affair came over Judd. He released
his hold on Oole and sank down by the road side exhausted. Oole also
sat down, rubbing his throat gingerly.

"Fellahs, you shouldn't have done this!" moaned Judd, "that's goin' too
far!"

A flash light was unearthed and the three fellows examined. Curns
showed signs of returning consciousness, but the other two were still
dead to the world.

"The mill pond!" someone suggested, and the three injured members were
carried to its bank. Judd, quite overcome with grief and surprise
followed in company with Pole.

"Why didn't you tell me, Pole?" demanded Judd. "If these fellahs are
bad hurt ...!"

"It was all my fault, Rube! Don't take it so much to heart," pleaded
Pole