THE END OF ROBBERS' ROOST----CONCLUSION
Looking back when all this was but a memory, it must always seem like a
dream to Perk. Everything moved along smoothly as if in grooves. They
joined the waiting Simeon alongside the big cabin, and he led them to
the hut which Slim occupied by himself, because of his being the
acknowledged leader and "high-muck-a-muck"--as Perk always had it--of
the outlaw league.
They took the occupant completely by surprise, and a smart blow on the
head kept him still until they could secure his arms, and fasten a cloth
over his mouth to prevent his giving the alarm.
Then he was hustled outside, and with Jack on one side and Simeon on the
other convoyed as noiselessly as possible to the mouth of the valley,
and the narrow pass. Perk had vanished for the time being, but joined
them about the time they reached their objective, acting as though
secretly pleased over something he had just carried out. Jack had a
suspicion as to its character, having heard the other muttering certain
threats that were aimed at the miserable but useful old ship,
manipulated by the counterfeiters in bringing in supplies, and
distributing the result of their latest printing.
The next thing on the program was to overcome the sentry just beyond the
outer end of the narrow cleft, where the walls lifted themselves
hundreds of feet above the passage in to the valley.
This was accomplished by Jack himself, unaided--he crept up behind the
dozing man, dealt him a blow on the head, and tumbled him in a heap.
Thus their way was cleared, and they could proceed to the place where
their ship awaited their coming.
"Gimme me jest five minits, fellers," Perk besought the others;
whereupon Jack fell upon the senseless vidette and dragged him some
distance away--it was an act of mercy, since the man must have been
killed otherwise, when Perk completed his little arrangement; for it had
been settled between Jack and himself that, in order to convince these
tough lawbreakers they could no longer depend on their Hole-in-the-Wall
to hide them from those who were ever on their trail, the overhanging
walls of the pass must be brought down in a heap of ruins, that would
forever choke all entrance and exit in and out of the valley.
"All set, Jack--she's fixed, an' goin' like wildfire--let's clear out
_pronto_, 'fore she gets busy!" Perk was crying, in some little
excitement.
As they moved hurriedly off there came the loud sound of an explosion
from within the cliff encircled valley.
"That's on'y the little bomb I stuck under that rattletrap airship to
send it in the wust wreck ever," explained Perk, he kept looking back
while trailing the others.
Loud yells and whoops reached them from within the barrier. Showing how
those of the gangsters left behind were expressing their astonishment
and alarm at such an unheard of happening in their midst.
"Huh! that ain't jest _nawthin'_ to what--" but what Perk intended to
say was drowned in a most terrific explosion, that made the rocky
surface of the earth under their feet quiver like an animal in its death
throes. A vivid sheet of flame darted upwards--then there came a
sickening crash after crash as if the whole mountain were toppling down,
with fragments falling for half a minute after.
Fortunately they were far enough away by that time to escape any
possible damage. Simeon in particular seemed to be deliriously happy; it
was as though in this utter destruction of the robber roost he found
solace for the death of his late companion; also all the insults and
indignities to which he himself had been subjected at the hands of those
tough gunmen.
Reaching the ship they went aboard. Then came the last critical act of
the moving drama--getting the big plane safely launched with such
difficulties to contend with. But, as if to add a finishing touch to
Jack Ralston's usual luck--also due in great part to his skill, and
efficiency--this hazard was safely passed, the launching followed by
their thrilling climb into the air spaces, with unlimited possibilities
awaiting their choice of a route.
Apparently, as Perk was saying to himself, it was "all over but the
shouting;" and he imagined there had been quite enough of that when the
startled inmates of the blocked valley heard that dreadful thunderous
sound typifying the collapse of the organization of defiant lawbreakers
clever Slim Garrabrant had built up, partly to show his contempt for
Uncle Sam's thief catchers.
Slim, by the way, after he had recovered from the blow received at the
time of his surprise, and capture, exhibited an utter indifference as to
what became of him. He even laughed, as if absolutely free from any
concern; and joked with Perk as the airship raced through illimitable
space, declaring it was one thing to nab him, and a horse of another
color to hold him.
"Bet you three to one you two boys will have your same old job to do
over again before six months have gone into the discard," he shouted,
humorously; but Perk only grinned, and shook his head; at the same time
wondering if the rest of their lives were really to be taken up with
chasing after this slippery customer, and curbing his pernicious
activities.
Having the whole day ahead of them, Jack did not mean to put his
cherished aircraft to its best licks--plenty of time; and actually he
dreaded receiving the anticipated thanks and compliments from the Big
Boss over at the Washington Headquarters; in which Jack surely differed
vastly from most men of his dangerous calling, who would be only too
willing to stand in his shoes.
After delivering their prisoner, just as jolly and unconcerned as ever,
over to the Federal officials at Los Angeles, Jack and Perk headed for
San Diego, the latter wild with an eagerness to "fill up to capacity" at
their beloved restaurant.
They carried Simeon along with them, having a spare cot in their room to
which he was more than welcome, for a day or two, until an answer came
to his wire to Headquarters, ordering him doubtless to report, and tell
his dramatic story in person, after which he would be given a vacation
to fully recover his broken health.
Jack had a purpose in this besides the wish to see more of a man whom he
respected so much. He had heard Simeon say that he and Slim Garrabrant
had married sisters, both of whom were no longer on this earth. This had
set Jack to speculating, concerning the old lady named Mrs. Ferguson,
grandmother to the handsome little boy whom he and Perk--principally
Perk--had saved from the cruel fangs of a mad dog, as narrated in the
early pages of this book.
He introduced the subject by asking Simeon if he would like to hear
where they had picked up some kind of a clue covering Slim Garrabrant;
and upon the other eagerly saying he certainly did, there followed the
brief story of the strange adventure of Main Street, in one of San
Diego's suburbs.
When he spoke of their discovering the picture of Slim on the wall of
that cottage, and incidentally mentioned the old lady, Simeon was
greatly shaken. He clutched Jack by the arm, Perk staring open-mouthed,
not quite understanding the drift of things--and in broken language
begged him to tell some more--what about the old lady--did they know her
name--and was it Mrs. Leonore Ferguson; and what of the lad--was he
apparently in good health?
"I'm asking you Jack, because he is _my own_, my beloved little Walter,
the only legacy my dear wife left me to remember her by, when she passed
away. There was a fire in the building where they lived, something like
a year and a half ago; and hunt as I would I never could get a trace of
my dear ones. To think that, not content with saving my own life, you
two should be the means of my being once more reunited with all I have
in the world! Take me to see them without delay, if only you will, and I
shall never, never cease to bless both you gallant comrades."
Inside of an hour he had his boy pressed close to his heart, and even
Perk who sometimes liked to call himself a "hard-boiled guy," turned
away to wipe the unbidden tears from his cheeks.
Of course in due time they heard from Headquarters, with more or less
words of high praise, such as seldom spring from such offices where
Uncle Sam's Secret Service agents do their business without expectation
of anything more than routine acknowledgment. They were given quite an
extensive holiday until there came up another knotty problem which might
be submitted to their solving. That such _did_ come along sooner than
expected can be understood by the title of the story following this,
viz: "_Flying the Coast Skyways_," or, "_Jack Ralston's Swift Patrol_."
THE END
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL AMERICAN
SPORT SERIES
by Harold M. Sherman
Harold M. Sherman, one of the most popular
authors of boys' books needs no introduction
to the vast majority of young readers.
To boys who like, as every red-blooded boy
must, these high type sport stories, we dedicate
this series.
FOOTBALL INTERFERENCE
FOOTBALL IT'S A PASS!
FOOTBALL OVER THE LINE
BASKETBALL UNDER THE BASKET
ICE HOCKEY DOWN THE ICE
BASE BALL STRIKE HIM OUT
TENNIS THE TENNIS TERROR
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books for Boys
* * * * *
THE GO AHEAD BOYS SERIES
_By_ ROSS KAY
"Be sure you're right, THEN GO AHEAD," was the advice old Davy
Crockett left for succeeding generations and here is presented a series
of rattling good adventure stories which every live "Go ahead" boy will
read with unflagging interest. There is action, dash and snap in every
tale.
On Smuggler's Island In the Island Camp
The Treasure Cave The Racing Motor
Mysterious Old House Simon's Mine
* * * * *
THE MUSKET BOYS SERIES
_By_ GEORGE A. WARREN
Here is a fine series for every boy who loves his country. These
stories make you feel as if you were living through the strenuous
Revolutionary days from the beginning of the struggle at Lexington and
Concord to the victorious conclusion of that historical conflict.
The Musket Boys at Old Boston
The Musket Boys Under Washington
The Musket Boys on the Delaware
* * * * *
THE LEND-A-HAND BOYS SERIES
_By_ ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE
COMPANION BOOKS FOR BOY SCOUTS
"The Lend-A-Hand Boys"--a group of boys who stick together through
thick and thin, through high adventure and scrapes. They are always
trying to do some good and have a tough time doing so.
Each book is a complete story in itself.
Lend-A-Hand Boys of Carthage
Lend-A-Hand Boys Sanitary Squad
Lend-A-Hand Boys Team Work
Lend-A-Hand Boys as Wild Game Protectors
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Outdoor Chums
S E R I E S
_By_ CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
* * * * *
The Outdoor Chums
On the Lake
In the Forest
On the Gulf
After Big Game
On A House Boat
In the Big Woods
At Cabin Point
* * * * *
For lovers of the great outdoors (and what boy is not?) this "Outdoor
Chums" series will be a rare treat. After you have read the first book
and followed the fortunes of the "Chums," you will realize the pleasure
the other seven volumes have in store for you.
These rollicking lads know field, forest, mountain, sea and stream--and
the books contain much valuable information on woodcraft and the living
of an outdoor life.
* * * * *
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOOKS for BOYS
* * * * *
THE TIM MURPHY SERIES
BY GRAHAM M. DEAN
Graham M. Dean is a newspaper editor. He lives and knows how to tell the
romance of newspapering. Tim Murphy learns how to fly at the expense of
the "Atkinson News" because the editor firmly believes some of the
biggest news stories will break above the clouds. Every boy and girl
imbued with the spirit of adventure will want to read these books.
DARING WINGS
SKY TRAIL
* * * * *
AIR MONSTER
BY EDWIN GREEN
A story of the world's largest dirigible and of the dangers in the
frozen wastes of the Arctic--a combination sure to provide thrills for
every reader. What befalls this "Air Monster" on the Arctic trip is only
a part of the smashing action of this great book for boys.
* * * * *
EXTRA
BY GEORGE MORSE
Baffling mystery, startling disappearances, roaring presses, etc., the
tenseness of the deadline hour of great newspapers--all these and more
are in this book written by a newspaper man in a style every young
reader will enjoy.
* * * * *
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber's note:
1. Obvious typographical errors were corrected without note.
2. Non-standard spellings and dialect were retained.