As the train started, the passenger ran back to the platform and jumped off. The next moment three train robbers and a young man without any hat surrounded the Comet:
"Now, don't try any monkey business, young feller," said the first robber, pointing his pistol at the passenger. "Jes' stay right where you are. I don't want to commit murder."
"Put that pistol up, Jim Bowles. I'm not afraid of you or of any of your disreputable acquaintances. These ladies are friends of mine, and I intend to stay with them."
The girls, who had huddled down in the car white and silent, took courage and looked up.
Miss Campbell gave a little tremulous cry like a child's.
"Oh, Mr. Moore, I implore you not to leave us."
"I mean what I say," pursued Jim Bowles. "If you wanter be still breathing fresh air in another two minutes, stay where you are."
Daniel Moore looked him calmly in the eye.
"Do you remember Christmas Eve at Silver Bow two years ago?" he asked.
The robber's face was curiously twisted with emotion.
"I cut you down," said Daniel Moore. "You would have been strung up there yet if I hadn't come back in time. The scar is still there, I see."
He glanced at the man's sinewy throat around which ran a deep red scar.
With one stride Jim Bowles reached the other side of the automobile and seized Mr. Moore's hand.
"Wuz you the gennelman? Stranger, git in and take it easy. We won't do no harm to these ladies. But we'd like to git a lift. I knowed you wuz a brave man as soon as I seen you, and no one kin ever say Jim Bowles forgits a favor."
Daniel Moore climbed in behind with Miss Helen and the girls who huddled down somehow, while the robbers pressed themselves into the front and Billie started the machine.
For an hour the Comet had been toiling upward by a circuitous and intricate way. But he had not lost in speed. Billie had made up her mind not to linger. If they must see these men into a safe hiding place it was well to get it over with as soon as possible.
They had not been permitted to light the Comet's one illuminating eye, but had gone silently and swiftly along. It was now eight o'clock by the motor timepiece, but it was still light enough to see the road winding in front of them like a white ribbon in the blue gray atmosphere.