CHAPTER XXX

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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The Goldsmith Publishing Co. NEW YORK, N. Y.

The Outdoor Chums S E R I E S _By_ CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN

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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

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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.

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The Goldsmith Publishing Co. NEW YORK, N. Y.

BOOKS for BOYS

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.