The four
bandits, two of them much the worse for the night's contact with Wicker
Bonner, were bundled into the lock-up, a sadly morose gang of ghosts.
"I owe you a thousand dollars," said Anderson to Bonner as they drew up
in front of the marshal's home. All Tinkletown was there to see how Mrs.
Crow and the family would act when Rosalie was restored to them. The
yard was full of gaping villagers, and there was a diffident cheer when
Mrs. Crow rushed forth and fairly dragged Rosalie from the sleigh.
"Blootch" Peabody gallantly interposed and undertook to hand the girl
forth with the grace of a Chesterfield. But Mrs. Crow had her way.
"I'll take it out in board and lodging," grinned Wicker Bonner to
Anderson as two strong men lifted him from the sleigh.
"Where's Bud?" demanded Anderson after the others had entered the house.
"He stayed down to the 'calaboose' to guard the prisoners," said
"Blootch." "Nobody could find the key to the door and nobody else would
stay. They ain't locked in, but Bud's got two revolvers, and he says
they can only escape over his dead body."
CHAPTER XXIII
Tinkletown's Convulsion
Anderson Crow was himself once more. He was twenty years younger than
when he went to bed the night before. His joy and pride had reached the
bursting point--dignity alone prevented the catastrophe.
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