people are very necessary members of my organization, and I want them released."
Verbeck laughed into the telephone.
"Have you called the sheriff?" he asked. "He seems to be the man in charge just now."
"I have not called the sheriff yet. I thought I'd call you first, and get you to influence him. You see, Verbeck, I have Muggs here with me."
"What has that to do with it?"
"Simply this—if I have to descend to violence, I'll do it. Nothing shall stop me from having my revenge upon the city. Unless those people of mine are released by noon to-morrow, I'll blow the jail off the map—and I'll attend to Mr. Muggs."
"In what way?" Verbeck asked.
"I'll simply have him knocked on the head and dumped into the river. If I have to be violent, I'll be a proper thug! What have you to say?"
"Nothing, except that you have a wonderful nerve to speak as you do."
"Perhaps you think I can't blow the jail to pieces?"
"I do not say you can't, but I don't think you'll do it—not with Landers and The Princess inside it."
"And maybe you think I'd hesitate about making away with Muggs, do you?"
"I scarcely think you'll do anything of the sort," Verbeck said. "You would accomplish nothing, and you'd be hanged for murder after we caught you."
"You don't think I am serious," the Black Star replied. "I agreed to give you until noon to-morrow"
"But I couldn't make the sheriff turn them loose! You may be sure that he'll guard them well, and
