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He told of the coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his father's farm that morning and of seeing some of the loot and hearing the confession of robbery and killing in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the youth beside him; but the other's face was averted and his eyes upon the ground.
"That is a long story," replied Bridge; "but if you chance to recall Dink and Crumb you may also be able to visualize one Billy Burke and Billy Byrne and his side partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side partner." Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke up quickly. "This man cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid," she said. "It was The Oskaloosa Kid who threw me from the car."
The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. "But can't you sell me something?" he begged. "I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' a leetle bacon an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left from her last bakin'; but we ain't been figgerin' on supplyin' grub fer the United States army ef that's what yew be buyin' fer."
As Bridge examined the various pictures an odd expression entered his eyes it was a mixture of puzzlement, incredulity, and relief. Tossing the paper aside he turned toward The Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen murmur of the crowd in front of the jail. "If they get any booze," he said, "they'll take us out of here and string us up.
"Am I badly wounded?" she asked. "Do you think that I am going to die?" The tremor in her voice was pathetic it was the voice of a frightened and wondering child. Bridge heard the boy behind him move impulsively forward and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl. "You are not badly hurt," volunteered The Oskaloosa Kid. "Bridge couldn't find a mark on you the bullet must have missed you."
'Nenny way we know Paynter and Abigail Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa Kid, durn him." "Thanks," said Bridge politely, "and now may I make my final statement before going to meet my maker?" "Go on," growled the man. "You won't interrupt me?" "Naw, go on." "All right! You damn fools have made up your minds to hang us.
The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently and picked their way, half-crouched, among the sleepers sprawled between them and The Oskaloosa Kid. In the hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel and in his heart were fear and greed. The fear was engendered by the belief that the youth might be an amateur detective.
Red whiskers, matted in little tangled wisps which suggested the dried ingredients of an infinite procession of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously over a scarlet countenance. "Pleased to meetcha," sprayed Soup Face. It was a strained smile which twisted the rather too perfect mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an appellation which we must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny it.
It was the little one who murdered him the one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid. The big one drove the car his name was 'Terry. After they killed him I tried to jump out I had been sitting in front with Terry and then they dragged me over into the tonneau and later the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me too, and threw me out." Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went on.
At the threshold he paused and turned. "'Good-bye girls! I'm through," he quoted and passed out into the sunlight. Instantly the two within were on their feet and following him. "Where are you going?" cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "You're not going to leave us, are you?" "Oh, please don't!" pleaded the girl. "I don't know," said Bridge, solemnly, "whether I'm safe in remaining in your society or not.
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