As Curns approached to take the money he pulled the mask well down over his eyes and nose so that he could not be recognized. All went well until he placed his hand in Judd's vest pocket. Then Curns sensed trouble. He started to withdraw and step back but Judd was too quick for him. Like a flash his fist shot out and caught Curns on the point of the jaw, knocking him unconscious. Benz was standing just two feet behind Curns. Judd reached him in one bound, struck the unloaded revolver from his hand, and crashed a bony fist into his face. Benz went down without a cry. Judd swung about for the other two. Potts and Oole were standing not far apart, supposedly guarding Pole. Judd had acted so quickly that they were not yet prepared to protect themselves, or to put Judd wise to the intended joke. Potts tried to escape but he did not move fast enough. He was dropped where he had stood by a stinging blow behind the ear. Judd wheeled swiftly, ready for the final victim. "Rube!" Pole found his voice. "For John's sake, let up. It's all a joke!" Judd had already grabbed the huge Oole and was shaking him as one would a baby. "A fine joke, I call it. Tryin' to rob a fellah!" Oole gasped for breath. "Let go! You're killing me!" "It's Oole, Rube, let loose!" Pole grabbed Judd by the arm and tugged at him frantically. The rest of the fellows who had been silent onlookers now rushed out as they saw the comedy transformed into a near tragedy. Of a sudden the truth of the whole affair came over Judd. He released his hold on Oole and sank down by the road side exhausted. Oole also sat down, rubbing his throat gingerly. "Fellahs, you shouldn't have done this!" moaned Judd, "that's goin' too far!" A flash light was unearthed and the three fellows examined. Curns showed signs of returning consciousness, but the other two were still dead to the world. "The mill pond!" someone suggested, and the three injured members were carried to its bank. Judd, quite overcome with grief and surprise followed in company with Pole. "Why didn't you tell me, Pole?" demanded Judd. "If these fellahs are bad hurt ...!" "It was all my fault, Rube! Don't take it so much to heart," pleaded Pole, "The fellows are comin' along all right. Just plain knockouts, every one of 'em." The appliance of water aided greatly in restoring the three bruised and battered highwaymen to their right senses. Benz, when he came to, found only one eye ready for use. The other was swollen shut and one side of his nose felt like a small mountain. Potts groaned over a small lump behind his ear and Curns nursed a tender spot on his jaw. "Gee!" said Potts, "You did that fast, Rube. Biff, bang, smash! and it was all over. I heard the biff and the bang but I _felt_ the smash!" "No more highway robberies for mine," groaned Curns. Benz was too sore and disgusted to say a word. His latest plan had been a magnificent failure and Judd was more of a hero than ever.