The mob would now become a burlesque, having nothing upon which to act. Chuckling over the fiasco, he trotted toward the station to see that Jerry got away before the crowd discovered its impotence to commit murder as planned, and to stay on the west side of the main street in case the baffled units of the mob should head for Jerry’s house. There was no longer any shouting or noise. He knew that it meant that the advance guard of rioters was cautiously scouting and approaching the lighted buildings with due regard to its own safety; and he reached the station platform before he saw the sudden flare of light on the ground before the toolshed which told of its doors being yanked open. Figures tumbled into the lighted patch and then milled for a moment before hurrying off to join their fellows on the way to attack the other two buildings. "That you, Tex?" said a low voice close to him. "This is Murphy." "Good!" exclaimed the marshal. "You’ve beat ’em, Tim. They’re like dogs chasin’ their tails; an’ from th’ beginnin’ they didn’t sound very business-like. But there’s no tellin’ what some of them may do, so you go up an’ join Costigan while I take a look around Jerry’s house. Where is he? His light’s out." "He went home when he heard th’ yellin’," answered Murphy, "to git th’ lass out av th’ house an’ to Costigan in case th’ mob started that way. ’Tis lucky for them they didn’t, an’ pass within throwin’ distance av me! ’Tis dynamite I’d ’a’ fed ’em, with proper short fuses. Look out ye don’t push that lighted cigar too close to th’ darlin’s!" Tex stepped back as though he had been stung. "I’m half sorry they didn’t give you a chance to use th’ stuff," he growled. "Well, I reckon mobs will be out of style in Windsor by mornin’. This ain’t no wolf-pack, runnin’ bare-fanged to a kill, but a bunch of coyotes usin’ coyote caution. We’ll let Costigan stay where he is, just th’ same. You better join him as soon as these fools go back to get drunker. Th’ woman in this makes us play dead safe. I’ll head up that way an’ look things over. If I hear a blast I’ll get back fast enough. Don’t forget to throw ’em quick after you touch ’em to that cigar!" "I’ll count five an’ let ’em go," chuckled Murphy. "I got ’em figgered close." "Too close for me!" rejoined the marshal, moving off toward the Saunders’ home. "I’d like to stick one in Henry’s pocket," said the Irishman, growling. "D--n me for a fool!" snapped Tex, leaping into the darkness. *CHAPTER XXI* *AN EQUAL GUILT*