Turning suddenly, Jones stepped back. Shirley stood facing him with one outstretched arm, and in her hand she clutched the revolver, which she levelled directly at Jones' head.

Jumping quickly around the table just as Jones had dropped Jimmy to the floor, Shirley pounced upon the revolver and rose with it in a steady hand, as Jones turned.

"Now," she said quietly, keeping the weapon levelled squarely at the man's head, "pick Jimmy up and walk out of here ahead of me."

Jones hesitated and Shirley's finger tightened upon the trigger.

"I would advise you to do as I say without delay," she said.

Jones hesitated for only a second longer; then, stooping over, he lifted the boy up in his arms and walked out the door.

Keeping the revolver ready, Shirley followed him.

Shirley had left the horse just outside the hotel. Jones stopped near the animal.

"Put him across the saddle," Shirley commanded.

Jones obeyed.

"Now," said the girl, "take yourself away from here just as quick as you can."

Without a word Jones turned and walked rapidly down the street.

Shirley climbed to the saddle, and taking the reins in her right hand, she clutched Jimmy's inert body with her left.

The girl had no means of telling how badly the lad was hurt, and her one thought was to get him to a doctor as quickly as possible. It was getting late now, and dusk was coming on.

"I guess I had better take him to Mr. Wilson's," said the girl to herself.

She turned her horse in that direction.

Mr. Wilson himself came running out of the door as Shirley dismounted, and lent a hand to carry Jimmy's unconscious body into the store, where they laid him down gently on a sofa in the rear.

Shirley bent over Jimmy anxiously.

"Is he badly hurt, Mr. Wilson?" she asked.

"I am afraid he is," was the slow reply. "His face is badly battered, as you can see. He must have been struck a terrible blow. How did it happen?"

Shirley explained.

"I'll call a doctor immediately," said Mr. Wilson and hastened to the telephone.

The physician arrived a few minutes later.

"He must be taken to the hospital," he declared. "His condition is serious."

"Can I do anything, doctor?" asked Shirley.

"No, not now," was the reply.

"Then I shall go home immediately," said the girl.

She left the store quickly, mounted her horse, and headed homeward through the rapidly gathering darkness.

CHAPTER XXVI.-OFF TO THE DERBY.

Mr. Willing's anger at the manner in which Jimmy had been injured knew no bounds. It was late when Shirley reached home, but her father wanted to go to town at once and put the police on Jones' trail.

"I don't think it is necessary, Dad," said Shirley. "I feel sure he will trouble us no more."

"But who will ride Gabriel in the Derby?" demanded Mr. Willing.

"Perhaps Jimmy will be well enough to ride when the time comes,"

suggested Mabel.

"I shall call up the doctor the first thing in the morning and ask the extent of his injuries," promised Mr. Willing.

"If possible," said Shirley, "I think it would be best to take Jimmy to Louisville with us. We can attend to him carefully there, and help to get him in condition for the race."

"A good idea," agreed Mr. Willing, "if the doctor will consent."

"I am sure Jimmy will be all right," said Shirley hopefully. "By the way, Dad, how is Gabriel?"

"Better than could be expected," was the reply. "The veterinary said he would be perfectly fit in a day or two."

After a few further words, all retired with the exception of Leonard, who made his way to the stable, where he was to stand watch, for Mr.

Willing had not selected a man to take old Frank's place.

In the morning Mr. Willing learned that Jimmy's condition was not as serious as had been feared. The doctor did not oppose the plan of taking the lad to Louisville on Monday.

"The trip will not hurt him," he declared. "But keep him perfectly quiet after you arrive. With careful nursing he should be in shape to ride Gabriel to victory."

The days pa.s.sed slowly, but at last the time for departure came. Besides packing her own clothes, Shirley also packed Jimmy's things, and on Monday afternoon Mr. Willing, Mr. Ashton, Leonard, Mabel and Shirley, with Gabriel tied to the rear of the double carriage, were driven to Paris.

Mr. Willing had already shipped his large touring car to Louisville, for he believed he would have need of it there.

Leonard had asked to travel with Gabriel and Mr. Willing, after some hesitancy, had accepted his offer.

The party went first to the freight depot, where Gabriel was led into a car that had been reserved for him. He was tied up at one end, and Leonard took up his position at the other. Besides Mr. Willing's shotgun the young man was armed with a brace of heavy caliber revolvers.

"The first man that sticks his head in this car is likely to get it shot off," said the young man grimly, as the others prepared to leave.

"I am glad that you are here," said Mr. Willing slowly. "I am glad to have some one I can trust in charge of Gabriel. We will be waiting for you when you reach Louisville."