"We are," one of the men replied. "We want that message you have for
the Major."

"What do you want it for?"

"Never mind about that. Hand it over, and be damn quick about it, too."

Dane's body now quivered with excitement, and the thrill of battle
swept upon him. His eyes narrowed until they became mere slits, and
his hands clenched hard as he drew himself to his full height.

"If you want the message I carry, come and take it," he challenged.
"That is the only way you can get it."

"Don't be a fool," another of the men warned. "You might as well hand
over that message first as last. It will save you a lot of trouble.
We're going to get it, so make up your mind to that."

"How?" Dane asked.

"Oh, you'll soon know. Out with it. We're in a hurry."

"So am I," Dane replied.

Then he slightly crouched, and with a sudden tiger-like spring he was
upon them. A sledge-hammer drive to the jaw of one sent him reeling
backwards among the trees, while a mighty swinging blow to the right
crumpled up another in the middle of the road. So astonished was the
third at this unexpected attack, and the complete knock-out of his