THE ACID TEST
Jack Kilmeny opened his eyes to find himself in darkness utter and complete except for a pinpoint of light gleaming from far above. His head was whirling and throbbing painfully. Something warm and moist dropped into his eyes, and when he put his hand up to investigate the cause he knew it must be blood from a wound.
Faintly the sound of voices and of harsh laughter drifted down to him. Presently this died away. The stillness was almost uncanny.
"Something laid me out, I reckon. Must have been a bad whack." His finger found a ridge above the temple which had been plowed through the thick curly hair. "Looks as though a glancing bullet hit me. Golden luck it didn't finish the job."
He moved. A sharp pain shot through his lower right leg. Trying to rise, he slipped down at o
