The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-12-12


the river as motor power, and could
be managed by one man.
By shifting lever, such as is in use
in locomotives, power could be applied
to the lift, and the ponderous hammer
was arranged to fall automatically.
At the instant it descended it was
seized by the .'tongs,n and again raised
and so rapid were its movements that
the work of two ordinary machines
could be done by it in day. and then
there was no consumption of coal.
Lamoureux explained his invention
to Derry and taught him how to ma
nipulate it.
One day it was moved up close be-
side the bridge to do some piling, and
the engineer pointing to the beams
and cross-pieces above their heads,
said
That's the weakest part of the
bridge. Ten minutes work will dis
place a timber up there that will cause
the whole affair to collapse the minute
train attempts to pass over. I've been
afraid that some of these Parray fellows
would notice the matter, and do our
company irreparable damage.
You don't mean to say" began
Derry.
Yes, 1 do" interrupted the en-
gineer, with positive emphasis. They
are bad lot, and Guiot, the head man.
would sacrifice hundred innocent
lives to give his company an advantage.
Until the courts settle the difficulty,
we'll have to be very careful. If an
accident happens here, twill work
against the Wilson's, and may give the
other fellows the suit"
Lionel Derry had no reason to like
Guiot for-aside from the natural
rivalry engendered by being in the en-
plov of corporation at war with that
represented by him-the latter was not
a fellow to take to-" and Derry
thought he was paying altogether too
much attention to pretty Aimee L.
Etoile, who, strangely enough was the
only daughter of the chairman of the
Wilson's Road.
Mile. L'Etoile was staying at the big
hotel with her aunt, and Derry, being
known by the latter, had been intro
duced to the young lady.
He fell in love with her on the spur
of the moment, but remembering the
difference in their positions, was per-
force content to worship her in secret.
Guiot became acquainted with Mile.
L'Etoile at about the same time. He
was older than Derry, thorough man
of the world, and he at once paid as
siduous court to the chairman s
daughter.
The young lady seemed to like him,
too, and this fact was gall and worm
wood to poor Derry.
After his talk with engineer Lamour-
eux, Lionel disliked Guiot more than
ever and his morbid thoughts caused
him to shun Aimee, much to Guiot's adj
vantage.
Derry began to take long solitary
walks at night, lost his appetite, and
became hollow-eyed and pale-faced.
One night when there was no moon
and the stars were obscured by clouds,
he left the hotel as usual after supper,
and it was nine o'clock when he re-
turned.
His path home led by the end of the
bridge, where the pile-driver still stood,
its outline of dark beams and long up
rights siIhouetted against the lighter
sky like the skeleton of some giant.
Up at the hotel they were having a
dance, and Derry halted alongside the
pile-driver to listen to the music.
Presently he heard the sound of
voices, and two men walked towards
the machine and seated themselves on
a loose piece of timber.
They were Guiot and one of his gang,
and the first words they uttered caused
the listeners flesh to creep with horror,
and hot wave of indignation to surge
through his bosom.
You say that if that cross-piece is
loosened the whole bridge will collapse
the minute train attempts to cross?n
asked Guiot's companion.
Yes, answered the Parray official;
"and we can do it without fear of de-
lection. Now's our time The up ex-
press is due at 9:47, and if it goes down
into the Seine it will knock the Wilson's
Company's claim over completely"
''Welln said the other rascal, Pm
ready. Ten thousand francs is a great
deal of money, and if you'll guarantee
me that I'll wreck dozen trains"
That is business, Commented Guiot.
Crawl out on that string-piece there
and do your work. 1t will only take
five minutes. Here's a wrench to
loosen the bolts. I'll watch to see that
no one approaches. That cub Derry is
always prowling around here, and it
don't do to take any risks"
'.All right agreed the other.
And he started toward the bridge,
wrench in hand
But Derry sprang forward and inter-
rupted him.
mo, you don't, you villain." he cried,
and seized the mans shoulder. Il
overheard your vile plan, and you
don't"
Don't I?" was the quick retort.
And wheeling suddenly. the man dealt
Lionel blow full in the face that
knocked him flat.
Before he could scramble to his feet,
the scoundrel was upon him, and ne
was rendered powerless to move or cry
out.
Attracted by the struggle, Guiot
came forward, and bending down,
peered into the young clerks face.
'.Ah, it's you is it?n he cried, III a
tone of malicious satisfaction. "Tu
teach you to play spy!'
What shall do with him?n asked
the accomplice. Pitch him into the
river?'
Nor was the answer. Hold him
fast and I'll fix him.
''Oh, I'll hold him fast enough!" was
the confident rejoinder.
And Gu;ot. stepping to the pile
driver, picked up long piece of rope
that had been lett lying on the ground.
With this. assisted by the other ras-
cal ne bound Derry hand and foot. and
a thick wooden gag was thrust into his
mouth.
Then they lifted up their helpless
burden. and carrying him to the end O. f
the bridge. bound him fast to one of
the rails in such away that his chest
lay directly across it.
Il forgot the goods" said Guiot.
when the infamous job was completed
to his satisfaction. The local from
the other road backs across to the
junction. to be made up into the South