The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-09
closely, and at tho first sign Of treach.

you may get taste OF 1t, too"
Bcvan sat down at tho table, the
leader pushing his chair Closer Open
ing the key he commenced calling ..t."
lie again felt the cold barrel of the re.
volver OH his forehead, and it made
him so nervous that he could hardly
manipulate the key. "R" answered.
"Tlnt is good" said the man ad-
dressed as Smith who was the opera
ator. "Send slow. can't read fast
sending," he answered.
| Bcvan proceeded very slowly, and
Smith pronounced each word us he
made it. The leader glanced alter-
natcly ut Smith and Bcvaa uncasily.
1t was evident that this was the crisis
OF their bold conspiracy. "R" broke
Bcvan in tho middle of :. message,
wanting to know why the dlcc he sent
SO slowly. Bevan closed the key and
took his hand away ncrvously.
"What did he say?" demanded tho
chief.
"He wanted to know why l didn't
send faster"
"Tell him you have q sore finger"
said Smith.
Poor Bevan spelled this lie out
slowly. Smith reading it aloud,
then went on and finished the mes
sage.
"R" gave u sharp ana distinct 30 X"
which tho renegade operator read
aloud.
Tho leader gave u sign OF relief
which Revan promptly echoed as hc
felt the pistol barrel removed from his
head. The chief then unlocked one
of the handculfs. removed it. placed
Bevan's hands behind his back aud re-
claspcd the ring around his wrist,
thus rendering him perfectly help
less.
There was nothing TO be done cx-
ccpt to wait. The men disposed them
selves on tho various chairs scattcrcd
about the room. the leader still guard
ing Bcvan, revolver in hand As Be-
van thought over the events of the last
half hour ho filled with rage ut the
dastcrdly deed he had been compelled
to commit This money which now
would fall into tho hands of these mis-
crcants was tho honest farmers,
wives aud orphans. and he had assist
ed to rob them. Better far to have
sacrificed his life. If unharmed, how
could he over hold up his head again?
Oh. that he had refused TO be their
tool! Was there no way to undo what
he had donc?n
Stop! The key which he had fixed
up in u dark corner under his table,
connecting it TO the main line precise
ly us his other key was connected, to
play joke on the good -naturcd sta
tion agent. He had at odd times pr,c-
ticed sending with his foot and found
it not half SO difficult us one would sup
pose. He had bent the circuit closer
SO that he could move it easily, and
the rest was merely IL matter of prac-
ticc. He had preserved until he grew
quite proficient in this novel method
of transmission.
He opened the key with his foot and
made II few dots.
"What is that" said tho leader.
"Only some one practicing." ans
wercd Bevan, readily.
The leader looked NJ Smith, who
nodded.
Bcvan called "K" rapidly.
"What did he say thcrc?'
"Practicing the letter "c' he an-
swcred glibly. ''Do you wish inc to
read aloud all that passes over tho
wire?"
'No. it is not necessary"
II can read most of it," said Smith,
giving Bevan II penetrating glancc.
Bevan had is own reasons for doubt
ing this statement however ar" an-
swcrcd, Bevan said. sending rs rapidly
Us he could under circumstances:
elias the message been delivered
yct?"
Eyes. long ago"
"Thcn 20 after it and stop It, That
bullion must not be sent tonight"
The key at "R" opened and remain-
cd so for nearly five mintes; then it
closed and he said, "All right. the bull
ion will not go. What is tho mat
tcr?"
"Thc matter is that this Office is full
Of armed highwaymcn. I was forced
to send that message with loaded re-
volvcr at my forehead"
Good heavens! Wait Il minutc''
Bevan turned and met tho eye of
tho robber chief. lie could not help
smiling sarcastically.
The chief was on his feet in an in
stant.
"By God" he s;lid. "if you have
played US any trick, young fellow, you
will pay for it with your lifc."
"lie has not said q word" remarked
Smith.
"lt is we'll for him. said the leader,
"if that bullion arrives all right you
will be released uninjurcd. If it fails
to come, or If there is sign of treach-
cry, your corpse will be found on the
floor tomorrow morning. with your
brains spattcrcd Oh that wall.
Bevan shuddcrcd at this picture,
which was beginning to loom up as q
black reality before him.
1.-The chief Of police is here" licked
out the sounder, land wants to know
how you are situated"
My hands are handcuffed behind.
INC, and Il man sits beside me with a
loaded and cooked revolver" Bcvan
answ cred.
"Thundcr? Then how can you
send?'
IL am sending with my foot on
concealed key under the table which
was rugged up to play Il joke or Ma
SON.
What can be done to save you?"
"Nothing but capture these robbers,
If possible. When does the train
leavc9'
"ln ten minutes"
Then hold it. There are eight
heavily armed men here. Better have
twenty-five Or thirty well-armed
men on the train. Let it stop lust
above the curve and have them walk