Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-06-19
He held the blank up before Bevan

lt2IL3Qm2 CISh1GT RdcnOOTL
Yes send the bullion by the milk train tonight
without fail. My cashier with guard will be at
the station TO receive IL.
]. R. CLAUDE, President.
Bevan looked down at his manacled
wrists. The irons were heavy and the
chains connecting the two rings not
more than three inches long.
Il can't send it with these on" he
muttered.
"You must - said the chief, grimly.
Bevan resolved to try. Taking up a
pencil he managed to count the words
and scrawl the check on the message
with some difficulty. He was going to
remark from force of habit that it
should be written on a message blank.
but under the conditions bethought him
self in time.
Stop What is that ?" said the chief
pointing to the check.
1.-The number of words and the
amount paid" answered Bevan.
els this necessary he asked of the
man to whom he had spoken before.
Eyes, sir. IT is all right. They call
it the check and put it on every mes
sage" -,
man is an operator; he will watch you
closely, and at the first sign of treach-
cry I will put bullet through your
head. Smith, stand out of range, or
you may get taste oft, too"
Bevan sat down at the table, the lead
er pushing his chair closer. Opening
the key he commenced calling "R."
He again felt the cold barrel of the re-
volver on his forehead, and it made
him so nervous that he could hardly
manipulate the key. "R" answered
THAT is good" said the man ad-
dressed. as Smith who was the operator.
'tSend slow. [ can't read fast sending"
he added.
Bevan proceeded very slowly, and
Smith pronounced each word as he
made it. The leader glanced alternate
~ at Smith and Bevan uneasily. 1t was
evident that this was the crisis of their
bold conspiracy. "R" broke Bevan in
the middle of message, wanting to
Bevan closed the key and took mis-
hand away nervously.
"What did he say?" demanded the
chief.
He wanted to know why I didn't
send faster"
"Tell him you have a sore finger"
said Smith.
Poor Bevan spelled this lie out slow
ly, Smith reading it aloud, then went
onand finished the message.
''R" gave sharp and distinct go K, )"
which the renegade operator read
aloud.
The leader gave sigh of relief which
Rowan promptly echoed as he felt the
pistol barrel removed from his head.
The chief then unlocked one of the
handouts, removed it, placed Bevan's
hands behind his back and reclasped
the ring around his wrist. thus render
ing him perfectly helpless.
There was nothing to be done except
to wait. The men disposed themselves
Oh the various chairs scattered about
the room, the leader still guarding Be-
van, revolver in hand. AS Bevan
thought over the events of the last half
tardly deed he had been compelled to
commit. This money which now would
fall into the hands of these miscreants
was the honest property of honest
farmers, wives and orphans, and he had
assisted to rob them. Better far to
have sacrificed his life. If unframed,
how could he ever hold up his head
again? On, that he had refused to be
their tool ! Was there no way to undo
what he had done?
Stop The key which he had fixed
up in dark corner under his
table, connecting it to the main
line precisely as Lis other key
was connected, to play joke on the
good natured station agent. He had at
odd times practiced sending with his
foot and found it not half so difficult as
one would suppose. He had bent the
curcuit closer so that he could move it
easily, and the rest was merely mat
ter OF practice. He had persevered un-
til he grew quite proficient in this novel
method of transmission.
He opened the key with his foot and
made few dots.
What is that?" said the leader.
"Only some one practicing," an
swered Bevan, readily.
The leader looked at Smith, who nod
ded.
Revan called 'R" rapidly.
what did he say there?''
'Practicing the letter &C." he an
swered glibly. "Do you wish me to
read aloud all that passes over the
wire?"
''No, it is not necessary"
81 can read most of it." said Smith,
giving Bevan penetrating glance.
Bevan had mis- own reasons for doubt
ing this statement however. "R" an
swered, Bevan said, sending as rapidly
as he could under circumstances:
HAS that message been delivered
yet?"
Eyes, long ago"
"Then go after it and stop it. That
bullion must not be sent tonight
The key at ''R" opened and remained
SO for nearly five minutes: then it
closed and he said, Cali right, the bull
ion will not go. What is the matter ?''
''The matter is that this Office is full
of armed highwaymen. was forced to
send that message with loaded revoiv-
er at my forehead"
''Good heavens Wait minute"
Bevan turned and met the eye of the
robber chief. He could not help smii-
ing sarcastically.
The chief was on his feet in an in
slant.
by God" he said, "if you have
played us any trick, young fellow, you
will paw for it with your lite."
''He has not said word,'' remarked
Smith.
st is well for him." said the leader.
"If that bullion arrives all right you will
be released uninjured. If it fails to
come or If there is a sign of treacherv