The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-18

size or the other, replacing them by our
specially prepared rails.
The wheels of tho engine of the COM
ing train would take those short rails
like points, and as the ends curved off
toward the parapet of the bridge tho
whole train would leave the rails and be
precipitated from the frightful height
into the stream beneath. There would
be no escape for single soul in that
train. And so, calmly and in cold blood,
we arranged the wholesale destruction
OF tho south bound train which would
contain the head and many important
members of the royal family
We knew that every precaution was
taken by the railway company and their
servants to observe clear and safe pas
sage for their royal patron, and that ex-
tra patrolmen were out along the route,
while to prevent the risk of accident all
less important trains were shunted to
one side. The contents of all goods trains
on the down line were carefully inspect
ed in order that no projections should
endanger the safety of the special, and
signalmen were more than usually put
upon the alert
The greatest obstacle we had to con-
tend against was the pilot engine. We
could do nothing till it passed (the loos-
ened bolts would not affect it's passage),
and that left only Is minutes to prepare
the rails for the doomed train. Still, we
practiced the screwing process on dummy
metals and soon got very expert. The
night arrived. The previous evening we
had managed, unobserved. to loosen the
bolts necessary for our purpose near the
middle of the bridge, and we could only
trust they would not be tempered with
before our arrival next evening.
The fateful night was dark and stormy,
which favored our purpose. Disguised
as railway laborers at village in the
vicinity, and having previously conceal
ed our tools near the bridge, we made for
the scene of our enterprise. Ensconcing
ourselves within the shadow of the para
pet, we waited for the pilot engine to
come along. At last her lights appear in
the distance, and she thunders safely
over the bridge.
Now to work
Hastily securing our respective rails,
we make for the selected spot and COM
mence to withdraw the bolts. While
thus engaged my companion with a
bloodcurdling chuckle remarks:
1--WE shall bag more of the high and
mighty than we first expected. The
Duke of k and his suit are, under
stand, on board the train"
"Thc Duke of k | started and
dropped my rail in my excitement. "NIy
boys master" gasped, "and he never
travels without him"
$50 ,prcJ, +lo ,,,n,c, e., $1,000.
then" said the heartless brute as he pro-
ceeded with his work.
In an instant my horrible position
flashed upon me. Here was 1 calmly
preparing to slaughter the heads of
England Ito whom before had never
given thoughD, and with them nv
own flesh and blood. nearly swooned
as the awful revelation burst upon me,
but i'll moment l recovered, and then
my decision was prompt. True, the
failure of the scheme meant certain
death to my companion and myself, but
what of that? There was still time TO
save ourselves from becoming wholesale
murderers. [ shouted. while | replaced
my bolt, to Scraggs TO drop his rail and
fly. He, however, had no such scruples
and had too great q regard for his own
skin and the promised reward. When
he saw | was determined to spoil his
plans, he dropped his rail and made for
me with a knife, the glitter of which as
he closed with me 1 saw Just in time
through the darkness.
AS we struggled the roar of the an
preaching train was heard in the dis
lance. Making IL frantic effort, as the
train was close upon us. managed to
throw Scraggs off. He fell across the
off rail- With rush and roar the royal
train swept safely over the bridge. while
stificd shrek from Scraggs prepared
mo for his fate as fell in Il faint against
the stonework of the bridge.
revived i'll what must have been a
few minutes after the passage of the
train. The hcadless trunk of my late
companion was the first object that met
my eye. l shuddered to think how near
ly the occupants of the train had escaped
an equally certain death.
The train had not pulled up, the driver
evidently not having felt the obstruction.
| hastily replaced the bolts Oh the other
rail, threw the tools into the stream, and
with n last glance at the remains of
Scraggs fled from the spot. Unsuspect-
ed, l made my way to London, but only
to live i'll deadly fear of the swift and
sure vengeance of the secret society.
The failure of the enterprise must be
already known to them, and hide as 1
might | knew their hand would ulti-
mately reach me. My money exhaust
ed, l conceived the desperate idea of the
daring burglary of which was convict
ed. If failed to enrich myself. my life
WOnld At, least he Ga fa in inil fn;lod