The morning times., 1895-08-25
CHAPTER w.


with q start
CHAPTER ".
1T can't be Three Pines yet" said a
passengers voice, in which the Iaziness OF
sleep stiil fingered, ''Or else we've snooZed
over five nile l don't see no lights;
wot are We stoppin' fer?" The other pas
senGers struggled to an upright position.
One nearest the window opened it; its
place was Instantly occupied by the double
muZzle of a shotgun, No one moved. In
the awe-stricken silence the voice of the
driver rose in drawing protestation.
1T faint no business O. mine, but it
sorter strikes me that you chaps a-pIa yin
it just a little too fine this timeI II
amt three miles from Three Pine Station,
and forty men! or course that's your
look out-not mine
The audacity OF the thing had evidently
struck even the usually taciturn and
phlegmaiic driver into his first expostulation
on record.
Your thoughtful consideration does YOU
great credit" said n voice from the dark
hess, and shall be properly presented
TO our manager, but at the same time We
wish 1t understood that we do not hesitate
TO take any risks in strict attention TO our
business and our clients. In the meantime,
you Will expedite matters and give your
passengers a chance TO get an early tea at
Three Pines by handing down that treasure
box and mail pouch. Re carefulin handling
that blunderbuss YOU keep besideit; the last
time it unfortunately went off and l regret
to say slightly wounded one of your paSsen-
2 4, III.
they do, with the harmony and pleasure
OF our chance meetings, cannot be too
highly deplored."
by gosh' calculated an outside passen-
ger in an audible whisper.
Thank you. sir said the voice quietly,
but as l overlooked you, Will trouble you
now to descend wit hthe others"
The voice moved nearer, and by the light
Of a flaming bull'seye cast upon the coach
it could be seen TO come from a stout
medium-sized man with a black mask.
which, however, showed half of a smooth,
beardless face and IN aftable yet satiucal
mouth. The speaker cleared his throat with
the slight preparatory cough OF the practiCed
orator, and, approaching the window, to
Keys intense surprise, actually began
in the identical, professional and rhetorical
style previously indicated by the miner.
circumstances over which we have no
control, gentlemen, compel us to oblige
you to alight, stand in row on one side,
and hold up your hands. You will find the
attitude not unpleasant after your cramped
position in the coach, while the change
from its confined air to the wholesome
night breeze of the Sierras can not but
prove salutary and refreshing. 1t will also
enable us to relieve you of such so-called
valuables and treasures in the way of gold
dust and coin which, l regret to say, too
often are misapplied in careless hands, and
which the teachings of the highest morality
distinctly denounce as the root OF all evil!
1 need not inform you gentlemen, as busi-
ness men, that promptitude and celerity
of compliance will insure despatch and
shorten an interview which has been some
times needlessly and, regret to say, pain
fully protraeted."
He drew back deliberately with the same
monotonous precision of habit, and dis
closed the muzZles of his confederates'
weapons still leyelled at the passengers.
In spite of their astonishment indignation
and discontinue, his practiced effrontery
and deliberate display appeared in some
way to touch their humorous sense, and
one or two smiled Historically as they rose
and hesitatingly filed out of the vehicle
1t is possible, however, that the levelled
shotguns contributed more or less directly
to this result.
Two masks began to search the passen-
gers under the combined focus of the
bulrs-eyes, the shining gun barrels, and
running but still carefully prepared COM
mentary from the spokesman: 1T Is to
be regretted that business men, instead of
intrusting their property to the custody of
the regularly constituted express agent.
still continue to secrete it on their per-
sons, a custom that, without enhancing
it's security. is not only an injustice to the
express company, but great detriment
to despatch We also wish to point out
that while we do not as rule interfere
with the possession of articles of ordinary
personal use or adOrnment, such as simple
ieWelry or watches, we reserve our right
to restrict by Confiscation the vulgarity
and unmanliness of diamonds and enormous
fob chains
The act of spoliation was apparently
complete, yet it was evident that the orator
was restraining himself for more eff
fective climax Clearing h is thr oat
! again and stepping before the impatient
but still mystified file of passengers, he
reviewed them gravely. Then, in a per
fectly pitched tone of. mingled pain and
apology, he said slowly:
ut would seem that, from no wish OF
| our own, we are obliged on this present
] occasion to suspend one or two of our usua
rules. We are not be Ia habit OF inter
fering with thy rearing apparel of oul
esteemed clisS.s, but in the interests o