The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-29
SYNOPSIS.

Mr.. J. Woodbury. Newcomb, an elderly
student Of criminology, returning to New
York from Sing Sing prison, meets on the
train Frank Gleason, Bill Harris and Jack
Pinney, convicts, who have just completed
their terms of imprisonment, and who
mistake Newcomb for fellow convict. To
draw them out, ne assumes the character
and proceeds to tell them the story of his
first crime. Frank Gleason then narrates
an attempted crime in which fortune puts
him into the position of the rescuer OF his
intended victim. Bill Harris describes the
unsuccessful burglary for which he has
been doing time, and Jack Pinney re-
counts an effort TO steal the unlucky ring
of Alfonso NIL, hung on a statue IN a
public square of Madrid.
PART VI.
Jack Pinney had barely finished his
story when the train which bore the
party stopped with an unusual grinding
of brakes and rasping of wheels upon
the rails. So suddenly, indeed, was the
speed arrested that the three criminals
who had been riding with their faces
to the front-were brought to their feet,
and they remained for an instant stand
ing there in line as IL they expected the
Angel of Evil Deeds to call the roll OF
them.
Il thought we We're all going over
board" said Pinney, glancinS out OF the
window at the waters of the Hudson.
The place was a little to the south
ward of Yonkers, where the railroad
runs for a considerable distance upon
an embankment raised but u Few feet
above the level of the river.
There's been an accident of some
kind" said Gleason. Il can hear pco-
pie shouting ahead of us. Let's go out
and see what has happened"
The suggestion was accepted, and the
four men hastily left the car. At first
their view was blocked by the throngs
OF people that were pouring out of the
train, and mingling with much larger
number that came down from the bank
upon the left. After a brief struggle
with the press they came to spot from
which they could see what had barred
the way OF their train. An express
bound northward had been partially
wrecked by the breaking of wheel
under the car Immediately following the
tender Of the engine. A coupling had
parted and the car had been almost
demolished by those which come after
it. All the tracks were strewn with
wreckage. and the express car had gone
into the river, where a corner of Its top
could be seen above the water.
No person had been seriously hurt.
but the rescue of the two men who had
gone overheard with the express car
had been very near to miracle.
A telegraph wire had been tapped,
and an official OF the road was COM
municating with one of his superiors
in New York. The click of the instru-
ment was family audible to Newcombe
as he stood surveying the scene. Pres
emily Gleason touched him on the shoul-
der. He turned and saw that his COM
panion's eyes were burning with fierce
eageiness.
do you know what that man is tel
egraphing?" demanded Gleason. mo;
you're not an operator. Well, I am,
and I'll tell you what that sounder says.
There's $4,000 lying there in the river
ander our eyes"
Il don't understand YOU" said New
,ombe.
1T was in the express safe" contin-
ued Gleason, land it went overheard
with the car. They've sent for wreck
ing apparatus. and they's going to pull
the car out of the river. Now, the ques-
tion is: Can we get that money!"
Newcombe was astounded.
''How can We get it with thousand
people watching u.s." demanded the
criminologist. GLOW could we get it,
anyhow, while it's under water and
locked up in Il safe?"
There's always way to get money
If you want it badly enough" returned
Gleason, sententiously.
That was all that he would say OH the
subject, but he remained for q long
time staring down into the water, while
he listened to the spasmodic clicking
of the telegraphic instrument. AT last
a train with the appropriate wreckage
appliances arrived, and, after consid-
cradle labor, great chain was fast
ened to the express car and it was
drawn out of the river. But the safe
was not to be found. 1t had been dis
lodged by the shock of the plunge, and
had passed out through the forward
end of the car like an enormous cam