Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-01


the cord strained and vibrated Will
continuous tension.
There's something up behind
| George ! said in grave tone. See tc
the lever and I'll find out what's the
matter
Il took swift glance along the
train. There were many heads out OF
who should have been first on the alent
the carriage windows; but the guard
was not in sight.
The night was dark. ! knew in
tuitiveIy, thought / could not see a
yard beyond the embankment side
that we were sklrting Beeby Park, and
approaching Firhcad tunnel.
THE train, almost before / leapt from
the footrlate into the six-foot, had
promptly answered the brake, and
stood still. | ran, with a presentment
Of evil and flying feet, to the guards
van. The door was wide open. sprang
into the vehicle. Across a big sea
chest, Fred Clayton, the guard, was
lying unconscious, with an ugly wound
in his forehead,
"ThC passenger he had befrended in
emergency had gone
THE guards right hand was on his
revolver; but the weapon was only half
~ he had not had time to aim and fire.
~ felt sick, not with fear, but appre-
htnsion. ! dashed back towards the
bullion van. The door of that vehickIe
was unfas;ened, but had swung to. |
put my shoulder against it, and almost
stumbled into the travelling bank
The bright light OF the roof lamp
revealed a strange sight.
"'ln an easy chair in the aurtaned
anie-i0om the talleSt Of the bank clerks
was sitting with his head upon his
chest, and one o, Zolo's novels open on
his knees. He looked as ii he We're
INDUCING In a comfortable after-dinner
nap with healthy indifference to the
financial crisis In the East. But this
was an Illusion, He was dead! and
there was the odor of chloroform about
him.
BEYOND the curtain there was the
sound Of deer breathing, cursing and
struggling ! llf ed the drapery that
concealed he bullion chests. The win
dow in the far coraer of the van was
open. Beneath 1t in the deep shadow
were two struggling figures.
"One was the passenger who had ar
rived nearly too late for the train He
was lying on his back on the van floor
wrlthing, bis teeth set, and murder in
his eyes. The duel scar on his cheek
had been aid open by a blow, and the
blood welled down his face till It was
hide us to look upon. He strained
like wild beast, and cursed like a
ilenl; but he was in u vice The fingers
of his right hand worked conyuIsiveiy
to touch the life-preserver that was al
most but not quite within reach.
Charley Napier, the clerk-the fair
haired one--had got his sinewy arms
round the foreign thief and was press
ing the life out of him.
Its rather warm work, driver? he
said, turning his head, and looking at
me whimsically.
Yes replied, with a thrill OF J0y,
noting that the gold was untouched.
You seem busy. Shall l siye you a
little help
"'Thank YOU, perhaps YOU don't
mind holding this panther till | get mp.
with pleasure said, bending
down, scizing the man by the collar and
vest, and hauling him to his feet.
"rhc foreigner shook himself but
held his tongue. He looked not unlike
panther as with bent head and side
long glance Ut hate, and adroit striN-
ings he tried to rush his prison house;
but have a very strong grip
"lm afraid he's done for my coll
league SAID Charley, wiping the 2"r-
spiration off his brow,
"'Nce, he's dead enough, The beg
gar nearly finished the guard too.
Poor Clayton'a lying III the luggage van
with lice hole in his forehead |
grnwlcd, giving my prisoner a savage
shake and feeling inclined 70 thrash
hint
Many of the passengers alarmed
or curious al the unusual stoppAgc OF
the express ON this lonely stretch OF
line had quilted the carriages and were
crowding about the bullion van one,
a dry, methudical, middle-aged gentle
man, declared himself to I've medical
nan. | invited him into the coach, ana
one look at the recumbent figure OF the
tan bank clerk showed that he was be-
yond human aid.
still grasping my prisoner | asked
tho doctor Ia hurry into the luggage
van and do what no could for the
guard. In n few minutes Clayton was
lifted into tn. bullion van by two pas
songrrs and placed On the little couch.
The doctor, who fortunately carried a
ease of surgical appliances, deNtcrouSIE
salyad the wound aud bound mp his
forehead with lint The guard Was @'iIl