The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-06-11
THE GREAT X. AND A.
TRAIN ROBBERY.
By PAUL LEICESTER FORD.
copyright, 1896 by ]. b. Lippincott Company. !
CHAPTER VII.

| A CHANGE OF BASE.
We did not reach Flagstaff till 2, and
I told the stageload to take possession
of their car, while went to my own.
1t took me some time to get freshened
up, and then ate my breakfast, for aft
or riding 70 miles in one night even the
most heroic purposes have to take the
side track think, as it was, proved
my devotion pretty well by not going to
Sleep since had been up three nights,
with only such maps as l could steal in
the saddle, and had ridden over $50 miles
| to boot. But couldn't bear to think OF
Miss Cullen's anxiety. When had fin
ished eating 1 went into 218.
The party were all in the dining
room, but it was a very different look
ing crowd from the one with which
that first breakfast had been eaten, and
they all looked at me as entered as II
were the executioner come for victims.
"Mr. Cullen" 1 said, GIVE been
forced to do q lot of things that weren't
pleasant, but 1 don't want to do more
than I need. You're not the ordinary
kind of road agents, and, as presume
your address is known, don't see any
need Of arresting one of our own di-
rectors as yet. All 1 ask is that you give
me your word for the party that none of
you will try to leave the country"
Certainly, Mr. Gordon" he re-
sponded. "And 1 thank you for your
great consideration.
II shall have to report the case to our
president, and suppose to the postmas-
ter general, but l shant hurry about Ell
Their. What they will do l can't say.
Probably you know how far you can
keep them quiet.
~ think the local authorities are all
have to fear, provided time is given
me ~
= have dismissed the sheriff and his
posse, and gave them 500 for their
work and three bottles of pretty good
whisky 1 had on my car. Unless they
get orders from elsewhere, you will not
hear any further from them. "
''You must let me reimburse what
expense we have put you to, Mr.. Cor
don. only wish could as easily repay
your kindness. F"
Nodding my head in assent as well
as in recognition of his thanks, con-
timed, 1T was my duty as an official
Of the *. q A. TO recover the stolen
mail, and had to do it,"
ave understand that" said Mr.. Cul-
lel, "and do not for moment blame
you"
But" went OH, for the first time
looking at Madge, cit is not my duty
to take part in contest for control Of
the K. 81 A., and L shall therefore act
in this case as should in any other loss
Of mail"
"And that ISL asked Frederic
II am about to telegraph for instruc-
tiehs from Washington, I said. las
the G. S. has tied up some Of your
proxies, they ought not to object if we
do the same, and think I can manage
so that Uncle Sam will prevent those
proxies from being voted at Ash Forks
ON Friday"
If galvanic battery had been applied
to the breakfast table, it wouldn't have
made bigger change. Madge clapped
her hands in joy. Mr.. Cullen said
"God bless your with real feeling.
Frederic jumped up and slapped me on
the shoulder, crying, Gordon, you're
the biggest old trump breathing, y while
Albert and the captain shook hands with
each other in evident jubilation. Only
Lord Rallies remained passive.
"Have you brealfasted?" asked Mr..
Cullen when the first joy was over.
eyes" L said. II only stopped in on
my way to the station to telegraph.
"May come with you and sec what
you say?" cried Fred, jumping up.
nodded, and Miss Cullen said ques-
tioningly, me too?" making me very
happy by the question, for it showed
that she would speak to me. In mo-
ment we were all walking toward the
platform. Despite Lord Rallies, I felt
happy, and especially as 1 had not
dreamed that she would ever forgive me-
| took u telegraph blank, and, put
ting it so that Miss Cullen could see
what said, wrote:
| Postmaster General, Washington:
| hold, awaiting your instructions. the three
| registered letters stolen from No. Overland
| Missouri Western express On Monday, Oct. Ii,
| loss Of which has already been notified you.
Then ] paused and said: $50 far,
| that's routine, Hiss Cullen. Now comes
the help for you. And / continued:
The letters may have been tempered with
| and recommend special agent. Reply Flag
| staff, Arizona. RICHARD GoRDoN,
superintendent X. and A. r. r.
"What will that dor" she asked.
I'm not much at prophecy, and Wei
wait for the reply" said.
All that day we lay at Flagstaff, and
after a coed sleep, as there was no use
keeping the party ccoped up in theil
car, drummed up some ponies and took
the Cullens and Ackland over TO the In
dian cliff dwellings. l don't think LORD
Rallies gained anything by staying be
hind in sulk, for it was very jolly
ride, or at least that was what it was tC
me. had to tell them all how ha6
settled on them as the criminals. TC
hear Miss Cullen talk one would have