The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10
III.
PACE TO FACE WITH THE ASSASSIN.

FACE TO FACE WITH THE ASSASSIN.
Somehow, Kent Halliday iet years older
than he had when he started 10 work on that
esenffnl morning. The serious purpose of
life had changed him in q few hours from
frank, lighi-hearted, unsuspecting boy TO
determined, thoughtful man, who recognized
fearful contingencies on every hand, and saw
sinister motives in mems minds.
The car was too full to make it prudent to
engage in any conversation but desultory
commonplaces, but Kent employed the first
few minutes in study Of Conductor Dan
Nsrland. He continued to like him better.
He was pleasant and freely communicative,
with the openness of mind and freedom Of
speech characteristic of a raiiroad man.
~You had good meeting tonight" said
Kent st length, and rather carelessly. The
Conductors manner At once showed him that
be had made a mistake, for his face hard
ened, and he looked at Kent's white, soft
hands suspiciously.
Say, are you a newspaper reporter? If
60. you're wasting your time. You'll not
get anything out Of me. This is a private
business matter, with which ihe newspapers
have nothing to do until we get ready to tell
them Mr. our President has been par
ticularly careful in warning us against re-
poriers, and we've all agreed not 10 say any
thing TO newspaper men until the matter is
perfected.
You'll understand that he added more
kindly. as if 10 soften has refusal. Its
never good policy to talk about business
matters until they're finally shaped mp.
No good business man does that"
Drop AID thought of thar" said Kent !;
SIN moi a reporter-only wish was-and
sm not going TO talk TO you about your
business. I've something much more i'm
portanl az present. You're an old railroad
man. i~lieSegn
"Yes.s answered the Conductor, quite
willing TO talk on that subject "pm one
of the oldest on the road. don't know
anything but railroadipg, for I've been at it
ever since I've been able TO do anything.
When the road first opened was a kid, and
got job as messenger boy at the depot.
Then i gCt 10 twisting brakes. and holding
down tie hind end Of the train. Next /
was promoted 10 freight conductor. Fve
been running passenger for nigh onto Is
years now, and I've had very good luck.
I've nev,r had wheel off the iron, aud never
been laid of for any cause"
Kepi made mp his mind that he could trnst
him fully in all things. except where his
goodness of heart and lack of decision might
lead hi:a asiray. They got off at Blenner-
basset street, waited for The Others who got
of with lhem TO pass on, and, seating them
selves pile OF boards, Kent began:
This morning j was called as one of the
Coroner Jury 10 sit Oh the body of an un.
known man which had been taken out o
the South Branch at the Coal Yards.n
There are great many such cases now.
a-davs."
ely-shamefnlly-yes. The
body was that Of middle-aged man, appar
entity merchant ia a country town."
The Conductor showed signs OF deepeuin:
interest.
Did yfn end out his name or where h
was FROM"
No. There were no papers on the body
or anything by which it could be identifed
exce,i |, Initials L. n. s. On his shirt an,
key-ri ="
+. n. s. T. NJ S." repeated the Con
ducior masingly.