The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-31


nently suitable, dark and cloudy, ami
with very little wind. l travelled down
by previous train to Rugby, where
proposed to join the mail which, for
tunafely tor my purpose, halted there
some eight or nine minutes.
Rugby is not particularly busy sta,
ton at any time, and this was another
argument in its favor from my point of
view. When the mail ran in, gave
swift glance at the can to see if nv
quarry was on board. Yes, there his
was, leaning idly against the off door,
watching the porters as they hastily
loaded and unloaded the huge post Of
flee hampers.
That much assured, when nobody was
looking L took the opportunity to drop
down behind the van, and walked along
the otf-sde to a carriage about the
center of the train which | he'd noted
as being practically empty.
Now was the time for rapid action. I
took my drill from my pocket, fitted it
together, and commenced to bore hole
i'll the pipe leading to the brake cylinder
underneath the vehicle. The drill was
good, and had soon made a neat little
hole. But l must be quick, or the en-
CINE would come on. and then the fraud
would be discovered.
| selected one of the plugs. By ex-
traordinary good fortune it fitted with
out any further shaping to speak of,
and in less time than it takes to tell
had driven it firmly home. little
packing, and a smear of black lead
over the place, and defed anyone to
detect it.
The whole operation had not taken
more than about four minutes, and at
its completion I quietly opened a door
and stepped into an empty compart-
ment. A moment or two later the en-
CINE backed on to the train, and COM
menced TO ''blow up" the vacuum.
To my great relief, the joint stood the
ordeal well, for the guards whistle
blew, and we were speeding northward
without anything untoward having
happened.
The next hour I passed as patiently
as I could under the circumstances, and
shortly before reaching Tamworth took
good pull at my brandy flask to steady
my nerves for what was to follow.
A brief stay at that place, and once
more we were on our way. The critical
moment had come. got out of the car
riage on to the footboard. Nobody who
has never tried this on an express train
can have any idea of what it means.
had to cling with might and main
to withstand the fierce current of air
created by the rushing of the train, and
for the first few minutes deadly sick
ness possessed me. and 1 dared not
move
But if l would be successful I must
child's play to what had set myself to
do. Holding on with one hand. man
aged to take another pull at the brandy,
and gradually the dizzy sensation de-
parted. and | became more accustomed
to my novel situation.
Now for the ordeal. Gently lowered
myself till I lay fiat along the board, and
although there was then more physical
discomfort through the strain being all
on one arm, my head was better as the
draught was less fierce.
| had made two little scratches on the
pipe just above the plug, and, leaning
over, I soon discovered these by the
aid of my tiny electric lamp.
l had calculated things to a nicely.
When employed on the line, had many
times worked a slip carriage, and had
pretty accurate idea as to how far
the train would run when | had ad-
mitted air into the brake pipe by the re-
moval of the plug. You do not, of
course, need telling that the brake is APP
piled by letting air into the pipe.
We were getting nearer now. An
other three minutes-two--one
leaned over, and gave the wood sharp
push. The air rushed in with gurgling
sound, and then came the sharp burrr-r
of the brakes on the tires.
AS had expected, the driver instant
~ perceived the drag and applied his
own brake, and we pulled up not 90
yards from the spot | had selected.
dropped on to the ballast, listened in
tently a second, and then walked with
stealthy feet to the van.
Again my Judgment had proved re-
liable. You rarely find a guard get out
of his van on the off-side-the habit Of
jumping on to the platform is too
strong. He had descended, and 1 could
hear his footsteps going away from
where l stood. The messenger had his
head out of the window, looking after
the retreating guard.
Noiselessly Iopened the off-dooro of the
van, and, before he realized what was
happening, had one hand to his mouth
to prevent any cry, and with the other
held a handkerchief, which | had pre-
viously saturated with the anaesthetic,
to his nose. 1t was all so sudden that
he could offer no resistance. The chloro
form did its work speedily, and in a sec
ond or two he was insensible.
A very slight search gave me what
I was after, and I slipped through the
hedge and down the road with the ex
ulting knowledge that had done one of
the neatest bits of work in my career.
Had Braggs carried out his share of
the contract? I gave the agreed sig