Evening star., 1900-06-02

Gregg bought three tickets for Albany.
Pierce bought his for the same place
Gregg noticed this, and. turning to Pierce
said: IF you meddle with me it will cost
you your life
Fools threaten replied Pierce. II have
an uncle In Albany, and am going to visit
him.
At Albany there was choice of two
routes to the south, one via the New York
and Erie railroad to Chicago, thence by the
Cairo. and by steamer to New Orleans
another by the New York and Albany rail
road to New York. thence to Cincinnati u
through to Cairo.
At this time southern Ohio was very
unhealthy place for the kidnaper and the
underground railroad had scouts IN plenty
around Cincinnati. Gregg had told Pierce
that he would not put irons on Lucy until
after reaching Cincinnati, he must have
intended to take that route. Pierce learned
that there were four hours to wait at AL
bany before the train left for New York
but that close connections were made with
the Chicago express
Pierce was off the train before 1t has
fairly stopped. The marshal. closely fol-
lowed by the policeman. escorted Lucy to
the ladies' waiting room, and then went tC
the ticket Office, leaving Lucy in charge
of the latter. Pierce watched and listened
Three tickets to Cairo via Chicago and
Illinois Central" 1t was the marshal's
voice.
THANK God, will be there sixteen hours
before you,'' said Pierce, as he walked
back to the waiting room and exchanged a
few words with Lucy in Acadian.
You go by the way of Chicago; l will be
at Cairo with help before you get there
know the ground Don't despair, keep ul
your strength. for you will need it all. It's
only another trip over the old road and
we will see our friends once more
Train ready called the conductor. The
last bell struck and Lucy was hurried on
board. Pierce. with moist eyes, watched
them pull out of the depot. then hurried to
the telegraph Office. where he sent a long
situation, and that he was on his way.
This he signed mo. g." his roll number
when on the railroad. and added answer
to Percival Jones, train between New York
and Cincinnati"
The dispatch was in cipher, known only
to few of the U. g. r. r. cabal around
Cairo. This done, he went to the restau-
rant and ordered his dinner, not having
tasted food since the day before.
AT pm he took the train for New York
and was whirled out of the depot on the
then famous New York and Albany rail-
road. broad gauge and fast.
CHAPTER XXI.
When Pierce's message was delivered to
elliott. Wesner was at Cairo on his re-
turn from a trip to New York He was
stopping at the hotel. was not disguised and
had no communication with elliott. al
though the latter knew of his arrival, as
he always kept run of the hotel guests.
There were a couple of men there whose ac-
quaintance Wesner wished to make, as he
mstrusted they were negro hunters and 1t
was very good policy to learn their business.
Neither of them knew him, and he soon
ascertained they were simply watching, and
was amused when he heard them boast
they could stop every runaway negro that
came by way of Cairo.
The day elliott had received Pierce's dis
patch Wesner had intended to leave but
there was no boat going down that he
wished to take. The next morning the
hotel clerk handed him a letter with the
local postmark upon It, The direction was
In an unknown hand, and he put 1t in his
pocket and sauntered down the street
When short distance from the house he
took the letter from his pocket and opened
purport. There was no signature attached
The handwriting was Gillott's.
Tonight without fail"
Wesner chewed the letter to a pulp and
scattered 1t along the road.
That night found him at Gillott's whara
Pterce's telegram was handed him. One
moment sufhced to acQuaint him with its
contents. another and he had formed his
plan. 'S
"They must be stopped before thew reach
here; the town is full Of roughs. I know
that marshal: his name is Gregg He is n
gentleman. but fighter, and will not be
frightened. II they are allowed to reach
here Lucy is LOST
Wesner then telegraphed to Pierce. .ff3o
to Charleston. Ill. and await my coming.
have help enough there"
This he sent as directed. Pierce received
at Cincinnati and. following directions,