Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-12

vice Towers, the chief genius of it's mys-
ferries confronted an occasion obviously
apnoviug Wrath hung out a br1ck-red
danger signal upon his face; his scorn was
loud and Flanders-the victim-wrltneo'
r,iserabIy certain that every echo Oh these
impressive opinions was audlole TO the IFS
toners outside Like all in authority
the chief was ready to shift the planle'
and Flanders, it appeared was the MUS
logical candidate, for he mad peeh lhe idS'
to fail in the matter at issue through
some untoward blunder, the quarry hdo
slipped through the department nhsers'
and for this reason heads were Deihs ray
ned wherever they appeared In VAIN IAN
ders protested, mildly at first, and theh
with shriIl iteration.
Pint I tell YER" he cried, 1t amt me
tn blame. | tell yer that now-fat. Ihose
rubber soIes from the railroad ooile IT,
There's that Piercy at the head er them
why. he amt with the fat to fry Dough-
nut in. much less to go sleuthln al'er
big I'm like Doc Burdle. Why
The chief with a gesture OF olsuaih, oU-
him short That's all right, FiahueiS'
you're pretty forward with your EXCUSES
But you can't dodge me. Piercy is oiaii,ns
us-leastways. he says you're 10 oiaihe
why the-tne-
nressive speech failed him at this juncture'
though his mind worked busily 1or some
bIood-curdling expression to suit his opln-
ion of the railroad detective. TN nix MN
fair when | see him. he cried. III KNOCK
his" ,, .ho
you'll do nothing of the sort" the
chief corrected. IN have no men from
this office mixing up over there. 10 W"
know him at alp al,
i.tIim-Piercy? No. I don't travel with
that kind er cattle. Why. look mere mere
chief: that Teller went down to SEED 10y,
where Doc BurdIe hangs out, like as IL 1t
was with a brass band, sayln ne was
there 10 land his man or bust why ne
might just as well have tried to nag a
comet with a croSSin' flag. Dust? Dld
RuTdie dust? Why, he went out of that
like twO-forty on a down grade! You
betcher that town amt goin TO let DOC
get took without a run for their money
Why. they're all finger In nSt toSelheI-tle
whole blOOrnin' hamlet
Seed City was in the heart of the south
western moonshine district and was noto-
ri0us in the annals of the service IL was
midway on the AltamO and Pekan railroad,
a spur that ran southwark from the main
line n month before gang OF tram
robbers had held up the western mall dy,
namited the express and postal cars anu
ESCAPED unmoleSted, with their booty.
dozen detectives had gone on the trail
Flanders the last of all His investigation
virtually assured him that Burdle, motto
rious outlaw. was the leader of the band,
but before he could make certain and lay
his man by the heels, Piercy had arrived at
Seed City. in the nick of time, II seemed,
70 kick the props out from under Flanders
trap. But even this explanation failed to
satisfy the chief.
Towers leaned over to his desk and drew
out a newspaper clipping scrap from
the San Inferno Argus sheet with
neighborly interest for Seed CITY on
read that. now, Flanders, the chief ex-
claimed That's why you've got to land that
fellow
Flanders read, his anger rising at every
line. The clipping was an anonymous let
ter from Seed City. warning all detectives.
investigators and officials on similar er-
rands to steer clear of the place under
penalty of a charge of buckshot ratified
agin their ribs
That's Doc Burdle fur fair" snapped
Flanders
Then you go after him." the chief said
calmly. You get him or we say goodbye
Is 1t goodbye, Flanders?
The three men outside grinned when
Flanders came into view. Coin to Seed
City. HANK cried one, with a loud laugh.
You'd better put on biler-plate vest
afore yer go. They're jes' layin' for a
party from this department"
Flanders laughed. scOrnfully as ever. I'll
take my chance, l guess. Eut l give yer
the tip. I'd feel better fixed if l cd land
one on that chap Piercy. I'm riled, i am.
There are four trains daily on the Altamo
and Pekan railrOad-two in the morning,
TWO IN JQe afternoon A ueSullOTy freight
sometimes plies up and down the line, but
usually the freight cars are linked on ahead
of the passenger coaches. The second day
after Flanders left the department office
il carried free passenger aStride the buff
fers forward. Piercy, the road detective.
was sprawling on the express chest in the
blind baggage. when the conductor looked
in with a demand for his services The
train was Just drawing into San Inferno:
there was an unruly passenger in the
smoker. and he must be put off. the con-
ductor said Its a hobo he started on the
buffers. an come into the car at the last
stop. Got ticket that's no good-ran out
afOre the flood. and he offered to make me
look like the day after the night afore eff
I so much's lay a finger to him. l amt
a-gOin' to tackle him alone, but youn' me
can lay him out stiffern a lakewood tie.
Come on"
The detective rose and staggered aft to
the smoker. Hey you!' he growled lean
ing over the man. that ticket don't go
here
The man looked up. His legs were
sprawled upon the seat in front, and his
hat Was pulled down over his eyes. The
menace in :ht detectives eye filled him, ap-
paren-ly, with other sensation than
amusement. md when the detective looked
him over as # measuring his might, he re-
turned the stare with interest. Hey, you
hear me- PjerCy asked.
'Sure-thiuk I'm deaf?"
You look here, young Teller. You pay
UP for this here ride or I'll sling Yer off
this car hardern cotton bale. Hear me?"
Say. boss, who IS this chap" the man
demanded OF the conductor. He amt got
no brass hXins like them er your:l-
nawthin' but mean hat and a cheap lot
or haHd-me-downs fur clothes. Who's the
guy. any how
IN learn We who 1 am cried the detec-
tive. but the conductor pushed him aside
Come now, you. Pay up, and don't be
lcokin for trouble That's the railroad de-
tcctive. and yer likely to be thrown off and
yanked in. too"
"Who-PierCy2' rOared the man in the
seat His legs dropped from their attitude
Of ease, and he rose with a gesture that
drove back the others in sudden prepara-
ton for ARRAY. But then he fell to
laughing oUtrageOusly. Guess I'll settle
then, il it's Piercy. You takes the ticket
10 Polktown. III throw in two bits and"
Yer viii nOt!' cried the conductor
Here. l amt going to fool all day along er
you Pay up arter We leave here or III
pull yer outer here and sling yer off at
Seed City
Yer will-hey? Well. jus yer try it
wOnst,''
They were already drawing into San In
ferno, and the conductor and the detective
walked to the car door. The man in the
seat. setting his legs upon the cushions
once more drew his hat brim over his eyes
and. folding his arms, fell into an attitude
OF ease. Behind him was a long. thin noun
tanner. q fellow with broad hnuy