Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-08-08

rough. and dying glass carries danger
with Il; but II seemed % though b.
the mercy Of Providence there were TO
be no fatal casualties.
While he worked, Jones was endeav-
oring to solve the problem 40 to how
this had happened, 50 when he reach
ed the vicinity OF the overturned mo-
tor, he began search for the driver.
II he had stuck by his engine the
chances were that he must be under
meath the helpless monster and beyond
all hope Of saving.
Presently, however. voice address
ed him in French. and calmly begged
that he would lend hand toward res
cue; and turning, he beheld q man
who, from his garb. he knew must
have been on the motor. pinned down
by heavy wooden beam or log.
1t was the work Of but minute to
extricate the man, and as Jones sur
missed, he turned out to be the engine
driver.
He was bruised and sore, but gave
thanks that no bones seemed broken.
When Jones had hastily questioned
him with the facility of a lawyer, all
he discovered was that the alarm had
been given when the driver found he
was swooping directly down upon a
pile OF logs that had been purposely
placed upon the track, with the inten-
ton of stopping the Nice express, and
upon which red lantern had been
placed, but which signal was seen at
such short range that there was not
time to bring the train to a stop,
though he made desperate attempt to
do so-his stoker had jumped, but he
remained on his motor to see the logs
fly in every direction and then find
himself pinned under one. ten yards
away from the track.
At least Jones had satisfied himself
there was no accident but dark design
back of the wreck.
What he had learned made him un-
easy. II robbery was intended those
who took so desperate means OF ac-
complishing their purpose might
doubtless be found looting the wrecked
coaches even now.
He started the cry OF alarm and
sent it along-every man became
aroused by the possibility of new dan
ger and for the time being their hurts
and losses gave way before the posi-
bility of marauders coming from the
birder of Italy.
There were other chances, political
ones. France was inwardly seething-
Royalists were increasingly plotting to
bring about crisis whereby the army
might swing over to their cause, and
as the army went so the people would
incline.
Some important dignitary in multi
might be on board this train. whose
capture would be feather in the cap
of the plotters.
Stranger things have happened in
France ere now.
Jones, who had evolved this clever
explanation from his brain, looked
around to see If he could not find cor
roboration.
And yet he was more or less startled
when he did actually discover moving
figures among the trees and rocks,
figures of men carrying guns. and who
had apparently remained hidden until
now for some reason or other.
That they were brigands their num-
Der and military precision of move
ment seemed to veto.
Jones dropped behind a rock and
concluded to watch the game-he did
not believe it was any of his funeral,
but all the same it paid to be on the
safe side.
Now, if they would only lay hands
on the count, for instance, and carry
him off, no one would shed many
tears.
To Jones surprise, however, he saw
plain signals pass between the grim
leader of the marauders and the man
from Afrca's burning sands, which
proved that honest Count Leon him
self was in sympathy with the secret
movement not to overthrow the repub-
lie, and place the Royalists again in
power.
The distressed passengers huddled
together like a flock of frightened
sheep, while some of the armed men
stood on guard others scrutinized each
group, and few more searched the
carriages, doubtless appropriating
what loose valuables they discovered.
He who seemed to be leader drew
the count aside and sternly covered
him with a pistol while he asked few
questions in a low voice.
Then he went direct to carriage
that had escaped injury, as though
directed thither, and dragged there
from an individual who came forth
very unwillingly.
Quickly this party made an effort at
defense, but was set upon by several
Of the marauders, disarmed and made
prisoner.
Then sharp commands were given,
the armed men fell into line, and while
the travellers still huddled about the
fires, the mysterious force vanished as
strangely as It had come, among the
trees and rocks that marked that
mountainous section.
Meanwhile Mark Merrick was also
engaged in playing with fortunes
favOrs.
When Jones set such charming
example Of mans nobility, by rushing
hither and yon, pulling unlucky pas
sengers out Of their predicament, the
younger man, urged on by similar mo-
tives, started in the other direction.
He worked like Trojan, for the
cries that came from the lips of fright