The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1903-01-01
A TRAGEDY in A TUNNEL

through my mind, and 1t seemed al
age while | waited to resolve my
doubts. Probably no more than few
seconds elapsed before put my hand
to the signal and stopped the train
| was first to get out, and hardly walt.
Ing the stoppage l clambered along The
footboard and stood upon 1t, looking
into the carriage.
No one was to be seen within.
"Quick, quick!' cried to the guard
when be came up. I'm here. Some
thing has happened. There is a man
sick; l fear he has tainted. He wasn't
alone, but cannot see the other man. "
Now the carriage door was opened
and disclosed a body lying recumbent
inert, in q strangely stiff, haphazard
fashion on the floor. The guard
stopped down, waving bis lantern over
the white, drawn face and moving the
body gently on one side.
"All up with him, l expect. Run,
somebody, along the train and see II
there's q doctor aboard. And you sir,
what do YOU know of this2'
I described what had heard or
though | had heard and seen, including
the glimpse reflected in the tunnel.
"You must have been dreaming or
you're inventing" was the guards
rather abrupt comment. Couldn't
have seen anything like at-'taln't
possible. And how comes 1t you know
such a lot about 1t? You tell us, too,
there was another man in the carriage
what's become Of him? A fine
story" -
would have given the alarm If
I was implicated in any way?" l an
swered hotly. s"Don't be q fool,
guard
The guard would have answered me
rudely, no doubt, but at that moment
a doctor appeared upon the scene.
"The man Is dead-beyond all ques-
tion dead,' he said at the very first
glance.
"And the cause Of death?" | asked
eagerly, while the guard frowned at
me as though | were making myself
too busy. "Are there any marks of
foul play%
"None visible replied the doctor
after a brief examination. II should
say 1t was heart, but I cannot be
certain till | have looked further"
(which you can do somewhere else
and better than here" interposed the
guard, We've lost too much time
already. | must push on to York and
report there. This is too big Job for
me-"
"You had better 60 back to Grant
ham," protested. "It's quite close
not half a dozen miles"
" don't want you to teach me my
duty, and I'm not going. I've got first
Of all to keep time. Why should 80
back|
ITO identify the dead man-he got
in at Grantham-and to give informa.
ton as to the man who got out"
"0h, bosh!" cried the guard. "There
was no man--no one but yourself, and
you've got to come along with me, and
-that'--he pointed to the corpse-"on
to York;
II certainly shall not go on with the
train. shall go back to Grantham
alone. There is no time to be lost,
The other MAN.
thought the guard would have
struck me, He was obviously ready
to lay violent hands on me, and be re-
peated that he meant to take me on
to York, II necessary by force.
you've no authority. You're not q
police officer, and I am, or as good, for
I am a government official, Here Is
my card. Let there be an end Of this
| think you are wrong in going on, but
at any rate shall walk back TO Grant
ham by the line. Be so good as to
look after my things in the next com
partment," and with that | allghted
and left the guard rather crestfallen,
Within few minutes, walking rap.
idly, | re-entered the tunnel which had
been the scene Of the strange incident,
and in less than half an hour reached
the station. 1t was dlmly lighted, for
the next express train, the 1906 up"
was nearly due, and there were several
officials upon the platform.
went up to one, an inspector, and
briefly told him what had happened.
Dear, dear! Or course. I remcm.
Der. That was Mr.. Erasmus Bateman.
lie belongs here--a rich man, greatly
has the big stores In High
street. He was in hurry to catch
that train, for he was going down to.
night for the great timber auction ut
Hull tomorrow. He buys a lot for bis
factoly.-tLat u.s. he did, !
suppose ought to say. Poor Mr..
Bateman! He was heavy, overfat for
his age, and he ought not 10 have run
80 fast"
Would he be likely to have much
money on hlm2' I asked.
why, yes; likely enough. He was
lily own buyer and he always bought
fol- cash"
-EsIE. sseIRs'uAtiys ,for foul play !