Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-03-29

! confronted an occasion obviously an
moving Wrath hung out brick red
danger signal upon his face; his scorn
was loud. and Flanders. the victim.
wri:hed. Eiiserably certain that every
echo of these impressive opinions was
| :iUGihle to the listeners outside. Like
Ill in authority. the chief was ready to
| sl.;ft the blame. and Flanders, 1t ap-
| pcared, was the most logical candidate
| for he had been the last TO fail in the
matter at issue. Through some un'
| toward blunder the quarry had slipped
through the departments fingers. and
for this reason heads were being rappeu
wherever they appeared. In vain Flan'
ders protest Il, mildly at first and then
with Shrill iteration
"But tell YOU" he cried. lit amt
me 10 blame. tell you that now. fiat.
Those rubber Soles from the railroad
done il. There's that Piercy at the
head or thcil-why. he amt wuth the
fat 10 fry doushnut in, much less to
20 S.cuthin' after big TN like Doc
Burdlc. Why
The chief. with gesture of disdain,
cut him short. That's all right Elan
derS. You're pretty forward with youl
excuses. but you can't dodge me-.
Piercy is blaming us. Leastways he
says you're TO blame"
why, the-the"- Flanders usually
expressive speech failed him at this
iuncture, though his mind worked bust
ly for some blood curdling expression
to suit his opinion of the railroad de
tective. III fix him fair when see
him." he cried I'll knock his
You'll do nothing of the sort the
chief corrected. I'll have no men
from this Office mixing up over there
/ YOU know him ut ALL"
"IIim-Piercy: No. | don't travel
with that kind er cattle. Why. look
a-hcre. chief, that feller went down to
Seed City. where Doc Burdle hangs
out. like Us il il was with Il brass band,
sayin' lie was there to land his man OF
ruS,. Why. lie might just rs well have
tried to tijg comet with croSsin
fla. Dust.. Did Burdle dust? Why.
he went out cr that like 2:40 on Il down
grade. You betcher that town amt
@oin To let Doe get took without run
for their money. Why. they're all tin
ger in iiSJ together. the whole bloomin'
hamlet
Seed City was in the heart of the
southwestern moonshine district and
wIs notorious in the annals of the
service. 1t WAS midway on the Alta
no ana Pckan railroad. spur that ran
southward from the main line. y
month before Il gang Of train robbers
had he'll nj the western mail, dyna'
mited tie express and postal cars and
ESCAPED unMovS;ed with their booty.
\ dozen detectives had gone on the
trail. FLANDERS the last of all. His in
y"Stlgul.on virtually assured him that
i.nrile. 4 notorious outlaw, was the
leader of til band. hut before he could
make certain and lay his man by the
l2CiS pic.cr had arrived ut Seed City
in he nick of time. it seemed. TO Kick
the props out from under Flanders
tap. But even this explanation failed
to satisfy the chief
Tower leaned over To his desk and
drew out Il newspaper clipping. scrap
from TIE san Inferno Argus. Il sheet
With nrighborly interest for Seed
city. "Iou read that now, Flanders
tie chief exclaimed. That's why
you've get 20 land that fellow
Flanders read his anger rising al
every line. rhe clipping was an anon
ymouS letter from Seed city warning
all detectives. investigators and otti-
cialS on similar errands to steer clear
of the place under penalty OF a
charge OF b.ckshot ratified ag'in their
ribs"
That's Doe Burdle for fair!' snapped
Flanders.
Then you 20 after him." the chief
said calli!y. You get him or we say
goci5y. IS it goodby, Flanders?'
The three men outside grinned when
Flanders calne into view. Coin to
SEED C.ty. HANK" cried one.
'Yold better put on b'iler plate
vest afore you go. They're jes' layin'
for party from this department"
t'landcrs laughed scornfully us ever.
I'm take my chance, l guess. But l
give YOU the tip Id feel better fixed if
| could land ON that chap Piercy. I'm
riled, am.
There are four trains daily on the
Altamo and Pekan railroad, two in the
morning. two in the afternoon.
dcsultory freight sometimes piles up
and down the line. but usually the
freight cars are linked on AHEAD OF
the pasSen + coaches. The second
day after + nders left the department
ofiic" it car ii Il free passenger astride
The buffers forward. Piercy, the road
detective. was sprawling on the express
chest in tlie blind baggage when the
conductor looked in with il demand for
his services. The train was just draw
ing into San Inferno. There was an un-
ruly passenger in the smoker. and he
must be put off. the conductor said.
"It's hobo. He started on the buffers
an come into the car at the last stop.
Got tick't that's no good; ran out
afore the flood. An he offered To make
me look like the day after the night
afore II I so much 5 lay Il finger to
him. amt coin' to tackle him alone.
The detective rose and swag-ered aft
to the smoker. Hey, you" hc growl-
ed. leaning over the man. THAT ticket
don't go here"
The man locked up. His legs were
sp"awlcd L, on the seat in front. and
htc hot yvcs o,,,iad down ovn~ hie "vas
kh. menace in the detectives eye hllel'
him apparently with no other sensa'
ton than amusement. and when the
detective looicd him over. aS If measur
ing lis mi hit. he returned the stare
with interest. Ley You hear meT
iicrcy asked.
C0If .ccOucS Cured