The San Francisco call., 1904-10-30

at train time, had disappeared again
1t was a standing mystery to the
train-master, and to the rank and file,
why Receiver GuilfOrd had elected to
ignore the fact that he was within
three hours OF strike which promised
to include at least four-fifths OF his
operatives; had taken no steps for de-
fense, and had not confded, as IT ap-
peared, in the members or his own ON
cial staff.
But Kent was at no loss to account
for the official silence. II the secret
could be kept for a few hours longer
the junta would unload the Transwes-
tern. strike, tie-up and general demor-
alization, upon an unSuspectlnS over
land management.
None the less, there were other things
unexplainable even to Kent; for one
this night fitting to CASTOR TO put the
finishing touches on an edifce OF frauo
which had been builded shamelessly IN
the light of day.
Kent had not the key to unlock this
door Of mystery; but here the master
spirit Of the junta was doing, not
what he would, but what he could
The negotiations for the lease had con-
sumed much time at a crisis when time
was precious Judge MacFarlane had
to be recalled and once more bullied IN
to subjection; and Falkland, acting Tor
the Plantagould interest, had insisted
upon some formal compliance with the
letter Of the law.
Bucks had striven masterfully to
drive and not be driven; but the delays
were inexorable. and the impending
strike threatened to turn the orderly
charge into a rout. The Governor had
postponed the coup from day TO day,
waiting upon the leisurely movements
of Falkland; and at the end OF the ENDS
there remained but three hours OF the
final day of grace when the telegram
came from Falkland with the welcome
news that the Overland officials were
on their way from Midland City 10
keep the appointment in Castor.
OF all this Kent knew nothing, and
was anxious in just proportion as the
minutes elapsed and the time for the
departure Of the east-bound express
drew near For the success OF the deS-
perate venture turned upon this: that
the receivers special must leave ahead
OF the passenger train With the ex-
press blocking the way the difficulties
became insurmountable.-
Kent was still standing at the train
mems wicket when Callahan sent the
private car gently up TO the trackhead
of track eight. M'TOsh had been tele-
phoning again. and the receiver and his
party were on the way to the station
Il was afraid you'd have TO let the
express go first" said Kent, when the
train-master came his way again.
How much time have we2
Five minutes more and they are on
the way down-there they come"
Kent looked and saw a group of six
men making for the nearest exit in the
grille. Then he smote his fist into his
palm.
Damn he muttered; they've got
the vice president of the Overland with
themi That's bad"
IT'S bad for Mr.. Callaf1eld," gTowled
M'Tosh. Were in too deep now TO
back down on his account"
Kent moved nearer and stood in the
shadow of the gate keepers box. leav-
ing M'Tosh. who was on the track plat
form, free to show himself From his
new point of espial Kent checked OF
the members OF the party. When Ma
jor Guilford left it to come back for a
word with MTosh. there were five
others; the Governor. his private sec
retary. Hawk, -Halkett, the general su-
perintendent, and the Overland's vice
president.
ceiver
Ready and waiting, Major" was the
bland reply.
WHO is our engineer?
Patrick Callahan"
"That wild Irishman? The Governor
says he'd as soon ride behind the de-
vii"
Callahan viii get you there" said
the train-master. with deliberate en-
phasis. Then he asked a question of
his own. Us Mr.. Ca1lafield going with
you?"
mo. He came down to see US off.
How Is the fast mail to-night?"
She's just in an hour and thirty
five minutes late"
FrYt-o " .
was of the generation of railway Off
Gals, happily fast passing, which
cursed and swore itself into authority.
That's another $500 forfeit to the
Postoffice Department. Who's taking it
west?"
FISCHER"
"Give him orders TO cut out all the
stops. If he is more than fifty-five min
utes late at Bighorn he can come in
and get his time
Fischer had just got the word to go.
and was pulling out on the yard main
line.
'I'll catch him with the wire at yard
limits" said M'Tosh. Then: Would
you mind hurrying your people a little,
major? The express is due to leave
Guilford was heavy man for his
weight and he waddIed back to the
others, waving his arms as a signal for
them to board the car.
Kent saw the vice president or the
Overland Short Line shake hands with
Bucks and take his leave, and was so
intent upon watching the tableau Of
departure that he failed to notice the
small boy in Western Union blue who
was trying to thrust telegram, damp
from the copying rolls, into his hand
It's a rush, sir" said the boy, pant
ing from his quick dash across the
track platforms.
1t was Ormsby's message from
BreeZeland; and while Kent was try
ing to grasp the tremendous import OF
it, M'Tosh was giving Callahan the
signal to go. Kent sprang past the
gate-keeper and gave the square OF
damp paper to the train-master.
My God. read that" he gasped.
with dry sob of excitement. 1T was
our chance-one chance in a million
and we've lost it,"
M'Tosh was a man for a crisis. The
red tail lights of the private car special
were yet within sprinter's dash Of the
frackhead but the train-maSter lost