Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-30
THE GRAFTERS
tcopyrigb,. 1904. By The Bosb,-M.uiu Company
FRANCIS LYN DE

CHAPTER XXVI-CoNTINUED.
II was a standing mystery to the
trainmaster, 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-ffths OF his
operatives; had taken no steps for de-
tense, and had not conflded, as 1t ap-
peared, in the members OF his own
official staff.
But Kent was at no loss to account
for the Official silence. II the secret
could be kept for few hours longer,
the junto would unload the Trans
Western, strike, tie-up and general
decentralization, upon an unsuspecting
Overland management.
None the less, there were other
things unexplainsble even to Kent; for
one, this night fitting to CASTOR to
put the finishing touch on an edifice
of fraud 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 junto was doing, not what
he would, but what he could. The ne
gotiations for the lease had consumed
much time at a crisis when time was
precious. Judge MacFarlane had to
be recalled and once more bullied into
subsection; and Falkland, acting for
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 de-
lays were inexorable, ald the impend-
ing strike threatened to turn the or
derly charge into q rout. The gov
ernor 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 Over
land oficials were on their way from
Midland City to 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 eastbound 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 sta
tiou.
81 was afraid you'd have to let the
express go first," said Kent. when the
train.naster came his way again.
How much time have we?'
Five minutes more; and they are on
the WY 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
them!- That's bad"
"It's bad for Mr.. CallaAeld." growled
M'Tosh. Were in too deep now to
back down on his account"
Kent moved nearer and stood in the
shadow of the gate-keeper's box. leaV-
ing M'Tosh, who was on the track
platform, free to show himself. From
his new point of espial Kent checked
of the members of the party. When
Maj. Guilford left II to come back for
q word with M'Tosh, there were hVe
others: the governor, his private sec
retary, Hawk, Halkett, the general su-
perintendent, and the Overlands vice
president.
"All ready, M'Tosh?" said the re-
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
devil"
Callahan will get you there" said
the trainmaster, with deliberate en-
phasis. Then he asked a question OF
his own. "Is Mr.. Callafeld going with
you?"
mo. He came down to see us on
How Is the fast mail tonight"
She's just in-an hour and thirty
FIVE minutes late"
The major swore pathetically. He
was Of the generation OF railway OFF,
cials, happily fast passing, whlch
cursed and swore itself into authority.
That's another $500 forfeit to the
post office department! Who's taking
II west?"
Fischer"
Give him orders to cut out all the
stops. II he Is more than 90 minutes
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.
IN catch him with the wire at yard
limits" said M'Tosh. Then: Would
you mind hurrying your people a lit
tie, major? The express is due to
leave"
Guilford was a heavy man for his
weight, and he waddled back to the
others, waving his arms as a signal for
them to board the car.
Kent saw the vice president OF the
Overland Short Line shake hands with
Bucks and take his leave. and was SO
intent upon watching the tableau or
departure that he failed to notice the
small boy in Western Union blue who
was trying 10 thrust telegram, damp
from the copying rolls, into his hand.
IT'S a rush, sir" said the boy
painting from his quick dash across the
track platforms.
1t was Ormsby's message from
Breezeland; and while Kent was try
Ing 10 grasp the tremendous import OF
It, M'Tosh was giving Callahan the
signal to 60. Kent sprang past the