The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-12-13

NtbOus ne Sdlu, dpOSlTcpnlElnB lue
private car when his work was done.
YEN ride this night where Patsy Cal
lahan dhrives. an be dommed to ye."
Meanwhile the trainmaster had
reached the iron grille at the other
end OF the long track platform. At
a small wicket used by the station en-
ployes and trainmen. Kent was waiting
for him.
"Is It all right, M'Tosh? VIII he do
it?" he asked. anxiously.
Eyes. Patsys game for Il; knew
he would be. He'd pu: his neck in a
rope to spite the major. But it's a
crazy thing, Mr.. Kent"
Il know It; but II il will give ma "a
hours"
1T won't They can't get home on
our line because well be tied up. But
they can get the Naught-seven put on
the Overlands Limited at A. & T.
junction. and that will put them back
here before you've had time to turn
around twice. Have they come down
yet ?"
NO" said Kent; and Just then he
saw Loring coming in from the street
entrance and went to meet him.
Il have the final word from Boston"
said the ex-manager, when he had
walked Kent out of earshot of the
train-takers. your terms are accept
ed-wlth all sorts OF safeguards thrown
about the no cure, no pay proviso;
also with a distinct population Of you
and your scheme IL there is anything
unlawful afoot Do you still think 1t
best to keep me in the dark as to what
you are doing?"
Eyes; there are enough Of us in
volved, as Il stands. You couldn't
help; and you might hinder. Besides.
IL the mine should happen TO explode
in our direction it'll be a comfort to
have a foot-loose friend or two on
the outside to pick up the pieces OF
us"
Loring was polishing his eyeglasses
with uncommon yigor.
Il wish you'd drop II. David. II It
isn't too late. | can't help feeling as II
had prodded you into 1t. whatever
IL is"
Kent linked arms with him and led
him back to the street entrance.
GO away, Grantham, and don't come
back again." he commanded. Then
you can swear truthfully that you
didn't know anything about Il. II is
too late 10 interfere. and you are not
responsible for me. Go up TO see Por-
tia; she'll keep you interested while
you wait"
When Loring was gone Kent went
back TO the wicket in the grille; but
M'Tosh, who was always a busy man
at train-time. had disappeared again.
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 confded. as It ap-
peared, in the members Of his own
official staff.
But Kent was at no loss to account
for the official silence. II tho secret
could be kept for a few hours longer.
the junto would unload the Trans
Western. strike, tie-up and general
Generalization, upon an unsuspecting
Overland management
None the less. there we're other
things unexpleinable 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
gotiatlons for the lease had consumed
much time at a crisis when time was
precious. Judge MacFarlane had to
be recalled and once more bullled 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 memorable. and the impend-
ing strike threatened 10 turn the or
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 officials were on their way from
Midland City TO keep The appointment
,n CASTOR.
or 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
ton.
II was afraid you'd have to let the
express go first" said Kent. when the