The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-07-11

now, coming through the gorge,
As they drew up at the platform
Of the Latona station the engine Of
the coming train puffed around the
curve and with much EFFORT brought
the accommodation to q standstill.
ssAll aboard!" shouted the conduc-
tor as he glanced impatiently at his
watch.
Goodbye. John"
"Good-by, Jim. The best OF luck"
And the boy swung aboard the sin
gle passenger car just as the putting
engine began to gather Roadway. He
waved his hand to the young cashier,
and opened the car door. He was at
the forward end Of the car and the
passengers were facing him. He
hadn't taken three steps when he saw
his man. There was no mistaking
the storekeeper's description. The
fellow was absorbed in magazine
and gave no heed to the entrance
Of the boy. The latter found a va
cant seat not far behind the man he
sought, and deliberated over the best
course to pursue.
And presently he became aware
that some one else was also interest
ed in the willy stranger. A neat look
ing man two seats ahead Of the lad,
with a close buttoned coat and derby
hat somewhat drawn down over his
eyes, a youngish appearing man with
close cropped mustache and clear
cut face, occasionally gave the stran-
ger searching look. When he did
SO he frowned little as if some
thing bothered him, and once the
boys keen eyes saw him draw out
photograph and give it hasty glance
and then look again at the stranger.
1t was only short ride from La
tona to the city, and when the con-
ductor called out the uptown station
the willy stranger hastily dropped his
magazine and taking small travel
ing bag from the rack over his head
started for the door. The boy at
once arose and followed him, and the
neat appearing man followed the boy.
The willy stranger stepped to the
platform and moving away few
steps paused and seemed to hesitate.
AS he did so shabby looking fell
low lounged against him and the
quick eyes of the boy saw slip of
paper thrust into the strangers hand.
Holding it in his palm he gave it a
hasty glance, then crumpled it tight
ly and walking up the platform de-
scended the steps to the street. The
boy followed and the man, walking
briskly, turned at the first corner and
hurried along a quiet cross street.
The boy decided that the time to act
had come. He might lose this slip
perry fellow at any moment. He
quickened his pace
Halo" he said. The man turned
and stared at the lad
What do you want?"
The boy caught up with him.
Just little accommodation, he
said. Can you give me change for
a temp
mo, can't replied the man
hastily. II haven't any change"
And he quickened his pace.
Hold on, said the boy. IT thought
maybe you might have change for
this And he held out the bill that
the storekeeper had given him.
The man stared at the bill and
then at the boy. His breath came a
little faster. He looked around.
I'LL see if have any change" he
said with his shifty eyes on the boys
face.
Il don't care if it's small stuff, !"
drawled the boy. II can use it in
my business
The man stared and the boy fam
cied he turned pale.
Here is the change" he NUT
tered as he counted the silver into
the boys hand. There. Give me
the bill" He snatched it from the
lad and hastily turned away. And
then came sudden interruption.
Hold on there" cried a sharp
voice. Both boy and man looked
about and there was the neat appear
ing man close behind them.
want you, SAUNDERS said the
newcomer in what seemed to the boy
a. very quiet yet very determined
voice.
And then with sudden oath the
willy stranger wheeled about with
something that glittered brightly in
his hand. But he reckoned without
the boy. Without an instant's hesi-
tation the latter flung himself upon
the fellow, his stout arms closed
about him and his vigorous young
muscles crowded him against the iron
fence. Then the neat stranger deft-
~ Wrenched the revolver from his
hand and with swift click closed a
pair of handouts on his wrists.
h Good boy said the stranger as
he drew back and surveyed the pant
ing and scoWling man. And may I
ask what business you have with this
decidedly slippery party?"
The boy hesitated.
And may ask, sir. who you
are?a he said.
Sure. My name is Martin, United
States secret service. I want this