The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-19
CHAPTER VII.
A CHANGE OF BASE

CHAPTER VII
A CHANGE OF BASE.
We did not reach Flagstaff till 2, ant
I told the stageload to take possession
of their car, while / went to my own
1t took me some time to get freshenet
up, and then / ate my breakfast, for aft
er riding 10 miles in one night even the
most heroic purposes have to take the
side track. / think, as it was, proved
my devotion pretty well by not going tt
sleep, since / had been up three nights
with only such maps as l could steal in
the saddle, and had ridden over 80 mile:
to boot. But couldn't bear to think OF
Miss Cullen's anxiety. When 1 had fin
ished eating, 1 went into 21S.
The party We're all in the dining
room, but it was a very different look
ing crowd from the one with which
that first breakfast had been eaten, ane
they all looked at me as i entered as j,
1 were the executioner come for victims.
"Mr. Cullen" I said, 1--WE been
forced to do a lot Of things that weren't
pleasant, but 1 don't want to do more
than 1 need You're not the ordinary
kind of road agents, and, as / presume
your address is known, don't see any
need Of arresting one of our own di-
rectors as yet. All ask is that you give
me your word for the party that none OF
you will try to leave the country
Certainly, Mr.. Gordon he re-
sponded. And 1 thank you for your
great consideration
Il shall have TO report the case to our
president, and 1 suppose to the postmas-
30, TcI, 81,
ther. What they will do can't say.
Probably you know how far you can
keep them quiet.
st think the local authorities are all
I have to fear, provided time is given
me-
II have dismissed the sheriff and his
posse. and / gave them 500 for their
work and three bottles of pretty good
whisky had on my car. Unless they
get orders from elsewhere, you will not
hear any further from them
"You must let me reimburse what
expense we have put you to, Mr.. Cor
don. / only wish 1 could as easily repay
your kindness -
Nodding my head in assent as well
as in recognition of his thanks, I con-
tinued, 1T was my duty as an official
of the K. & A. to recover the stolen
mail, and had to do it..
1--WE understand that said Mr. Gull
len, land do not for a moment blame
you
but, I went on, for the first time
looking at Madge, sit is not my duty
to take part in contest for control of
the K Sc A, and I shall therefore act
in this case as should in any other loss
of mail
''And that is asked Frederic.
81 am about to telegraph for instruc-
tons from Washington, I said. As
the G. S. has tied up some Of your
proxies, they ought not to object if we
do the same, and / think I can manage
SO that Uncle Sam will prevent those
proxies from being voted at Ash Forks
ON Friday
If galvanic battery had been applied
to the breakfast table, it wouldn't have
made a bigger change. Madge clapped
her hands in joy Mr. Cullen said
God bless your with real feeling.
Frederic jumped up and slapped me on
the shoulder, crying, Gordon, you're
the biggest old trump breathing while
Albert and the captain shook hands with
each other in evident jubilation. Only
Lord Rallies remained passive.
''Have you breakfasted?' asked Mr..
Cullen when the first joy was over.
Yes, said Il only stopped in on
my way to the station to telegraph.
May come with you and see what
you say" cried Fred, jumping up.
1 nodded. and Miss Cullen said ques
tioningly, Me teo?' making me very
happy by the question, for it showed
that she would speak TO me. In mo-
platform. Despite Lord Rallies, I felt
happy, and especially as 1 had not
dreamed that she would ever forgive me.
took a telegraph blank. and. put
ting it so that Miss Cullen could see
what l said, wrote:
Postmaster General, Washington:
hold, awaiting your instructions. the three
letters stolen from No. 5 Overland
Missouri Western express on Monday. Oct. IA,
loss of which has already been notified you.
Then / paused and said: 80 far.
that's routine, Miss Cullen. Now comes
the help for you" And continued:
The letters may have been tempered with.
and recommend a special agent. Reply Flag
stan, A-lzons. RICHARD GORDON,
Superintendent K. and a. X. r
what viii that do:'' she asked.
Il III not nuch at prophecy, and we'll
wait for the reply. / said
All that day we lay at Flagstaff, and
after good sleep, as there was no use
keeping the party cooped up in their
car, drummed up some ponies and took
the Cullens and Ackland over TO the In
dian cliff dwellings. don't think Lord
Rallies gained anything by staying be-
hind in. sulk. for it was q very jolly