The Prescott daily news., 1908-06-06
Alvin nodded. Guess I can think

Alvin nodded. Guess I can think
 up that trick in four hours."
 At the hotel Alfred took only time to
 don riding boots and to find Stella for
 A hurried word Get Sally B. to hold Cadwallader here over train time. if it's possible" Alfred said before his goodbye. Tt may mean everything to the company. I'll return tonight if 1 can"
 A swift horse took him to the Front" where he found the superin- tendent riding his beat. Alfred told
 his story briefly and asked if there
 was a lineman on the force.
 "Jupiter You can't track that
 man, Vincent! The snow's come and gone since that Hecates job was done
 But, MT. Gregory, he'd have to cut
 the wire, and he'd have to climb
 tree or a pole to do it. Could that be done without leaving a tracer"
 What then? How can you prove 1t
 was he?"
 How'll I know I couldn't prove it
 unless I try"
 
 my diggings. I'll ask Bennett; his sec tion begins here"
 Inquiry discovered an intelligent
 man who had worked on the line. His climbers were at camp near by; and Mir. Gregory's resourcefulness provided
 horse and saddle. The two men set off without delay. They rode fast till
 within nearly five miles of Dutch Flat, Alfred judging that, since Phineas took the stage there, his exploit must be in that neighborhood. The afternoon was past Its half
 when they began to inspect each pole and wire-touched tree with close
 scrutiny. We'll work east over these five miles to Dutch Flat" Alfred said.
 If we find nothing we'll have to stay over night in town, go east a short distance In the morning, and then take it west from here." For the first two or three miles heir search was unrewarded by any sign. Just at sunset, in a windy little vale, the lineman's practised eye caught a peculiar piecing of the wire, and he climbed nimbly to inspect it. It was not a joining made by the regu- lar force, but a recent cut. The
 marks of the climbers were also fresh.
 '1s there anything about it to dis
 tnguish it from regular work?" Al fred asked.
 You bet. Any chump could tell, If he see it close, that it was the work
 of an amachure by the way the wires
 are tied"
 That was something gained, but not
 enough. How did the man get up there?"
 Before the man could reply Alfreds eye was caught by the gleam of a | crescent of furnished gold. Lying | half imbedded in the wet remains of
 l snowdrift, it's upper surface washed clean and shining, he found a cuff but on of a peculiar design-a star within
 l crescent the two free points tipped | with diamonds. He knew 1t, he knew | who owned its fellow! Turning 1t over | he saw the engraved initials, P. c. Good enough" he called. We need 10 more evidence You can go on to own for the night, or back to camp | IS you choose. I'll ride too hard for | you, perhaps
 The man chose to turn back. Alfred | arranged for payment for the extra | work and again rode east. In few minutes he arrived at the Dutch Flat office and telegraphed AL | yin. asking of Phineas. Five minutes | .ater he was reading the reply: | "C.'s here, pacing the platform like | a mad gobbler We did the leaving | trick for the regular train O. K. But | he thinks he's going on the special In spite of fate'
 Let him go in peace" Alfred wired | back and immediately sent a message
 to the sheriff at Auburn that was an swered after two hours as follows:
 'Sheriff's office, Auburn. P. c. walked
 into my arms as unsuspecting as n
 lamb. He had no time to destroy in-
 eliminating evidence. Is now resting
 noisily in the cooler" | (TO BE CONTINUED DO HORNETS STAND GUARD