Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1909-01-21
compaay's office in Sacramento telling


wrote to Gov. Stanford, inclosing the
cipher dispatches and their transla
tons. But this was soon done, and
the two men. oppressed with their
death'laden secret, watched the clock
feverishly.
The minutes dragged as intolerably
for Alfred, though he wore his mask
more easily than Alvin. Would they
he in timer Would they catch the
little steamer before she left port for
her fate? Even then, would they find
the infamous secret before It's fateful
moment arrived? What would II be ?
Powder? A slit in the hull? A Gun.
ming injury to the boiler?
At last San Francisco called. Alvin
sprang to the key. The steamer had
started, had been hailed. had waited
for small boat and the message, and
had gone on her way.
Alfred rose, as stiff with the tension
as II minutes had been hours. That's
all We can do at that end. Keep your
eye and ear buster than your tongue,
Al. for the rest of the day I'm of TO
settle with his nibs. Phineas Cad
walader BY the way. couldn't you
contrive some way to get him left?
The train reported late In leaving.
false report, something like that"
Alvin nodded. Guess | can think
up that trick In four hours"
At the hotel Alfred took only time 10
don riding boots and to find Stella for
a hurried word. Get Sally Il. TO hold
Cadwallader here over train time, II
It's possible" Alfred said before his
goodbye. IT may mean everything
TO the company. I'll return tonight
II can"
A swift horse took him to the
Front" where he found the superin.
tendent riding his heat Alfred told
his story briefly and asked IL there
was lineman on the force,
Jupiter You can't track that
man. Vincent The SHOWS come and
gone since that Hecate's job was done"
But, Mr.. Gregory. he'd have to cut
the wire, and he'd have TO climb
tree or pole TO do It. Could that be
done without leaving a trace"
What them How can you prove 1t
was her"
How'll know | couldn't prove II
unless try"
"Linemen don't show up often In
my diggings. I'll ask Bennett: his sec.
ton begins here"
Inquiry discovered An intelligent
man who had worked on the line. His
climbers were al camp near by. and
Mr.. Gregory's resourcefulness provided
horse and saddle The two men set
of without delay. They rode fast TN
within nearly Ave miles OF Dutch Flat,
Alfred judging that. since PhIncas
took the stage there, his exploit must
be In that neighborhoot.
The afternoon was past It's hal,
when they began 20 Inspect each pole
and wiretouched tree with close
scrutiny, Wen work east over these
1--WE miles to Dutch Flat" Alfred said.
II we find nothing well have 10 stay
over night in town. so east a short
distance In the morning. and then
take IL west from here"
For the first two or three miles
their search was unrewaried by any
sign. Just AT sunset, In q windy little
vale, the llnemans practised eye
caught peculiar rieciug Of the wire.
and he climbed u!mbly 10 inspect Il
1t was not Joining made by the regu.
lar force. but q recent cut. The
marks of the climbers were also fresh.
ls there anything about It TO dis,
tinGuish 1t from regular work " Al. |
fred asked.
You bet Any chump could tell. II |
be see II close. that Il was the work |
Of an amachuFe by the way the wires |
are tied"
That was something gained. bat not |
enough, How did the man get UP
there -
Before the man could reply Aitred's |
eye was caught by the CLEAN OF a
crescent OF FURNISHED gold Lying |
half imbedded In the wet remains OF |
a snowdrift, its upper surface washed
clean and shining, he found a cuff but.
ton Of peculiar design--a star within
A crescent. the two free points tipped
with diamonds, He knew Il. he knew
who owned Its fellow! Turning Ii over
be saw the engraved initials. P. C.
Good enough" he called. We need
no more evidence. You can go on to
town for the night, or back TO camp,
rs 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 a few minutes he arrived at the
Dutch Flat Office and telegraphed Al.
lin. asking of Phineas Five minutes
alter he was reading the reply:
"C.'s here. pacing the platform like
! mad gobbler. We did the leaving
rick for the regular train O. X. But
lie thinks he's going on the special In
pite of fate"
Let him go In peace" Alfred wired
Jack; and Immediately sent message
o the sheriff at Auburn that was an-
pvorna altar tua ho,,~. az fx,linv.s |