Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-01

Lidgerwood contrived the necessary d.
version when the relief train from Ret
Butte shot around the curve OF the hill
! side cutting.
ivan Lew, suppose you and Jefferi:
take the women out Of the way for q
few minutes. while we are making the
transfer he suggested. quietly: There
are enough Of us to do the work and We
can spare you.
This left Flemister unaccounted for
but with a very palpable effort he shook
himself free from the spell Of whatever
had been Stacking him.
That's right" he assented. briskly. 81
was just going to suggest that" Then
indicating the men pouring out OF the re-
lief train: II see that my bunkies have
come up on your train to. lend a hand;
command us just the same as If We be-
longed to you. That is what we are here
for"
Van Lew and the collegian walked the
three young women a little way UP the
old spur, while the wrecked trains COM
pany, the living. the injured and the
dead. We're transferring down the line to
the relief train to be taken back to Red
Butte. F1emister helped with the other
helpers, but Lidgerwood had an uncom-
ways at his elbow: he was certainly
there when the last Of the wounded had
been carried around the wreck. and the
relief train was ready to back away to
Little Butte. where II could be turned
upon the mine spur "Y. 1t was while
his volunteers for departure that F1em-
lister said what he had apparently been
waiting for chance to say.
II can't help feeling indirectly respon-
sible for this. Mr.. Lidgerwood.' he be-
gan. with something like q return Of his
habitual self-possession. "If hadn't
asked you to come over here tonight
Lidgerwood interrupted sharply: What
possible difference would that have made,
Mr.. Flemister?''
listers to say the damaging thing under
pressure Of the untoward and unantici-
pated event; 1t is rather q common fail
ing Of human nature. In flash he APP
peared to realize that he had admitted
too much.
"Why-I understood that it was the un-
expected sight Of your special standing
on the ~ that made the passenger en-
gineer lose his head, he countered, lame-
~ evidently striving to recover himself
and to efface the damaging admission.
1t CHANGED that they were standing di-
rectly' opposite the break In the track.
where the rail ends were still held apart
by the small stone. Lidgerwood pointed
to the loosened rail, plainly visible under
the volleying play Of the two opposing
headlights.
There is the cause Of the disaster. Mr..
F'lemister," he said, hotly; "a trap set.
not for the passenger train, but for my
special. Somebody set It; somebody who
knew almost to minute when We should
reach it. Mr.. Flemister. let me tell you
something: I don't care any more for my
own life than a sane man ought to care.
but the numbering devil who pulled the
spikes on that rail reached out. uncon-
sciousIy perhaps. but none the less GER
tainly. after life that I would safe
guard at the price Of my own. Because
he did that, I'll spend the last dollar of
the fortune my father left me. IL needful,
In finding that man and hanging him.
1t was the needed flick Of the whip for
the shaken nerve of the mine owner.
"Ah," said he, IT am sure every one
will applaud that determination. Mr.. Lid
gerwood: applaud it and help you to see
It through" And then, quite as calmly:
II suppose you will go back from here
with your special, won't you? You can't
get down to Little Butte until the track
is repaired and the wreck cleared. Your
going back will make no difference in the
right-of- way matter: can arrange for a
meeting with Grofield at any time-in
Angels. IL you prefer"
"Yes,'' said Lidgerwood, absently, II
am. going back from here