Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-09

in the air. Did you discharge that op-
orator at Crow canyon: the fellow who
let train 16 get by him without orders
night before last?"
Dick Rufford? Oh, yes. / fired him;
and he came in on 202 today. Juggling a
piece OF artillery and shooting of his
mouth about what he was going to do to
me, nd to you ! suppose you know
call him. is the lookout at Red Light
Sammy's faro game, and the meanest
devil this side of the Timanyonts?'
II didn't know II. but that cuts no fg-
it. though his lips were curiousiy dry.
I'VE are going to have discipline on this
railroad while we stay here. Mac; there
are no two ways about that"
McCioskey tilted his hat to the bridge
Of his nose. his characteristic gesture OF
displeasure.
81 promised myself that I wouldn't Join
the gun-toters when ! came out here" he
said, half musingly. but I've weakened
on that. Yesterday. when 1 was calling
JEFF Cummings down for dropping that
new shifting engine out OF an open
switch in broad daylight. he pulled on
me out Of his cab window. What had
to take while he had me hands up is
more than I'll take from any living man
again.
AS in other moments of stress and per-
plexity. Lidgerwood was absently mark
ing little pencil squares on his desk
blotter.
II wouldn't get down to the desert
level. II l were you. Mac" he saad'
thoughtfully.
I'm down there right now In seif-de-
fense," was the sober reJoinder. AND
II you'll take a hint from me you'll heel
yourself. too, Mr. Lidgerwood. I know
this country better than you do. and the
men in IL. L don't say they'll como after
you deliberately. but as things are now
you can't open your face to one OF them
without taking the chance OF . quarrel.
and quarrel in gun-country-"
II KNOW. said Lidgerwood, patiently.
and The trafnmaster gave II UP.
= 1t was an hour or two later In the same
day when McCloskey came into tho pri-
vate Office again, hat tilted to nose. and
the gargoyle face portraying fresh soul
agonies.
They've taken to piIIaeing now" he
burst out 1.-THE 316. that new saddle
tank shifting engine, has disappeared. I
saw Broderick using the 90, and when L
asked him why. he said he couldn't ind
the 49,
Couldn't find it?" echoed Ldgerwood.
mo; nor I can't, either. It's nowhere
in the yards. the roundhouse or back
shop. and none of Gridley's foremen know
anything about II. I've had Callahan
telling the truth. nobody has seen It or
heard Of it,
where was 1T at last accounts"
Standing on the coal track under chute
midnight. or thereabouts."
But certainly somebody must know
where it has gone" said Ldgerwood.
Eyes. and by grapples. / think l know
who the somebody is"
who is it?'
eff I should tell you. you wouldn't be-
lieve it, and besides 1 haven't got the
proof But I'm going to get the proof"
shaking a menacing forefinger land when
I do
The interruption was the entrance or
Hallock, coming in with the pay rolls for
the superintendent approval. McCloskey
broke off short and turned to the door.
but Lidgerwood gave him parting com
mand.
Come in again, Mac, In about half an
hour There is another matter that L
want to take up with you. and today 10
as good a time as any.
The trainmaster nodded and went out,
muttering curses to the tilted hat bram.
(To be continued tomorrow)