The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-09-21
Tt WAS UALLCCK."

hdioch- we Sd" the wreck.
all Of US, from the back plat
u form of my car. Williams
had just pulled us out ON the old
spur. Just before Crawford shut of
and damned on his air brakes u man
ran down the track swinging his
arms like a mailman. OF course there
wasn't the time or any chance for
me to identify him, and saw him
only for the second Or two intervening
and with his back toward us. But the
back looked like Hallock's. I'm afraid
1t was Hallock's."
But why should he weaken at the
last moment and try to stop the
train?" queried Dawson.
you forget that it was the special
wrecked"
Sure" said the craftsman.
1--WE told you this, Fred. because if
the man we saw were Hallock he'll
probably turn up while you are at
work-Hallock, with Judson at his
heels. You'll know what to do in that
event?'
Il guess SO. Keep a sharp eye on
Hallock and make Judson hold his
tongue. I'll do both"
That's ALL" said the superintend-
ent "Now I'll have Bradford pull US
up on the spur to give you room to
get your baby crane ahead. Then you
can pull down and let us out"
The shifting took some few minutes
no cR
was in progress Lidgerwood was in
the service car trying to persuade the
young women to go to his stateroom
for little rest and sleep on the re-
turn run. In the midst OF the argu-
ment the door opened and Dawson
came in. From the instant Of his en-
trance 1t was plain that he had ex-
pected to find the superintendent
alone: that he was visibly and pain
fully embarrassed.
Lidgerwood excused himself and
| went quickly to the embarrassed one,
who was still anchoring himself to the
1oorknob. what is it, Fred? p he asked
"Judson: he has just turned up.
walking from Little Butte. he says.
with pretty badly bruised ankle. He
Is loaded to the muzzle with news Of
some sort, and he wants to know II
you'll take him with you to An The
craftsman, facing the group under
| the Pintsch globe at the other end of
| the open compartment. stopped sud
denly. and his big jaw grew rigid.
Then he said. in an awed whisper.
God, let me get out of here"
"Tell Judson to come aboard" said
Lidgerwood. and the craftsman was
twisting at the doorknob when Miriam
Holcombe came swiftly down the COM
partment.
"Wait. Fred" she said gently. II
have come all the way out here to ask
my question. and you mustn't try to
stop me. Are you going to keep on
letting it make US both desolate-for
always?" She seemed not to see or
care that Lidgerwood made listening
third
1 Dawson's face had grown suddenly
haggard. and he. too. ignored the SUI
perintendent.
How can you say that to me,
Ii
DAY and night l am paying. paying
and the debt never grows less. II 1t
wasn't for my mother and Faith But
I must go on paying l killed your
brother
mo" she denied "That was an &C
cident for which you were no more te
blame than he was. but you are kill
ing me-"
Lidgerwood stood by, manlike. be-
cause be did not know enough to van
tsh. But Miss Brewster suddenly
swept down the compartment to dras
him out Of the way Of those who die
not need him.
you'd spoil 1t all If you could
wouldn't your" she whispered in
fine feminine rage. And after I've
moved heaven and earth to get Miriam
to come out here for this one specia
blessed moment! Go and drive the
others into a corner and keep then
there"
Lidgerwood obeyed quite meekly
and when he looked again Dawson
: had gone and Miss Holcombe was sob
bling comfortably in Eleanor's arms.
Judson boarded the service car whe1
1t was pulled up to the switch, ant
after Lidgerwood had disposed Of hi
passengers for the run back to Angel
he listened to the ex-engineer's report
sitting quietly while Judson told hin
Of the plot and of the plotters. At TIL
close he said gravely. "You are sur
1t was HaIlock who got of the nigh
train at Silver Switch and went up tn
old spur?"
It was a test question. and the engl
neer did not answer it offhand
I'D say yes in holy minute it Their
wasn't so blamed much else tied on t
1t, Mr.. Lidgerwood."
"Yet you are convinced in your ow1
mindf"
IL am"
"But the third man, Judson. the ma,
you saw beating his fists on the bulk
head air lock-who was he?" persiste
Lidgerwood
"Now you've got me guessin' AGAR
IL | hadn't been dead certain that
saw HaIlock go ON ahead with Flemis
J ter No." reading the question in tn
superintendent eye, mot drop. Nj
Lidgerwood; amt touched not, taste
not mr. handled not-'r leastwise. nc
to drink any" and here he told tn
bottle episode which had ended in tn