Morris tribune., 1912-10-25

creak, but he was too busy to pay any
attention to it. The clicking of his In
strument went on, drowning any light
sound that might be made Suddenly
he heard a click, not Of his instru-
ment, but of an entirely different kind.
1t came from behind him. He turned,
and there stood masked man cover
ing him with revolver.
Young man." said the intruder, ian
other touch on that key and pulls on
this trigger. Is the westbound express
pm timer
For a few moments Jim could not
find voice to reply. Then another Pc
Rod slipped by, during which he was
thinking what he could do to save the
express from robbery. In all perhaps
twenty seconds passed. The man adj
vanced step and placed the muzzle
of the revolver against the agents
cheek.
tits twenty-five minutes Iate," said
Jim.
"What?"
Jim repeated what he had said. Had
the train, been on time it would have
been due In ten minutes. A holdup
at or near the station was undoubted-
~ intended, and this lapse of time was
not relished by the masked man. He
was Joined by two more men, also
masked, and, having ordered the agent
away from the instrument, they held
conference. Then the one who had
entered first turned to Jim and was
about to say something when he saw
lantern of red glass sitting beside
the operating table.
"Oh, there it Isl he said, and, taking
up the lantern, he put lighted match
to the wick. Pulling a silver watch
from his pocket, he glanced at it and
remarked to the others that they were
obliged to wait half an hour. Then he
said:
"One of you will have to take care
Of this young man"
Cant we put him out of the way?"
suggested one of the others There's
only three of US to do the job, and we
can't spare man for that Can't we
lock him up somewhere"
He glanced about and, seeing the stair
way leading to Jim's room above,
seized the lantern and ran up with it.
In few minutes he returned and told
the others that there was a room on
the second story to hold the operator
If they could make it safe Then he
hunted about till he found a hammer
and some nails and, returning, securely
nailed the windows Jim was put in
the room and the door nailed so firm
ly that he could not possibly open it.
At this Jim was delighted. Not fear
ing to be interrupted, he seized his tele-
phone instrument. But, hearing the
men below, he paused. Had he not
better wait till they had gone out?
No, They would go out only to stop
and rob the train, and that would be
too late. Covering his head and the
| receiver with bis bedclothing. he called
Kitty
what is it?'
Robbers who are going to hold up
the westbound express. Take a Ian
the road-don't light the lantern-to
the trestlework The woods will screen
you. Light the lantern and stop the
train
There was quick step on the stairs,
and some one stopped at the door.
Those below had evidently heard
sounds and had come up to see what
they meant. But they had nailed up
the door and couldn't get in After
! listening few minutes the man went
! down again.
Jim knew that his wife had time to
reach the place he had indicated, where
she was not likely to be observed by
! the robbers. for he could still hear
| them downstairs and CONCLUDED that
they would signal the train ill., the
station. As the time passed am he
still heard them moving about I low
he gathered confidence. He stoo ook-
! ing at his watch till it was near. inc
for the train to arrive, then heard the
men go out together.
There was an anxious wait for Jim,
| nailed up as he was, for another TWEEN
ty minutes, not knowing whether Kitty
or the robbers had succeeded. Then
! came ring at his telephone bell.
us it you, Kit?" he asked.
| YES" came the voice of one gasp
! ing for breath.
did you stop 'em?"
YES"
"Well?"
''They went back two miles to G. to
| get some firearms"
What else?"
j That's all / know"
Good for you, little girl Our for
| tune is made"
/ "Why?"
'This train carries treasure You
! have saved it. l can ask for a better
| position"
| When Jim was let out of his prison
he learned that after getting an addi-
tional supply of arms the train had
come on, been signaled to stop, had
| 0tovod &ho ci0 ond xuhoo %hn