The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-10-24
CHAPTER VIII.

boys outlined a tour that would. twist
and turn like a collection OF SIS, and
yet. eve with due allowance for de-
layed trains and possible intervals on
foot or or horseback, would land them
at Rancho Nogal within the time
limit set by their superiors. Neither
OF the youngsters VAS so optimistic
as TO expect a smooth, uninterrupted
journey. and each, as he s~peculated
upon the chance of trouble, was men,
tally thankful for the presence OF the
strong, neryy. capable youth beside
him.
Brockett. with a good-sized map in
hand, drew out a pencil, and began
marking down a few fines OF connec-
ton, when the Cuban, with one quick
jerk, wrested the pencil from his hand.
Harry, you need a guardian. Your
mentality is just about mt for the
dotty-house."
Why, what's agitating your"
q~ueried Brockett, astounded and some.
what Jared. The Cuban smiled de-
risively.
You should know better, Harry.
than to mark out our real route on
any map or sheet Of paper. We don't
believe, of course, that there Is any.
n on this train who is on our track
and yet our best policy IS to believe
II up TO the minute we reach Jersey
City. Just for an experiment. Well
say, l have an idea"
Why not have II toasted, with
m~ayonnaise on the side? I'm hungry
enough to eat IT."
Well, the African brother just an
nounced that lunch am now sehved
In de dining cab ahaid.' Let's go in
and punish the ~provender. And now
watch, please, without appearing to
do so. Notice the way | lay these
maps upon the seat. Notice, also,
that | take this little postage stamp.
fold It, and gum 1t with one-half on
each page of this timetable. Any
n who opens the timetable tears
the postage stamp. Now. let's go and
attend to the r~ations."
The boys did full justice to their
lunch. and sauntered back to their
seats. Their maps and papers lay
apparently undisturbed, but Solano
contracted his black eyebrows signiti-
cantly as he examined the timetable.
1t had been opened, and the binding
stamp had been torn in two.
Still after us, old man." remarked
the Cuban. mo, no, don't fasten any
Sherlock Holmes gaze upon the other
passengers. Don't show a sign of sur
prise or worry. That would be play
ing right into their hand. Listen,
now when We reach Jersey City, let's
make a lightning exit without waiting
for the train to reach the w~est-shore
terminals. Let's take a chance on get
ting our clothes dusty. If anyone is
fool enough to rush out after US. we
have him spotted-if he stays on the
train We have a lot more chance to
get away before he can land in the
station"
Wish We had hoped off at Phil
adelphia," sighed Brockett. In a city
of that size we might have made q
better escape, and | happen to know
the streets Of the burg pretty well.
Wen have to make the best Of it now.
though. The moment we hit the sod
We'll run so fast Well discover sew.
eral new streets In Jersey City"
Solano was silent for a few min
utes, and then his features lighted up.
DO you happen to have an Eastern
league schedule about you?" he de.
manded.
Think | have. Got one with seized.
ules of twenty leagues in it-this note
book. What's the idea?"
rs Jersey City playing at home to.
day."
"Yes-playing Newark. Some fun
there. That's old Iron Man McGin-
nity's team"
Good stun. Well, how's this for a
| supplement to our first idea, then; go
right out to the ball park, buy bleach
er seats, and mix In with the crowd.
It's hard, awfully hard. to locate any
body In a ball park, and the task would
be twice as hard for some foreigner,
Fwho wouldn't even know how to find
his way around the stands. We want.
ed to kill time In Jersey City till eve
ning-where could we kill 1t more
pleasantly or more safely?"
Some Of your ideas, lear Ramon,
denote almost human intelligence. II
listens good to me. But, say-we are
just rolling into Jerse. City now. Wait
q bit-sheIl slacken a little-NOW!'
The boys sprang from their chairs
and bolted down the aisle. An as
tonished negro tried to intercept them
with a cry of Hold or boss-we ain't
In de station yeti" but only received
a shoulder and an elbow as reward
Solano unhesitatingly leaped, struck
IN a gravelly spot. went to his knees.
and then shot forward on his palms.
Brockett swung OF a shade more. care
fully, landed fairly on his feet, and
after staggering a dozen yards. re-
gained his balance.
ANY bones broken. Ramona"
Nothing but a %suspender and my
pet pipe. Little gravel In my knees
and hands. I'll bet they think we are
a pair OF escaped crooks. but they
can't back up the train. Hurry-let's
get a vigorous move on!"
Twenty minutes later the messen.
gers OF state were buried In a mass
OF bowling fans at the Jersey City
ball park, where ancient rivalries with
the Newark team were being settled
| Thav pSckea n uosftion haIfwav fror,