The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-09-05
Viii.

railroad maps and time tables, the
boys outlined a tour that would twist
and turn like a collection of SIS, and
yet, even with due allowance for de-
layed trains and possible intervals on
foot or on horseback, would land them
at Rancho Nogal within the time
limit set by their superiors. Neither
OF the youngsters was so optimistic
as to expect a smooth. uninterrupted
journey, and each, as he specialized
upon the chance of trouble, was men,
tally thankful for the presence Of the
strong. nervy, capable youth beside
him.
Brockett. with a good-sized map in
hand, drew out a pencil, and began
marking down a few lines 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 fit for the
dotty-house."
Why, what's agitating your"
queried 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
one on this train who is on our track
and yet u best policy is to believe
1t up to the minute We reach Jersey
City. Just for an experiment. we'll
say, I have an idea"
Why not have 1t toasted, with
mayonnaise 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 1 lay these
maps upon the seat. Notice, also,
that l take this little postage stamp,
fold 1t, and gum 1t with one-half on
each page of this timetable. Any
one who opens the timetable tears
the postage stamp. Now, let's go and
attend to the rations."
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 signifi-
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. I'm a city
OF that size we might have made a
better escape, and l happen to know
the streets of the burg pretty well.
Well 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.
d you happen to have an Eastern
league schedule about you?" he de-
manded.
Think l have. Got one with sched-
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 stuff. Well, how's this for a
supplement to u 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,
who 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 it more
pleasantly or more safely?"
"Some of your ideas, dear Ramon.
denote almost human intelligence. It
listens good to me. But, say-we are
just rolling into Jersey City now. Wait
a bit-shell 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 on boss-we amt
in de station yeti" but only received
a shoulder and an elbow as reward.
Solano unhesitatingly leaped, struck
on a gravelly spot, went to his knees,
and then shot forward on his palms.
Brockett swung off 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 ONT"
Twenty minutes later the messen.
gers Of state were buried in a mass
of bowling fans at the jersey Civ