Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-04-25

~ N~AoSHS AASAN ""S
a deep laid scheme. He had not only
a confederate who had detached the
train. but n who had cut the wires.
He was the coolest chap l ever met.
but he was as determined as he was
cool. l knew by his eye that the
slightest disobedience on nv part
would be followed by a bullet crash
ing through my brain.
Being Of his kind myself, I deter
mined to have an understanding with
him. "Tell me-" I said. what you
wish to accomplish and l will do my
part in accomplishing it for you"
II wish to catch the boat ut Odessa
for Constantinople."
ut is impossible-that is, we shall
have a smashup on the way"
Never mind the smashup! Get
therer"
He said this as II who would pre-
fer to die under a heap Of metal to be-
ing taken. | began to doubt if it was
money he was getting away with. l
determined to apply a test:
"You have killed a government off-
cial," ! said, land are endeavoring to
get out of the country"
He paled. He was about to deny the
charge, but changed his mind.
"And as such would you help or de-
ter me?"
II would sacrifice my own life to aid
you"
Very well: l will trust you. This
morning l gained access, through a
confederate in his service, to the office
of"-he gave the name Of the official
we were intending to assassinate-
land killed him. I timed my act to
board your train
"a confederate uncoupled the coach
esq"
Yes"
Another cut the telegraph wires"
"Others-several Others"
l put on every ounce of steam pos
sible and pulled the throttle wide open.
do you know" l said. that 1 and
two others have been working all win
ter to accomplish the deed you have
done?'
mol"
1--WE have. You. working on other
lines. have anticipated us. Had we, in
stead Of you. succeeded another would
have been here in your place. You
can understand how l feel and cannot
doubt that every nerve in my body will
be strained to save you"
For a few minutes I gave myself up
to thinking how to avoid other trains
and like dangers. Then I said to the
fugitive:
I'VE must play a part. You can per-
senate a government official. Tell those
along the line that there has been an
assassination in Moscow and the per-
petrator is on a train ahead of us. At
the first station south of which there
is Geographic connection order the
train dispatcher to send word for all
trains and distractions to clear the
track. l, as a trusted engineer of the
road and the government will. if nee
essary, confirm your story"
I shall never forget the look he gave
me.
"Good!" he exclaimed. 'sWhat a re-
markable coincidence! Without some
unforeseen misfortune we shall sue
ceed."
We 500 pulled up at a station. and
my passenger hurriedly called out
what 1 had suggested, and without
stopping 1 drove on. We knew not if
the order he gave would be obeyed.
but we believed it would. AS we rat
tied along we saw trains s~idetracked
and persons gaping at us, though they
only saw us as by a fash of lightning.
Every switch was properly placed for
us. Twice we were obliged to stop
for water. but the fugitive ordered
those connected with the tank tt get
to work SO sharply that neither they
nor we lost time.
Then we came to a station where
the station master had put out a red
flag. AS we approached | suggested
to my man to simply cry haste. l
slowed down as we passed the station.
What is it,"
I'VE have a telegram from Moscow
to stop all trains or engines"
1t was evident that the wires had
been repaired.
"You have not been ordered to stop
us" yelled my companion. I'VE are
on government business that admits
Of no stop. An assassination has beer
committed. The assassin is ahead of
us and we must catch him"
I waited for no more. but pulled
open the throttle. and. with a jump.
our steed shot forward. Half an hour
passed, during which we ran through
villages, ratified over bridges. plunged
through cuts, while all along the road
both the people and the railroad Off
Gals stood gaping at us. AS we drew
near Odessa my companion was
marking the time with his watch,
while I noted the miles-we saw an
other red flag. Just beyond it a
switch vas turned to throw us off.
But l noticed a man standing with his
hand on it, and l believed the matter
to be a bluff. At any rate, I drove on