The Spectator., 1915-10-29

of black substance inside. closed it up, placed it against the far wall, un- twisted the coil, stood back near the door and then pressed the button The result was extraordinary. The whole of the far wall was blown out and for some distance in front the ground was furrowed up by the explosion, Quest replaced the instrument in his pocket. sprang through the opening and ran for the tower house. Behind him on it's way to New York he could see a freight train coming along. He could hear. too, Red Gallagher's roar of anger. It was less than fifty yards, yet as soon as he reached the shelter of the tower the thunder of the freight sounded in Quests ears He glanced around. Red Gallagher and his mate were racing almost side by side to- wards him. He rushed up the narrow stairs into the signal room, tearing open his coat to show his official badge.
 Stop the freight" he shouted to the operator. Quick. I'm Sanford Quest, detective-special powers from the chief commissioner
 The man moved to the signal An other voice thundered in his ears. He turned swiftly around. The lrishman's red head had appeared at the top of the staircase.
 Drop that signal or I'll blow you into bits" he shouted.
 The operator hesitated, dazed
 Walk towards me" Gallagher shouted. Look here. you guy. this will show you whether I'm in earnest or not!"
 A bullet passed within a few inches of the operators head. He came slow ly across the room. Below they could hear the roar of the freight
 This aint your job the lrishman continued savagely. We want the cop and we're going to have him"
 Quest had stolen yard or two nearer during this brief colloquy. Gal | laghers mate from behind shouted out a warning just second too late With sudden kick Quest sent the re volver flying across the room and be fore the lrishman could recover he | struck him full in the face Notwith standing his huge size and strength | Gallagher reeled The operator who | had just begun to realize what was | happening flung himself bodily against 1 the two thugs. A shot from the tan | gled mass of struggling limbs whis tied past Quests head as he sprans to the window which overlooked tho track The freight had already almost passed Quest steadied himself for { supreme effort crawled out on the lit ! tie steel bridge and poised himself fol | a moment, The last car was just be heath The gap between it and tho 1 previous one was slipping by. He SC his teeth and jumped on the smooti top.
 | Back behind the tower Red Gala gher and his mate bent with mortified 1 faces over the body of the signalman
 What the hell did you want 10 plug him for?" the latter muttered. I'll, ain't in the show at all You've done us. Red, he's cooked!"
 Red Gallagher staggered to his feet Already the horror of the murderer was in his face as he glanced furtivs ly around
 'I never meant to drop him." he muttered .I got mad at seeing Quest get off That mans a devil" What are we going to do?" the other demanded hoarsely.
 There's the auto" Gallagher shout ed. Come on, old man can fix the wheel If we've got to swing for this job, we'll have something of our own back first"
 They crawled to the side of the road. Gallaghers rough hairy fingers were still trembling. but they lnew their job. In a few minutes the wheel was fixed Clumsily but successfully the great Irishman turned the car around away from the city.
 She's a hummer" he muttered. 'I'll make her go when we get the hang of it. Sit tight"
 They drove clumsily of, gathering speed at every yard. Behind. in the shadow of the tower. the signalman lay dead. Quest half way to New York. stretched flat on his stomach was struggling for life with knees and hands and feet.
 ~nAnrEo VI