The Huttig news., 1915-06-12

"You Don't-You Don 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 Gallaghers roar of anger. It was less than fifty yards, yet as soon as lie 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 Irishman's 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. Iook here, you guy. this will show you whether I'm in earnest or not!"
 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 ain't your job the Irishmar continued sasagely. We want tht cop. and we're going to have him"
 Quest had stolen a yard or tw, nearer during this brief colloquy Gal f Iagfer,s mate from behind shouted ou a warning just a second too late Witt a sudden kick. Quest sent the re volver flying across the room and be fore the Irishman 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 the two thugs. A shot from the tan gled mass of struggling limbs whis tied past Quests head as he sprang to the window which overlooked the track The freight had already almost passed. Quest steadied himself for a supreme effort, crawled out on the lit tie steel bridge and poised himself for a moment The last car was just be meath. The gap between it and the previous one was slipping by. He set his teeth and jumped on the smooth top.
 Back behind the tower Red Galla- gher and his mate bent with mortified faces over the body of the signalman
 What the hell did you want to plug him for?" the latter muttered. "He 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 furtiye ly around.
 'I never meant to drop him" he muttered. q 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. I can fix the wheel. If we've got to swing fol this job. we'll have something of oui own back first"
 They crawled to the side of tho road. Gallagher's rough, hairy fingers were still trembling. but they LneH their job. In few minutes the whee was fixed Clumsily but successfully the great Irishman turned the ca around away from the city.
 She's a hummer" he muttered. "fl make her go when we get the hang O it. Sit tight"
 They drove clumsily off gathering speed at every yard. Behind, in tht shadow of the tower, the signalmar lay dead. Quest half way to New York, stretched flat on his stomach was struggling for life with knees anc hands and feet.