The Carlisle independent., 1916-12-21
COPYRIGHT 1918. BY FRANK K. SHERMAN

Rhinelander called in Wood to hear the news. Have the flying gang here tomorrow early, to the last man jack" directed Rhinelander. Now that we've got chance, let's make killing Wood summoned Storm Put up the bulletin, Georgie," directed Wood. At Oceanside, the directors of the road were in session. Capelle, repre- sentative of Seagrue, leader of the enemy camp in the cutoff race, learned from them that morning of the new | construction credits granted to Rhine lander. In the directors room there had been a stormy scene when CapeHe denounced the action they had taken. But his angry protest came too late and he was forced to carry his wrath and the bad news out to Seagrue. Storm lost no time in posting the | bulletin. While he wrote it out men gathered about and one, in especial, read the announcement with keen, snaky eyes:
 Flying gang will be at Signal sta tion at g a. m. to unload ties"
 This one was Spike. Seagrues spy in the Rhinelander camp. Restless, conscienceless, teeming with crooked instincts, as devoted to mischief as the devil to men, Spike printed the substance of the bulletin on his mem ory, and turning from the men around him left the scene. By circuitous
 route which he habitually used in sneaking from one camp to the other, Spike made his way to Seagrue's hut and reported what he had just read on the bulletin board
 Seagrue regarded him with amuse- ment. There are no more ties coming to Rhinelander," he explained patient ly. His supplies are cut of"
 Before Seagrue could say more, there was knock at the door and his foreman, Bill Delaney, appeared with | Capelle. Seagrue lost no time in ask ing the news and Capelle, with the best face he could summon, told him how they had lost out on stopping Rhinelander's credit. Men that had known Seagrue a long time could never remember seeing him as angry as he was at that moment.
 Why wasn't the credit stopped?" he demanded furiously, "as you said it was?"
 | Capelle answered bluntly: Rhine lander's new credit was granted dur | ing my absence"
 No explanation served to allay Sea grue's rage. He pointed wrathfully at Spike. Tell him what you saw about l ties"
 While Capelle, humiliated, listened, | Spike repeated once more the bulletin board message.
 l Had you followed my instructions" cried Seagrue, regarding Capelle scornfully, the ties would not have been furnished"
 Capelle turned sullenly away, refus- ing to talk further. T did the best could,' was all he would say.
 Seagrue, himself, was in no mood to listen to excuses had there been ! any more to offer. Paying no more at- tention to Capelle's presence he whirled angrily on Spike. Few words were ever needed or exchanged be- tween these two men. Those ties"- Seagrue looked significantly at his tool must never reach Rhinelander."
 With a great deal of thought and very brief expressions, the two con- l ferred apart. What they worked out no one knew. But a few moments later Seagrue gave Spike liberal sup ply of money and Spike left the hut. Calling to Capelle, Seagrue resumed his abuse
 Spike, without delay, hastened to Signal station, bought a ticket from Helen and took the local passenger train for Oceanside. He had the day and the night before him to figure out schemes to prevent the delivery of the | ties to Rhinelander, ard by morning he had more than one ready. The easiest one he tried first, and he might have been seen in the morn ing, early, in the out-freight yards at Oceanside watching the makeup of | the freight train that was to take the | four cars of ties to Signal. He kept in the background every moment, but had continually within his eye the preparations to get the train under way. When at length the brakeman entered the caboose to place the way bills on the desk, Spike watched him closely, only taking care to get away before he was observed himself. Sneak ing up toward the head end he caught sight of the conductor, and to avoid him lodged in between two box cars. But the conductor had seen him and scenting a knave summoned a yard | policeman. The two descended on Spike with scant ceremony. The de- tective dragged him from his hiding place, questioned him. warned him, | and marching him off shot him out of the yards on goose step. But Spike, as strong for resources as a cat for lives, had only begun to work when he was ordered to beat it." He did hAok but <<