The Carlisle independent., 1916-12-14


 felt assured of. But somewhere infiu- ences must be at work against him. He suspected Capelle, still board member, and a continual intriguer. Capelle was master worker in un- derground effects and besides being Seagrue's own attorney, was himself heavily interested in opposing enter prises of the Coast line. To throttle Rhinelander in the construction effort begun by Helen's own father before his death, was to advance his own in- terests as we'll as those of his client. Rhinelander's decision as to what must be done to meet this opposition was prompt.
 He consulted timetable, called his foreman, asked for man to carry his handbags to the station and began changing his clothes for trip.
 Not far away, and at about the same time, Seagrue was reading his own mail. It contained this note:
 Unsuccessful report concerning pass submitted. Persuaded packers to withdraw support on the first. This will stop operation on Rhineland- CTS cutoff, as we know he cannot produce survey. CAPELLE."
 In Seagrue's hut a party of newspa- per men from Oceanside were waiting to be taken on an inspection trip over the construction.
 ''fm ready for you. boys" said Sea- grue, in high spirits, to the journalists. Well look over the work near here first," he announced, ripping open box of cigars.
 Hold it, MT. Seagrue,' cried cam era man, focusing on the manager. We want you, first, right there where you are, at your desk. Hold it!''
 The picture was taken, copy prom ised to Seagrue within an hour and the party started out. Had he left his hut seen Amos Rhinelander, followed by Seagrue's own Spike with Rhinelana- er's bags, entering the waiting room door of Signal station.
 Helen, looking up from her table, perceived Rhinelander's anxiety re- flected in his manner.
 Bad news, Helen," he said, plung ing at once into the unpleasant sub- ject. T am on my way to Oceanside," he added, when she had read Bowers note. The directors meet tonight. Someone is trying to undermine us. But whether I succeed in changing their views or not. I'm going to fight if have to fight all night
 Helen was too upset to speak for a minute. For her, so much depended on the success of her own road in reaching the mountains with a cutoff first. Rhinelander, worried though he was, tried to cheer her up. Spike outside, listening. gathered that Rhine lander was on his way to the city. He hung around the platform till the local passenger pulled in, watched Rhinelander board it, and, mingling with Seagrues men, walked unob- served over to the latter's camp. He found his boss with the journalists.
 What is it?'' demanded Seagrue, scenting news in Spikes appearance.
 "Rhinelander has just gone to Oceanside"
 Seagrue smiled. Did he get a let ter this morning."
 He did"
 Their confab was broken in on by one of the newspaper men who had a print of the photo he had taken of Seagrue at his desk. Seagrue inspect ed this with the greatest pleasure "Ffne!" he exclaimed. Good pie ture!"
 A whimsical idea seized him. He wrote word or two across the back of the print and recalled Spike. Take this over to Helen Holmes. Give it to her with my compliments So saying he turned to the photographer
 Spikes reception at the station was always chilly one. This time Helen took his message and dismissed him before she opened the envelope. When she saw what Seagrue had sent she was angry. Her first impulse was to tear the hateful print in two h. stead, she contemptuousiy impaled it on a steel file near at hand. A mo- ment later, removing the print to file a message, she looked at the picture again. Her attention was attracted to 8 paper lying on Seagrue's desk. It had been caught by the camera lens. The longer she looked the more carefully her eyes fixed on this ob- ject revealed in tho photograph. Very curious now. Helen opened . drawer, took from it reading glass and studied the contents of Seagrue's desk. Her heart almost stopped beat ing as she realized that her suspicious must be correct. With the aid of the ordinary glass she could plainly see the survey that had been stolen from her fathers library.
 Helen looked toward Seagrue's camp. It was there even now, and if she could recover the precious find it was not too late to save her own in- terests as wen as those of her own good friend, Amos Rhinelander.
 How could she recover it? With