Evening star., 1919-03-30
We come halfway back al

through tnlS anu you ~ NV ~ -
There's an extension phone in that
alcove Here. let me write the NUMBER.
That's our repair shops. Get Burns,
our construction superintendent Oh
the wire"
And when I'd made the connection I
hands over the phone to Old Alibi.
THAT you. Burns?" says he. This
is Frazer. Yes. Meet me at the Will
mot in Waterbury,. 7;30 tonight;
That's what l said. Tonight. Ana
listen. Burns. You know where that
Pawtucket crowd want to cut our line
at grade? Have a gang there at day
light ready to put in short switch.
say hundred yards. Send down
couple of those big snow plows; too
Get that? Yes, the rotarys. Good.
can trust Burns" he goes on. Now
to get out of this. Thank heavens,
Edith is down at the village. Turn the
key In that door to the right. VIII
you. and lock out that nurse. That's
it. Now If YOU will throw few
things into my kit bag. In that room
at your left Bags on the closet shelf.
Pajamas and so on. Pair for yourself.
Shaving things in the bathroom. Let's
see. where's that checkbook? All! Now
! wonder how | can navigate. Little
wably in the knees. Shorty, but I
guess we can manage"
Well. we did. Couldn't have done 1t
much quicker IL the house had been
on fire. III bet it wasn't fifteen min
utes before we were down at the
porte cochere with me helpin' load
him into the limousine. Frenchy stares
some when he gets his sailin' orders,
but he salutes snappy.
Say. that was some excursion for
man who'd just crawled out of
wheelchair. but Old Alibi settles him
self comfortable in the corner, turns
on the electric heater; and seens.to be
ehjoyin' every sway and jolt. Next
thing l know he's discovered a cigar
case in the pocket of his mink lined
overcoat and is lghtin up one of his
slim black cigars
Anyway, he's very much of live
one when we rolls into Waterbury
Just before dark. and from tho size
Of the steak he orders for dinner L
Judge that his appetite is coming back
to him. And by the time Burns shows
up he's pacin' up and down the lobby
burnin' his second panatella.
why. Mr.. Frazer!" says Burns. II
thought you were sick man."
so did 81 Atkins" says Frazer. but
my friend Shorty here has persuaded
me that I'm not. At least. I've escaped
those Internal specialists. Now let's
get to business"
1t wasn't long session him and the
superintendent had. and by $3.50 I
saw him tucked away In the feathers
with I o'clock call in for the morn
whether Old Alibi could answer it or
not. but blamed IL l don't hear him
stirrin' around before I'd rolled out
myself.
Sleep" says he. II haven't had
such a sleep in a year. Shorty. And
make that breakfast order about
three soft-boiled eggs for Tue. with
bacon, coffee and rolls. Tell 'em to
hurry it up, too. I'm starved
1Icta
invalid" says l. Maybe some of
them specialists guessed wrong. eho"
You bet they did" ays Frazer. $50
did 81 Atkins"
And If you'de been on the scene OF
action couple of hours later you'd
thought so. too. It's some busy little
party, take 1t from me. Burns and
his gang was on hand. maxim the dirt
fly, and what does Mr.. Frazer do but
hop out Of the car and take charge
of the proceedin's.
Never mind fancy ballasting.'
says he. "Just get that switch in
any old way. Here. Brady, lend a
hand on that hack-saw and cut that
rail. You. Mike, speed up those men
laying those ties. Any signs of the
enemy. Burns? All. who's that com
ing down the road? Yes. it's old ST.
Got his surveyors with him. too. Sur
veyors! Huh"
Sure enough. when the touring car
rolls up. there's Atkins with a sur
veyin' bunch. And you should have
seen his eyes bulge out when he spots
Old Alibi in the midst of all this ac.
tivity.
"What-what does this mean. Fra
zer?' he demands. as he steps out
why" says Old Alibi. winkin' at
Burns-~'our road superintendent con-
cluded that we needed another switch
put in just about here. Enterprising
chap. eh?"
But see here" protests Atkins,
this Is just where our crossing is to
come"
What a coincidence" observes Fra.
Zer. May make it rather awkward
for you. l fear"
mo it WON'T" snaps Atkins "Not
bit Remember, we have the courts
back of us. Well just tear it, that's
all"
THAT will be interesting to Watch.
too" said Frazer. Burns signal
those rotarys to run down ailittle
closer. See 'em up there. Atkins?
Well they are to occupy this switch
for the next two weeks, longer II
necessary, with their snow cutters
going: and il you have any spare
laborers you want turned into sau-
sage meat Just send 'em along"
'This-this is a high minded out
rage" sputters Atkins. turnin' pur-
pie under his white whiskers
"Oh. come, Atkins" says Frazer.
aren't You a little rough with a sick