Cleveland County herald., 1920-09-09

Ogilvy held lantern up to the Colo nels face and surveyed Pennington calmly
 Colonel" he began with exasperat- ing politeness, "I presume you are Colonel Pennington -m my name IS Buchanan P. Oglivy, and l am in charge of these operations. I am the vice president and general manager of the N. c. O., and I am engaged in the blithe task of making jump crossing of your rails. Have cigar" And he thrust a perfecto under the ColonePs nose. Pennington struck it to the ground, and on the instant, half a dozen rough rascals empted their shoyels over him. He was deluged with dirt
 Stand back, Colonel, stand back, if you please. You'se in the way of the shovelers,' Buck Ogilvy warned him soothingly.
 Bryce Cardigan came over, and at sight of him Pennington cholIed with fury. "You-you-" he sputtered, un- able to say more.
 I'm the N. c. O." Bryce replied. "Nice little fiction that of yours about the switch-engine being laid up in the shops and the Laurel creek bridge be ing unsafe for this big mogul." He looked Pennington over with frank ad- miration. You're certainly on the job, Colonel. I'll say that much for you"
 ''You've stolen my engine" Penning= ton almost screamed. "l1l have the law on you for grand larceny"
 "Tut-tut, You don't know who stole your engine. For all you know. your own engine crew may have run it down here.''
 "Tll attend to you, sir" Pennington l replied and he turned to enter Mayor l Poundstones little flivver.
 Not tonight, at least" Bryce re torted gently. Having gone this far, I would he a poor general to permit you to escape now with the news of your discovery. You'd be down here in an hour with a couple of hundred members of your mill crew and give Us the rush. You will oblige me, Colo nel Pennington, by remaining exactly where you are until I give you permits sion to depart"
 And if I refuse"
 "Then I shall manhandle you. truss you up like fowl in the tonneau of your car, and gag you
 To Bryce's infinite surprise the Colo nel smiled "Oh, very well p he re- piled. T guess you've got the bulge on me, young man. Do you mind if I sit in the warm cab of my own en- zine? came away in such hurry l quite forgot my oyercoat"
 Not at all. I'll sit up there and keep you company"
 Half an hour passed An automo- bile came slowly up Water street and paused half a block away, evidently reconnoitering the situation Instant ly the Colonel thrust his head out the cab window.
 "SeXtonl" he shouted "Cardigan's cutting in T crossing. He's holding me here against my will. Get the mill crew together and phone for Rondeaa and his woods-crew. Send the switch engine and a couple of flats up for them. Phone Tombstone. Tell him to have the chief of police"
 Bryce Cardigan's great hand closed over the Colonels neck, while down Water street dark streak that was Buck 0gilvy sped toward the automo- bile, intending to climb in and make Pennington's manager a prisoner alst. He was too late. however. Sexton swung his ear and departed at full speed down Water street. leaving the disappointed Buck to return panting to the scene of operations. Bryce Cardigan released his hold on Pennington's neck. "You win, Colo nel" he announced. "No good can come or holding you here any longer. Into your car and on your way"
 Thank you, young man." the Colo nel answered, and there was a metal lie ring in his voice. He looked at his watch in the glare of a torch. Plenty of time," he murmured. Cur l few shall not ring tonight" Quite deliberately he climbed into the mayors late source of woe and
 
 bree2ed away.
 Colonel Pennington did not at once return to his home, however. Instead he drove up to the business center of the town. The streets were deserted but one Saloon-the Sawdust Pile was still open.
 Pennington strode through the bar and into the back room, where a num- Der of poker games were in progress. For moment he stood, his cold ophidian glance circling the room un- til it came to rest on no less a per sonage than the Black Minorca, an individual with whom the reader has already had some slight acquaintance It will be recalled that the Black Minorea led the futile rush against Bryce Cardigan that day in Penning- toms woods.
 The Colonel approached the table