The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-01-26
The Wreckers
Francis Lynde
CONTINUED From Yesterday
ec~vy~sshs. tsss. By Charles scstS-
n~sss soosb

when Il was all over. and Tarbeil
had been given charg, Of the dis
patching while a hurry call was sent
out for the night relief man. pono.
hue. 20 come down and take the
train desk. there was a little com
mittee meeting In tho general man
ayers office. with the boss In the
chair. and Mr.. Van Britt sitting In
for the other member.
''Of course. you've drawn your
own conclusions. Upton" the boss
began. when no had asked me TO
shut the door.
Il guess So was the rravo re
ioindcr. I'm AFRAID II IL only too
plain that pursin was hired 10 do t.
What became OF tho money!"
Il have IL here said the boss.
and he took the blood money bank
roll from his pocket and removed
tn. rubber band. Count u. Jim.
mic" he ordered. passing II to me.
ran through the bunch. II was
was an even thousand dollars.
THAT Ia the price OF mans life"
said Mr.. Van Britt. soheriy. and
then MIR Norcross said. who knows
anything about Durginf Was he
a married man."
Mr.. Van Britt shook his head.
''ue had been married. but he and
his wife didn't live together. lie
had no relatives here. l knew him
in the southwest two years ago.
He'd had domestic trouble OF some
kind. and didn't mix or mingie
much with the other men. But he
was a good dispatcher. and two
months ago, when We had an open
ing here. l sent for him"
You think there Is no doubt but
that he was brihed to put those
trains together tonightg-
None IN the lcast--oniy I wish
we had little better proof OF IT,"
Where did he yve3"
-He boarded at Mrs. Chambers.
out on Cross St Morris boards
there. too. believe
Tn. boss turned 10 me.
Jimmie. 20 and get Norris
carried tho call and brought
Morris back with me He was a
cheerful. red.hcadcd fellow. and cv.
ery body liked him.
1T isn't a 'sweat-box' session.
Morris said tho boss. quietly. when
we came in and the relief operator
sat down. sort OF half scared. on
the edge OF a chair. I'VE want 20
know something more about Durgin.
He roorned at your place. didn't he"
Morris admitted Il. but said he'd
never been very chummy with the
dispatcher: that Durgin wasn't
chummy with anybody. Then the
boss went straish; TO INF point. as
he usually DID.
| You were present and saw all
that happened In the other room.
Can you tell US anything about that
money! pointing to the pile Of bills
on my desk
Billy Morris wrfggied himself into
n little better ehairhold Nothing
that would b. worth telling. II
things hadn't turned out just as
they have" he returned But now
In guess know. left Mrs.
Chambers this evening about seven
O'Clock 10 come on duty. and Durxin
was Just ahead OF me. Some fellow
Ia man In a snuffcolored overcoai
and with a soft hat pulled down 80
that I couldn't sec his stopped
Durrin on the sidewalk. and they
talked together
60 on" said Mr.. Van Britt.
II didn't hear what was said;
was up on the stoop. trying 10 make
Mrs. Chambers broken door latch
work 10 hold the door shut But ]
saw the overcoated man pass some.
thing to Durgin. and saw Durvin
put whatever IL was into his pocket
! Then the other man lodged and
went away. and did IL 70 quick that
didn't see which way he went or
what became OF him. walked on
! down the steps after I had got the
door 10 stay shut and tried 10 over
take Durgin-just 20 walk on dowr
here with him But guess he
must have run after he left the
corner. for didn't see anythins
more OF him until I got 20 ths
office"
HE was Their. when you cams
in7" II was Mr.. Norcross who
wanted 10 know.
Yes. He had his coat off anc
was a, work on the train sheet"
THAT was a little after seven.
said Mr.. Van Britt what hap
: pened between that and ten o'clock p
Nothing. Disbrow was busy al
his table. and I had some work te
. do. tho not very much. ] donr
think Durgln left his chair. or said
anything TO anybody until h.
jumped up and began 10 walk ths
; floor. taking on and saying that he'c
put -Four and Five together on this
single track. Just then Tarbel
came In and Jumped for the train
: key. and I ran out to give the
alarm"
There was silence for n little time
land then the boss said. That's all
Morris: all but one thing. DO you
think you would recognize the man
in the snuff-colored overcoat II you
lshould see him agaln7-
Yes. / might; II he had on this
same coat and hat"
THAT viii do. then. Keep this
thing TO yourself. and IL the news
paper people come after you. send
them to Mr.. Van Britt or to me"
After Morris had gone. Mr.. Var
Britt shook his head sort Of saw
lagely.
TITS hell. Grnhamr' he ripped out
bouncing 10 his feet and beginning
TO tramp up and down the room
ITO think that these devils would
take the chance of numbering a loi
Of totally innocent people to gair
their endl What are you going u
do about it?'
II don't know yet, Upton; but
am going TO do something. This
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