The spectator., 1921-05-27
} Was he a mar

his wife didn't live together. He had no relatives here. knew him in the southwest two years ago. He'd had domestic trouble of some kind, and didn't mix or minsie much with the other men. But he was good dis patcher. and two months ago, when we had an opening here l sent for him."
 You think there is no doubt but that he was bribed to put those trains together tonight?"
 None in the least-only l wish we had a little better proof of it."
 "Where did he live?"
 He boarded at Mrs. ChandIer's, out on Cross street. Morris boards there too, I believe"
 The boss turned to me.
 Jimmie, go and get Morris"
 I carried the call and brought Mor- ris back with me He was cheerful, red-headed fellow, and everybody liked him.
 Tt isn't a 'sweat-box' session. Mor- rs' said the boss quietly, when we ca.me in and the relief operator sat down, sort of half scared. on the edge of chair. We want to know some- thing more about Durgin. He roomed at vour place. didn't he?'
 Norris admitted it, but said he'd never been very chummy with the dis patcher; that Durgin wasn't chummy with anybody. Then the boss went s'raight to the point, as he usually did
 You were present and saw all that i happened in the other room. Can you | tell us anything about that moneyY 1 pointing to the pile of bills on my | desk
 Billy Morris wriggled himself into a little better chair-hold. Nothing that would be worth telling. if things hadn't turned out just as they have" he returned. But now guess I know. left Mrs. Chander's this evening 1 about eleven o'clock to come on duty, and Durgn was just ahead of me. Some fellow-a man in snuffcOlored overcoat and with soft hat pulled down so that I couldn't see his face stopped Durgin on the sidewalk, and they talked together.
 II didn't hear what was said but saw the overcoated man pass something to Durgn and saw Durgin put whatever it was into his pocket. Then the other man lodged and went away, and did 1 it so quick that I didn't see which way he went or what became of him. l Durgin must have run after he left 1 the corner. for I didn't see anything more of him until I got to the office"
 He was there when you came in?" 1 IL was Mir. Norcross who wanted to know.
 "Yes. He had his coat off and was at work on the train sheet don't think Durgin left his chair, or said l anything to anybody until he jumped up and began to walk the floor. taking on and saying that he'd put Four and Five together on the single track"
 There was silence for a little time, and when the boss said. Do you think you would recognize the man in the snuff-colored overcoat, if you should see him again?"
 "Yes, I might; if he had on the l same coat and hat"
 "That will do. then. Keep this thing to yourself, and if the newspaper peo 1 pie come after you, send them to MT. Van Britt or to me"
 After Morris had gone Mir Van Britt l shook his head sort of savagely. Its h-l. Graham" he ripped out, | bouncing to his feet and beginning to tramp up and down the room. ITO | think that these devils would take the chance of murdering a lot of totally | innocent people to gain their endi What are you going to do about it?"
 "I don't know yet, Upton; but l am going to do something. This state of affairs can't go on. The simplest thing is for me to throw up the job and let the Short Line drop back into the old rut. I'm not sure that it wouldn't save good many lives in | the end if should do it. And yet it seems such a cowardly thing to do- to resign under fire"
 MT. Van Britt had his hand on the door-knob, and what he said made me warm to my finger-tips.
 Were all standing by you. Gra- ham; all, you understand-to the last man and the last ditch. And you're not going to pitch it up; you're go- ing to stay until you have thrown the harpoon into these high-binders. clear up to the hitchings That's my pro- | phecy. The troubles over for tonight. and you'd better go up to the hotel and turn in. There Is another day coming, or if there isn't, it won't make any difference to any of us Good night"