The Adair County news., 1921-03-30
Surveyed Pennington Calmly.

nels face and surveyed Pennington
calmly.
Colonel" he began with exasperat-
ing politeness, II presume you are
Colonel Pennington name is
Buchanan P. oglivy, and am in
charge Of these operations. I am the
vice president and general manager Of
the N. c. o., and am engaged in the
blithe task Of making jump crossing
of your rails. Have a cigar" And he
thrust a perfecto under the Colonel's
nose. Pennington struck 1t to the
ground, and on the instant, half a
dozen rough rascals emptied their
shovels over him. He was deluged
with dirt.
"Stand back, Colonel, stand back, If
you please. You're in the way Of the
shovelers," Buck Ogilvy warned him
soothingly.
Bryce Cardigan came over, and at
sight of him Pennington choked with
fury. "You-you-" he sputtered, un-
able to say more.
'Tm the N. G. o." Bryce replied.
mice 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. 'Tll 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"
"I'll attend to you. sir" Pennington
replied, and he turned to enter Mayor
Poundstone's little f1ivver.
mot tonight, at least" Bryce re-
torted gently. Having gone this far
would be 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
mel Pennington, by remaining exactly
where you are until give you permits
sion to depart"
"Then shall manhandle you, truss
you up like fowl in the tonneau Of
your car, and gag you"
To Bryce's infinite surprise the Colo
mel smiled ooh, very well!" he re-
piled. 81 guess you've got the bulge
on me, young man. Do you mind if ]
SIT in the warm cab of my own en-
gine? I-came away in such hurry
] quite forgot my overcoat"
"Not at all. III sit up there and
keep you company"
Half an hour passed. An automo-
bile came slowly up Water street and
paused half block away, evidently
accommodating the situation. Instant
~ the Colonel thrust his head out the
cab window.
"Sextoni" he shouted. "Cardigan's
cutting In crossing. He's holding
me here against my will. Get the mill
crew together and phone for Rondeau
and his woods-crew. Send the switch
engine and couple of flats up for
them. Phone Poundstone. Tell him
to have the chief of police"
Bryce Cardigan's great hand closed
over the Colonel's neck, while down
Water street a dark streak that was
Buck Ogilvy sped toward the automo-
bile, intending to climb In and make
Pennington's manager prisoner also.
He was too late, however. Sexton
swung his car and departed at full
speed down Water street. leaving the
disappointed Buck to return painting
to the scene of operations.
Bryce Cardigan released his hold on
Pennington's neck. "You win, Colo
nel," he announced. mo good can
come of holding you here any longer,
Into your car and on your way"
THANK you. young man." the Colo.
mel answered. and there was metal
lie ring in his voice. He looked at
his watch In the glare Of torch.
PLENTY of tine," he murmured. Cur.
few shall not ring tonight" Quite
deliberately he climbed into the
mayors late source of woe and
breezed away.