The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-06-24
thing about Durgin? Was he sar-
riod man ~

his wife didn't live together. He 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 mingle much with the
other men. But he was good dis
patcher, and two months ago, when
we had an opening here, / 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 wish we
had little better proof of it."
"Where did he live?"
"He boarded at Mrs. Chambers, out
on Cross street. Norris boards there,
too, 1 believe"
The boss turned to me-
"Jimmie, go and get Norris"
I carried the call and brought Nor.
ris back with me- He was cheerful
red-headed fellow, and everybody Liked
him.
at isn't a 'sweat-box' session, Nor.
ris," said the boss, quietly, when we
down, sort of half scared. on the edge
of chair. eve want to know some
thing more about Durgin. He roomed
at your place, didn't he?'
Morris 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
straight to the 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 wriggled himself into
little better chair-hold. Nothing
that would be worth telling, IL things
hadn't turned out just as they have
he returned. "But now guess know
left Mrs. Chambers this evening
about eleven o'clock to come on duty
and Durgin was just ahead of me
Some fellow-a man in a snuff-colored
overcoat and with soft hat pulled
down so that couldn't see his face
stopped Durgin on the sidewalk, and
they talked together.
81 didn't hear what was said. but saw
the overcoated man pass something to
Durgin and saw Durgin put whatever II
was into his pocket. Then the other
man lodged and went away, and did
it so quick that I didn't see which
way he went or what became of him
Durgin must have run after he left
the corner. for I didn't see anything
more of him until got to the Office"
"He was there when you came inT
1t was Mr.. Norcross who wanted to
know.
Yes. He had his coat off and was
at work on the train sheet. l don't
think Durgin left his chair. or said
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 little time.
and when the boss said. do you
think you would recognize the man
in the snuff-coored Overcoat, if you
should see him again?"
Eyes, 1 might; if he had on the
same coat and hat"
"That will do then. Keep this thing
to yourself. and if the newspaper peo-
pie come after you. send them to Mr..
Van Britt or to me-"
After Morris had gone. Mr.. Van Britt
shook his head sort of savagely.
ITS HI, Graham!" he ripped out.
bouncing to his feet and beginning to
tramp up and down the room. TO
think that these devils would take the
chance of numbering lot of totally
innocent people to gain their end!
What are you going to do about it?"
Il don't know yet, Upton; but !
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 1t
wouldn't save a good many lives in
seems such a cowardly thing to do
to resign under fire."
Mr.. Van Britt had his hand on the
door-knob, and what he said made
me warm to my tinger-tips.
"We're all standing by you. Ora
ham; all. you Understandable the last
man and the last ditch. And you're
not going to pitch it up; you're CO.
ing to stay until you have thrown the
harpoon into these high-binders, clear
up to the hitchngs. 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. 1t won't make
any difference to any of US. Good
night"
MRS. McCrae isn't a widow at