The Ordway new era., 1921-07-08
/ thing about Durgina Was he mar

his wife didn't live together. He had
| no relatives here. I knew him In the
southwest two years ago. He'd hnd
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. 1 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 1 wish we
had little better proof of it."
"Where did he liveT
He boarded at Mrs. Chandler's. out
on Cross street. Morris boards there.
too. | believe"
The boss turned to me.
Jimmie. go and get Norris"
carried the call and brought Nor
ris back with me. He was cheerful,
red-headed fellow, and everybody liked
him.
'.It isn't a 'sweat-box' session. Nor
ris." said the boss. quietly, when we
came In and the relief operator sat
of a chair. 1--WE want to know some
thing more about Durgin. He roorned
at your place. didn't heT
Morris admitted 1t, 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 Norris wriggled himself into
little better chair-hold. Nothing
that would he worth telling. If things
hadn't turned out Just as they have"
he returned. But now I guess | know.
| left Mrs. Chandler's this evening
about eleven o'clock TO come on duty,
and Durgln was just ahead of me.
Some fellOw-a man in snuff-colored
overcoat and with a soft hat pulled
down so that l 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 1t
was into his pocket. Then the other
man lodged and went away and did
it so quick that didn't see which
way he went or what became of him.
Durgin must have run after lie left
the corner. for | didn't see anything
% l.; ~,
"He was there when you came in?'
1t was Mr.. 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
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 Won
think you would recognize the man
in the snuff-colored overcoat, If you
should see him again?"
"Yes, 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 savageIy.
ITS HI, 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 numbering a lot of totally
innocent people to gain their end |!
What are you going to do about it?"
don't know yet. Upton; but ]
am going to do something. This state
of affairs can't 20 on. The simplest
thing Is for me to throw up the lob
ana 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 1t
seems such cowardly thing to do
to resign under fire."
MIR. Van Britt had his hand on the
| door-knob. and what lie said made
me warm to my finger-tips.
We're all standing by you. Gra
nam; all, you understandable the In st
man and the last ditch. And you're
NOT going to pitch 1t 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.
ana you'd better go up to the hote.
ana turn In. There is another day
coming, or If there isn't, it won't make
any difference to any of us. Good.
night"