The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-06-17
Z BY Irvin& Bacheller
Copyright by Irving Bachelor.
(WNu Servicel
CHAPTER vIII-Continued

~
"That's why / want to be there"
Shad urged. 'T'm crazy to CO.,
swat till my plan is finished and
we'll see," said the colonel
They were talking together when
the telephone rang. The Western
Union manager was on the wire. He
wished to see Colonel Blake and would
come right over to his room. He ar
rived shortly. Tram had just left his
Office. He had brought in telegram
to be sent. The manager drew 1t from
his pocket and showed 1t to the col
Onel. It was as follows:
''To John O'Brien. Jr
Windsor, Ont. Canada.
SO 80 20 q
Take offer Of Den Revel If cash sent
Is % % 10
quick. Tell Vile to love and revere
our venerable friends for future use.
think Brock is reliable. Goods in
argent demand here are numbers
thirty-three, twenty-seven, twenty-five,
twenty-five, thirty, twenty-nine, nine
teen, ten, twenty-three, Eve
Sewel Tram"
Its cipher was built on a new plan.
Soon Colonel Blake had arrived at the
following translation:
ITO John O'Brien Jr.
Windsor, Ont.
Take cash quick to Ned Lever Revere
House Brockville Urgent.
Sewel Tram"
"You will observe again that the
numbers are the key to the real mes
sage" the colonel said to the boy.
@'This time, however, the counting
starts on the last word which is num-
bers,' and goes backward. I could
have given them a better system but
I suppose these boys were in hurry
when they made their plans"
The colonel turned to the telegraph
man and asked:
do you know where Tram is stop
ping?"
81 think that b, is stopping here.
At least when came in I saw him in
the writing room. He sat reading
copy Of the Watertown Times. There's
a long article in it about Algyre and
the arrival in Ashfield of the two
Pinkerton men,"
The colonel arose. saying: "Slip out
if you can without his seeing you.
Don't send this message. Hold it until
you hear from me. Good night"
In moment Colonel Blake and his
young friend went down to the writ
ing room. There at its long table sat
the hairy, bearded stranger who was
undoubtedly Tram Ia well-dressed,
go0d-looking man Of about thirty-five
years. He was Of medium height. His
eyes were gray, his hair and beard of
a reddish brown color. The colonel
and Shad sat down opposite him and
began to write. Tram was talking
with a man who sat beside him. His
manner of speech was deliberate, his
voice low and amiable, his words
WClC VIGIL CitOSCus 11C WAS IL lldu VI
some education. There was q touch
of humor in certain of his remarks.
When this appeared he shifted and
gave little grunt as If thus to sig
nalize its safe delivery. He said Of
Algyre that he was likely to get more
exercise than he needed. Tram might
have passed for reputable business
man who would contribute to every
good cause in his community. His
face had benevolent expression but
his eyes were active, shrewd and cum
ming. Soon he arose, donned his over
coat which had been lying on the back
of his chair, and walked to the office
and out-of-doors.
Shad and the colonel returned to
their room. Immediately the boy gave
his chief an imitation of Trans walk
and manner of speech.
Excellent !" Blake exclaimed. Don't
forget it. may see chance to use
you"
Shad's memory retained some of the
strangers sayings. He went over them
again and again before they got into
bed.
"You need only mustache and
some whiskers to make a perfect
Tram at night. I'll think over the
situation and give you words for your
part. / am sure that the Mummers
club at the college can supply you
with the needed hair"
In a moment the colonel added !:
1T is evident that Algyre is in need
of available cash. The O'Brien tele-
gram indicates it. The fact that he
goes t. a place so near the center of
excitement as Brockville almost
proves it. He is desperate. My wire
will bring him across the river"
HE should have had plenty of
money after the killing of Perry" Shad
scuUpoCfnd