Year: 1878




ticed them when the cofins were lifted
from the wagon. l remembered that l
had given the attendants permission to
arrange the casket to their own satifac-
ton, and that they had been long time
doing it. If they had removed the
screws unobserved at the time, what
possible object could they have in doing
so? With this question in my mind,
raised the upper portion of the coffin
nearest me, and took look at the face
of the occu pant. He was a young man,
with full face and square features. His
cheeks were not sunken, and he had
decidedly fresh appearance for a young
man who had been dead two days, l
thought.


Replacing the lid passed away to the
other coffin. Here new and startling
surprise met me. The man in the coffin
was the man whom I had seen in the
express Office! That red eye was staring
straight at me; and l was not mistaken! !!
For moment my life depended on it.


This man, who was alive after the ac-
cident, which the papers said caused
the death of Van Scooter and Griggs,
and who had made arrangements for the
transportation of their remains, was now
in this coffin, to all appearance, dead |!
Then 1 remembered that the bereaved
stranger had said that his dead brother
resembled him very closely. But two
brothers are not apt to have red glass
| eyesl Such a coincidence as this was
| beyond the pale of reasonable prob
abilities.


While yet l gazed at the supposed
corpse the other eye opened little, and
7 was sure that it was looking at me. l
was convinced that there was fraud here,
but to show that 1 had discovered it
might cost me my life. So 1 very quietly
replaced the lid of the coffin, and took
moments time to consider the matter
over.


/ remembered my conversation with
the express agent, which we feared had
been overheard by the clerical-looking
stranger, and could only come to the
conclusion that the whole thing was q
deliberate plan to murder me, and take
possession of the eighty thousand dollars
in my charge.


There was no denying that the man
with the red eye was alive, and 1 had no
doubt that the other was also. Kneel-
ing down I placed my ear to the side
of the coffin, and could hear him
breathe quite distinctly. l remember
that the attendant who had boarded the
train intended to enter the car at Red.
wood, ostensibly for the purpose of see.
ing the bodies; and / could not doubt
but that the three men intended to at
tack me after the train pulled out from
the station, and rob the car before oul
arrival at the next stopping place.


There was but one station between US
and Redwood, and l knew we would be
there in ten minutes more. Instant
action was my only chance for safety
If | could secure myself against ar
attack until we reached the next station
felt that all would be well. In one
instant l had decided upon plan o.
action. AS quickly as possible | pilec
several heavy boxes of merchandise OF
top of the two coffins, and then knew
was safe. Scarcely was this accom-
plished when we ran into the station.


I Immediately found two or thre,
officers. First the man in the coacl
was secured. He was highly indignan
that he should be disturbed on such .
solemn mission. But it was no go. FL,
was handcufed in less than two min
utes and marched on the platform.


1t was an easy matter to secure tn,
two quondam dead men. They wer,
taken greatly at a disadvantage, ant
were deprived of all power to resis
almost before they became aware hoy
the nice little scheme had terminated
All three were we'll armed.


Bound and guarded the three miscre
ants were taken to Redwood and lodget
in Jail.


Before 1 left 1 took look at then
through the grated doors Of their cell
When 1 paid my respects to the maj
with the red eye, he smiled little, an
remarked, patronizingly:


"You're pretty sharp young mar
1t takes middling keen boy to outwi
you"


Permit me to sympathize with yo
in your sorrow at the loss of your dea
brother, just little," replied.