Year: 1878

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 Everything seemed consistent, and any doubts I had entertained of the good intentions of the stranger were speedily dissolved. I did not go back to the office, but turned my steps toward my boarding place, thinking as I walkE ed along that Thursday would be an uncOml mon day with me, with two corpses and ESQ., 900 in specie in my car. ss zs e

 The money was safely deposited in the car an hour before the time for the train to leaAe, Thursday morning. It was securely locked in two strong, iron-bound chests, and when they were slowed away in the large safe, and the heavy doors made fast, I thought everything was pretty well fixed A few minutes before we pulled out, two wagons passed by the car, one of them containing two collins and the o.her six men, who were evidently acting as pail bearers. looked around for the hereav- ed brother with the peculiar eye, but he was nowhere to be seen thought it a little strange that he should be absent at such time, j but forgot all about it in moment.

 The collins were placed in one end of the car, aud after it had been arranged that one of the men should come into the car and take d lock at the bodies when we arrived at Red wood, he shook hands witht the others and en- tered one of the coaches. As the doors closed on him, the bells rung and we went steaming awaT.

 

 we had passed three or four stations before I had time to cast more than casual glance to- ward the quiet passengers at the end of the car. But after little when I had more lei sure, an uncomfortable wish took possession of me to look at the faces of the two dead men. It wasn't mere morbid curiosity, and I can't describe it in any way better than to say it was sort of vague desire which could not qulet without satisfying it.

 f l noticed that the lids were, not fastened down. My next discovery was that the screws were gone. This struck me as strange, for was sure had noticed them when the coffins were lifted into the car. 1 remembered that had given the attendants permission to arrange the caskets to their own satisfaction, and that they had been a long time doing it. If they had removed the screws unobserved at that time what possible object could they have had in doing SO? With thls question in my mind 1 raised the upper portion of the lid of the coffin nearest me and took a look at the face of the occupant. He was young man, with full face and square features. His cheeks were not sullen, and he had decidedly fresh appearance for a young man who had been dead nearly two days, thought.

 Replacing the lid, 1 passed away to the other coffin. Here new and startling sur prise met me, The man in the coffin was the

 

 That red eye was staring straight at me; {; and I was not mistaken! For a moment my life depended on it. ... ......,... #

 The man who was alive after the accident, which the paper said caused the death of Van Scoter and Griggs, and who had made arrange ments for the transportation of their remains, was now here in this coffin, to all appearance dead Then I remember that the bereved stranger had said that his dead brother resem- pied him very closely But two brothers are not apt to have red glass eyes Such coin- cidence as this was beyond the pale of unrea- sonable probabilities

 While yet I gazed at the supposed corpse, the other eye opened little, and I was sure that it was looking at me. 1 was convinced that there was fraud here, but to show that had discovered it might cost me my life So very quietly replaced the lid on the coffin and took moments time to think the matter oyer. Ht.tn-s-

 remembered my conversation with the ex- press agent, which we feared had deen over- heard by the clerical looking stranger, and could only come to the conclusion that the whole thing was a deliberate plan to murder mo and gain possession of the $80, 900 in my charge There was no denying that the man with the red eye was alive, and had no doubt that the other man was also. Kneeling down, l placed my ear close to the side of the coffin, and could hear him breathe quite distinctly. remember that the attendant who had boarded the train intended to enter the car at Redwood, ostensibly for the purpose of seeing the bodies; and 1 could not doubt that the three men in- tended to attack me after the train pulled out from the station, and rob the car before our ar rival 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. l had no time for hesitation. Instant action was my only chance for safety. If 1 could secure myself against an attack until we reach ed the next station, I felt that all would be well. In one instant I had decided upon a plan of action. As quickly as possible piled seven heavy boxes of merchandise on the top of the two coffins and then Iknew was safe. Scarcely was this accomplished when we ran into the station.

 First the man in the coach was secured He was highly indignant that he should be disturb ed on such solemn mission But it was no go. He was hand-cuffed in less than two min, utes and marched out on the platform.

 It was an easy matter to secure the other two quondam dead men. They were taken greatly at disadvantage, and were deprived of all power to resist almost before they became aware how their nice little scheme had termi- mated. All three had been well armed.

 Bound and guarded, the three miscrants were taken to Redwood and lodged in the county jail.

 Before left took look at them through the grated doors of their cell When paid my respects to the man with the red eye, he smiled little and remarked patronizingly

 You're pretty sharp young man. It takes mddling keen boy to outwit us''

 "Permit me to sympathize with you in your sorrow at the loss of your dear brother, just a little," replied. '