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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ralph on the Engine, by Allen Chapman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ralph on the Engine
+       The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail
+
+Author: Allen Chapman
+
+Release Date: March 9, 2009 [EBook #28292]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH ON THE ENGINE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE LOCOMOTIVE SETTLED BACK ON A SLANT.
+_Ralph on the Engine.        Frontispiece (Page 10.)_]
+
+
+
+
+RALPH ON THE ENGINE
+
+OR
+
+THE YOUNG FIREMAN OF THE LIMITED MAIL
+
+BY
+
+ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+AUTHOR OF "RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE," "RALPH IN THE
+SWITCH TOWER," "THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT,"
+"TWO BOY PUBLISHERS," "THE DAREWELL CHUMS," ETC.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+NEW YORK
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+THE RAILROAD SERIES
+BY ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+12mo, Cloth, Illustrated.
+
+RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
+Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man
+
+RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER
+Or, Clearing the Track
+
+RALPH ON THE ENGINE
+Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail
+
+(Other volumes in preparation.)
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+PUBLISHERS--NEW YORK
+
+Copyright, 1909, by
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+Ralph on the Engine
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+ CHAPTER                                    PAGE
+      I. The Night Run                         1
+     II. The Landslide                         9
+    III. Everybody's Friend                   19
+     IV. An Old-Time Enemy                    27
+      V. On Special Duty                      35
+     VI. Zeph                                 43
+    VII. Limpy Joe's Railroad Restaurant      50
+   VIII. The Hidden Plunder                   58
+     IX. A Suspicious Proceeding              66
+      X. The Special                          73
+     XI. Kidnapped                            82
+    XII. The Railroad President               89
+   XIII. The Short Line Railway               97
+    XIV. A Railroad Strike                   106
+     XV. The Runaway Trains                  116
+    XVI. Car No. 9176                        124
+   XVII. Under Sealed Orders                 132
+  XVIII. The Strike Leader                   142
+    XIX. The Wire Tappers                    150
+     XX. In Peril                            159
+    XXI. A Friend in Need                    165
+   XXII. The Limited Mail                    173
+  XXIII. The Picnic Train                    181
+   XXIV. In "The Barrens"                    190
+    XXV. Too Late                            197
+   XXVI. The Mad Engineer                    205
+  XXVII. A New Mystery                       213
+ XXVIII. The Freight Thieves                 219
+   XXIX. A Prisoner                          226
+    XXX. The Lost Diamonds                   235
+   XXXI. Justice at Last--Conclusion         241
+
+
+
+
+RALPH ON THE ENGINE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE NIGHT RUN
+
+
+"Ralph Fairbanks."
+
+"On hand, sir."
+
+"You are to relieve Fireman Cooper on the Dover slow freight."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+Ralph Fairbanks arose from the bench on which he was seated in the
+roundhouse at Stanley Junction.
+
+Over a dozen men had been his companions for the past hour. There were
+engineers waiting for their runs, firemen resting after getting their
+locomotives in order, and "extras," who, like the young railroader
+himself, were so far on the substitute list only.
+
+Ralph was glad of his appointment. This was his second month of
+service as a fireman. It had been by no means regular employment, and,
+as he was industrious and ambitious, he was glad to get at work with
+the prospect of a steady run.
+
+The foreman of the roundhouse had just turned from his desk after
+marking Ralph's name on the list when a man hurriedly entered the
+place. He was rather unsteady in his gait, his face was flushed, and
+he looked dissolute and unreliable.
+
+"Give me the slow freight run, Forgan," he panted. "I'm listed next."
+
+"Two minutes late," observed the foreman, in a business-like way.
+
+"That don't count on a stormy night like this."
+
+"System counts in this establishment always, Jim Evans," said Mr.
+Forgan.
+
+"I ran all the way."
+
+"Stopped too long at the corner saloon, then," put in Dave Adams, a
+veteran engineer of the road.
+
+Evans glared at the man who spoke, but recognizing a privileged
+character, stared down the row of loiterers and demanded:
+
+"Who's got my run?"
+
+"Do you own any particular run, Jim?" inquired Adams, with a grin.
+
+"Well, Griscom's was due me."
+
+"Young Fairbanks was on hand, so it's his run now."
+
+"That kid's," sneered Evans, turning on Ralph with angry eyes. "See
+here, young fellow, do you think it's square cutting in on a regular
+man this way?"
+
+"I'll answer that," interposed Tim Forgan sharply. "He was here, you
+weren't. He holds the run till a better man comes along."
+
+Evans stood glaring at Ralph for a few minutes. Then he moved to the
+youth's side.
+
+"See here, kid," he observed, "I want this run specially. It'll be a
+regular, for Cooper is going with another road. I'm a man and must
+earn a man's wages. You're only a kid. I've got a family. Come, give
+me the run and I'll treat you handsomely," and the speaker extended a
+cigar.
+
+"Thank you, I don't smoke," said Ralph. Then looking the man squarely
+in the eyes, he said: "Mr. Evans, I'll give up the run on one
+condition."
+
+"What's that?" inquired Evans eagerly.
+
+"If you will sign the pledge, work steadily, and give your wages to
+your family as you should do."
+
+"I'll do it!" shouted Evans, not a whit shame-facedly.
+
+"No, you won't," announced Forgan. "Fairbanks, kindness is kindness,
+but business is business. If you drop this run, it goes to the next
+extra on the list according to routine."
+
+"Bah, you're all down on me!" flared out Evans, and left the place in
+a rage.
+
+"It would do no good, Fairbanks, to help that man," observed Dave
+Adams. "He would sign anything to secure a personal advantage and
+never keep his word. He squanders all his money and won't last long in
+the Great Northern, I can tell you."
+
+Ralph went outside as he heard a whistle down the rails. Evans was
+standing near a switch.
+
+"Some kind of a plot, eh, you and your friend?" he sneered at Ralph.
+
+"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Evans," replied Ralph.
+
+"Oh, yes, you do. Forgan is partial to you. The others don't like me
+because I'm a crack man in my line. One word, though; I'll pay you off
+for this some time or other," and Evans left the spot shaking his fist
+at Ralph menacingly.
+
+"One of the bad kind," mused Ralph, looking after the fellow, "not at
+all fit for duty half the time. Here comes one of the good kind," he
+added as a freight engine with a long train of cars attached steamed
+up at the roundhouse. "It's my run, Mr. Griscom."
+
+"That's famous news," cried old John Griscom, genuinely pleased.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Cooper," said Ralph, as the fireman leaped from the
+cab.
+
+"Hello," responded the latter. "You got the run? Well, it's a good man
+in a good man's place."
+
+"That's right," said Griscom. "None better. In to report, Sam?
+Good-bye. Shovel in the coal, lad," the speaker directed Ralph. "It's
+a bad night for railroading, and we'll have a hard run to Dover."
+
+Ralph applied himself to his duties at once. He opened the fire door,
+and as the ruddy glow illuminated his face he was a picture pleasant
+to behold.
+
+Muscular, healthy, in love with his work, friendly, earnest and
+accommodating, Ralph Fairbanks was a favorite with every fair-minded
+railroad man on the Great Northern who knew him.
+
+Ralph had lived at Stanley Junction nearly all of his life. His early
+experiences in railroading have been related in the first volume of
+the present series, entitled "Ralph of the Roundhouse."
+
+Ralph's father had been one of the pioneers who helped to build the
+Great Northern. When he died, however, it was found that the twenty
+thousand dollars' worth of stock in the road he was supposed to own
+had mysteriously disappeared.
+
+Further, his home was mortgaged to old Gasper Farrington, a wealthy
+magnate of the village. This person seemed to have but one object in
+life; to drive the widow Fairbanks and her son from Stanley Junction.
+
+Ralph one day overheard Farrington threaten to foreclose a mortgage,
+and the youth suddenly realized his responsibilities. Leaving school,
+he secured a job in the roundhouse at Stanley Junction. Here,
+notwithstanding the plots, hatred and malice of a worthless,
+good-for-nothing fellow named Ike Slump, whose place he took, Ralph
+made fine progress. He saved the railroad shops from wholesale
+destruction, by assisting John Griscom to run an engine into the
+flames and drive a car of powder out of the way. For this brave deed
+Ralph secured the friendship of the master mechanic of the road and
+was promoted to the position of junior leverman.
+
+In the second volume of this series, entitled "Ralph in the Switch
+Tower," another vivid phase of his ability and merit has been
+depicted. He rendered signal service in saving a special from disaster
+and prevented a treasure train from being looted by thieves.
+
+Among the thieves was his old-time enemy, Ike Slump, and a crony of
+his named Mort Bemis. They had been hired by Farrington to harass
+Ralph in every way possible. Ralph had searched for the motive to the
+old man's animosity.
+
+He learned that Farrington had appropriated his father's railroad
+stock on an illegal technicality, and that the mortgage on their
+homestead had once been paid by Mr. Fairbanks.
+
+Once knowing this, Ralph undertook the task of proving it. It required
+some clever work to unmask the villainous miser, but Ralph succeeded,
+and Farrington, to escape facing disgrace, left the town, ostensibly
+for Europe.
+
+In unmasking the old man Ralph was assisted by one Van Sherwin, a poor
+boy whom he had befriended. Van and a former partner of Gasper
+Farrington, named Farwell Gibson, had secured a charter to build a
+short line railroad near Dover, in which project Ralph was very much
+interested.
+
+As has been said, Ralph had now been a fireman for two months, but
+heretofore employed in yard service only.
+
+"It's the chance of my life," he cried cheerily, as he piled in the
+coal, "and what a famous partner is dear, bluff, honest old John
+Griscom!"
+
+"Won't have me for a partner long, lad," replied the veteran engineer
+with a slight sigh, as he moved the lever.
+
+"Why not, Mr. Griscom?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Eyes giving out. Had to drop the Daylight Express. I'm going down
+the ladder, you are going up the ladder. Stick to your principles,
+lad, for they are good ones, as I well know, and you'll surely reach
+the top."
+
+"I hope so." said Ralph.
+
+The locomotive gave a sharp signal whistle, and the slow freight
+started on its night run for Dover.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE LANDSLIDE
+
+
+"Trouble ahead!"
+
+"What's that, Fairbanks?"
+
+"And danger. Quick! slow down, or we're in for a wreck."
+
+Ralph Fairbanks spoke with suddenness. As he did so he leaped past the
+engineer in a flash, clearing the open window space at the side.
+
+Two minutes previous the old engineer had asked him to go out on the
+locomotive to adjust some fault in the air gauge. Ralph had just
+attended to this when he made a startling discovery.
+
+In an instant he was in action and landed on the floor of the cab. He
+sprang to his own side of the engine, and leaning far out peered
+keenly ahead.
+
+They were now in a deep cut which ended a steep climb, and the engine
+had full steam on and was making fairly good speed.
+
+"My bad eyes--" began Griscom, and then he quivered in every nerve,
+for a tremendous shock nearly sent him off his seat.
+
+"Just in time," cried Ralph, and then he held his breath.
+
+Slowing down, the train had come to a crashing halt. The locomotive
+reared upon its forward wheels and then settled back on a slant,
+creaking at every joint. Ralph had swung the air lever or there would
+have been a catastrophe.
+
+"What was it?" gasped Griscom, clearing his old eyes and peering
+ahead, but Ralph was gone. Seizing a lantern, he had jumped to the
+ground and was at the front of the locomotive now. The engineer shut
+off all steam after sounding the danger signal, a series of several
+sharp whistles, and quickly joined his assistant.
+
+In front of the locomotive, obstructing the rails completely, was a
+great mass of dirt, gravel and rocks.
+
+"A landslide," spoke Griscom, glancing up one steep side of the cut.
+
+"If we had struck that big rock full force," observed Ralph, "it would
+have been a bad wreck."
+
+"You saved us just in time," cried the old engineer. "I've often
+wondered if some day there wouldn't be just such a drop as this of
+some of these overhanging cliffs. Company ought to see to it. It's
+been a fierce rain all the evening, perhaps that loosened the mass."
+
+"Hardly," said Ralph thoughtfully, and then, inspecting a glazed piece
+of paper with some printing on it he had just picked up, he looked
+queerly at his companion.
+
+"Give them the trouble signal in the caboose, please, Mr. Griscom,"
+said the young fireman. "I think I had better get back there at once.
+Have you a revolver?"
+
+"Always carry one," responded Griscom.
+
+"Keep it handy, then."
+
+"Eh!" cried the engineer with a stare. "What you getting at, lad?"
+
+"That is no landslide," replied Ralph, pointing at the obstruction.
+
+"What is it then?"
+
+"Train wreckers--or worse," declared Ralph promptly. "There is no time
+to lose, Mr. Griscom," he continued in rapid tones.
+
+"Of course, if not an accident, there was a purpose in it," muttered
+Griscom, reaching into his tool box for a weapon, "but what makes you
+think it wasn't an accident?"
+
+Ralph did not reply, for he was gone. Springing across the coal heaped
+up in the tender, he climbed to the top of the first freight car and
+started on a swift run the length of the train.
+
+The young fireman was considerably excited. He would not have been a
+spirited, wide-awake boy had he been otherwise. The paper he had found
+among the debris of the obstruction on the rails had an ominous
+sentence across it, namely, "_Handle With Care, Dynamite_."
+
+This, taken in connection with what had at first startled him, made
+Ralph feel pretty sure that he had not missed his guess in attributing
+the landslide to some agency outside of nature.
+
+While adjusting the air gauge Ralph had noticed a flare ahead, then a
+lantern light up the side of the embankment, and then, in the blaze of
+a wild flash of lightning, he had witnessed the descent of a great
+tearing, tossing mass, landing in the railroad cut.
+
+"It can mean only a hold-up," theorized Ralph. "Yes, I am quite
+right."
+
+He slowed down in his wild dash over the car tops, and proceeded with
+caution. Down at the end of the train he saw lights that he knew did
+not belong to the train hands.
+
+Ralph neared the caboose and then dropped flat to the top of the car
+he was on. Peering past its edge, he made out a wagon, half-a-dozen
+men, and the train hands backed to the side of the cut and held
+captive there by two of the strangers, who menaced them with
+revolvers.
+
+Then two others of the marauding gang took crowbars from the wagon,
+and one, carrying a lantern, proceeded along the side of the cars
+inspecting the freight cards.
+
+"They must know of some valuable goods on the train," reflected
+Ralph.
+
+It was an ideal spot for a train robbery, between two stations, and no
+train was due for several hours.
+
+Ralph was in a quandary as to his best course of procedure. For a
+moment he considered going for Griscom and arming himself with a bar
+of rod.
+
+"It would be six to two and we would get the worst of it," he decided.
+"There is only one thing to do--get back to Brocton. It's less than a
+mile. Can I make it before these fellows get away with their plunder?
+Good! a patent coupler."
+
+The boy fireman had crept to the end of the car next to the caboose.
+Glancing down, he discovered that the couplings were operated by a
+lever bar. Otherwise, he could never have forced up the coupling pin.
+
+The cars were on a sharp incline, in fact, one of the steepest on the
+road. Ralph relied on simple gravity to escape the robbers and hasten
+for relief.
+
+"There's some one!"
+
+Careful as Ralph was, he was discovered. A voice rang out in warning.
+Then with a quick, bold snap, Ralph lifted the coupler and the pin
+shot out. He sprang to the forward platform of the caboose. As the car
+began to recede, he dashed through its open door.
+
+"Just in time. Whew!" ejaculated Ralph, "those fellows are desperate
+men and doing this in true, wild western style."
+
+The caboose, once started, began a rapid backward rush. Ralph feared
+that its momentum might carry the car from the track.
+
+A curve turned, and the lights of Brocton were in sight. Before the
+runaway caboose slowed down entirely it must have gone fully
+three-quarters of a mile.
+
+Ralph jumped from the car, and ran down the tracks at his best speed.
+He was breathless as he reached the little depot. It was dark and
+deserted, but opposite it was the one business street of the town.
+
+Ralph left the tracks finally and made a dash for the open entrance of
+the general store of the village. The usual crowd of loiterers was
+gathered there.
+
+"Hello! what's this?" cried the proprietor, as the young fireman
+rushed wildly into the store.
+
+"Fireman on the Dover freight," explained Ralph breathlessly.
+
+"What's the trouble--a wreck?"
+
+"No, a hold-up. Men! get weapons, a handcar, if there is one here, and
+we may head off the robbers."
+
+It took some urging to get that slow crowd into action, but finally
+half-a-dozen men armed with shotguns were running down the tracks
+following Ralph's lead.
+
+It was a steep climb and several fell behind, out of breath. One big
+fellow kept pace with Ralph.
+
+"There they are," spoke the latter as they rounded a curve.
+
+Lights showed in the near distance. A flash of lightning momentarily
+revealed a stirring scene. The robbers were removing packages from a
+car they had broken into, and these they were loading into their wagon
+at the side of the train.
+
+"Hurry up, hurry up!" Ralph's companion shouted back to his comrades.
+"Now, then, for a dash, and we'll bag those rogues, plunder, rig and
+all."
+
+"Wait," ordered Ralph sharply.
+
+He was too late. The impetuous villager was greatly excited and he ran
+ahead and fired off his gun, two of the others following his example.
+
+Ralph was very sorry for this, for almost instantly the robbers took
+the alarm and all lights near the caboose were extinguished. The echo
+of rapid orders reached the ears of the relief party. Fairly upon the
+scene, a flash of lightning showed the wagon being driven rapidly up a
+road leading from the cut.
+
+"Look out for yourselves," suggested Ralph. "Those men are armed."
+
+"So are we, now!" sharply sounded the voice of one of the men from
+Brocton, and another flash of lightning showed the enemy still in
+view.
+
+"Up the road after them!" came a second order.
+
+Ralph ran up to the side of the caboose.
+
+"All safe?" he inquired anxiously.
+
+"All but one of us," responded the conductor.
+
+Ralph lit a lantern, noticing one of the train hands lying on the
+ground motionless.
+
+"He's a fighter, Tom is," said the conductor. "He resisted and
+grappled with one of the robbers, and another of them knocked him
+senseless."
+
+"What's this in his hand?" inquired Ralph. "Oh, I see--a cap. Snatched
+it from the head of his assailant, I suppose. Hark! they are shooting
+up there."
+
+Shots rang out along the cut road. In a few minutes, however, the men
+from Brocton reappeared in the cut.
+
+"No use wasting our lives recklessly," said one of them. "They have
+bullets, we only small shot. The wagon got away. We'll hurry back to
+Brocton, get a regular posse armed with rifles, and search the country
+for the rascals."
+
+"What's the damage?" inquired Ralph of the conductor, going to the
+side of the car that had been broken open.
+
+"Pretty big, I should say," responded the conductor. "That car had a
+consignment of valuable silks from Brown & Banks, in the city, and
+they piled a fair load of it into their wagon. You have saved a
+wholesale plundering of the car."
+
+The men from Brocton departed. Ralph helped the train crew revive the
+poor fellow who had been knocked insensible. They carried him into the
+caboose, applied cold water to his head, and soon had him restored to
+consciousness.
+
+"Fix the red lights," ordered the conductor to a brakeman, "and then
+hurry to Brocton and have them telegraph the train dispatcher. What's
+the trouble ahead, Fairbanks?"
+
+Ralph explained. Shovels and crowbars were brought from the caboose,
+and two of the train crew accompanied him back to the locomotive.
+
+Ralph thought of the cap he had stuck in his pocket. He looked it over
+carefully in the light of the lantern he carried.
+
+On the leather band inside of the cap were two initials in red
+ink--"I. S."
+
+"Ike Slump," murmured Ralph.
+
+An old-time enemy had appeared on the scene, and the young fireman of
+the Great Northern knew that he would have to keep a sharp lookout or
+there would be more trouble.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+EVERYBODY'S FRIEND
+
+
+"Stand back there, you fellows!"
+
+"Scatter, boys--it's Ralph Fairbanks!"
+
+It was two days after the landslide near Brocton. The young fireman
+had just left the roundhouse at Stanley Junction in a decidedly
+pleasant mood. His cheering thoughts were, however, rudely disturbed
+by a spectacle that at once appealed to his manly nature.
+
+Ralph, making a short cut for home, had come across a farmer's wagon
+standing in an alley at the side of a cheap hotel. The place was a
+resort for dissolute, good-for-nothing railway employes, and one of
+its victims was now seated, or rather propped up, on the seat of the
+wagon in question.
+
+He was a big, loutish boy, and had apparently come into town with a
+load to deliver. The wagon was filled with bags of apples. Around the
+vehicle was gathered a crowd of boys. Each one of them had his pockets
+bulging with the fruit stolen from one of the bags in the wagon.
+
+Standing near by, Jim Evans in their midst, was an idle crowd of
+railroad men, enjoying and commenting on the scene.
+
+The farmer's boy was seemingly asleep or unconscious. He had been set
+up on the seat by the mob, and one side of his face blackened up.
+Apples stuck all over the harness of the horses and on every available
+part of the vehicle. A big board lying across the bags had chalked
+upon it, "Take One."
+
+The crowd was just about to start this spectacle through the public
+streets of Stanley Junction when Ralph appeared. The young fireman
+brushed them aside quickly, removed the adornments from the horses and
+wagon, sprang to the vehicle, threw the sign overboard, and, lifting
+up the unconscious driver, placed him out of view under the wagon
+seat. As he did so, Ralph noticed the taint of liquor on the breath of
+the country lad.
+
+"Too bad," he murmured to himself. "This doesn't look right--more like
+a piece of malice or mischief. Stand back, there!"
+
+Ralph took up the reins, and also seized the whip. Many of the crowd
+he had known as school chums, and most of them drew back shamefacedly
+as he appeared.
+
+There were four or five regular young loafers, however, who led the
+mob. Among them Ralph recognized Ted Evans, a son of the fireman he
+had encountered at the roundhouse two days previous. With him was a
+fellow named Hemp Gaston, an old associate of Mort Bemis.
+
+"Hold on, there!" sang out Gaston, grabbing the bridles of the horses.
+"What you spoiling our fun for?"
+
+"Yes," added Ted Evans, springing to the wagon step and seizing
+Ralph's arm. "Get off that wagon, or we'll pull you off."
+
+Ralph swung the fellow free of the vehicle with a vigorous push.
+
+"See here, you interfere with my boy and I'll take a hand in this
+affair myself," growled Jim Evans, advancing from the crowd of men.
+
+"You'll whip me first, if you do," answered one of them. "This is a
+boys' squabble, Jim Evans, and don't you forget it."
+
+"Humph! he struck my boy."
+
+"Then let them fight it out."
+
+"Yes," shouted young Evans angrily, "come down here and show that you
+are no coward."
+
+"Very well," said Ralph promptly. "There's one for you!"
+
+Ralph Fairbanks had acted in a flash on an impulse. He had leaped from
+the wagon, dealt young Evans one blow and sent him half-stunned to
+the ground. Regaining the wagon he drove quickly into the street
+before his astonished enemies could act any further.
+
+"Poor fellow," said Ralph, looking at the lad in the wagon. "Now, what
+am I ever going to do with him?"
+
+Ralph reflected for a moment or two. Then he started in the direction
+of home. He was sleepy and tired out, and he realized that the present
+episode might interfere with some of his plans for the day, but he was
+a whole-hearted, sympathetic boy and could not resist the promptings
+of his generous nature.
+
+The young fireman soon reached the pretty little cottage that was his
+home, so recently rescued from the sordid clutches of old Gasper
+Farrington. He halted the team in front of the place and entered the
+house at once.
+
+"Here I am, mother," he said cheerily.
+
+Mrs. Fairbanks greeted him with a smile of glad welcome.
+
+"I was quite anxious about you when I heard of the wreck, Ralph," she
+said with solicitude. He had not been home since that happening.
+
+"It was not a wreck, mother," corrected Ralph. Then he briefly recited
+the incidents of the hold-up.
+
+"It seems as though you were destined to meet with all kinds of
+danger in your railroad life," said the widow. "You were delayed
+considerably."
+
+"Yes," answered Ralph, "we had to remove the landslide debris. That
+took us six hours and threw us off our schedule, so we had to lay over
+at Dover all day yesterday. One pleasant thing, though."
+
+"What is that, Ralph?"
+
+"The master mechanic congratulated me this morning on what he called,
+'saving the train.'"
+
+"Which you certainly did, Ralph. Why, whose wagon is that in front of
+the house?" inquired Mrs. Fairbanks, observing the vehicle outside for
+the first time.
+
+Ralph explained the circumstances of his rescue of the vehicle to his
+mother.
+
+"What are you going to do with the farmer's boy?" she inquired.
+
+"I want to bring him in the house until he recovers."
+
+"Very well, I will make up a bed on the lounge for him," said the
+woman. "It is too bad, poor fellow! and shameful--the mischief of
+those men at the hotel."
+
+Ralph carried the farmer's boy into the house. Then he ate his
+breakfast. After the meal was finished, he glanced at his watch.
+
+"I shall have to lose a little sleep, mother," he said. "I am anxious
+to help the poor fellow out, and I think I see a way to do it."
+
+The young fireman had noticed a small blank book under the cushion of
+the wagon seat. He now inspected it for the first time. All of its
+written pages were crossed out except one. This contained a list of
+names of storekeepers in Stanley Junction.
+
+Ralph drove to the store first named in the list. Within two hours he
+had delivered all of the apples. It seemed that the storekeepers named
+in the account book ordered certain fruits and vegetables regularly
+from the owner of the team, the farmer himself coming to town to
+collect for the same twice each month.
+
+When Ralph got back home he unhitched the horses, tied them up near
+the woodshed, and fed them from a bag of grain he found under the
+wagon seat.
+
+"What is this, I wonder?" he said, discovering a small flat parcel
+under the wagon seat. The package resembled a store purchase of some
+kind, so, for safe keeping, Ralph placed it inside the shed.
+
+His mother had gone to visit a sick neighbor. The farmer boy was
+sleeping heavily.
+
+"Wake me before the boy leaves," he wrote on a card, leaving this for
+his mother on the kitchen table. Then, pretty well tired out, Ralph
+went to bed.
+
+It was late in the afternoon when he awoke. He went down stairs and
+glanced into the sitting room.
+
+"Why, mother," he exclaimed, "where is the farmer boy?"
+
+"He left two hours ago, Ralph."
+
+"Is that so? Then why didn't you wake me up? I left a card for you on
+the kitchen table."
+
+"I did not find it," said the widow, and then a search revealed the
+card where the wind had blown it under the stove.
+
+"What did the boy say?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"He told me his name was Zeph Dallas. I talked to him about his
+misfortunes of the morning, and he broke down and cried. Then he went
+out to the wagon. He found an account book there, and said you must
+have delivered his load for him, and that he would never forget your
+kindness."
+
+"There was a package in the wagon," said Ralph.
+
+"He spoke of that, and said some one must have stolen it."
+
+"You are sure he didn't find it later?" inquired Ralph. "It was in
+the woodshed, where I placed it for safe keeping."
+
+Ralph went out to the shed, and found the package where he had left
+it. He returned to the house with it, ate a hurried meal, and hastened
+down town. He learned that Zeph had called at several stores. The
+farmer boy appeared to have discovered Ralph's interest in his behalf,
+and had driven home.
+
+"I wonder what there is in the package?" mused Ralph, when he again
+reached the cottage. "I had better open it and find out."
+
+The young fireman was quite startled as he untied the parcel and
+glanced at its contents. The package contained two bolts of silk, and
+the tags on them bore the name of the firm which, Ralph had learned at
+Dover, had shipped the goods stolen from the slow freight two nights
+previous.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AN OLD-TIME ENEMY
+
+
+"New engine, lad?"
+
+"Not at all, Mr. Griscom, as you well know," answered Ralph.
+
+The veteran engineer chuckled, but he continued looking over the
+locomotive with admiring eyes.
+
+The young fireman had come to work early that afternoon. The
+roundhouse men were careless and he decided to show them what "elbow
+grease" and industry could do. In an hour he had the old freight
+locomotive looking indeed like a new engine.
+
+They steamed out of the roundhouse and were soon at the head of their
+freight train.
+
+"I wish I had a little time to spare," said Ralph.
+
+"Half-an-hour before we have to leave, you know, lad," said Griscom.
+"What's troubling you?"
+
+"I wanted to see Bob Adair, the road detective."
+
+"About the silk robbery?" inquired the engineer with interest.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Something new?"
+
+"Considerable, I think."
+
+"You might find him in the depot offices. Run down and see. I'll
+attend to things here."
+
+"Thanks, Mr. Griscom."
+
+Ralph hurried away from the freight train. He wished to report about
+the discovery of the silk, and hunt up Zeph Dallas at once.
+
+"I hardly believe the farmer boy a thief," mused Ralph, "but he must
+explain his possession of that silk."
+
+The young fireman did not find Adair at the depot, and came back to
+the engine to discover Jim Evans lounging in the cab.
+
+"Been helping Griscom out," grinned the man.
+
+"Well, get out, now," growled Griscom. "Time to start up. There's the
+signal from the conductor. That man has been hanging around the engine
+ever since you left," the old engineer continued to Ralph, "and he is
+too good-natured to suit me."
+
+"Nothing out of order," reported the youth, looking about the cab.
+
+"Now, lad, for a run on time," said Griscom. "This run has been late
+a good deal, and I don't want to get a bad name. When I ran the
+Daylight Express it was my pride and boast that we were always on time
+to the minute."
+
+They made good time out of Stanley Junction to Afton. Ten miles
+beyond, however, there was a jolt, a slide and difficult progress on a
+bit of upgrade rails.
+
+So serious was the difficulty that Griscom stopped the train and got
+out to investigate. He returned to the cab with a set, grim face.
+
+"Grease," he reported; "some one has been tampering with the rails.
+Spite work, too."
+
+There was fully an hour's delay, but a liberal application of sand to
+the rails helped them out. Five miles later on the locomotive began to
+puff and jerk. With full steam on, the engine did only half duty.
+
+"Water gauge all right," said Ralph. "I don't understand it."
+
+"I do," said Griscom, "and I can tell it in two words--Jim Evans."
+
+"Why, what do you mean, Mr. Griscom?"
+
+"He didn't come into the cab for nothing. Yes, we are victims of the
+old trick--soap in the water and the valves are clogged."
+
+"What are we going to do about it?" inquired Ralph anxiously.
+
+"Pump out the water at the next tank and take a new supply on."
+
+There was a further delay of nearly two hours. Once more they started
+up. Ten miles from Dover, a few seconds after Ralph had thrown in
+coal, a terrible explosion threw the fire cover open and singed and
+burned both engineer and fireman.
+
+Griscom looked angry, for the fire now needed mending.
+
+"Lad," he said grimly, "these tricks are done to scare you and delay
+the train."
+
+"I am not scared one particle," retorted Ralph, "only this strikes me
+as a dangerous piece of mischief--putting explosives in among the
+coal."
+
+"Jim Evans did it," positively asserted Griscom. "That's what he
+sneaked into the cab for, and he has confederates along the line."
+
+Ralph said nothing but he resolved to call Evans to account when he
+returned to Stanley Junction.
+
+They were over an hour late on the run. Returning to Stanley Junction,
+they were delayed by a wreck and the time record was bad at both ends
+of the line.
+
+"I don't like it," said Griscom.
+
+"We'll mend it, Mr. Griscom," declared the young fireman, and he did
+not go home when they reached Stanley Junction, but proceeded at once
+to the home of Jim Evans.
+
+Ralph knocked at the open door, but no one answered the summons and he
+stepped to the door of the sitting room.
+
+"Any one here?" he called out through the house.
+
+"Eh? oh--no," answered a muffled voice, and a man in the adjoining
+room got up quickly and fairly ran out through the rear door.
+
+"That's queer," commented Ralph. "That man actually ran away from
+me."
+
+"Ma has gone after pa," lisped a little urchin in the kitchen. "Man
+wants to see him. What for funny man run away?"
+
+Ralph hurried past the infantile questioner and after the object of
+his curiosity.
+
+"Yes, the man did look funny, for a fact," said Ralph. "He was
+disguised. There he is. Hey, there! whoever you are, a word with
+you."
+
+He was now in close pursuit of a scurrying figure. The object of his
+curiosity turned to look at him, stumbled, and went headlong into a
+ditch.
+
+Ralph came to the spot. The man lay groaning where he had fallen.
+
+"Help me," he muttered--"I'm nearly stunned."
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Ralph as he assisted the man to his feet, "it is
+Gasper Farrington."
+
+It was the village magnate, disguised. He stood regarding Ralph with
+savage eyes.
+
+"I thought you had gone to Europe, Mr. Farrington," said Ralph.
+
+"Did you? Well, I haven't," growled Farrington, nursing a bruise on
+his face.
+
+"Are you going to stay in Stanley Junction, then?"
+
+"None of your business."
+
+"Oh, yes, it is," retorted Ralph quickly. "You owe us thousands of
+dollars, and we want it."
+
+"You'll collect by law, then. I'll never give you a cent willingly."
+
+Ralph regarded the man thoughtfully for a minute or two.
+
+"Mr. Farrington," he said, "I have come to the conclusion that you are
+trying to make me more trouble. This man Evans is up to mischief, and
+I believe that you have incited him to it."
+
+The magnate was silent, regarding Ralph with menacing eyes.
+
+"I warn you that it won't pay, and that you won't succeed," continued
+Ralph. "What do you hope to accomplish by persecuting me?"
+
+The old man glanced all about him. Then he spoke out.
+
+"Fairbanks," he said, "I give you one last chance--get out of Stanley
+Junction."
+
+"Why should I?" demanded Ralph.
+
+"Because you have humiliated me and we can't live in the same town
+together, that's why."
+
+"You deserved humiliation," responded Ralph steadily.
+
+"All right, take your own view of the case. I will settle your claim
+for five thousand dollars and pay you the money at once, if you will
+leave Stanley Junction."
+
+"We will not take one cent less than the full twenty thousand dollars
+due us," announced Ralph staunchly, "and I shall not leave Stanley
+Junction as long as my mother wants to live here."
+
+"Then," said Gasper Farrington, venomously, as he walked from the
+spot, "look out for yourself."
+
+Ralph went back to the Evans home, but found only the little child
+there. He concluded he would not wait for Evans that evening. The
+discovery of his old-time enemy, Farrington, had been enlightening.
+
+"I will have a talk with mother about this," he mused.
+
+When Ralph reached home a surprise greeted him. The little parlor was
+lighted up, indicating a visitor. He glanced in through the open
+windows.
+
+The visitor was Zeph Dallas, the farmer boy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+ON SPECIAL DUTY
+
+
+Ralph entered the house glad of an opportunity to interview the farmer
+boy, who had been in his thoughts considerably during the day.
+
+"Mr. Dallas, this is my son, Ralph," said Mrs. Fairbanks, as the young
+fireman came into the parlor.
+
+The visitor arose from his chair in an awkward, embarrassed fashion.
+He flushed and stammered as he grasped Ralph's extended hand.
+
+"Brought you a sack of potatoes and some apples," he said. "Neighbor
+gave me a lift in his wagon."
+
+"Is that so?" returned Ralph with a friendly smile. "Well, Mr. Dallas,
+I am very glad to see you."
+
+"Gladder than you were last time, I reckon," said Zeph. "Say, I--I
+want to say I am ashamed of myself, and I want to thank you for all
+you did for me. It's made me your friend for life, so I came to ask a
+favor of you."
+
+This was rather a queer way of putting the case, thought Ralph, and
+the fellow blundered on.
+
+"You see, Mr. Ames, that's the man who hired me, found out about my
+doings down here at Stanley Junction, and he has set me adrift."
+
+"That is too bad," observed Ralph.
+
+"No, it ain't, for I deserve better work," dissented Zeph. "They say
+you're dreadfully smart and everybody's friend, and I want you to help
+me get where I want to get."
+
+"All right, I am willing to try to assist you."
+
+"I don't know exactly which I had better do," proceeded Zeph--"become
+a chief of police or a railroad conductor. Of course, the man who
+speaks quickest and will pay the most money gets me."
+
+Ralph concealed a smile, for Zeph was entirely in earnest.
+
+"Well, you see," remarked the young fireman, "it is somewhat difficult
+to get just the position you want without some experience."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," declared the farmer boy confidently. "I've
+thought it all out. I once watched a conductor go through a train.
+Why, it's no work at all. I could do it easily. And as to being a
+detective I've read lots of books on the subject, and I've even got
+some disguises I made up, in my satchel here."
+
+"Oh, brought your satchel, too, did you?" observed Ralph.
+
+"Why, yes, I thought maybe you'd house me for a day or two till I
+closed a contract with somebody."
+
+The fellow was so simple-minded that Mrs. Fairbanks pitied him, and,
+observing this, Ralph said:
+
+"You are welcome, Zeph, and I will later talk over with you the
+prospects of a situation."
+
+The visitor was soon completely at home. He ate a hearty supper, and,
+after the meal, took some home-made disguises from his satchel. The
+poor fellow strutted around proudly as he put these on in turn.
+
+"Old peddler," he announced, donning a skull cap, a white beard made
+out of rope, and a big pair of goggles. "Tramp," and he put on a
+ragged coat and a torn cap, and acted out the appearance of a typical
+tramp quite naturally. There were several other representations, but
+all so crude and funny that Ralph with difficulty restrained his
+merriment.
+
+"How will it do?" inquired Zeph, at the conclusion of the
+performance.
+
+"You have got the elements of the profession in mind," said Ralph
+guardedly, "but there is the practical end of the business to
+learn."
+
+Then Ralph seriously and earnestly told his visitor the real facts of
+the case. He devoted a full hour to correcting Zeph's wrong
+impressions of detective and railroad work. By the time he got
+through, Zeph's face was glum.
+
+"Why, if what you say is true," he remarked dejectedly, "I'm next to
+being good for nothing."
+
+"Oh, no," said Ralph, "don't you be discouraged at all. You have the
+starting point of every ambition--an idea. I myself do not think much
+of the detective line for one as young as you are. As to railroading,
+I can tell you one fact."
+
+"What's that?" interrogated Zeph dreamily.
+
+"You must begin at the bottom of the ladder and take one step at a
+time--slow steps, sure steps, to reach the top."
+
+"You're a fireman, aren't you?" asked Zeph, admiringly.
+
+Ralph answered that he was, and this led to his relating to the
+curious and interested Zeph the story of his career from roundhouse
+worker and switch tower man to the present position.
+
+"It's fascinating, ain't it?" said Zeph, with a long-drawn breath,
+when Ralph concluded his recital. "I reckon I'll give up the detective
+idea. Can you help me get a position in the roundhouse?"
+
+"I am willing to try," assented Ralph. "You are strong and used to
+hard work, and that means a good deal in the roundhouse service."
+
+Ralph suggested a stroll before bedtime. Zeph was glad for the
+exercise. Once they were outside, Ralph broached a subject he had been
+thinking over all the evening.
+
+"Zeph," he said, "I want to ask you a very important question."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"You remember the day I kept your team for you?"
+
+"I'll never forget it."
+
+"You missed a package that had been under the feed bags when you came
+to leave town?"
+
+"Yes, and that's why I am here," said Zeph. "Old Ames was almost ready
+to discharge me for letting those men at the hotel give me drink I had
+never tasted before and getting in that fix you found me in, and for
+losing some of the apples, but when he found out that I had lost that
+package, he was nearly wild."
+
+"Was there something so valuable in it, then?"
+
+"I dunno. I only know I was told to be sure I kept it hidden and safe
+till it was delivered to a fellow named Evans in town here."
+
+"Jim Evans?"
+
+"Yes, that's the full name."
+
+Ralph looked pretty serious.
+
+"You see, old Ames himself didn't send the package," went on Zeph. "It
+was brought to the house by a fellow who had hired a team from Ames
+one day last week. Dunno who he is, dunno where he lives, but I can
+describe him, if you are interested."
+
+"I am interested, very much so," assented Ralph.
+
+Zeph went on to describe the person he had alluded to. By the time he
+had concluded, it was evident to Ralph that the sender of the package
+was Ike Slump.
+
+The young fireman took Zeph back to the house but did not enter it
+himself.
+
+"I will be back soon, Zeph," he said, "I have some business down
+town."
+
+Ralph went at once to the home of Bob Adair.
+
+"Want to see me, Fairbanks?" questioned the brisk, wide-awake railroad
+detective, as Ralph was shown into the room where he was busily
+engaged in packing a satchel.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Adair, about the silk robbery."
+
+"Oh, that mystery," nodded the detective. "I spent two days on it, and
+didn't find a clew."
+
+"I had one, but failed to find you," explained Ralph. "I'll tell you
+all about it now."
+
+"Quick work, then, Fairbanks," went on Adair, "for I'm due for a
+special to the city. Big case from the General Superintendent."
+
+Ralph rapidly related all he had learned. Adair listened intently. He
+reflected for a moment or two after the young fireman had finished his
+recital. Then he said:
+
+"Fairbanks, this is of great importance, but I can't neglect the city
+case. You helped me on another similar case once."
+
+"Yes," said Ralph.
+
+"Also aided me in running down those switch tower wreckers."
+
+Ralph nodded.
+
+"Good work, and you did nobly in those affairs. Let me think. Yes,
+I'll do it! Here, I want you to go straight to the Assistant
+Superintendent at Afton."
+
+"You mean to-night?"
+
+"Right away. I will give you a letter. No, hold on, I've got a better
+plan."
+
+Again Adair consulted his watch. Bustlingly he hurried through with
+his preparations for departure. Then he left the house, swung down the
+street briskly, and, Ralph accompanying him, proceeded to the railroad
+depot.
+
+He wrote out a long telegram and handed it to the night operator. Then
+he came back to Ralph.
+
+"See here, Fairbanks," he remarked. "I've fixed this thing as I want
+it, and you are one of the few persons I would trust in a matter like
+this."
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Adair."
+
+"I know your ability from past experience. It won't do to neglect
+following this clew to the silk robbers. I have wired the assistant
+superintendent for an official request that you be detailed on special
+duty in my department. Wait here for the reply. Then start out on the
+trail of those thieves, and report to me day after to-morrow, when I
+shall return to Stanley Junction."
+
+"All right," said Ralph, "I may be able to accomplish something."
+
+"I think you will, judging from your present success in assisting me,"
+said Adair.
+
+Ralph had to wait nearly an hour after Adair had left on a special.
+Then a reply came to the telegram. The operator, as instructed by
+Adair, handed the message to Ralph. It read:
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Fairbanks, freight fireman, detailed for special work in another
+department."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+"It's all right," said Ralph to himself, as he started homewards. "Now
+to trace down Ike Slump and the other train robbers."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+ZEPH
+
+
+The young fireman reported at the roundhouse early in the morning,
+showing the telegram to Jim Forgan, but not until the foreman had got
+out of sight and hearing of the other men in the place.
+
+"H'm!" commented Forgan laconically, "I don't like this."
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Forgan?" smiled Ralph.
+
+"I don't, and that's the truth of it--for two reasons."
+
+"What are they, Mr. Forgan?"
+
+"First, it interrupts a regular run for you."
+
+"But I may not be away two days."
+
+"Next, it gives that Jim Evans a chance to take your place, and I
+don't trust the man."
+
+"Neither do I," said Ralph pointedly, "and I may have something
+important to tell you about him when I return."
+
+Ralph found Zeph industriously chopping kindling wood when he got back
+home again. The young fireman went into the house, explained his new
+employment to his mother, and then called to Zeph.
+
+"You wanted some work, Zeph," he said to the farmer boy.
+
+"Sure, I do," cried Zeph with unction.
+
+"Very well, I think I am authorized to offer you a dollar a day."
+
+"Steady job?" inquired Zeph eagerly.
+
+"No, it may not last, but it is in the railroad service, and may lead
+to your further employment."
+
+"Good," commented Zeph. "What do they want me to do--engineer?"
+
+"Scarcely, Zeph," said Ralph, smiling. "I simply want you to take me
+back to the Ames farm and direct me about the locality."
+
+Zeph looked disappointed.
+
+"Why, what's that kind of work got to do with railroading?" he said.
+
+"You shall know later."
+
+"All right. You're too smart to make any mistakes and too friendly to
+do anything but good for me, so I'm your man."
+
+"Very well. First, then, tell me the location of the Ames farm."
+
+Zeph did this, and Ralph ascertained that it was about five miles west
+of Brocton.
+
+Ralph secured some money, and in an hour he and Zeph stepped aboard
+the cab of a locomotive attached to a load of empties due to run down
+the line in a few minutes.
+
+They reached Brocton about noon. Ralph proceeded down the tracks
+towards the railroad cut which had been the scene of the landslide.
+
+He turned off at the wagon road and soon, with his companion, was
+started westward in the direction of the Ames farm.
+
+"Zeph," he said, "did you hear anything of a train robbery here the
+other night?"
+
+No, Zeph had not heard of it. Then Ralph questioned him closely as to
+the night Ames had loaned his wagon to strangers and gained a few more
+particulars relating to the silk robbers.
+
+"There is the Ames farm," reported Zeph at last.
+
+Ralph had already planned out what he would do, and proceeded to
+instruct his assistant as to his share in the affair.
+
+"Zeph," he said, "I do not wish to be seen by Ames, nor must he know
+that you came here with a stranger."
+
+"Am I to see him?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ralph, taking a package from under his coat.
+
+"Why, that's the package I lost!" cried Zeph.
+
+"The same."
+
+"And you had it all the time?"
+
+"I did, Zeph, yes. No mystery about it--I simply don't care to explain
+to you anything about it till a little later on."
+
+"All right."
+
+"I want you to take it and go up to the farmhouse. I will keep out of
+sight. You go to Ames and tell him it was returned to you, and you
+want to give it back to the person it belongs to with a message."
+
+"Whose message?"
+
+"Nobody's," answered Ralph, "but you need not say that."
+
+"What shall I say, then?"
+
+"Tell him you want to advise the person who sent the parcel that it
+isn't safe to send such goods to any one at the present time."
+
+"Very well," said Zeph. "Suppose Ames tells me where to find the
+fellow who sent the package?"
+
+"Come back and report to me."
+
+Zeph started for the farmhouse. Ralph watched him enter it, the
+package in his hand. He came out in a very few minutes without the
+parcel.
+
+He was rather glum-faced when he rejoined Ralph.
+
+"Say," he observed, "I've found out nothing, and old Ames took the
+package away from me."
+
+"What did he say?" asked the young fireman.
+
+"He told me he would see that it was returned to the person who sent
+it."
+
+"That delays matters," thought Ralph, "and I don't know whether Ames
+will take it back to the silk thieves, or wait for some of them to
+visit him."
+
+Then the young fireman formed a sudden resolution. He regarded his
+companion thoughtfully, and said:
+
+"Zeph, I am going to trust you with what is known as an official
+secret in the railroad line."
+
+The farmer boy looked pleased and interested.
+
+"I believe you are too square and friendly to betray that secret."
+
+"Try me, and see!" cried Zeph with ardor.
+
+"Well," said Ralph, "there was a silk robbery of the Dover night
+freight last week, the train I am fireman on. From what you have told
+me, I feel sure that the thieves hired their rig from Ames. That
+package you had was part of the stolen plunder. I am acting for the
+road detective of the Great Northern, and I must locate those
+robbers."
+
+"Then," cried Zeph delightedly, "I am helping you do detective
+work."
+
+"Yes, Zeph, genuine detective work."
+
+"Oh! how I wish I had my disguises here!"
+
+"You are of more use to me as you are, because the thieves know you
+worked for Ames, and they seem to trust him."
+
+"That's so," said Zeph thoughtfully. "What you going to do?"
+
+"I want to locate the thieves," responded Ralph. "You must know the
+district about here pretty well. Can't you think of any spot where
+they would be likely to hide?"
+
+"None in particular. But I know every foot of the woods, swamps and
+creek. If the men you are looking for are anywhere in the
+neighborhood, I am sure we will find a trace of them."
+
+"You pilot the way, then, Zeph. Go with caution if you find any traces
+of the men, for I am sure that at least two of the party know me."
+
+For three hours they made a tour of the district, taking in nearly
+four miles to the south. The swamp lands they could not traverse.
+Finally they came out of the woods almost directly on a town.
+
+"Why," said Ralph in some surprise, "here is Millville, the next
+station to Brocton."
+
+"That's so," nodded Zeph. "I hardly think those fellows are in the
+woods. We have made a pretty thorough search."
+
+"There's the swamp and the high cliffs we haven't visited," said
+Ralph. "I suppose you are hungry?"
+
+"Moderately," answered Zeph.
+
+"Then we will go and have something to eat. I have a friend just on
+the edge of Millville, who keeps a very unique restaurant."
+
+Ralph smiled pleasantly, for the restaurant in question was quite a
+feature with railroad men.
+
+Two lines of railroad crossed at Millville, a great deal of switching
+was done outside of the town, and there was a shanty there to shelter
+the men.
+
+A little off from the junction was a very queer-looking house, if it
+could be called such. Its main structure was an old freight car, to
+which there had been additions made from time to time. Across its
+front was a sign reading, "Limpy Joe's Railroad Restaurant."
+
+"Ever taken a meal here?" inquired Ralph, as they approached the
+place.
+
+"No."
+
+"Ever heard of Limpy Joe?"
+
+"Don't think I have."
+
+"Then," said Ralph, "I am going to introduce you to the most
+interesting boy you ever met."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+LIMPY JOE'S RAILROAD RESTAURANT
+
+
+Zeph Dallas stared about him in profound bewilderment and interest as
+Ralph led the way towards Limpy Joe's Railroad Restaurant.
+
+It was certainly an odd-appearing place. Additions had been built onto
+the freight car until the same were longer than the original
+structure.
+
+A square of about two hundred feet was enclosed by a barbed wire
+fence, and this space was quite as interesting as the restaurant
+building.
+
+There was a rude shack, which seemed to answer for a barn, a haystack
+beside it, and a well-appearing vegetable garden. Then, in one corner
+of the yard, was a heap of old lumber, stone, brick, doors, window
+sash, in fact, it looked as if some one had been gathering all the
+unmated parts of various houses he could find.
+
+The restaurant was neatly painted a regular, dark-red freight-car
+color outside. Into it many windows had been cut, and a glance through
+the open doorway showed an interior scrupulously neat and clean.
+
+"Tell me about it," said Zeph. "Limpy Joe--who is he? Does he run the
+place alone?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ralph. "He is an orphan, and was hurt by the cars a
+few years ago. The railroad settled with him for two hundred dollars,
+an old freight car and a free pass for life over the road, including,
+Limpy Joe stipulated, locomotives and cabooses."
+
+"Wish I had that," said Zeph--"I'd be riding all the time."
+
+"You would soon get tired of it," Ralph asserted. "Well, Joe invested
+part of his money in a horse and wagon, located in that old freight
+car, which the company moved here for him from a wreck in the creek,
+and became a squatter on that little patch of ground. Then the
+restaurant idea came along, and the railroad hands encouraged him.
+Before that, however, Joe had driven all over the country, picking up
+old lumber and the like, and the result is the place as you see it."
+
+"Well, he must be an ambitious, industrious fellow."
+
+"He is," affirmed Ralph, "and everybody likes him. He's ready at any
+time of the night to get up and give a tired-out railroad hand a hot
+cup of coffee or a lunch. His meals are famous, too, for he is a fine
+cook."
+
+"Hello, Ralph Fairbanks," piped a happy little voice as Ralph and Zeph
+entered the restaurant.
+
+Ralph shook hands with the speaker, a boy hobbling about the place on
+a crutch.
+
+"What's it going to be?" asked Limpy Joe, "full dinner or a lunch?"
+
+"Both, best you've got," smiled Ralph. "The railroad is paying for
+this."
+
+"That so? Then we'll reduce the rates. Railroad has been too good to
+me to overcharge the company."
+
+"This is my friend, Zeph Dallas," introduced Ralph.
+
+"Glad to know you," said Joe. "Sit down at the counter, fellows, and
+I'll soon have you served."
+
+"Well, well," said Zeph, staring around the place one way, then the
+other, and then repeating the performance. "This strikes me."
+
+"Interesting to you, is it?" asked Ralph.
+
+"It's wonderful. Fixed this up all alone out of odds and ends? I tell
+you, I'd like to be a partner in a business like this."
+
+"Want a partner here, Joe?" called out Ralph to his friend in a
+jocular way.
+
+"I want a helper," answered the cripple, busy among the shining
+cooking ware on a kitchen stove at one end of the restaurant.
+
+"Mean that?" asked Zeph.
+
+"I do. I have some new plans I want to carry out, and I need some one
+to attend to the place half of the time."
+
+Again Zeph glanced all about the place.
+
+"Say, it fascinates me," he observed to Ralph. "Upon my word, I
+believe I'll come to work here when I get through with this work for
+you."
+
+"Tell you what," said Limpy Joe with a shrewd glance at Zeph, as he
+placed the smoking dishes before his customers. "I'll make it worth
+the while of an honest, active fellow to come in here with me. I have
+some grand ideas."
+
+"You had some good ones when you fitted up the place," declared Zeph.
+
+"You think it over. I like your looks," continued Joe. "I'm in
+earnest, and I might make it a partnership after a while."
+
+The boys ate a hearty meal, and the young fireman paid for it.
+
+"Business good, Joe?" he inquired, as they were about to leave.
+
+"Famous. I've got some new customers, too. Don't know who they are."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"I don't, for a fact."
+
+"That sounds puzzling," observed Ralph.
+
+"Well, it's considerable of a puzzle to me--all except the double pay
+I get," responded Joe. "For nearly a week I've had a funny order. One
+dark night some one pushed up a window here and threw in a card. It
+contained instructions and a ten-dollar bill."
+
+"That's pretty mysterious," said the interested Zeph.
+
+"The card told me that if I wanted to continue a good trade, I would
+say nothing about it, but every night at dark drive to a certain point
+in the timber yonder with a basket containing a good solid day's feed
+for half-a-dozen men."
+
+"Well, well," murmured Zeph, while Ralph gave quite a start, but
+remained silent, though strictly attentive.
+
+"Well, I have acted on orders given, and haven't said a word about it
+to anybody but you, Ralph. The reason I tell you is, because I think
+you are interested in some of the persons who are buying meals from me
+in this strange way. It's all right for me to speak out before your
+friend here?"
+
+"Oh, certainly," assented Ralph.
+
+"Well, Ike Slump is one of the party in the woods, and Mort Bemis is
+another."
+
+"I guessed that the moment you began your story," said Ralph, "and I
+am looking for those very persons."
+
+"I thought you would be interested. They are wanted for that
+attempted treasure-train robbery, aren't they?"
+
+"Yes, and for a more recent occurrence," answered Ralph--"the looting
+of the Dover freight the other night."
+
+"I never thought of that, though I should have done so," said Joe.
+"The way I know that Slump and Bemis are in the woods yonder, is that
+one night I had a breakdown, and was delayed a little, and saw them
+come for the food basket where I had left it."
+
+Ralph's mind was soon made up. He told Joe all about their plans.
+
+"You've got to help us out, Joe," he added.
+
+"You mean take you up into the woods in the wagon to-night?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Say," said Joe, his shrewd eyes sparkling with excitement, "I'll do
+it in fine style. Ask no questions. I've got a plan. I'll have another
+breakdown, not a sham one, this time. I'll have you two well covered
+up in the wagon box, and you can lie there until some one comes after
+the basket."
+
+"Good," approved Ralph, "you are a genuine friend, Joe."
+
+Ralph and Zeph had to wait around the restaurant all the afternoon.
+There was only an occasional customer, and Joe had plenty of time to
+spare. He took a rare delight in showing his friends his treasures, as
+he called them.
+
+About dusk Joe got the food supply ready for the party in the woods.
+He hitched up the horse to a wagon, arranged some blankets and hay in
+the bottom of the vehicle, so that his friends could hide themselves,
+and soon all was ready for the drive into the timber.
+
+Ralph managed to look out as they proceeded into the woods. The wagon
+was driven about a mile. Then Joe got out and set the basket under a
+tree.
+
+A little distance from it he got out again, took off a wheel, left it
+lying on the ground, unhitched the horse, and rode away on the back of
+the animal. The vehicle, to a casual observer, would suggest the
+appearance of a genuine breakdown.
+
+"Now, Zeph," said Ralph as both arranged their coverings so they could
+view tree and basket clearly, "no rash moves."
+
+"If anybody comes, what then?" inquired the farmer boy.
+
+"We shall follow them, but with great caution. Keep close to me, so
+that I can give you special instructions, if it becomes necessary."
+
+"Good," said Zeph. "That will be soon, for there they are!"
+
+Two figures had appeared at the tree. One took up the basket, the
+other glanced around stealthily. Ralph recognized both of them, even
+in the dim twilight, at some distance away. One was Ike Slump, the
+other his old-time crony and accomplice, Mort Bemis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE HIDDEN PLUNDER
+
+
+"That's the fellow who brought the package of silk to old Ames,"
+whispered Zeph, staring hard from under covert at Slump.
+
+"Yes, I recognize him," responded Ralph in quite as guarded a tone.
+"Quiet, now, Zeph."
+
+Ike Slump and Mort Bemis continued to linger at the tree. They were
+looking at the wagon and beyond it.
+
+"Say," spoke the former to his companion, "what's wrong?"
+
+"How wrong?" inquired Mort.
+
+"Why, some way our plans appear to have slipped a cog. There's the
+wagon broken down and the boy has gone with the horse. Two of our men
+were to stop him, you know, and keep him here while we used the
+wagon."
+
+"Maybe they're behind time. What's the matter with our holding the boy
+till they come?"
+
+"The very thing," responded Ike, and, leaving the basket where it
+was, he and Mort ran after Limpy Joe and the horse.
+
+"Get out of here, quick," ordered Ralph to Zeph. "If we don't, we
+shall probably be carried into the camp of the enemy."
+
+"Isn't that just exactly the place that you want to reach?" inquired
+the farmer boy coolly.
+
+"Not in this way. Out with you, and into the bushes. Don't delay,
+Zeph, drop flat, some one else is coming."
+
+It was a wonder they were not discovered, for almost immediately two
+men came running towards the spot. They were doubtless the persons Ike
+Slump had referred to, for they gave a series of signal whistles,
+responded to by their youthful accomplices, who, a minute later, came
+into view leading the horse of which Limpy Joe was astride.
+
+"We were late," panted one of the men.
+
+"Should think you were," retorted Ike Slump. "This boy nearly got
+away. Say, if you wasn't a cripple," he continued to the young
+restaurant keeper, "I'd give you something for whacking me with that
+crutch of yours."
+
+"I'd whack you again, if it would do any good," said the plucky
+fellow. "You're a nice crowd, you are, bothering me this way after
+I've probably saved you from starvation the last week."
+
+"That's all right, sonny," drawled out one of the men. "We paid you
+for what you've done for us, and we will pay you still better for
+simply coming to our camp and staying there a prisoner, until we use
+that rig of yours for a few hours."
+
+"If you wanted to borrow the rig, why didn't you do so in a decent
+fashion?" demanded Joe indignantly.
+
+"You keep quiet, now," advised the man who carried on the
+conversation. "We know our business. Here, Slump, you and Mort help
+get this wheel on the wagon and hitch up the horse."
+
+They forced Joe into the wagon bottom and proceeded to get ready for a
+drive into the woods.
+
+"Bet Joe is wondering how we came to get out of that wagon," observed
+Zeph to Ralph.
+
+"Don't talk," said Ralph. "Now, when they start away, I will follow,
+you remain here."
+
+"Right here?"
+
+"Yes, so that I may find you when I come back, and so that you can
+follow the wagon when it comes out of the woods again if I am not on
+hand."
+
+"You think they are going to move some of their plunder in the
+wagon?"
+
+"Exactly," replied the young fireman.
+
+"Well, so do I. They won't get far with it, though, if I am after
+them," boasted Zeph. "Wish I had a detective star and some weapons."
+
+"The safest way to do is to follow them until they get near a town or
+settlement, and then go for assistance and arrest them," advised
+Ralph. "Now, then, Zeph, make no false moves."
+
+"No, I will follow your orders strictly," pledged the farmer boy.
+
+The basket was lifted into the wagon by Ike, who, with Mort, led the
+horse through the intricate timber and brushwood. Progress was
+difficult and they proceeded slowly. As soon as it was safe to do so,
+Ralph left Zeph. The two men had taken up the trail of the wagon,
+guarding its rear so that Joe could not escape.
+
+Ralph kept sight of them for half-an-hour and was led deeper and
+deeper into the woods. These lined the railroad cut, and he wondered
+that the gang of robbers had dared to camp so near to the recent scene
+of their thieving operations.
+
+At last the young fireman was following only two men, for he could no
+longer see the wagon.
+
+"Perhaps they have left Ike and Bemis to go ahead with the wagon and
+they are reaching the camp by a short cut," reflected Ralph. "Why,
+no," he suddenly exclaimed, as the men turned aside to take a new
+path. "These are not the same men at all who were with the wagon. I am
+off the trail, I am following some one else."
+
+Ralph made this discovery with some surprise. Certainly he had got
+mixed up in cautiously trailing the enemy at a distance. He wondered
+if the two men he was now following belonged to Ike Slump's crowd.
+
+"I must assume they do," ruminated Ralph, "at least for the present.
+They are bound for some point in the woods, of course, and I shall
+soon know their destination."
+
+The two men proceeded for over a mile. They commenced an ascent where
+the cliffs lining the railroad cut began. The place was thick with
+underbrush and quite rocky in places, wild and desolate in the
+extreme, and the path they pursued so tortuous and winding that Ralph
+at length lost sight of them.
+
+"Where have they disappeared to?" he asked himself, bending his ear,
+keeping a sharp lookout, and with difficulty penetrating the worst
+jungle of bushes and stunted trees he had yet encountered. "I hear
+voices."
+
+These guided Ralph, and he followed their indication. At last he came
+to a halt near an open space, where the men he was following had
+stopped.
+
+"Here we are, Ames," were the first distinct words that Ralph heard
+spoken.
+
+"Why, one of these men must be the farmer that Zeph worked for,"
+decided Ralph.
+
+"All right, you're safe enough up here. Got the plunder here, have
+you?" was asked.
+
+"Yes. I will show you the exact spot, and you come here after we have
+got the bulk of the stuff to a new hiding place, take it as you can,
+dispose of it, and keep us in ready money until we feel safe to ship
+our goods to some distant city and realize on them."
+
+"I'll do just that," was replied. "What are you leaving here for?"
+
+"Adair, the road detective, is after us, we understand, and this is
+too dangerously near the railroad."
+
+"That's so," replied the person Ralph supposed to be Ames. "All right,
+I'll not miss on my end of the case. Only, don't send any more
+packages of the silk to friends. The one Slump sent might have got you
+into trouble."
+
+"I never knew he did it at the time," was responded. "I raised a big
+row when I found out. You see, Evans, the man he sent it to, is in
+with us in a way, and is a particular friend of Ike Slump, but it was
+a big risk to send him goods that might be traced right back to us.
+Safe hiding place, eh?"
+
+The speaker had proceeded to some bushes guarding the entrance to a
+cave-like depression in the dirt, gravel and rocks. He re-appeared
+with some packages for his companion. Then both went away from the
+spot.
+
+"Why," said Ralph, with considerable satisfaction, "this is the hiding
+place of the plunder. I am in possession, and what am I going to do
+about it?"
+
+The discovery had come about so easily that the young fireman could
+scarcely plan out a next intelligent move all in a moment.
+
+"Ames is an accomplice of the thieves," he decided, "who are going to
+use Joe's wagon to remove the bulk of this plunder. They will soon be
+here. What had I better do--what can I do?"
+
+Ralph went in among the bushes as the men had done. He took a glance
+at a great heap of packages lying in a depression in the rocks. Then
+he advanced a few steps towards the edge of the cliff.
+
+Ralph looked down fully two hundred feet into the railroad cut. This
+was almost the spot where the landslide had stopped the Dover night
+freight. The main tracks were clear now, but on a gravel pit siding
+were several cars.
+
+"Why," exclaimed Ralph suddenly, "if I only have the time to do it in,
+I have got the whole affair right in my own hands."
+
+A plan to deprive the railroad thieves of their booty had come into
+the mind of the young fireman. Ralph filled his arms with the
+packages of silk, advanced to the edge of the cliff, threw them over,
+and continued his operation until he had removed the last parcel from
+its hiding place.
+
+"Something more to do yet," he told himself, when this task was
+completed. "When the thieves discover that their plunder is gone, they
+may surmise that it disappeared this way. Can I make a safe descent?"
+
+Ralph had a hard time getting down into the railroad cut. Once there,
+he hastily threw the silk packages into a half-filled gravel car, with
+a shovel covered them all over with sand and gravel, and then started
+on a run for Brocton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A SUSPICIOUS PROCEEDING
+
+
+"Mr. Griscom, this is life!"
+
+Ralph Fairbanks spoke with all the ardor of a lively, ambitious boy in
+love with the work in hand. He sat in the cab of the locomotive that
+drew the Limited Mail, and he almost felt as if he owned the splendid
+engine, the finest in the service of the Great Northern.
+
+Two weeks had passed by since the young fireman had baffled the
+railroad thieves. Ralph had made brief work of his special duty for
+Adair, the road detective, and there had come to him a reward for
+doing his duty that was beyond his fondest expectations. This was a
+promotion that most beginners in his line would not have earned in any
+such brief space of time. The recovery of the stolen silk, however,
+had made Bob Adair a better friend than ever. The road detective had
+influence, and Ralph was promoted to the proud position of fireman of
+the Limited Mail.
+
+This was his first trip in the passenger service, and naturally Ralph
+was anxious and excited. Griscom had been made engineer, his eyes
+having mended, and Ralph was very glad that the veteran railroader
+would continue as his partner.
+
+Regarding the silk robbery, that was now ancient history, but for
+several days the occurrence had been one of interest all along the
+line. Adair had made public the circumstances of the case, and Ralph
+became quite a hero.
+
+The night he had managed to get the plunder into the gravel car he had
+instantly secured assistance at Brocton. The valuable goods were
+guarded all night, and a party of men made a search for the thieves,
+but they had taken the alarm and had escaped.
+
+Zeph Dallas had gone back to Millville with Limpy Joe, and went to
+work there. A further search was made for Ike Slump, Mort Bemis and
+their accomplices, but they could not be found. Jim Evans had been
+discharged from the railroad service. Nothing more was heard of Gasper
+Farrington, and it seemed to Ralph as if at last his enemies had been
+fully routed and there was nothing but a clear track ahead.
+
+"It feels as if I was beginning life all over again," Ralph had told
+his mother that morning. "Fireman of the Limited Mail--just think of
+it, mother! one of the best positions on the road."
+
+Ralph decided that the position demanded very honorable treatment, and
+he looked neat and quite dressed up, even in his working clothes, as
+he now sat in the engine cab.
+
+Griscom proceeded to give him lots of suggestions and information
+regarding his new duties.
+
+There had been a change in the old time schedule of the Limited Mail.
+Originally it had started from the city terminus in the early morning.
+Now the run was reversed, and the train left Stanley Junction at 10:15
+A.M.
+
+Ralph proceeded to get everything in order for the prospective run,
+but everything was so handy, it was a pleasure to contemplate his
+duties.
+
+Just before train time a boy came running up to the engine. He was an
+old schoolmate and a neighbor.
+
+"Ralph! Ralph!" he called breathlessly to the young fireman. "Your
+mother sent me with a letter that she got at the post-office."
+
+"For me? Thank you, Ned," said Ralph.
+
+He glanced at the address. The handwriting was unfamiliar. There was
+no time left to inspect the enclosure, so Ralph slipped the letter in
+his pocket and proceeded to attend to the fire.
+
+He quite forgot the letter after that, finding the duties of a
+first-class fireman to be extremely arduous. There was plenty of coal
+to shovel, and he was pretty well tired out when they reached the
+city terminus.
+
+"There, lad," said Griscom proudly, as they steamed into the depot on
+time to a second. "This makes me feel like old times once more."
+
+There was a wait of four hours in the city, during which period the
+train hands were at liberty to spend their time as they chose. Griscom
+took Ralph to a neat little hotel, where they had a meal and the
+privileges of a reading room. It was there that Ralph suddenly
+remembered the letter sent to him that morning by his mother.
+
+As he opened it he was somewhat puzzled, for the signature was strange
+to him. The missive stated that the writer "was acting for a former
+resident of Stanley Junction who wished to settle up certain
+obligations, if a satisfactory arrangement could be made." Further the
+writer, as agent of the party in question, would meet Ralph at a
+certain hotel at a certain time and impart to him his instructions.
+
+The young fireman was about to consult Griscom as to this mysterious
+missive, but found the old engineer engaged in conversation with some
+fellow railroaders, and, leaving the place, he proceeded to the hotel
+named in the letter.
+
+He was an hour ahead of the time appointed in the communication and
+waited patiently for developments, thinking a good deal and wondering
+what would come of the affair.
+
+Finally a man came into the place, acting as if he was looking for
+somebody. He was an under-sized person with a mean and crafty face. He
+glanced at Ralph, hesitated somewhat, and then advanced towards him.
+
+"Is your name Fairbanks?" he questioned.
+
+"Yes," answered Ralph promptly.
+
+"Wrote you a letter."
+
+"I received one, yes," said Ralph. "May I ask its meaning?"
+
+"Well, there is nothing gained by beating about the bush. I represent,
+as an attorney, Mr. Gasper Farrington."
+
+"I thought that when I read your letter," said Ralph.
+
+"Then we understand each other," pursued the attorney. "Now then, see
+here, Farrington wants to do the square thing by you."
+
+"He ought to," answered Ralph. "He owes us twenty thousand dollars and
+he has got to pay it."
+
+"Oh, yes, you can undoubtedly collect it in time," admitted the man.
+
+"But why all this mystery?" asked Ralph abruptly. "In an important
+matter like this, it appears to me some regular attorney might
+consult our attorneys at Stanley Junction."
+
+"Farrington won't do that. He don't feel the kindest in the world
+towards your people. Here is his simple proposition: This affair is to
+be settled up quietly between the parties directly interested. I am to
+give you certain papers for your mother to sign. You get them attended
+to. You will be later advised where and when to deliver them and get
+your money."
+
+"Twenty thousand dollars?" said Ralph.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Ralph did not like the looks of things, but he kept his own counsel,
+and simply said:
+
+"Very well, give me the documents you speak of and I will act upon
+them as my mother decides."
+
+"And keep the business strictly to yourselves."
+
+This looked reasonable to Ralph. He knew that Farrington felt deeply
+the disgrace already attached to his name for past misdeeds of which
+he had been guilty.
+
+"We have no desire to humiliate Mr. Farrington any further," he said.
+"We simply insist upon our rights. This strikes me as a mysterious and
+uncalled-for method of settling up a claim purely business-like in its
+character."
+
+"That is the way of old Farrington, you know," suggested the man, with
+a coarse laugh.
+
+"Yes, he seems to be given to dark ways," said Ralph.
+
+"Then it is all arranged?" questioned the "lawyer" eagerly.
+
+"So far as it can be arranged for the time being."
+
+"Very well, you shall hear from us in a few days."
+
+Ralph left the hotel with one fixed conviction in his mind--that old
+Gasper Farrington was up to some new scheme and that it would be wise
+to look out for him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE SPECIAL
+
+
+Within a week the young fireman of the Limited Mail was in full swing
+as a trusted and valued employe of the Great Northern. Engineer
+Griscom had got the time schedule down to a system of which he was
+proud. They made successful runs without a break or accident, and
+Ralph loved the life for its variety, experience and promise of sure
+promotion.
+
+The documents given to him for his mother by the agent of Gasper
+Farrington in the city were apparently all regular and business-like.
+They covered receipt for twenty thousand dollars, designating certain
+numbered bonds indicated, but one phrase which exonerated the village
+magnate from blame or crooked dealing in the affair Ralph did not at
+all like. He believed that there was some specious scheme under this
+matter and he awaited developments.
+
+One blustering night he and Griscom had just run the engine into the
+roundhouse, when Tim Forgan, the foreman, came hastening towards them,
+a paper fluttering in his hand and accompanied by a young fellow about
+twenty years of age. The latter was handsome and manly-looking, very
+well dressed, and Ralph liked him on sight.
+
+"The very men," spoke Forgan, showing an unusual excitement of manner.
+"Griscom, Fairbanks, let me introduce you to Mr. Trevor."
+
+Engineer and fireman bowed, but the young man insisted on shaking
+hands cordially with his new acquaintances.
+
+"Glad to meet you, gentlemen," he said briskly. "I have heard nothing
+but regrets as to your absence and praises for your ability in the
+railroad line from Forgan here. Tell your story, Mr. Forgan. You know
+time is money to me, just at present," and the speaker consulted an
+elegant timepiece in a hurried, anxious way.
+
+"Why, it's just this," said Forgan. "Mr. Trevor, who is a nephew of
+the president of the road, came to me with a telegram directing us to
+send him through to the city on the quickest time on record."
+
+"A special, eh?" said Griscom, eyeing the young man speculatively.
+
+"About that, only there is no time to waste in making up a train, and
+he inclines to riding on the locomotive. The train dispatcher will
+give clear tracks to terminus. We were just picking out an engine when
+you arrived. How is it, Griscom?"
+
+"You mean, will we undertake the job?" inquired the veteran engineer
+in his practical, matter-of-fact way.
+
+"Exactly," nodded Trevor eagerly.
+
+"After a hard double run?" insinuated Griscom.
+
+"That's so; it isn't right to ask them, Forgan. Give me some other
+engine."
+
+"Won't you wait till I answer?" demanded Griscom. "Yes, we will, and
+glad to show you the courtesy. Is that right, Fairbanks?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Ralph. "Is it a matter of a great deal of
+urgency, Mr. Trevor?"
+
+"Particularly so. I have come five hundred miles on other roads on
+specials. I must connect with a train in the city at a certain time,
+or I miss Europe and important business."
+
+Old Griscom took out his greasy, well-worn train schedule. He looked
+it over and pointing to the regular time made, said:
+
+"We can discount that exactly seventy-two minutes."
+
+"And that will bring me to terminus exactly on time," said the young
+man brightly. "Do it, my friends, and you shall have a hundred
+dollars between you."
+
+"That isn't at all necessary"--began Griscom.
+
+"I beg pardon, but in this case it is," broke in Trevor. "It's all
+arranged. Thanks. I will put on a rain coat, and if you will stow me
+in some corner of the tender I shall enjoy the run."
+
+Forgan bustled about. Through the call boy of the roundhouse Ralph
+sent word to his mother of the extra trip. Then he worked like a
+beaver on the locomotive. Trevor watched him in a pleased and admiring
+way.
+
+They ran the locomotive out on the turn table. Griscom consulted his
+watch, talked a few moments with Forgan, and said to Ralph:
+
+"Tracks clear in twelve minutes, lad. Just time enough to get a bite
+at the nearest restaurant."
+
+When they returned, Trevor stood near the engine glancing all around
+him in a very animated way.
+
+"Looking for Forgan?" inquired the old engineer.
+
+"Oh, no. I was wondering where a fellow disappeared to who was hanging
+around the tender a few minutes ago. He and a companion have been
+following me ever since I arrived."
+
+"Then they have given up the job," observed Griscom, glancing keenly
+about. "Why should they follow you, Mr. Trevor?"
+
+"That I cannot tell. Probably thought I looked prosperous, and were
+bent on waylaying me. Anyhow, they kept close to me down the tracks
+from the depot. Ready?"
+
+"In precisely one minute. There is the Dover Accommodation now,"
+announced the engineer, as a headlight came around a curve. "All
+right. We'll have to coal up at the limits. Then we will make you a
+comfortable seat, Mr. Trevor."
+
+"Don't you give yourselves any concern about me," replied Trevor. "I
+am used to railroad life."
+
+They coaled up at the limits, but did not stop for water, the tank
+being three-quarters full. Ralph made tests of air valve and water
+pump, shook down the furnace, and the locomotive quivered under
+high-steam pressure as they started on their special run.
+
+A flagman shouted something at them as they passed a switch.
+
+"What was he saying?" inquired Griscom.
+
+"I couldn't hear him," said Ralph.
+
+"Thought he pointed at the engine--at the cow-catcher," remarked
+Trevor.
+
+"Everything all right there," assured Ralph, and in the brisk action
+of the hour the circumstance was forgotten.
+
+Twenty, thirty, forty miles made, and as they slowed down Griscom
+turned to Trevor, a proud glitter in his eye.
+
+"How is that, sir?" he inquired.
+
+"Famous!" cried the young man cheerily. "Badly shaken up, and this
+seat up here is rather bumpy, but I enjoy it, just the same. Going to
+stop?"
+
+"Yes, crossing. Only for half-a-minute, though."
+
+The engine halted on regular signal. Griscom got down and ran about a
+bit, explaining that he was subject to cramps when seated long in one
+position. Two men came up to the locomotive.
+
+"Give us a lift?" demanded one of them.
+
+"Couldn't do it, partner," responded Ralph. "Under special orders."
+
+"Plenty of room up there on the tender."
+
+"Not for you," answered the young fireman.
+
+Both men regarded Trevor very keenly. Then they disappeared in the
+darkness. Ralph got the signal from the crossing's switch tower to go
+ahead.
+
+"Mr. Griscom," he called out from his window.
+
+"Why, where is he?--I don't see him," said Trevor in surprise. "I saw
+him out there not a minute ago."
+
+Ralph jumped to the ground in amazement. Nowhere in sight was
+Griscom; nowhere within hearing either, it seemed. Like the two rough
+fellows who had just approached the engine, Griscom has disappeared.
+
+"Why, this is mysterious," declared the young fireman in an anxious
+tone of concern. "Where can he have disappeared to?"
+
+"I don't like the looks of things," spoke Trevor. "Something is wrong,
+Fairbanks," he continued. "Look ahead there--I just saw a man on the
+cowcatcher."
+
+Now Ralph was more than mystified, he was alarmed. He seized a rod and
+jumped again to the ground. Sure enough, on the cowcatcher sat a man,
+huddled up comfortably.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Ralph, keeping his distance and eyeing the
+intruder suspiciously.
+
+"Call me a tramp, if you like," laughed the fellow.
+
+"You must get off of that cowcatcher."
+
+"Who says so?"
+
+"I do--against the rules. Come, move on."
+
+"You try to put me off, youngster," drawled the fellow, with an ugly
+look in his eyes, "and I'll use this," and he drew a revolver from his
+pocket. "I want a free ride, and I intend to have it."
+
+"Will you make me stop at the tower to get you put off?" threatened
+Ralph.
+
+"You won't. There's no one there but the towerman, and he can't leave
+duty, and you won't stop because you're on a fast run. Take it easy,
+sonny. I don't weigh much, and I won't hurt your old locomotive."
+
+Ralph could do nothing better than submit to the imposition for the
+time being. He returned to the cab. His face was quite anxious. He
+called again to Griscom.
+
+"I can't understand it," he said. "What can have befallen him? Keep a
+close watch here for a few minutes, will you?" he asked of his
+passenger.
+
+Ralph took a lantern and ran down the tracks, flashed the light across
+the empty freights lining the tracks, and returned to the locomotive
+more anxious than ever.
+
+"I can't think what to do, Mr. Trevor," he said.
+
+The young man consulted his watch nervously.
+
+"Tell you, Fairbanks, we mustn't lose time. You can't find your
+partner. Run to the tower and have the man there telegraph the
+circumstances and get someone to look for Griscom. We will have to run
+on without him."
+
+"Without Griscom!" cried Ralph. "Why, we cannot possibly secure a
+substitute this side of Dover."
+
+"Don't need one--you know how to run an engine, don't you?"
+
+"In a fashion, probably, but I am worried about Mr. Griscom."
+
+"The towerman can attend to that. I don't want to appear selfish,
+Fairbanks, but you must get this special through on time or get to
+some point where we can find another engineer."
+
+"I don't like it," said Ralph. "Without a fireman, too."
+
+"I'll attend to that department," said Trevor, briskly throwing off
+his coat. "Now then, the tower, your word to the operator there, and
+make up for lost time, Fairbanks, if you want to earn that hundred
+dollars."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+KIDNAPPED
+
+
+Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very
+anxious concerning his missing partner. He knew how to run an engine,
+for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied
+every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had
+relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between
+stations.
+
+"That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a
+special is a different thing."
+
+Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there,
+who was at the open window. He explained hurriedly about the
+disappearance of Griscom. He also asked the towerman to telegraph
+ahead to Dover for a substitute engineer. The operator said he would
+have some men come down from the first station back on the route on a
+handcar to search for the missing rail-roader.
+
+"Man on your cowcatcher there," he called down as Ralph started up the
+engine.
+
+"No time to bother with him now. Let him ride to Dover, if he wants
+to," advised Trevor. "Now, Fairbanks, you to the throttle, me to the
+furnace. Just give me a word of direction when I need it, won't you?"
+
+But for his anxiety concerning his missing partner, the young fireman
+would have enjoyed the run of the next two hours immensely. There was
+a clear track--he had only to look out for signals. He was entirely
+familiar with the route, and Trevor proved a capable, practical
+assistant.
+
+"Don't look much like the man who left a palace car to step into a
+locomotive at Stanley Junction, eh?" laughed the young man, reeking
+with perspiration, and greasy and grimed. "How do I do--all right?"
+
+"You must have had experience in the fireman line," submitted Ralph.
+
+"Why, yes," acknowledged Trevor. "My uncle made me work in a
+roundhouse for a year. Once I believe I could run an engine, but I've
+forgotten a good deal. Fairbanks, look ahead!"
+
+There was no occasion for the warning. Already the young fireman had
+discovered what his companion announced. As the locomotive glided
+around a sharp curve a great glare confronted them.
+
+Not two hundred yards ahead was a mass of flames shooting skywards.
+The bridge crossing a creek that was located at this part of the route
+was on fire.
+
+Ralph started to slow down. Then, discerning the impossibility of
+doing so this side of the burning structure, he set full speed.
+
+"It's make or break," he said, in a kind of gasp.
+
+"Put her through--take the risk," ordered Trevor sharply.
+
+Swish! crackle! crash!--it was an eventful moment in the career of the
+young fireman. There was a blinding glow, a rain of fire swayed
+through the locomotive cab, then, just as they cleared the bridge, the
+structure went down to midstream.
+
+"We must get this news to Dover quick," said Ralph, applying himself
+anew to lever and throttle. "We have ten minutes to make up then."
+
+Clink!--snap!--a terrific jar shook the locomotive. Contrary to signal
+given at the nearest switch ahead, the engine veered to a siding.
+
+"What does this mean?" demanded Trevor sharply.
+
+"Mischief--malice, perhaps," said Ralph quickly. "Freights ahead--we
+shall have to stop."
+
+"Don't do it," directed Trevor. "Drive into them and push them ahead
+to the main line again. I'll stand all damage."
+
+"They are empties, I noticed them on the afternoon run," said the
+young fireman. "Mr. Trevor, all this complication, all these
+happenings are suspicious. We will have to slow down to the
+freights."
+
+"Slow down entirely," growled a sudden voice. "Do it, or I'll have it
+done by my partner, who is aboard all right."
+
+Both Ralph and Trevor turned sharply. Standing on the coal of the
+tender was a man. He was dripping with water, and in one hand held a
+revolver.
+
+"No delay, Fairbanks," he cautioned sternly. "We've taken too much
+trouble to miss this last chance to get you and your passenger."
+
+Ralph stopped the engine. Then calmly, but with a certain sense of
+peril and defeat, he faced the man.
+
+"Where did you come from?" demanded Trevor in amazement.
+
+"Only from inside the water tank," responded the stranger coolly.
+"Been there since we left Stanley Junction."
+
+"Why, you are one of the fellows who were following me at the depot!"
+cried Trevor.
+
+"Correct, boss," chuckled the stranger. "Here's my partner," he
+announced, as the man Ralph had discovered on the cowcatcher appeared
+at the side of the cab. "We'll relieve you two now," continued the
+speaker to Ralph and Trevor. "Move back on that coal. We'll try a bit
+of engineering ourselves."
+
+"See here, my man," called out Trevor sharply. "What is the object of
+all this?"
+
+"Object?" grinned the man. "You'll know later. Important, for it took
+four men on the route, lots of inquiring before you came to Stanley
+Junction, two of us here now, others waiting for us somewhere else, to
+get you dead right."
+
+"Me!" exclaimed Trevor in amazement. "You mean me?"
+
+"Nobody else."
+
+"Why, how are you interested in me?"
+
+"You'll know soon."
+
+"But----"
+
+"Stand back, do as we say, or we'll use force," declared the speaker
+gruffly.
+
+His companion guarded Ralph and Trevor while he took the engineer's
+seat. He reversed the engine, ran back to the main tracks, from there,
+first setting a switch, onto a spur, and, after following this for
+nearly a mile, shut off steam and the locomotive came to a stop.
+
+Then the fellow applied a whistle to his lips. Several men approached
+the engine. He consulted with them, and came back to Ralph carrying a
+piece of rope.
+
+"Fairbanks," he said, "we'll have to tie you for safe keeping for a
+while."
+
+"Won't you explain this?" inquired Trevor, in a troubled way. "See
+here, men, I am due in the city. I will pay you handsomely to let us
+proceed on our trip."
+
+"How much?" inquired the man who had acted as engineer.
+
+"I have several hundred dollars with me."
+
+"Not enough," retorted the man. "We want several thousand, seeing you
+are worth it."
+
+"I haven't a thousand dollars in the world," declared Trevor.
+
+"You are worth twenty thousand," insisted the man confidently. "We'll
+prove it to you a little later. Here," to his companion, "tie
+Fairbanks, leave the letter with him, and let us get out of this
+before anybody is missed."
+
+"One word," said Ralph. "Are you people responsible for the
+disappearance of Mr. Griscom?"
+
+"Perhaps," said the man. "He's all safe and sound--only out of the way
+of mischief for a spell. One other word, Fairbanks, we didn't fire
+the bridge."
+
+Trevor looked the picture of distress and uncertainty as he was forced
+from the locomotive cab.
+
+"You people will regret this high-handed outrage," he cried. "My uncle
+is president of the Great Northern."
+
+"That is just exactly why you are worth twenty thousand dollars,"
+coolly announced the man who had acted as engineer. "Plain and square,
+gentlemen, kindly call this a bit of kidnapping scientifically worked
+at some care and expense. You come with us. Fairbanks will do the
+rest. Got him tied up?" to his companion. "All right, now put the
+letter in his pocket."
+
+And, leaving the young fireman bound and helpless on the floor of the
+cab, the men with Trevor left the scene.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE RAILROAD PRESIDENT
+
+
+The young fireman had a good deal to think of as he lay in the
+locomotive cab, unable to help himself in any way. All the smooth
+sailing of the past week was remembered in strong contrast to the
+anxieties of the present moment.
+
+Ralph had not recognized any of the crowd who had appeared about the
+engine during the evening. The leader, however, seemed to know his
+name. This inclined Ralph to the belief that some one of the party did
+know him, and naturally he thought of Ike Slump and his associates.
+
+"They are desperate men, whoever they are," he decided, "and they must
+have planned out this scheme to perfection to keep track of Mr. Trevor
+and follow us up along the line. That man in the water tank is a
+daring fellow. He must have had a pleasant time in there. It was an
+original move, anyhow."
+
+It was in vain that Ralph endeavored to release himself. He was
+stoutly tied. All he could do was to wriggle about and wonder how
+soon he would be set free by his captors or discovered by others.
+
+It must have been fully three hours before there was any break in the
+monotony of his situation. Ralph heard some one whistling a tune and
+approaching rapidly. Soon a man appeared on the cab step, looked Ralph
+over coolly, and observed:
+
+"Tired of waiting for me, kid?"
+
+"Naturally," responded Ralph. "Are you going to set me free?"
+
+"That's the orders, seeing that our party is safe at a distance. Got
+enough steam on to run the engine?"
+
+"Yes," replied Ralph. "There was full pressure when you people stopped
+us, and the steam lasts about six hours."
+
+"All right. You will have a great story to tell the railroad folks,
+eh? Don't forget the letter we put in your pocket. There you are. Now
+then, go about your business and don't say we did not treat you like a
+gentleman. Oh--ooh! What's this?"
+
+The man had cut the ropes that held Ralph captive, and carelessly
+swung to the step. In a flash the young fireman was on his mettle.
+Springing to his feet, Ralph snatched at a hooked rod. Reaching out,
+he caught the man by the coat collar and pulled him back flat across
+the cab floor where he had just lain.
+
+"You lie still, or I shall use harsh measures," declared Ralph,
+springing upon his captive and menacing him with the rod. "Hold up
+your hands, folded, and let me tie you."
+
+"Well, I guess not!"
+
+"Yes, you shall!" cried Ralph.
+
+In a second the situation changed. The man was much stronger than his
+opponent. He managed to throw Ralph off, and got to his knees. The
+young fireman decided, as the fellow reached for a weapon, to strike
+out with the iron rod. It landed heavily on the man's temple, and he
+fell back senseless on the coal of the tender with a groan.
+
+Ralph securely tied his captive. Then he reversed the lever and opened
+the throttle. In a minute he was speeding back over the spur the way
+the locomotive had come four hours previous.
+
+"We have one of the kidnappers, at least," he said with satisfaction.
+"Ah, there is some one at the bridge," he added, as he ran down the
+main tracks.
+
+Signals of danger were set on both sides of the creek, and Ralph could
+make out men in the distance moving about. He was soon on the scene.
+
+A track-walker had discovered the burning bridge and had summoned
+assistance.
+
+There was only one thing to do with the locomotive, to run on to
+Dover, and this Ralph did at once. He reported the occurrences of the
+evening to the assistant superintendent, whom he found getting a
+wrecking crew together.
+
+"Well, this is a serious and amazing piece of business," commented
+that official. "Here, men," he called to his assistants on the
+wrecking car, "fetch this fellow into the shanty yonder."
+
+The man Ralph had knocked down in the locomotive cab had recovered
+consciousness. He was brought into the shanty and questioned, but was
+sullen and silent.
+
+"Won't tell anything, eh?" said the assistant superintendent.
+
+"The letter says all there is to say," remarked the captive coolly,
+"but that twenty thousand dollars will never find young Trevor if you
+keep me a prisoner."
+
+"A prisoner safe and tight you shall be," declared the railroad
+official with determination. "Take him to the town jail, men," he
+added. "I must wire for the president of the road at once, and to
+Adair at Stanley Junction. What's your plan, Fairbanks?" he asked of
+Ralph.
+
+"I hardly know," responded the young fireman. "I don't see that I can
+be of any assistance here."
+
+The letter the kidnappers had left with Ralph was terse and clear as
+to its directions. The writer demanded twenty thousand dollars for the
+return of young Trevor, and indicated how his friends might get in
+correspondence with his captors through an advertisement in the city
+newspapers.
+
+"The wrecking car is going to the bridge, Fairbanks," said the
+official. "You can cross the creek some way and use a handcar, if they
+have one. Tell the men there I say so. As to your prisoner, I will see
+that he is taken care of."
+
+It was just daylight when Ralph reached the switch tower where Griscom
+had disappeared. The towerman had just been relieved from duty, and
+met Ralph with eager welcome as he was approaching the place.
+
+"Glad to see you," he said. "We just found Griscom."
+
+"Where is he?" inquired Ralph quickly.
+
+"In the tower, all safe and comfortable now, but he had a hard time of
+it lying all night in a freight car, gagged and tied. He is fighting
+mad, don't understand the affair, and worried to death about you."
+
+"Oh, I am all right," said Ralph.
+
+"I see you are. But what has happened, anyhow? You'll want to tell
+Griscom, won't you? Well, I'll go back with you to hear your story,
+too."
+
+It was an interesting scene, the meeting of the engineer and the young
+fireman. Griscom fretted and fumed over the mishaps to his pet
+locomotive. He was furious at the gang who had worked out such
+mischief.
+
+"I'll wire my resignation when we reach Stanley Junction," he
+declared. "I'll do no more railroad work until I find those scoundrels
+and rescue young Trevor."
+
+"Don't be rash, Mr. Griscom," advised Ralph. "The railroad detective
+force will soon be on the trail. The nephew of a railroad president
+doesn't disappear in this fashion every day in the year."
+
+When they got back to Stanley Junction they were interviewed at once
+by Bob Adair. Both were worn out with double duty and got to bed as
+quickly as possible.
+
+Ralph reported at the roundhouse late in the afternoon, but learned
+that there would be no through trains out until a temporary bridge was
+erected over the creek near Dover.
+
+He returned to the house, and was pleased with the thought of having a
+social evening at home and a good night's rest.
+
+It was shortly after dark, and Ralph was reading a book in the cozy
+sitting room of the home cottage, when the door bell rang.
+
+The young fireman answered the summons. A stranger stood at the
+threshold. He was a dignified, well-dressed gentleman, but seemed to
+be laboring under some severe mental strain, for he acted nervous and
+agitated.
+
+"Mr. Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks?" he inquired in a tone of voice that
+quivered slightly.
+
+"Yes," replied the young fireman.
+
+"I am very anxious to have a talk with you," said the stranger
+hurriedly. "I have been down the line, and have just arrived at
+Stanley Junction. My name is Grant, Robert Grant, and I am the
+president of the Great Northern Railroad."
+
+"Come in, sir," said Ralph cordially, deeply impressed with welcoming
+so important a visitor, but maintaining his usual manly pose. He
+showed the official into the house and introduced him to his mother.
+
+Mr. Grant was soon in the midst of his story. He had been for many
+hours at Dover trying to discover a trace of his missing nephew, and
+had signally failed.
+
+"Mr. Adair, the road detective, advised me to see you," said Mr.
+Grant, "for you saw the men who captured my nephew. Would you know
+them again?"
+
+"Some of them," responded Ralph.
+
+"Very well, then. I ask you as a special favor to return with me to
+Dover and assist me in my task."
+
+"I will do so gladly," said Ralph.
+
+One hour later a special conveyed the president of the Great Northern
+and Ralph Fairbanks down the line to Dover.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE SHORT LINE RAILWAY
+
+
+Ralph attracted a good deal of attention when he arrived at Dover, and
+fully realized the honor of being treated as a companion by the
+president of the great railroad of which he was an employe. Mr. Grant
+was pleasant and friendly. He learned Ralph's story, and discussed
+railroad experience in a way that was enlightening and encouraging to
+the young fireman.
+
+"About these kidnappers," he said, "I will never give them a dollar,
+but I will spend all I have to rescue my nephew. It is needless to say
+that you shall be richly rewarded if you assist me successfully."
+
+"I will do my best, sir," pledged Ralph.
+
+At Dover they were met by Adair. They went into the depot and sat down
+on a bench in a remote corner.
+
+"I have not discovered the kidnappers nor the faintest clew to them,
+Mr. Grant," said Adair.
+
+The railroad president sighed deeply. He showed in his face and
+manner the care and anxiety he was suffering.
+
+"Can you suggest anything, Fairbanks?" continued Adair. "You know the
+district fairly well. What is your idea about these men?"
+
+Ralph astonished his companions by suddenly arising to his feet and
+hurrying towards a boy who had just entered the depot and had taken up
+a pen and a telegraph pad on the counter outside the ticket office.
+
+It was Van Sherwin, the old-time friend of Ralph, and pleasure at
+recognizing him had caused the young fireman to act on an impulse.
+
+"Why, Van!" he cried, "I am glad to see you."
+
+"Eh?" spoke the other. "Ralph! well, the gladness is mutual," and the
+pair shook hands cordially.
+
+"What brought you here?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Came down from headquarters in the timber on important business,"
+replied Van. "Just sending a telegram."
+
+"Why!" almost shouted Ralph, glancing at the blank upon which his
+friend had just written a name, "to Mr. Grant, to the president of the
+Great Northern!"
+
+"Yes," answered Van. "Does that startle you?"
+
+"It does. What are you wiring him for?"
+
+"About his nephew, Dudley Trevor."
+
+Ralph was fairly taken off his feet, as the saying goes. He grasped
+Van's arm excitedly.
+
+"See here, Van Sherwin," he cried. "What do you know of Mr. Trevor?"
+
+"Only that he is at our headquarters with a broken arm, and he sent me
+here to wire his uncle the fact."
+
+Ralph was delighted. He could scarcely credit the glad news. He led
+Van up to the railroad president and the road detective with the
+words:
+
+"Gentlemen, I am very happy to tell you that Mr. Trevor is in safe
+hands, and my friend here will explain. Van Sherwin, this is Mr.
+Grant, the president of the Great Northern."
+
+Van nodded in his crisp, off-hand way to Adair, whom he knew, and took
+off his cap to his dignified companion.
+
+His story was to his auditors most remarkable and exciting, but to Van
+only the narration of a perfectly natural occurrence. Early that
+morning there had come into "headquarters," as Van termed it, a young
+man in an almost exhausted condition. His attire was all torn with
+brambles and bushes and one arm was broken.
+
+"He told us his name, and said that he had escaped from kidnappers.
+Mr. Gibson attended to his arm, and sent me to Dover here to
+telegraph to you, sir," explained Van to the railroad president.
+
+Mr. Grant was so glad and excited he could not sit still.
+
+"Take me to him at once!" he cried. "My dear lad, you have brought
+happy news to me."
+
+"I don't know about going to see him," said Van. "It is over twenty
+miles away in the woods."
+
+"Allow me to explain, Mr. Grant," said Adair. "Between here and Wilmer
+is a wild, wooded stretch of land known as The Barrens."
+
+"I know of it," nodded Mr. Grant. "The Great Northern once surveyed
+two miles into the section, but abandoned the route as impracticable.
+There are only about twenty houses in the district, and the
+difficulties of clearing and grading were discouraging."
+
+"Well," said Adair, "it appears that a man named Farwell Gibson
+secured a charter to build a short line through The Barrens from
+Wilmer across the desolate tract to connect with the Midland
+Central."
+
+"I heard of that, too," nodded the railroad president.
+
+"This Gibson is an odd genius. He has been working for two years on
+his scheme, terming the road the Dover & Springfield Short Line. Just
+half way across The Barrens he has a house, which he calls
+'headquarters.' He is an erratic hermit, and adopted this boy here,
+Van Sherwin, who has been helping him. Every day, the law requires, he
+must do some grading work on the prospective railroad line. This he
+has done, and you would be surprised to know the progress they have
+made."
+
+"Especially lately," said Van, with sparkling eyes. "Even you, Ralph,
+would be astonished. Mrs. Gibson got some money recently--five
+thousand dollars from old Gasper Farrington--and we have hired a lot
+of men. Oh, that railroad is going through, and don't you forget it."
+
+"We realized our mistake after this Gibson got hold of the franchise,"
+said Mr. Grant. "Once the road is built, it practically dominates
+passenger and freight business north and south."
+
+"That is right," said Van, "for it becomes a bee-line, saving twenty
+to thirty miles distance, besides opening up a new district. Well,
+sir, your nephew is now at our headquarters. To reach the place you
+will have to get a very heavy wagon and go pretty slow and sure, for
+there are no roads."
+
+"I must go at all hazards," cried the railroad president insistently,
+"and you, my friends, must accompany me," he added to Adair and
+Ralph. "Why, those villains from whom my nephew escaped may undertake
+to recapture him."
+
+A little later the party, in charge of a sturdy fellow driving a
+strong team of horses attached to a heavy wagon, started out under the
+direction of Van Sherwin.
+
+The district was a wild jungle, interspersed with sweeps of hill and
+dales, and numerous creeks. Finally they reached a hill surmounted by
+a dense grove of trees. A road led up here to a rambling log house.
+
+Here and on the other side of the hill a ten-foot avenue was visible,
+neat and clean. The brush had been cleared away, the ground leveled,
+here and there some rudely cut ties set in place, and for an extended
+stretch there was a presentable graded roadbed.
+
+As they drove up to the cabin the railroad president almost forgot his
+nephew from interest in his surroundings. Across the front of the
+building was a sign reading: "Headquarters of the Dover & Springfield
+Short Line Railroad." To the south there was a singular sight
+presented. Some twenty men and boys were working on a roadbed, which
+had been cut for over two miles. A telegraph wire ran from the
+building over the tops of trees, and Ralph was fairly astonished at
+the progress made since he had first visited Farwell Gibson in this
+place.
+
+"Come in," said Van, as Mr. Grant alighted from the wagon.
+
+"Well, this is decidedly a railroady place," observed the president of
+the Great Northern with a faint smile.
+
+One half of the rambling place was a depot and railway offices
+combined. There were benches for passengers. In one corner was a
+partitioned off space, labeled: "President's Office." On the wall hung
+a bunch of blank baggage checks, and there was a chart of a zigzag
+railway line, indicating bridges, water tanks and switch towers.
+
+"Mr. Gibson," called out Van to a man seated at a desk, "this is Mr.
+Grant, the president of the Great Northern."
+
+"Eh? what! My dear sir, I am glad to see you," said the eccentric
+hermit. "You came about your nephew, I presume? Take the gentleman to
+his room, Van," directed Farwell. "I am something of a doctor and he
+is resting quite comfortably."
+
+Mr. Gibson greeted Ralph very cordially. When Van returned, he
+insisted on the young fireman inspecting the work on the railroad.
+
+"Does that look like business?" he inquired, as they proceeded down
+the roadbed. "We have ten men and eight boys working for us."
+
+"Eight boys--where did they come from?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"An orphan asylum burned down and we engaged to care for them,"
+replied Van.
+
+"But what are they doing in those trees?"
+
+"Stringing a telegraph wire. We expect within a month to have the
+telegraph through to Springfield, and later to Dover."
+
+"Why, Van," said Ralph, "it seems incredible, the progress you have
+made."
+
+"That five thousand dollars we made old Farrington pay Mrs. Gibson was
+a great help," replied Van. "We have quite a construction crew here
+now. I help Mrs. Gibson do the cooking, and we get on famously."
+
+Mr. Grant was with his nephew for over an hour. Then Ralph was sent
+for, and Trevor welcomed him with a glad smile. The young man
+described how he had been taken to a lonely building in the woods, how
+he had escaped from his enemies, breaking his arm in a runaway flight,
+and telling Ralph that he intended to remain where he was for a month,
+to which his uncle had agreed.
+
+"Confidentially, Fairbanks," he said, "I have taken a great interest
+in this Short Cut Railroad scheme, and as soon as I am well I am
+coming to see you at Stanley Junction."
+
+"Regarding this railroad?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Exactly," responded Trevor. "I see a great future in it. I shall not
+go to Europe. There is a practical business chance here, and I intend
+to help Mr. Gibson get the enterprise through."
+
+"It will take a lot of money," suggested Ralph.
+
+"Yes," assented Trevor, "and I know how to raise it. In fact, I have
+almost agreed to market one hundred thousand dollars' worth of bonds
+of the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad, and I want you to help
+me do it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A RAILROAD STRIKE
+
+
+"It's a bad outlook, lad," said old John Griscom.
+
+The veteran engineer was serious and anxious as he pronounced the
+words. He and Ralph were proceeding down the tracks beyond the
+round-house, just returned from their regular run from the city.
+
+"It's a strike, is it?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Worse than a strike," replied Griscom. "The railroad men's union is
+in a squabble among themselves and a fight is on. That means trouble
+and damage all around."
+
+It was two weeks after the kidnapping of young Trevor, and affairs had
+subsided to regular routine for the engineer and fireman of the
+Limited Mail. The president of the Great Northern had sent a check for
+one hundred dollars to Ralph, which he divided with Griscom, both
+making up twenty-five dollars for Van Sherwin. From the actions of
+their superiors they knew that their being in close touch with Mr.
+Grant had helped them considerably, and both felt secure and contented
+in their positions, when a new disturbing element appeared.
+
+For several days there had been trouble on both the Great Northern and
+the Midland Central. As Ralph understood it, the discharge of an
+irresponsible engineer on the latter line of railroad had led to a
+demand for his reinstatement. This the railway officials refused. A
+strike was at once ordered.
+
+Two days later a man named Delmay, a strike agent, came to Stanley
+Junction. He demanded that the men on the Great Northern engage in a
+sympathetic strike until the other road was brought to terms. The
+older, wiser hands laughed at him. Jim Evans had returned to Stanley
+Junction, and at once joined in a movement to disrupt the local union
+by favoring the strike in question.
+
+Evans had done a good deal of swaggering and threatening around the
+roundhouse that day, Ralph had just learned, and had intimidated some
+of the new hands into joining in the strike movement. He had left word
+that, as men came in from their runs, they were to report at a hall
+where the strikers met and announce which side of the contest they
+favored.
+
+"Here we are, lad," said the veteran engineer, as they started up the
+stairs of a building on Railroad Street. "Don't look very
+business-like, those pails of beer going into that hall yonder and
+that cloud of tobacco smoke. I wouldn't stir a foot, only it's quite
+regular according to union rules to call and report in a matter like
+this."
+
+"What are you going to do, Mr. Griscom?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Short and sweet, give my sentiments and leave these loafers to fight
+it out among themselves."
+
+"Include mine," said Ralph. "I do not understand these strike
+complications and I know you do, so I shall follow your guidance."
+
+When they entered the hall they found a noisy crowd, smoking, playing
+cards and lounging about. On a platform sat Jim Evans, looking
+profoundly important. He sat at a table with a heap of papers before
+him. Griscom approached him, Ralph by his side.
+
+"Who's in charge here?" demanded the old engineer gruffly.
+
+"I am," announced Evans, in a somewhat unsteady tone. "Head of the
+movement."
+
+"That so?" muttered Griscom. "Movement can't amount to much, then. Now
+then, Jim Evans, just one word. We came here out of courtesy to the
+union. We are members in good standing, and we represent the
+majority. At the meeting last night we voted you out as seceders. I am
+authorized to inform you that from now on no attention whatever will
+be paid to your crowd here."
+
+"Is that so?" sneered Evans. "I reckon we'll attract some attention
+when we get in action. We have started our own union. We are going to
+break up the old one. Whoever comes in now to help us holds his job.
+Whoever don't, will get downed somewhere along the line, and don't you
+forget it."
+
+"Being in the wrong," predicted Griscom steadily, "you won't
+succeed."
+
+"Will you sign the roll?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Nor Fairbanks?"
+
+"Let the lad speak for himself," said Griscom.
+
+"I know little about these complications, Mr. Evans," said Ralph. "I
+pay my dues, and we are upheld in our positions by the central union.
+In the present instance I stand by the regular men."
+
+Evans angrily picked up a sheet of paper. He scribbled upon it
+hastily.
+
+"Know what that means?" he demanded.
+
+"We don't, and are not at all anxious to know," retorted Griscom,
+turning to leave the hall.
+
+"It means that you are blacklisted!" shouted Evans, rising to his
+feet. "As to you, Fairbanks, I owe you one, and the time has come when
+I am in power. Think twice--join us, or it will be the worse for
+you."
+
+"Come on, lad," directed Griscom.
+
+"Men," roared Evans to his mob of friends, "those two are on the black
+list. Notice them particularly, and hit hard when you strike."
+
+Ralph went home somewhat disturbed by the episode, but not at all
+alarmed. He knew that such complications were frequent among the
+unions. His mother, however, was quite worried over the affair.
+
+"That fellow Evans is a bad man, and has a personal hatred for you,
+Ralph," she said. "Besides that, as we know, he has been incited to
+make you trouble by Mr. Farrington. Be careful of yourself, my son,
+for I fear he may try to do you some mischief."
+
+"I can only go on in the clear path of duty," said Ralph sturdily.
+
+The next morning the roundhouse was in quite a tumult. Its vicinity
+was picketed by the strikers. Ralph entered the place to find Tim
+Forgan, the foreman, in a state of great excitement and worry. There
+were not men enough for the regular runs.
+
+"Take out your regular train," he said to Griscom, "but I believe it
+will be annulled and new orders issued at the city end of the line.
+We're in for trouble, I can tell you. The strikers make some pretty
+bad threats, and you want to watch every foot of the route until this
+strike is settled one way or the other."
+
+"There is no other way except to oppose these loafers boldly,"
+pronounced Griscom. "The union has expelled them, and they are on the
+basis of rioters."
+
+"Well, the railroad company will make some move to protect its
+property," said Forgan. "They must give us more men, though, or we
+will have to annul half the daily trains."
+
+The Limited Mail got out of the yards with some difficulty. They had a
+spiked switch to look out for, and a missile from an old building
+smashed the headlight glass. At the limits a man tossed a folded paper
+into the locomotive cab. It was a poor scrawl containing direful
+threats to anyone opposing the new union.
+
+When they reached the terminus Griscom found a committee of men from
+the central union waiting for him. They held a consultation. Then a
+messenger from the railway office came after him. It was a busy day
+for the veteran rail-roader.
+
+"I don't like the looks of things," he said to Ralph, as they started
+on the homeward run. "The central union backs us, and the company is
+bound to fight the strikers to a finish. A lot of men are going down
+to take the places of the strikers. We are carrying them on this
+train, and serious trouble will begin as soon as the new men go to
+work."
+
+Two days later the freight traffic of the Great Northern was
+practically tied up. The situation had become positively alarming. The
+strikers had gathered strength of numbers through intimidation, and
+the coming of new workers had aroused animosity.
+
+Car loads of perishable fruits and the like were rotting in the yards,
+men were beaten, engines crippled, orders mixed up, crown sheets
+burned and cars smashed on open switches.
+
+The Limited Mail was annulled as a regular train, and Griscom and
+Ralph and all other passenger employes placed on the irregular list.
+One day a man would take out the Mail, the next day he would be
+running freight empties to the city.
+
+Some cars on siding along the route had been set on fire, and Griscom
+and Ralph were ordered down the line to pick up freight strays and
+haul them to the yards at Dover. It proved an unpleasant task.
+Strikers annoyed them in every way possible. Finally with a mixed
+train of about twenty cars they arrived at Afton, and took the sidings
+to gather in half-a-dozen gondolas.
+
+The spot was remote from the main tracks. Ralph had to do the
+coupling. He had run back, bound on this duty in the present instance,
+when, just as he reached the end of their train, three ill-appearing
+men stepped into view from a dismantled switch shanty.
+
+"Drop your signaling," spoke one of the three, advancing menacingly
+towards Ralph.
+
+"Hardly," responded Ralph calmly, "seeing we want these cars."
+
+"You don't take them," retorted the man, placing himself between the
+halted train and the cars beyond.
+
+Ralph calmly gave the signal to the engine. The train backed. The man
+had to jump quickly out of the way. Ralph set the coupling pin, gave a
+quick signal and sprang into the first empty car. The man who had
+spoken to him followed him through the opposite open doorway.
+
+"Fetch him out!" cried his two companions, running along the side of
+the car. "Maul him, and send him back to Stanley Junction as a lesson
+to the others."
+
+The man attempted to seize Ralph and the latter resisted. The fellow
+called to his companions, and they sprang into the car. Ralph, trying
+to reach the doorway to leap out, was tripped up, and he fell quite
+heavily.
+
+"Toss him out!" growled his first assailant, but Ralph recovered
+himself, managed to gain his feet, and leaped to the ground outside.
+
+The three men followed. Ralph ran behind a pile of railroad ties. His
+pursuers gained upon him. He stumbled, fell flat, and they pounced
+upon him.
+
+"Hold on there," suddenly spoke a new voice. "Get back and stay back,
+or I'll know the reason why."
+
+Something whizzed through the air. It was a heavy cudgel. Whack!
+whack! whack! the three fellows retreated as their shoulders were
+assailed good and hard.
+
+Ralph in some surprise regarded his new friend. He was a queer-looking
+old man, carrying a formidable cudgel, and this he now brandished
+recklessly in the faces of his adversaries, beating them back step by
+step.
+
+"Now, you mind your own business," he warned the men. "Pitching onto a
+boy--three big loafers that you are!"
+
+The men were cowards and sneaked sullenly away. Ralph's rescuer went
+back to the pile of ties and took up a little open memorandum book
+lying there.
+
+Ralph noticed that its pages bore a list of numbers, as of cars.
+
+"I am very grateful to you," said the young fireman.
+
+"That's all right," responded the stranger, and ran his eye over the
+cars as they passed by as if looking at their numbers. Ralph concluded
+that he had some business on the spot.
+
+"Are you in the service of the railroad?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," nodded the man--"of many railroads. I am a professional car
+finder."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE RUNAWAY TRAINS
+
+
+Ralph and his companion followed the train till it left the siding,
+when the young fireman set the switch and they stood by the side of
+the track until the locomotive backed down to where they were.
+
+"Going into Dover?" inquired the man who had rendered Ralph such
+signal service.
+
+"Yes," nodded Griscom, looking the questioner over suspiciously, as
+was his custom with all strangers recently since the strike began.
+
+"Give me a lift, will you? I am through with my work here," observed
+the man. "My name is Drury. I am a car finder."
+
+"Indeed?" said the old engineer with some interest of manner. "I've
+heard of you fellows. Often thought I'd like the job."
+
+"You wouldn't, if you knew its troubles and difficulties," asserted
+Drury with a laugh, as he climbed into the tender. "You think it's
+just riding around and asking a few questions. Why, say, I have spent
+a whole month tracing down two strays alone."
+
+"That so?" said Griscom.
+
+"Yes, it is true. You see, cars get on a line shy of them, and they
+keep them purposely. Then, again, cars are lost in wrecks, burned up,
+or thrown on a siding and neglected. You would be surprised to know
+how many cars disappear and are never heard of again."
+
+This was a new phase in railroad life to Ralph, and he was greatly
+interested. He plied the man with questions, and gained a good deal of
+information from him.
+
+"Switch off here, Fairbanks," ordered Griscom, as they neared a
+siding.
+
+"Is your name Fairbanks?" asked the carfinder of Ralph.
+
+"It is."
+
+"Heard of you," said Drury, glancing keenly at the young fireman. "It
+was down at Millville, last week. They seem to think a good deal of
+you, the railroad men there."
+
+"I hope I deserve it," said Ralph modestly.
+
+"Took a meal at a restaurant kept by a friend of yours," continued the
+carfinder.
+
+"You mean Limpy Joe?"
+
+"Exactly. Original little fellow--spry, handy and accommodating. Met
+another genius there--Dallas."
+
+"Zeph? Yes," said Ralph. "He has got lots to learn, but he has the
+making of a man in him."
+
+"He has. He was greatly interested in my position. Wanted me to hire
+him right away. Said he knew he could find any car that was ever lost.
+I gave him a job," and Drury smiled queerly.
+
+"What kind of a job?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Oh, you ask him when you see him," said Drury mysteriously. "I
+promised to keep it a secret," and he smiled again. "Good-bye, I leave
+you here."
+
+"Now then," said Griscom to his young assistant, "orders are to run to
+Ridgeton and start out in the morning picking up strays between there
+and Stanley Junction."
+
+When they got to Ridgeton, it had begun to rain. It was a lonely
+station with a telegraph operator, and a few houses quite a distance
+away. The operator was not on duty nights since the strike. The engine
+was sidetracked. They got a meal at the nearest house, and the
+operator gave them the key to the depot, where he said they could
+sleep all night on the benches. This Griscom insisted on doing, in
+order that they might keep an eye on the locomotive.
+
+They sat up until about nine o'clock. Then, tired out with a hard
+day's work, both soon sank into profound sleep. It was some time later
+when both, always vigilant and easily aroused, awoke together.
+
+"Oh," said the old engineer drowsily, "only the ticker."
+
+"Yes, some one is telegraphing," answered Ralph, "but it is a hurry
+call."
+
+"Understand the code, do you?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ralph. "Quiet, please, for a moment. Mr. Griscom, this
+is urgent," and Ralph arose and hurried to the next room, where the
+instrument was located.
+
+He listened to the sharp ticking of the little machine. There was the
+double-hurry call. Then came some sharp, nervous clicks.
+
+"R-u-n-a-w-a-y," he spelled out.
+
+"What's that?" cried Griscom, springing to his feet.
+
+"J-u-s-t p-a-s-s-e-d W-i-l-m-e-r, s-i-x f-r-e-i-g-h-t c-a-r-s. S-t-o-p
+t-h-e-m a-t R-i-d-g-e-t-o-n, o-r t-h-e-y w-i-l-l m-e-e-t N-o.
+f-o-r-t-y-e-i-g-h-t."
+
+Ralph looked up excitedly. Griscom stood by his side. His eyes were
+wide awake enough now.
+
+"Repeat that message--quick, lad!" he said in a suppressed tone. "Can
+you signal for repeat?"
+
+Ralph did so, once more spelling out the message as it came over the
+wire.
+
+"No. 48?" spoke Griscom rapidly. "That is the special passenger they
+have been sending out from Stanley Junction since the strike. What is
+the next station north? Act! Wire north to stop the train."
+
+Ralph got the next station with some difficulty. A depressing reply
+came. No. 48 had passed that point.
+
+"Then she's somewhere on the thirty-mile stretch between there and
+here," said Griscom. "Lad, it is quick action--wind blowing a
+hurricane, and those freights thundering down a one per cent. grade.
+Bring the lantern. Don't lose a moment. Hurry!"
+
+Ralph took the lead, and they rushed for their locomotive. The young
+fireman got a red lantern and ran down the track, set the light, and
+was back to the engine quickly.
+
+"This is bad, very bad," said Griscom. "Nothing but this siding,
+ending at a big ravine, the only track besides the main. The runaway
+must have a fearful momentum on that grade. What can we do?"
+
+Ralph tested the valves. He found sufficient steam on to run the
+engine.
+
+"I can suggest only one thing, Mr. Griscom," he said.
+
+"Out with it, lad, there is not a moment to lose," hurriedly directed
+the old engineer.
+
+"Get onto the main, back down north, set the switch here to turn the
+runaways onto the siding."
+
+"But suppose No. 48 gets here first?"
+
+"Then we must take the risk, start south till she reaches the danger
+signals, and sacrifice our engine, that is all," said Ralph plainly.
+
+It was a moment of intense importance and strain. In any event, unless
+the unexpected happened, No. 48 or their own locomotive would be
+destroyed. On the coming passenger were men, women and children.
+
+"Duty, lad," said Griscom, in a kind of desperate gasp. "We must not
+hesitate. Pile in the black diamonds and hope for the best. If we can
+reach the creek before the runaways, we can switch them onto a spur.
+It means a smash into the freights there. But anything to save the
+precious lives aboard the night passenger from Stanley Junction."
+
+They ran on slowly, then, gaining speed, got a full head of steam on
+the cylinders. At a curve the bridge lights came into view.
+
+"What do you see?" demanded Griscom, his band trembling on the
+throttle, wide open now.
+
+"She's coming," cried Ralph. "I caught the glint of the bridge lights.
+She's not six hundred yards away."
+
+It was a desperate situation now. Both engineer and fireman realized
+this. The backward swing was caught, and down the course they had just
+come their locomotive sped with frightful velocity.
+
+It was a mad race, but they had the advantage. One mile, two miles,
+three miles, the depot, down the main, and before the engine had
+stopped, Ralph was on the ground. He ran to the switch, set it, and
+then both listened, watched and waited.
+
+"There are the runaways," said Ralph.
+
+Yes, there they were, speeding like phantoms over the rain-glistening
+steel. Nearer and nearer they came, passed the siding, struck the
+switch, ran its length, and then a crash--and the night passenger from
+Stanley Junction was saved!
+
+"I don't know what the damage will be," muttered Griscom in a
+long-drawn breath of relief, "but we have done our duty as we saw
+it."
+
+They got back on the siding and removed the red lights before No. 48
+arrived. The night passenger sped tranquilly by, her train crew little
+dreaming of the peril they had escaped.
+
+The next afternoon, when they arrived at Stanley Junction, the
+assistant superintendent of the road highly commended their action in
+regard to the runaway freights.
+
+Ralph went home tired out from strain of work and excitement. As he
+neared the house he noticed a wagon in the yard and a horse browsing
+beside it.
+
+"Why," he said, "that rig belongs to Limpy Joe."
+
+Ralph hurried into the house. He found both Joe and Zeph in the
+sitting room. They were conversing with his mother, with whom the
+cripple boy had always been a great favorite.
+
+"Well, fellows, I am glad to see you," said Ralph heartily, "but what
+brought you here?"
+
+"Plainly," replied Limpy Joe--"Ike Slump."
+
+"Why, what do you mean?" inquired the young fireman.
+
+"I mean that we have been burned out," said Joe, "and Ike Slump did
+it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+CAR NO. 9176
+
+
+"Burned out!" exclaimed Ralph, deeply concerned.
+
+"Yes," nodded Joe, a trifle dolefully. "Labors of years in
+ashes--Limpy Joe's Railroad Restaurant a thing of the past."
+
+"How did it happen?"
+
+"Spite work. Three nights ago, late in the evening, Ike Slump appeared
+at the restaurant and demanded a free meal. I gave it to him. Then he
+demanded some money, and I refused it. He became bold and ugly, and
+told us how his crowd had it in for us, that they knew I had some hand
+in helping you get that stolen plunder, and would fix us sooner or
+later. He advised me to buy them off. I sent him away. Last night we
+discovered the place on fire, and it was burned to the ground."
+
+Ralph was deeply distressed over his friend's misfortune. The lame
+fellow, however, was undaunted. He deplored his loss, but he was by
+no means discouraged.
+
+"Thankful to have the horse and wagon left," he said. "I can always
+earn a living with that. Besides that, we saw Van Sherwin the other
+day. He is getting on finely, and I think we could get work on the
+Short Line Railroad. For the present, though, I am going to stay at
+Stanley Junction. I have a dozen plans for getting a little money
+together. Will you try us as boarders for a week or two, Ralph?"
+
+"I answered that question a few minutes ago," reminded Mrs. Fairbanks,
+"and if you two will sleep in the same room, you will cause no
+inconvenience whatever."
+
+"And you, Zeph?" said Ralph, turning to the farmer boy.
+
+Zeph had been strangely silent. He appeared to be trying to look very
+dignified and much absorbed in thought.
+
+"Oh, me?" he said now. "Why, I'm already at work. Commence to-night.
+Call boy at the roundhouse. Old one is with the strikers. Mr. Forgan
+engaged me this afternoon."
+
+"Why, that is fine," said Ralph. "A start in the right direction. Look
+out for the strikers, though, Zeph."
+
+"Don't fret about me," advised Zeph. "I'm a fighter when aroused.
+See, here is my list to call in the morning," and he showed Ralph a
+slip of paper containing about a dozen names.
+
+Ralph read it over, and after a meal went out with Zeph and showed him
+the location of the homes of those named in the list.
+
+"This job is all right," said Zeph, as they returned to the house,
+"but it is only a sort of side line with me."
+
+"Indeed?" smiled Ralph, amused at the off-hand, yet self-important
+manner of his companion.
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Simply want to get into the service so as to have the privilege of
+riding around on engines when I want to. It sort of introduces me, you
+see."
+
+"What do you want to ride around on engines for?" asked Ralph. "You
+can't afford to waste your time that way."
+
+"Waste my time? waste my time?" repeated Zeph. "Huh, guess you don't
+know what you're talking about! I'm on the trail of a big fortune."
+
+"You don't say so."
+
+"I do. Ralph Fairbanks, I'll let you into the secret. You've been a
+good friend to me, and you shall help me."
+
+"What ridiculous nonsense are you talking, Zeph?"
+
+"You'll see whether it's nonsense or not when some day I walk in on
+you with a fortune. Now, this is on the dead quiet, Fairbanks?"
+
+"Oh, sure," laughed Ralph.
+
+"Very well. I met a fellow the other day, who is a car finder."
+
+"Mr. Drury, you mean?" asked Ralph.
+
+"How did you know?" questioned Zeph in surprise.
+
+"He told me he had met you, and agreed with me that you were a pretty
+fair kind of a fellow."
+
+"Did he?" said Zeph, very much pleased at the double compliment.
+"Well, I got interested in his business and he finally gave me
+a--a--well a job, you might call it."
+
+"Salary big, Zeph?"
+
+"No salary at all," responded Zeph. "It's a partnership deal. If I
+find certain property, I am to have a big reward to divide with him."
+
+"What kind of property?"
+
+"Diamonds."
+
+"Oh, going digging for them?"
+
+"Don't make fun of me, Fairbanks," said Zeph in a slightly offended
+tone. "This is a fair and square business proposition. About five
+years ago a car was lost, presumably on the Great Northern. At least,
+it can be traced no farther than the terminus of the Midland Central,
+where it was switched onto this line here. There all trace of it was
+lost."
+
+"Valuable freight aboard?"
+
+"No, on the contrary, it was empty, but, all the same, between sealed
+boards and the rough ones a pocketbook containing a lot of valuable
+diamonds was hidden."
+
+"Who by?"
+
+"A traveling jewelry salesman named Isaacs."
+
+"What did he hide it there for?"
+
+"He had to. You see, he was on another railroad line and crossing some
+tracks when some footpads assaulted him. He managed to escape and got
+into the empty car I told you about. Then he heard them coming to
+search for him, and hid the diamonds in a break of the boards at one
+side of the car."
+
+"I see."
+
+"They dragged him out, beat him into insensibility and stole all his
+money. He woke up in a hospital a month later, after a siege of fever.
+The first thing he thought of was the diamonds and the car. He had
+taken particular pains to note the number of the car."
+
+"What was it, may I ask?"
+
+"Confidentially?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"It belonged to the Southern Air Line Road, and its number was 9176."
+
+"Why, you are telling a very interesting story," declared Ralph, now
+really interested in the same. "He searched for the car, of course?"
+
+"At once. He telegraphed everywhere; he advertised; he employed
+detectives. It was no use. During the month of his illness, car No.
+9176 had disappeared."
+
+"That looks mysterious."
+
+"The car finder says not at all. Such things happen frequently. But it
+went somewhere, didn't it? It may be lying on some old siding, in some
+creek after a wreck, stolen by gravel pit men, or in service still on
+some line. One thing is sure, if in existence still, it must be on one
+of four railroad lines, and the Great Northern is one of those
+roads."
+
+"What do you propose to do?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Go over every one of those lines carefully."
+
+"But Mr. Drury has done that already, has he not?"
+
+"What of it? A first search doesn't always bring results. He has given
+me full details as to the car, and, according to the records, it was
+lost on the Great Northern. In a day or two I am going to have a look
+at the transfer records at Dover. Then I am going to look up the
+trainmen who probably hauled the car. Oh, I have a theory and a plan.
+If I find the car I shall be almost rich."
+
+"Not a bad prospect, Zeph," said Ralph, "but if I were you I would
+stick at regular work and make the search for that car a secondary
+matter."
+
+"You'll remember it and help me out if you can?" asked Zeph.
+
+"Surely I will," and Ralph made a note of the number of the car in his
+memorandum book.
+
+When the young fireman arose the next morning, he found Zeph seated on
+the front porch lounging back in an easy chair and his face all
+bandaged up. Mrs. Fairbanks stood near by, regarding her guest
+solicitously.
+
+"Why, what is the matter, Zeph?" inquired Ralph in profound surprise.
+
+"Whipped four men, that's all," answered Zeph with a smile that was
+almost ghastly, for his lips were all cut and swollen up, one eye
+disfigured and two teeth gone. "I went on my rounds this morning. I
+made sure to wake up the fellows on call, and one of them threatened
+to kill me if I ever came to his door again with that 'fog-horn
+holler' of mine, as he called it. The night watch-man said he'd arrest
+me for disturbing the peace. I didn't mind that. Then I ran across
+four strikers. They wanted me to join them. I refused, and--that's
+all, except that I'll bet they are worse off than I am, if it was four
+to one."
+
+"Going to keep right on at your job?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Am I?" cried the undaunted Zeph. "Well, if anything would make me it
+would be this attack on me. Tell you, Fairbanks, hot times are coming.
+Forgan was on duty all night, and he told me this morning to advise
+you to be extra cautious in coming to work. The strikers are in an
+ugly mood, and they are going to make a bold break to smash up things
+to-day, they threaten."
+
+"Yes," sighed Ralph, "affairs must come to a crisis sooner or later, I
+fear. Duty is plain, though. I shall stick to Griscom, and Griscom
+insists that he will stick to the road."
+
+Mrs. Fairbanks looked anxious and frightened. Turning to enter the
+house, the young fireman started violently and his mother and Zeph
+uttered exclamations of excitement.
+
+A terrific explosion had rent the air. Its echoes rang out far and
+wide, and its source seemed to be the railroad depot.
+
+"Oh, Ralph! what does that mean?" cried Mrs. Fairbanks.
+
+"I fear," said Ralph seriously, "the strikers are rioting and the
+trouble has begun."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+
+The young fireman was soon headed for the railroad yards. A good many
+people were bound hurriedly in the same direction, for the explosion
+had aroused the town.
+
+As he neared the place, he could hear considerable shouting. He came
+to the tracks at a point where there was a switch shanty. The man on
+duty looked worried and scared.
+
+"What is the trouble?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"The strikers have blown up a freight car with dynamite," replied the
+flagman. "They have threatened me, old and feeble as I am. I'm afraid
+I'll have to lay off till this trouble is over."
+
+In the distance Ralph saw the mere skeleton of a freight car. It was
+in flames, and a number of men were pushing other cars from its
+vicinity to prevent them from catching on fire. A man tapped him on
+the shoulder. Turning, Ralph recognized one of the strikers.
+
+"See here, Fairbanks," he said, "I'm of the decent sort, as you know,
+but I think our position is right."
+
+"Does that look like it?" demanded the young fireman, pointing to the
+burning car.
+
+"I'm not responsible for that," said the man, "and I can't prevent the
+hot-headed ones from violence. I know you won't join us, but I'm just
+friendly enough to give you a warning. Don't go on duty to-day."
+
+"I certainly shall, if I am needed," replied Ralph. "Your union is in
+bad hands, and can't last."
+
+The man shrugged his shoulders and Ralph passed on his way. A piece of
+coal came whizzing through the air a few minutes later from the
+vicinity of a crowd of loiterers. It knocked off the young fireman's
+cap. He picked it up and walked slowly on.
+
+When he came to the roundhouse, he found the doors shut. Most of the
+windows in the place were broken in. Several target rods near by lay
+on the ground, and at a glance Ralph saw that considerable damage had
+been wrought during the night.
+
+"There must be a crisis soon," he said, and went to the roundhouse
+door. Before he was admitted several stones rained about him, thrown
+from behind a pile of ties. Inside, Ralph found Griscom and several
+others among the older engineers and firemen. All hands looked
+serious, the foreman particularly so.
+
+"Glad you came," said Forgan. "There's bad trouble brewing. The strike
+has reached the danger point. We can't run any regulars from the depot
+and won't try to to-day, but the Limited Mail must go to terminus.
+Griscom is ready for the run; are you? The regular engineer and
+fireman say they won't risk their lives."
+
+"I did not see the train anywhere," observed Ralph.
+
+"There is to be no regular train, only one postal and one express car.
+They will back down here in half-an-hour from the limits. Here is a
+wire for you. Came early this morning."
+
+With some surprise Ralph read a brief telegram. It came from the
+headquarters of the Great Northern in the city, was signed by the
+president of the road, and read:
+
+"Come to my office immediately on reaching terminus."
+
+Ralph showed this to Griscom. The situation was discussed by the men
+in the roundhouse, and the time passed by until a sharp whistle
+announced the arrival of the Limited Mail.
+
+As Griscom and Ralph went outside to relieve those temporarily in
+charge of the locomotive, they were pelted from several points with
+pieces of dirt, iron and coal. A crowd surged up to the engine. Then a
+startling thing occurred that dispersed them more quickly than they
+had gathered.
+
+As if by magic there appeared on the platforms of the two coaches
+fully a dozen guards armed with rifles. The train now proceeded on its
+way without molestation. At the limits the guards left it to protect
+other railroad property.
+
+The only trouble experienced during the run was between Afton and
+Dover, when some missiles were thrown and two switches found spiked.
+When they reached the city, Ralph tidied up and went to see the
+president of the road.
+
+Mr. Grant received him with a pleasant smile, beckoned him to a
+comfortable seat, and, closing the door of his private office, said:
+
+"Fairbanks, we think a good deal of you, and I know you deserve that
+favorable opinion. There are many trusted and reliable men in our
+service, but they do not think as quickly as you do. You are familiar
+with people at Stanley Junction, and on that account I wish you to do
+an important service for us."
+
+"I shall be pleased to," said Ralph.
+
+"It is this: Some one is working against us, some one is undermining
+us. We now believe that the sympathetic strike, as it is called, is
+more the result of some plot than a genuine sentiment of unionism. A
+man named Delmay, from the Midland Central, and a man named Evans, a
+discharged employe of our road, are at the head of the movement. Both
+are persons of bad record in every way."
+
+"I know that," murmured Ralph.
+
+"We believe that these men are hired to promote the strike."
+
+"Why, by whom, Mr. Grant?" inquired Ralph in considerable surprise.
+
+"That we wish you to find out. All we suspect is that some outside
+party is inciting them to the strike to carry out some selfish
+personal ends. You must find out who he is. You must discover his
+motives."
+
+Ralph was perplexed. He could not understand the situation at all.
+
+"I will do all I can in the line you suggest, sir," he said, "although
+I hardly know where to begin."
+
+"You will find a way to make your investigation," declared the
+president of the Great Northern. "I rely a great deal upon your
+ability already displayed in ferreting out mysteries, and on your
+good, solid, common sense in going to work cautiously and
+intelligently on a proposition. You can tell Forgan you are relieved
+on special service and wire me personally when you make any
+discoveries."
+
+Ralph arose to leave the room.
+
+"Wait a moment," continued Mr. Grant, taking up an envelope. "I wish
+you to hand this to Griscom. The Limited Mail will not make any return
+trip to-night. Instead, a special will be ready for you. You need
+mention this to no one. That envelope contains sealed orders and is
+not to be opened until you start on your trip. The superintendent of
+the road will see you leave and will give you all further instructions
+needed."
+
+There was a certain air of mystery to this situation that perplexed
+Ralph. He reported to Griscom, who took the letter with a curious
+smile.
+
+"Must be something extra going on down the road," he observed. "Wonder
+what? Start after dark, too. Hello, I say--the pay car."
+
+They had come to the depot to observe an engine, two cars attached,
+and the superintendent standing on the platform conversing with a man
+attired in the garb of a fireman.
+
+The latter was a sturdy man of middle age, one of the best firemen on
+the road, as Ralph knew. He nodded to Griscom and Ralph, while the
+superintendent said:
+
+"Fairbanks, this man will relieve you on the run."
+
+Ralph looked surprised.
+
+"Why," he said, "then I am not to go on this trip?"
+
+"Oh, yes," answered the official with a grim smile,--"that is, if you
+are willing, but it must be as a passenger."
+
+Ralph glanced at the passenger coach. Inside were half-a-dozen
+guards.
+
+"Not in there," replied the superintendent, "We want you to occupy the
+pay car here. Everything is ready for you."
+
+"All right," said Ralph.
+
+"Come on, then."
+
+The superintendent unlocked the heavy rear door of the pay car, led
+the way to the tightly sealed front compartment, and there Ralph found
+a table, chair, cot, a pail of drinking water and some eatables.
+
+"You can make yourself comfortable," said the official. "There will
+probably be no trouble, but if there is, operate this wire."
+
+The speaker pointed to a wire running parallel with the bell rope to
+both ends of the train. On the table lay a rifle. The only openings in
+the car were small grated windows at either end.
+
+The official left the car, locking in Ralph. The young fireman
+observed a small safe at one end of the car.
+
+"Probably contains a good many thousands of dollars," he reflected.
+"Well, here is a newspaper, and I shall try to pass the time
+comfortably."
+
+By getting on a chair and peering through the front ventilator, Ralph
+could obtain a fair view of the locomotive. The train started up, and
+made good time the first thirty miles. Then Ralph knew from a halt and
+considerable switching that they were off the main rails.
+
+"Why," he said, peering through the grating, "they have switched onto
+the old cut-off between Dover and Afton."
+
+That had really occurred, as the young fireman learned later. The
+officials of the road, it appeared, feared most an attack between
+those two points, and the sealed orders had directed Griscom to take
+the old, unused route, making a long circuit to the main line again.
+
+Ralph remembered going over this route once--rusted rails, sinking
+roadbed, watery wastes at places flooding the tracks. He kept at the
+grating most of the time now, wondering if Griscom could pilot them
+through in safety.
+
+Finally there was a whistle as if in response to a signal, then a
+sudden stop and then a terrible jar. Ralph ran to the rear grating.
+
+"Why," he cried, "the guard car has been detached, there are Mr.
+Griscom and the engineer in the ditch, and the locomotive and pay car
+running away."
+
+He could look along the tracks and observe all this. Engineer and
+fireman had apparently been knocked from the cab. Some one was on the
+rear platform of the pay car, a man who was now clambering to its
+roof. The guards ran out of the detached coach and fired after the
+stolen train, but were too late.
+
+Rapidly the train sped along. Ralph ran to the front grating. The
+locomotive was in strange hands and the tender crowded with strange
+men.
+
+"It's a plain case," said Ralph. "These men have succeeded in stealing
+the pay car, and that little safe in the corner is what they are
+after."
+
+The train ran on through a desolate waste, then across a trestle built
+over a swampy stretch of land. At its center there was a jog, a
+rattle, the tracks gave way, and almost with a crash, the train came
+to a halt.
+
+It took some time to get righted again, and the train proceeded very
+slowly. Ralph had done a good deal of thinking. He knew that soon the
+robbers would reach some spot where they would attack the pay car.
+
+"I must defeat their purpose," he said to himself. "I can't let
+myself out, but--the safe! A good idea."
+
+Ralph settled upon a plan of action. He was busily engaged during the
+next half hour. When the train came to a final stop, there was an
+active scene about it.
+
+Half-a-dozen men, securing tools from the locomotive, started to break
+in the door of the pay car. In this they soon succeeded.
+
+They went inside. The safe was the object of all their plotting and
+planning, but the safe was gone, and Ralph Fairbanks was nowhere in
+the pay car.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE STRIKE LEADER
+
+
+Ralph felt that he had done a decidedly timely and clever act in
+outwitting the train robbers. He had left the car almost as it
+stopped, and under the cover of the dark night had gained the shelter
+of the timber lining the track.
+
+The young fireman waited until the men came rushing out of the car.
+They were dismayed and furious, and, leaving them in a noisy and
+excited consultation, Ralph started back towards the trestle work.
+
+"They won't get the safe, that is sure," said the young railroader in
+tones of great satisfaction, as he hurried along in the pelting storm.
+"They will scarcely pursue me. It is pretty certain, however, that
+they will be pursued, and I may meet an engine before I reach Dover."
+
+Just as he neared the end of the trestle Ralph saw at some distance
+the glint of a headlight. It was unsteady, indicating the uncertain
+character of the roadbed.
+
+"About two miles away," decided the young fireman. "I must manage to
+stop them."
+
+With considerable difficulty, Ralph secured sufficient dry wood and
+leaves in among some bushes to start a fire between the rails and soon
+had a brisk blaze going. The headlight came nearer and nearer. A
+locomotive halted. Ralph ran up to the cab.
+
+It contained Griscom, the city fireman and two men armed with rifles.
+The old engineer peered keenly at the figure, quickly springing to the
+step of the engine.
+
+"You, lad?" he cried heartily. "I'm glad of that. Where is the
+train?"
+
+"About two miles further on beyond the trestle."
+
+"And the pay car?"
+
+"The robbers were in possession when I left them."
+
+"Then they will get away with the safe!" cried the engineer
+excitedly.
+
+"Hardly," observed Ralph, with a smile.
+
+"Eh, lad, what do you mean?"
+
+"What I say. Truth is, I saw what was coming. There was only one thing
+to do. There were tools in the car. I sawed a hole through the floor
+of the car, rolled the safe to it, and dumped it through. It went
+between two rotten ties, and lies in the swamp--safe."
+
+With a shout of delight old John Griscom slapped his young assistant
+admiringly on the shoulder.
+
+"Fairbanks," he cried, "you're a jewel! Mate," to the fireman, "this
+is glad news."
+
+"It is, indeed," said his companion. "I wouldn't like the record of
+losing that safe. Can you locate the spot, Fairbanks?"
+
+"It may take some trouble," answered Ralph. "The best thing to do is
+to get a wrecking car here; meantime, the trestle should be guarded."
+
+They ran on and up to the spot where the stolen train was halted, but
+found the vicinity deserted. It seemed that whatever the robbers had
+guessed out as to the mystery of the safe, they did not consider there
+was any chance of recovering it.
+
+The two men armed with rifles remained at the trestle, while the
+others took the stolen pay car back to Dover. Once there, Griscom kept
+the wires busy for a time. About daylight a wrecking crew was made up.
+Ralph accompanied them to the scene of the attempted robbery.
+
+He could fairly estimate the locality of the sunken safe, and some
+abrasions of the ties finally indicated the exact spot where the safe
+had gone through into the water below. It was grappled for, found,
+and before noon that day the pay car train arrived at Stanley Junction
+with the safe aboard.
+
+Affairs at the terminal town were still in an unsettled condition. The
+presence of armed guards prevented wholesale attacks on the railroad
+property, but there were many assaults on workmen at lonely spots,
+switches tampered with and shanty windows broken in.
+
+Ralph reported to Tim Forgan and then went home. He went to sleep at
+once, awoke refreshed about the middle of the afternoon, and then told
+his mother all the occurrences of that day and the preceding one.
+
+While Mrs. Fairbanks was pleased at the confidence reposed in her son
+by the railroad authorities, she was considerably worried at the
+constant turmoil and dangers of the present railroad situation. Ralph,
+however, assured her that he would take care of himself, and left the
+house trying to form some plan to follow out the instructions of the
+president of the Great Northern.
+
+He could not go among the strikers, and without doing so, or sending a
+spy among them, it would be difficult to ascertain their motives and
+projects. Coming around a street corner, the young fireman halted
+abruptly.
+
+A procession of strikers was coming down the street. They were a
+noisy, turbulent mob, cheered on by like rowdyish sympathizers lining
+the pavements.
+
+"Why, impossible!" exclaimed Ralph, as he noticed by the side of Jim
+Evans, the leader of the crowd, his young friend, Zeph Dallas.
+
+The latter seemed to share the excitement of the paraders. He acted as
+if he gloried in being a striker, and the familiar way Evans treated
+him indicated that the latter regarded him as a genuine, first-class
+recruit.
+
+Zeph caught Ralph's eye and then looked quickly away. The young
+fireman was dreadfully disappointed in the farmer boy. He went at once
+to the roundhouse, where the foreman told him that Zeph had deserted
+the afternoon previous.
+
+"I don't understand it," said Forgan. "The lad seemed to hate the
+strikers for attacking him the other night. I suppose, though, it's
+with him like a good many others--there's lots of 'relief money' being
+given out, and that's the bait that catches them."
+
+"I must manage to see Zeph," mused Ralph. "I declare, I can hardly
+believe he is really on their side. I wonder how near I dare venture
+to the headquarters of that mob."
+
+The young fireman went to the vicinity of the hall occupied by the
+strikers, but he did not meet Zeph. Then Ralph proceeded to the
+business portion of Stanley Junction. He visited the bank and several
+other leading local business institutions. He made a great many
+inquiries and he felt that he was on the edge of some important
+discoveries.
+
+When he got home he found Zeph sitting on the porch, smiling as ever.
+Ralph nodded seriously to him. Zeph grinned outright.
+
+"What's that kind of a welcome for, eh?" he demanded.
+
+"Sorry to see you in the ranks of the strikers to-day, Zeph," observed
+Ralph.
+
+"Ought to be glad."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I suppose a fellow is free to follow out his convictions, isn't he?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Well, I'm following out mine," declared Zeph--"the conviction that of
+all the mean rascals in this burg, Jim Evans is the meanest. See here,
+Fairbanks, have you lost your wits? Do you really for one minute
+suppose I sympathize with those fellows?"
+
+"You seemed pretty close to Evans."
+
+"Grand!" chuckled Zeph. "That's just what I was working for. See
+here, I made up my mind that those fellows were up to more mischief
+than what they have already done. I concluded there was something
+under the surface of this pretended strike. I wanted to find out. I
+have."
+
+Ralph looked very much interested now. He began to see the light.
+
+"Go on, Zeph," he said.
+
+"Well, I found out just what I suspected--some one is furnishing the
+strikers with money, and lots of it."
+
+"Do you know who it is?"
+
+"I don't, but I do know one thing: every day Evans goes to the office
+of a certain lawyer in town here. They have a long consultation. Evans
+always comes away very much satisfied and with more money."
+
+"What's the lawyer's name, Zeph?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Bartlett."
+
+Just then they were called in to supper by Mrs. Fairbanks. Ralph was
+silent and thoughtful during most of the meal.
+
+The young fireman had learned that afternoon that a stranger named
+Bartlett had been buying up all the stock of the railroad he could
+secure. The man was not in good repute at Stanley Junction. He had
+come there only the week previous, Ralph was told, and occupied a
+mean little room in the main office building of the town.
+
+After supper Ralph strolled down town. He entered the building in
+question and ascended its stairs. He knew the occupants of most of the
+offices, and finally located a room which contained a light but had no
+sign on the door.
+
+Footsteps ascending the stairs caused the young fireman to draw back
+into the shadow. A man came into view and knocked noisily at the
+closed door.
+
+"Here I am, Bartlett," said the fellow, lurching about in an unsteady
+way.
+
+"I see you are," responded the man inside the room, "primed for work,
+too, it seems to me."
+
+Ralph could not repress some excitement. The man Bartlett he instantly
+recognized as the person who had delivered to him in the city the
+papers from Gasper Farrington. His visitor he knew to be a discharged
+telegraph operator of the Great Northern.
+
+"Yes," said the latter, as the door closed on him, "I'm ready for
+work, so bring on your wire-tapping scheme soon as you like."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE WIRE TAPPERS
+
+
+When the door of the office that Ralph was watching closed again and
+was locked, the young fireman approached the room. He was very sure
+that some important move against the railroad was meditated by the two
+men he had just seen, and he was anxious to overhear their
+conversation if possible.
+
+To his intense satisfaction Ralph found that a coal box rested under
+the clouded-glass window of the office looking into the hallway. This
+window was down from the top some inches. Ralph clambered up on the
+coal box, got to the side of the window, fixed his eye at a small
+space where the glass was broken, and prepared to listen to the words
+of the two men he had in view.
+
+Both sat in chairs now. Bartlett looked brisk and pleased; the
+ex-telegraph operator was unkempt, rather sullen, and acted like a man
+under orders on some unpleasant duty.
+
+"Well, Morris," said the former, "all ready, are you? Tools and wire
+in that bag?"
+
+"Batteries and all, complete outfit," responded the other. "What's the
+programme?"
+
+"You haven't mentioned about my employing you to any one?"
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"And have arranged to stay away from town for several days?"
+
+"A week, if you like, at ten dollars a day you promised me," answered
+Morris.
+
+"Very good. Let me see. There's a train about 10 o'clock."
+
+"There is, if the strikers will let it run out," said Morris.
+
+"Oh, they will. I have arranged all that," chuckled Bartlett. "They'll
+even help it on, knowing I'm aboard."
+
+"That so?" muttered Morris. "You must have a pull somewhere."
+
+"I have, or at least money has, and I control the money," grinned
+Bartlett. "You are to come with me down the line about twenty miles.
+You'll be told then about this special job."
+
+Bartlett got up and bustled about. He packed a great many papers in a
+satchel, and finally announced that they had better be starting for
+the depot.
+
+"Any little by-play you see on the train," said Bartlett, "help along,
+mind you."
+
+"Why, what do you mean?" inquired Morris.
+
+"You'll see when we get there," replied Bartlett enigmatically.
+
+When they reached the depot the two men got aboard the one passenger
+coach of the night accommodation. There was a combination express car
+ahead. Ralph went to the messenger in charge and arranged to have free
+access to do as he desired.
+
+When the train started up, he opened the rear door of the car and
+commanded a clear view into the passenger coach. The men he was
+watching sat side by side, engaged in conversation. There were only a
+few passengers aboard.
+
+Ralph kept his eye on the two men. He noticed that Bartlett consulted
+his watch frequently and glanced as often from the car window.
+Finally, when the brakeman was out on the rear platform and the
+conductor at the front of the coach, the young fireman saw Bartlett
+quickly draw a small screwdriver from his pocket. Hiding its handle in
+his palm and letting the blade run along one finger, he dropped his
+arm down the seat rail into the middle of the aisle.
+
+Morris watched towards the rear platform, Bartlett kept his eye on the
+conductor. His hand worked against the floor of the car. Finally he
+drew up his arm, put the screwdriver in his pocket and once more
+resumed his watch on the outside landscape.
+
+There was a sharp signal, and the train gave a jerk. Bartlett arose to
+his feet. The next instant he fell flat headlong, and lay apparently
+insensible on the floor of the coach.
+
+The conductor ran outside. The train started up again. Ralph, from the
+open doorway, heard the engineer shout back something about a false
+signal, presumably the work of the strikers. The train proceeded on
+its way.
+
+It was not until then, as he re-entered the coach, that the conductor
+became aware of the prostrate man on the floor and Morris and other
+passengers gathering around him in excitement and solicitude. Ralph
+ventured across the platform near to the door of the passenger coach.
+
+Bartlett, seemingly unconscious, was lifted to a seat. He soon opened
+his eyes, but feigned intense pain in his side, and acted the injured
+man to perfection. He began to explain, pointing to the floor. The
+conductor investigated. Ralph saw him draw a long brass screw into
+sight.
+
+"A clever game," murmured the young fireman. "What a rascal the fellow
+is! He is laying the foundation for a damage suit."
+
+Morris made himself busy, taking the names of witnesses. When the
+train stopped, Bartlett had to be almost lifted from the coach. Ralph
+alighted, too, and kept in the shadow. As soon as the train left,
+Bartlett was able to walk about unassisted.
+
+The little town they had arrived at was dark and silent, and the two
+men met no one as they proceeded down its principal street. Then they
+turned to the south and walked a distance of about a mile. There was a
+kind of a grove lining the railroad. At its center they reached a
+lonely hut.
+
+"Open up, there!" shouted Bartlett, pounding on its door with a stick
+he had picked up.
+
+A light soon showed through the cracks of the board shutters.
+
+"Who is there?" demanded a voice from the inside.
+
+"Bartlett."
+
+"All right--come in."
+
+"Gasper Farrington," murmured Ralph, as he recognized the occupant of
+the hut.
+
+It was the magnate of Stanley Junction, still disguised, just as he
+had been the last night Ralph had seen him at the home of Jim Evans.
+The three men disappeared within the house. Ralph approached and went
+cautiously about the place. He could not find a single point where he
+could look into the hut.
+
+The young fireman felt that it was very important that he should learn
+what was going on within the house. He at length discovered a way of
+gaining access to at least one part of it. This was at the rear where
+a high stack of old hay stood. It almost touched the hut, and its top
+was very near to a sashless aperture in the attic.
+
+Ralph scaled the stack with some difficulty and reached its top. In
+another moment he was inside the attic. It was low, the rafters were
+few and far between, and, as he crept over these, they began to sway
+and creak in an alarming way.
+
+"This won't do at all," murmured the youth in some dismay, for it
+seemed that one more movement would carry down the entire ceiling
+below. He tried to retreat. There was a great cracking sound, and
+before he could help himself the young fireman went sprawling into the
+room below in the midst of a shower of plaster and laths.
+
+"Hello!" shouted Bartlett, jumping up from a chair in consternation.
+
+"I should say so," exclaimed Morris, dodging about out of the way of
+falling bits of plaster from the ceiling.
+
+"A spy!" cried Farrington, "a spy! Why, it's Ralph Fairbanks!"
+
+The young fireman stood surrounded by the three men, trying to clear
+his half-blinded eyes. He was seized and hustled about, thrown into a
+chair, and regained his wonted composure to find Gasper Farrington
+confronting him with an angry face.
+
+"So, it's you, is it--you, again?" spoke the latter, gazing at Ralph
+with a glance full of ill will.
+
+"Yes," responded the youth. "I can't deny it very well, can I?"
+
+"How do you come to be up in that attic? How long have you been there?
+What are you up to, anyway?" shouted the excited Farrington.
+
+"Don't ask me any questions for I shall not answer them," retorted
+Ralph nervily. "Here I am. Make the best of it."
+
+"See here," said Bartlett, a deep frown on his face. "This looks bad
+for us. Morris, watch that young fellow a minute or two."
+
+He and Farrington went into the next room. There was a low-toned
+consultation. When they came back the lawyer carried a piece of rope
+in his hand. It was useless for Ralph to resist, and the three men
+soon had him securely bound. He was carried into a small adjoining
+room, thrown on a rude mattress, and locked in.
+
+For nearly half-an-hour he could hear the drone of low voices in the
+adjoining room. Then the door was unlocked, and Farrington came in
+with a light and made sure that the captive was securely bound.
+
+"You are going to leave here, then?" asked Bartlett.
+
+"Don't I have to?" demanded Farrington. "This fellow has located us.
+I'll take you and Morris to the place I told you about, and move my
+traps out of here early in the morning."
+
+"What are you going to do with Fairbanks?" inquired Bartlett.
+
+"I'm thinking about that," retorted Farrington in a grim way. "It's
+the chance of a lifetime to settle with him. You leave that to me."
+
+The speakers, shortly after this, left the hut with Morris. Ralph
+found he could not release himself, and patiently awaited
+developments. His captors had left the light in the next room and the
+door open, and he could see on a table the satchel the lawyer had
+brought with him from his office.
+
+The sight of it caused Ralph to make renewed efforts for freedom. He
+strained at his bonds strenuously. Finally a strand gave way.
+
+It was just as he began to take hope that he might acquire his liberty
+before his captors returned, that a sudden disaster occurred that
+made the young fireman fear for his life.
+
+Some more of the ceiling plastering fell. It struck the lamp on the
+table, upset it, and in an instant the room was ablaze.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+IN PERIL
+
+
+The young fireman gave a great shout of distress and excitement as he
+realized that he was in a decidedly perilous predicament. The oil of
+the lamp had ignited and the hut seemed doomed.
+
+Ralph tugged at his bonds in a frenzy. Another strand of the rope gave
+way, then another, and still another. He trembled with mingled
+surprise and hope. Could he get free in time? It seemed not, for the
+flames were spreading fast and furiously.
+
+Suddenly there was a shout outside of the hut. It was repeated, and
+then there came a great crash at the door. Ralph wondered at this, for
+he could think only of Farrington and his accomplices returning to the
+rescue. The loud pounding on the door, however, indicated that the
+persons engaged in it had no key. There was more than one person;
+Ralph ascertained this from the sound of mingled voices.
+
+Suddenly the door gave way. It was burst bodily from its hinges and
+went crashing against the blazing table, upsetting it. At just that
+moment Ralph got one arm free. He was about to shout for assistance
+when he recognized the intruders.
+
+They were Ike Slump and Mort Bemis. Both dashed into the blazing room.
+One found a pail of water and threw it in among the flames. This
+subdued the blaze partially.
+
+"Be quick!" cried Slump to his companion. "Grab all you can. You have
+been watching the place, and say you know where old Farrington is
+likely to hide his valuables."
+
+"Right here," replied Bemis, tearing open the door of a cupboard.
+"Here's a satchel."
+
+"And here's another one," said Ike Slump, picking up the one that
+Bartlett had brought to the place. "Look sharp, now. They may come
+back at any moment."
+
+The two marauders ransacked the room. Ralph refrained from calling out
+to them. He could now reach his pocket knife, and just as Slump and
+Bemis, pretty well singed by the flames, ran out of the hut, he
+hurried to a rear door and darted outside as well.
+
+The young fireman peered around the corner of the hut. He saw Slump
+and Bemis making for the nearest timber. Ralph put after them, and as
+he gained the cover of the woods, looking back, he made out three
+figures dashing towards the blazing hut.
+
+"Farrington and the others," decided Ralph. "This is an exciting
+business. Now to keep track of Slump and Bemis. I can hardly figure
+out, though, how they came to rob the hut, for Farrington was once
+their friend."
+
+The precious pair of thieves scurried along through the woods,
+laughing and talking gleefully over the plunder they had secured. They
+must have gone over three miles before they halted. It was at a spot
+in among high bushes. Here they had evidently been camping previously,
+for there was a lot of hay on the ground, the signs of a recent
+campfire, and a sort of roof of bark overhead for shelter from rain
+and dew. They sat down on the ground and Slump proceeded to light a
+lantern.
+
+"Your watching has amounted to something at last, Mort," said Slump.
+"Farrington went back on us in a measly way. Why, after all we did for
+him he took up with Jim Evans and others, and even refused me a few
+dollars when we were in hiding and trouble after that silk robbery.
+Here's our revenge. He's been up to some deep game for a week. He'll
+never know who stole this plunder."
+
+"Find how much of it there is," suggested Bemis.
+
+Each took up a satchel to investigate the contents. Ralph was
+intensely interested. He peered from a safe covert near at hand.
+
+"Well, well, well!" exclaimed Slump as he opened the satchel taken
+from the cupboard of the old hut. "Why, there's a fortune here, if we
+can only handle it. Bonds of the Great Northern, stock in the Great
+Northern. See? some money--notes, mortgages, deeds! This is a big
+find."
+
+"Same here, except the money," reported Bemis, investigating the
+documents in the satchel brought from Stanley Junction by Bartlett.
+"Mostly railroad stock in the Great Northern. Private letters, lists
+of names of the strikers. Memoranda about some wire-tapping scheme.
+Say, these papers are enough to send the old skeesicks to the
+penitentiary. He'll pay a fortune to get them back."
+
+Slump pocketed the ready cash in the satchel. Then he was silently
+thoughtful for a few moments.
+
+"See here, I have my scheme," he said finally. "We'll carry these
+satchels down to the old barge at the creek, and hide them there. Then
+we'll block out some plan to work Farrington for their return."
+
+"All right," said Bemis. "Come ahead."
+
+They took up the satchels and started on again, and Ralph followed
+them as before. They came to a creek, and, after lining its shore for
+nearly a mile, to a large roughly-made scow. Both boarded the craft,
+disappeared in its hold, reappeared, and came to the shore again.
+
+"We'll just enjoy the ready cash for the time being," said Slump, "and
+later find out a safe way to deal with Farrington."
+
+When they had gone, Ralph went aboard the scow. A scuttle led down
+into its hold. Its cover was closed with a strong spring bolt. Ralph
+drew this back and sat over the edge of the scuttle.
+
+He peered down, prepared to push the cover clear back, when he slipped
+and went below head-long. The cover fell tightly shut, and he was a
+prisoner.
+
+Ralph did not mind this much at the time. He believed he could readily
+force up the cover in some way when he wanted to leave the scow. He
+lit some matches and proceeded to search for the two satchels. He
+found them in a remote corner of the hold.
+
+It was when he prepared to leave the hold that the young fireman
+discovered himself in a decided quandary. He could barely reach the
+scuttle cover, and there was not an object in the hold that he could
+use to force it open. Finally Ralph decided that he could not hope for
+escape in that direction.
+
+There was a little window at one end of the scow, but it was too small
+to escape by. Ralph was compelled to accept the situation, at least
+until daylight. He tried to sleep, and at dawn looked out from the
+window.
+
+"I will simply have to wait here until some one passes by," he told
+himself. "In the meantime, though, Slump and Bemis may return. Can I
+reach the rope holding the scow to the shore?"
+
+This was secured around a tree stump. Ralph reached with his pocket
+knife through the window, and began cutting at the scow end of the
+rope, which ran just above it.
+
+In a few minutes the strands gave way and the scow floated down the
+creek.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+
+There was a sluggish current to the creek and as soon as the scow got
+into midstream, it proceeded steadily on its voyage.
+
+"This is better than staying at the old mooring place," reasoned
+Ralph. "Of course, Slump and Bemis will return there and search for
+the scow. Before they do, I hope I will have drifted past some house
+or settlement where I can call out for assistance."
+
+Ralph, however, was not destined to meet with ready relief. The scow
+floated along banks wild and timbered, and, during a vigilant watch at
+the little window of over two hours, he saw no human being or
+habitation.
+
+Finally the scow slowed up, its course became irregular, it bumped
+into some obstacle, turned around, and Ralph discovered the cause of
+the stoppage. A mass of logs and other debris had formed clear across
+the creek at one point. This the scow lined, edging slowly along as
+if drawn by some counter-current.
+
+In a few minutes the craft had worked its way into a cut-off from the
+creek. It floated slowly in among a swampy wilderness of reeds and
+stunted trees, came to halt at a shallow, and there remained
+stationary.
+
+"Why, this is worse than being in the creek," ruminated Ralph, with
+some concern. "There was a chance of hailing some one there sooner or
+later, but in this isolated spot I stand the risk of starving to
+death."
+
+The young fireman was both hungry and thirsty. He made another
+desperate attempt to force the scuttle, but found it an utter
+impossibility. Then he took out his pocket knife. There was one last
+chance of escape in sight. If he could cut the wood away around the
+bolt of the scuttle cover, he might force it open.
+
+Ralph could not work to any advantage, for the top of the hold was
+fully a foot above his head. However, patiently and hopefully he began
+his task. Bit by bit, the splinters and shavings of wood dropped about
+him.
+
+"Too bad, that ends it," he exclaimed suddenly, as there was a sharp
+snap and the knife blade broke in two.
+
+The situation was now a very serious one. Ralph tried to view things
+calmly, but he was considerably worried. He was somewhat encouraged,
+however, a little later, as he noticed that along the dry land lining
+the swampy cut-off there were signs of a rough wagon road.
+
+"All I can do now is to watch and wait," he declared. "I guess I will
+take a look over the contents of those satchels."
+
+Once started at the task, Ralph became greatly interested. He was
+amazed at what the documents before him revealed of the plans and
+villainies of old Gasper Farrington. There was evidence enough,
+indeed, as Slump had said, to send the village magnate to the
+penitentiary.
+
+"This information will be of great value to the railroad people," said
+Ralph. "It would enable them to at once break the strike."
+
+"Whoa!"
+
+Ralph gave utterance to a cry of delight and surprise. He ran to the
+little window of the scow. Not fifty feet away was a horse and wagon.
+Its driver had shouted out the word to halt. Now he dismounted and was
+arranging a part of the harness where it had come loose.
+
+"Hello, there! Joe! Joe! hurry this way!" fairly shouted Ralph.
+
+"Hi, who's that, where are you?" demanded the person hailed.
+
+"In the scow. Ralph! Locked in! Get me out!"
+
+"I declare! It can't be Ralph. Well! well!"
+
+Nimbly as his crutches would allow him, Limpy Joe came towards the
+scow. He halted as he neared the window where he could make out the
+anxious face of his friend.
+
+"What are you ever doing there? How did you get in there? Why, this is
+wonderful, my finding you in this way," cried the cripple.
+
+"I'll tell you all that when I get out," promised Ralph. "All you have
+to do is to spring back the bolt catch on the cover to the hold
+scuttle."
+
+"I'll soon have you out then," said Joe, and with alacrity he waded
+into the water, got aboard the old craft, and in another minute Ralph
+had lifted himself free of his prison place.
+
+"Whew! what a relief," aspirated the young fireman joyfully. "Joe, it
+is easy explaining how I came to be here--the natural sequence of
+events--but for you to be on hand to save me is marvelous."
+
+"I don't see why," said Joe. "I have been coming here for the last
+three days."
+
+"What for?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Business, strictly."
+
+"Mother told me you had taken the horse and wagon and had gone off on
+a peddling trip," said Ralph.
+
+"Yes, I sold out a lot of cheap shoes to farmers which I got at a
+bargain at an auction," explained Joe. "Then I struck a fine new
+scheme. It brought me here. I'll explain to you later. Your story is
+the one that interests me. Tell me how you came to be in that scow,
+Ralph."
+
+The young fireman brought up the two satchels from the hold of the old
+craft, and briefly related to Joe the incidents of his experience with
+Farrington, Slump and the others.
+
+"I say, you have done a big thing in getting those satchels," said
+Joe, "and you want to place them in safe hands at once. Come ashore,
+and I'll drive you to the nearest railroad town. You don't want to
+risk meeting any of your enemies until you have those papers out of
+their reach."
+
+When they came up to the wagon, Ralph gazed at its piled-up contents
+in surprise. The wagon bottom was filled with walnuts and butternuts.
+There must have been over twelve bushels of them. On top of them was
+spread a lot of damp rushes and all kinds of wild flowers, mosses and
+grasses. Two large mud turtles lay under the wagon seat.
+
+"Why, what does all that layout mean?" exclaimed Ralph, in
+amazement.
+
+"That," said little Joe, with sparkling eyes, "is an advertising
+scheme. Some time ago I discovered the finest nut grove in the timber
+yonder you ever saw. I suppose I could in time have gathered up a
+hundred wagon loads of them. I intend to make a heap of money out of
+them. A couple of days ago, though, I thought out a great idea. You
+know Woods, the dry goods man at the Junction?"
+
+"Yes," nodded Ralph.
+
+"He is a wide-awake, enterprising fellow, and I told him of my scheme.
+It caught his fancy at once. The plan was this: every week, I am to
+trim up his show window with what we call 'a nature feature.' We keep
+pace with vegetation. This week we show a swamp outfit; next week
+pumpkins and the like; the following week autumn leaves. We work in
+live objects like turtles to give motion to the scene. Do you catch
+on?"
+
+"It is an excellent idea and will attract lots of attention," declared
+Ralph.
+
+"You bet it will," assented his comrade with enthusiasm. "Anyhow, my
+pay is fine and I expect to work other towns in the same way. I will
+show you the most artistic display window you ever saw when I get this
+load of truck to town."
+
+In about two hours they reached a railroad station, and somewhat later
+Ralph caught a train for the city. He went at once to the office of
+the president of the Great Northern. There was a long interview. As
+Ralph left the railroad magnate his face was pleased and his heart
+light and hopeful.
+
+"Fairbanks," said Mr. Grant, "I cannot express my satisfaction at your
+discoveries. It is as we supposed--some individual has been
+encouraging the strikers. There are ample proofs among these papers of
+the fact that Gasper Farrington has hired the strikers to commit all
+kinds of misdeeds to scare stockholders of the road. He has thus been
+enabled to buy up their stock at a reduced figure, to make an enormous
+profit when the strike is over. He had a scheme to tap our wires and
+cause further complications and trouble. Within a week the backbone of
+the strike will be broken, and we shall not forget your agency in
+assisting us to win out."
+
+Ralph went back to Stanley Junction that same day. He related all his
+varied adventures to his mother that evening.
+
+"One thing I discovered from those documents in the satchels," said
+Ralph. "Farrington has transferred all his property to Bartlett so we
+could not collect the money he owes us."
+
+"Then we shall lose our twenty thousand dollars after all," said Mrs.
+Fairbanks anxiously.
+
+"Wait and see," replied Ralph, with a mysterious smile. "I am not yet
+through with Gasper Farrington."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE LIMITED MAIL
+
+
+"All aboard!"
+
+The conductor of the Limited Mail gave the signal cheerily. Ralph
+swung in from his side of the cab on the crack locomotive of the road.
+Old John Griscom gave a chuckle of delight and the trip to the city
+began.
+
+It was ten days after the adventure in the scow--ten days full of
+activity and progress in the railroad interests of the Great Northern.
+This was the morning when old-time schedules were resumed and every
+part of the machinery of the line went back to routine.
+
+"I tell you, lad, it feels good to start out with clear tracks and the
+regular system again. I'm proud of you, Fairbanks. You did up those
+strikers in fine style, and it will be a long time before we shall
+have any more trouble in that line."
+
+"I hope so, Mr. Griscom," said Ralph. "The company seems determined to
+teach the strikers a lesson."
+
+This was true. Immediately after the visit of Ralph to the city, the
+railroad people had set at work to make the most of the evidence in
+their hands. A statement of the facts they had discovered was given to
+the public, a series of indictments found against Gasper Farrington,
+Bartlett, Jim Evans and others, and a vigorous prosecution for
+conspiracy was begun. Among the most important witnesses against them
+was Zeph Dallas. Farrington and Bartlett disappeared. Evans and the
+others were sent to jail.
+
+A great revulsion in popular sentiment occurred when the true details
+of the strike movement were made known. The respectable element of the
+old union had scored a great victory, and work was resumed with many
+undesirable employes on the blacklist.
+
+It seemed to Ralph now as though all unfavorable obstacles in the way
+of his success had been removed. He believed that Slump and Bemis were
+powerless to trouble him farther. As to Farrington, Ralph expected at
+some time to see that wily old schemer again, for the railroad was in
+possession of papers of value to the discredited railroad magnate.
+
+Ralph had now become quite an expert at his work as a fireman. There
+was no grumbling at any time from the veteran engineer, for Ralph had
+a system in his work which showed always in even, favorable results.
+The locomotive was in splendid order and a finer train never left
+Stanley Junction. At many stations cheers greeted this practical
+announcement of the end of the strike.
+
+There was no jar nor break on the route until they reached a station
+near Afton. The engine was going very fast, when, turning a curve,
+Griscom uttered a shout and turned the throttle swiftly.
+
+"Too late!" he gasped hoarsely.
+
+The young fireman had seen what Griscom saw. It was an alarming sight.
+At a street crossing a baby carriage was slowly moving down an
+incline. A careless nurse was at some distance conversing with a
+companion. The shrill shriek of the whistle caused her to discover the
+impending disaster, but she had become too terrified to move.
+
+Ralph readily saw that speed would not be greatly diminished by the
+time the locomotive overtook the child in the baby carriage, and in a
+flash he acted. He was out on the running board and onto the
+cowcatcher so quickly that he seemed fairly to fly. Grasping a
+bracket, the young fireman poised for a move that meant life or death
+for the imperiled child.
+
+The locomotive pounded the rails and shivered under the pressure of
+the powerful air brakes. Ralph swung far down, one hand extended. The
+baby carriage had rolled directly between the rails and stood there
+motionless.
+
+It contained a beautiful child, who, with an innocent smile, greeted
+the approaching monster of destruction as if it were some great,
+pleasing toy. Ralph's heart was in his throat.
+
+"Grab out!" yelled Griscom, fairly beside himself with fear and
+suspense.
+
+The young fireman's eyes were dilated, his whole frame trembled. Quick
+as lightning his hand shot out. It met in a bunch of the clothing of
+the child. He lifted; the vehicle lifted, too, for a strap held in its
+occupant.
+
+There was a terrific tension on the arm of the young railroader. The
+lower part of the vehicle was crunched under the cowcatcher and the
+child was almost borne away with it. Then the pressure lightened. With
+a great breath of relief and joy Ralph drew the child towards him,
+tangled up in the wreckage of the baby carriage.
+
+The train stopped. Griscom did not say a word as they backed down. His
+face was white, his eyes startled, his breath came hard, but he gave
+his intrepid young assistant a look of approbation and devotion that
+thrilled Ralph to the heart.
+
+A crowd had gathered around the distracted nurse at the street
+crossing. She was hysterical as the rescued child was placed in safety
+in her arms. Other women were crying. A big policeman arrived on the
+scene. Griscom gave the particulars of the occurrence.
+
+"Name, please?" said the officer to Ralph.
+
+"Oh, that isn't necessary at all," said Ralph.
+
+"Isn't it? Do you know whose child that is?"
+
+"No," said Ralph.
+
+"The father is Judge Graham, the richest man in the town. Why, he'd
+hunt the world over to find you. A lucky fellow you are."
+
+Ralph gave his name and the train proceeded on its way amid the cheers
+of the passengers, who had learned of the brave act of the young
+fireman. When terminus was reached, a fine-looking old lady approached
+the locomotive.
+
+"Mr. Fairbanks," she said to Ralph, "the passengers desire you to
+accept a slight testimonial of their appreciation of your bravery in
+saving that young child."
+
+Ralph flushed modestly.
+
+"This looks like being paid for doing a simple duty," he said, as the
+lady extended an envelope.
+
+"Not at all, Mr. Fairbanks. It was a noble act, and we all love you
+for it."
+
+"I think more of that sentiment than this money," declared Ralph.
+
+The envelope contained fifty dollars. Griscom told the story of the
+rescue all over Stanley Junction next day, and the local newspapers
+made quite an article of it.
+
+The next morning Ralph had just completed his breakfast, when his
+mother went to the front door to answer the bell. She showed some one
+into the parlor and told Ralph that a gentleman wished to see him.
+
+The young fireman was somewhat astonished, upon entering the parlor,
+to be grasped by the hand and almost embraced by a stranger.
+
+"I am Judge Graham," spoke the latter, in a trembling, excited tone.
+"Young man, you saved the life of my only child."
+
+"I was glad to," said Ralph modestly.
+
+The judge went on with a description of the joy and gratitude of the
+mother of the child, of his sentiments towards Ralph, and concluded
+with the words:
+
+"And now, Mr. Fairbanks, I wish to reward you."
+
+"That has been done already," said Ralph, "in your gracious words to
+me."
+
+"Not at all, not at all," declared the judge. "Come, don't be modest.
+I am a rich man."
+
+"And I a rich mother in having so noble a son," spoke Mrs. Fairbanks,
+with deep emotion. "You must not think of a reward, sir. He will not
+take it."
+
+After a while the judge left the house, but he did so with an
+insistent and significant declaration that "he would not forget"
+Ralph.
+
+The young fireman was surprised to see him returning a few minutes
+later, in the company of two of his own friends, Mr. Trevor, the
+nephew of the president of the Great Northern, and Van Sherwin.
+
+"Well, this is a queer meeting," cried Van with enthusiasm, as they
+entered the house. "Here we met Judge Graham, who is a great friend of
+Mr. Trevor, and the very man we wished to see."
+
+This statement was soon explained. It appeared that Mr. Trevor had
+fully recovered his health, and had come to Stanley Junction with Van
+to make preparations to issue and sell the bonds of the Short Cut
+Railroad. The judge was one of the friends he had intended to
+interview about buying some bonds.
+
+For an hour young Trevor recited to Judge Graham the prospects of the
+little railway line and their plans regarding the same. Ralph was
+fascinated at his glowing descriptions of its great future.
+
+Ralph's visitors went away, but in a short time Van returned to the
+cottage.
+
+"I say, Ralph," he remarked, "Judge Graham is going to invest in those
+bonds."
+
+"That's good," said Ralph.
+
+"And I heard him tell Mr. Trevor to put down an extra block of them in
+the name of Ralph Fairbanks."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE PICNIC TRAIN
+
+
+Zeph Dallas had returned to work. His connection with the strikers had
+been fully explained to the railroad people by Ralph, and the farmer
+boy was readily taken back into the service of the company. Zeph
+boarded with Mrs. Fairbanks, and Limpy Joe did, too, when he was in
+Stanley Junction.
+
+The enterprising Joe was winning his way famously. His advertising
+scheme was a grand success, and the nuts he gathered brought in a good
+many dollars. One day he came to town to announce that he was going to
+move his traps, thanking Mrs. Fairbanks for her great kindness to him
+in the past.
+
+"Are you going to leave the Junction permanently, Joe?" asked Ralph.
+
+"I think so," answered the cripple. "You see, I have been up to the
+headquarters of the Short Line Railroad. They can use my horse and
+wagon. They offer me a good salary to cook for them, and the
+concession of running a restaurant when their line is completed."
+
+"A good opportunity, that, Joe," said Ralph, "although the main
+prospect you mention is far in the future, isn't it?"
+
+"Not at all," declared Joe. "I guess you haven't kept track of
+proceedings in The Barrens. Their telegraph line is clear through,
+both ways from headquarters now. The bonds are nearly all sold, and
+they expect to begin to lay the rails in earnest next week."
+
+"I noticed a good deal of activity at our end of the line," said
+Ralph. "I think the scheme is going to be a success. I almost wish I
+was going to work with you fellows."
+
+It was now drawing on towards late fall. For several weeks the young
+fireman had not been disturbed by his enemies. Work had gone on
+smoothly. He was learning more and more every day, and his savings
+amounted to quite a pretentious sum.
+
+The only outside issue that troubled Ralph was the fact that they had
+not yet recovered the twenty thousand dollars due his mother from old
+Gasper Farrington. That individual had disappeared. Ralph kept a sharp
+lookout, for upon finding the magnate and bringing him to terms
+depended the last chance of getting the money.
+
+There was the last picnic of the season one day, and Ralph had been
+assigned to duty to look after things generally. He was surprised when
+Forgan took him off the run of the Limited Mail.
+
+"It will be a sort of vacation holiday for you, lad," said the
+roundhouse foreman. "We want somebody reliable to look after the
+train, with so many women and children aboard. You will be boss over
+the engineer, fireman and the whole train crew for the day."
+
+"Quite an important commission," said Ralph, "but what will the train
+crew say about it?"
+
+"Oh, they will be glad to work with the responsibility on somebody
+else. Here is the schedule. Be careful of your running time,
+Fairbanks. I wouldn't have anything happen to the picnic train for
+worlds."
+
+Ralph studied out the situation. When the train left Stanley Junction
+he took a position in the locomotive, attended to reports at all
+stations they passed, and the train reached the picnic grounds in
+safety and was run on the siding.
+
+Ralph gave himself up to the enjoyment of a real holiday. He knew
+nearly everybody on the picnic grounds and nearly everybody there knew
+him. About the middle of the afternoon a boy living at the Junction
+came up to him.
+
+"Say, Ralph," he remarked, tendering the young fireman a note. "A
+fellow out in the woods gave me this for you."
+
+Ralph took the missive, and, opening it, read its contents with
+mingled surprise and suspicion. The note ran:
+
+"If R. F. wants to hear of something to his advantage, come to the old
+railroad bridge right away."
+
+There was no signature to the scrawl, but Ralph quite naturally
+thought of Ike Slump and his crowd. That did not, however, deter him
+from going to keep the appointment. He cut a stout cudgel and
+proceeded to the old railroad bridge named in the note.
+
+The young fireman glanced keenly about him, but for some time did not
+get a view of anybody in the vicinity. Finally from a clump of bushes
+up the incline a handkerchief waved. Ralph climbed the embankment to
+find himself facing Ike Slump.
+
+The latter was ragged and starved-looking. To Ralph it appeared that
+the ex-roundhouse boy had been having a decidedly hard time of it
+recently.
+
+"You needn't carry any stick around here," said Slump, sullenly. "You
+needn't be afraid of me."
+
+"Not at all," answered Ralph, "although your actions in the past
+would warrant my having a whole battery around me."
+
+"That's done with," asserted Slump, quite meekly. "Bemis is up there a
+little ways. You needn't be afraid of him, either."
+
+"What are you getting at with all this talk, Ike?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Why, we want to be friends."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Because--because we're tired of starving and being hunted and the
+like," said Slump. "You have won out, we are beaten. We want to work
+together."
+
+"I declare I don't understand what you are driving at," said Ralph.
+"Come, Ike Slump, play no more crafty games. It don't pay. Be honest
+and straight. What did you bring me here for?"
+
+"To make some money for both of us."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"You would give a good deal to find Gasper Farrington, wouldn't you,
+now?"
+
+"I certainly am anxious to locate that man, yes," answered Ralph
+frankly.
+
+"All right, we know where he is."
+
+"And you are willing to make amends, I suppose, for your past
+misconduct by telling me where Farrington is to be found, so that I
+can have him arrested."
+
+"Well, I guess not!" cried Mort Bemis, coming upon the scene. "We want
+pay for what we do. We want a hundred dollars to begin with. A lot
+more when you get that money he owes you."
+
+"My friends," said Ralph, promptly turning from the spot. "Not a cent.
+I don't believe you know how to act square. You don't show it by your
+present proposition. If you really want to be helped, and if you are
+sorry for your past wrong doing, come back to Stanley Junction, tell
+the truth, take your punishment like men, and I will be your good
+friend."
+
+"Well, you're a bold one," sneered Slump, getting very angry. "You
+won't help us out, then?"
+
+"With money--on your promise? No. I shall find Gasper Farrington
+finally without your aid, and, if you have nothing further to say, I
+shall return to the picnic grounds."
+
+"I don't think you will," said Bemis, roughly placing himself in
+Ralph's path.
+
+"Why not?" inquired the young fireman calmly, grasping his cudgel with
+a closer grip.
+
+"Because--say, Ike, grab him, quick! If he won't deal with us and we
+can get him a prisoner, Farrington will pay us. You know he always
+wanted to get rid of him."
+
+Ralph prepared to meet the enemy squarely. Slump and Bemis rushed
+towards him. Before they could begin the fight, however, a man burst
+through the underbrush whom Ralph recognized as a Stanley Junction
+police officer detailed on picnic duty.
+
+"Found you, my friends, have I?" he hailed the two fellows. "Grab one
+of them, Fairbanks, I've got the other. I was on the lookout for them.
+They stole a purse from the basket of an old lady in the picnic
+grounds a few hours ago. Slump? Bemis? Well, you are a fine pair, you
+are!"
+
+The officer insisted on arresting them, the more so that upon
+recognizing them now he suddenly remembered that a reward had been
+offered for their apprehension by the railroad company. The
+crestfallen plotters were taken to the train and locked up in one end
+of the express car.
+
+Ralph went to them after a spell and tried to learn something more
+from them, but they were now sullen and vengeful.
+
+In due time the train was backed down to the main track, the engine
+detached made a run for water, and, returning, stood some little
+distance from the cars.
+
+The fireman and engineer left the engine to help their families gather
+up their traps and take them aboard the train. Ralph was busy in the
+cab. He was looking over the gauges when a sudden blow from behind
+stretched him insensible on the coal of the tender.
+
+As he slowly opened his eyes Ralph saw Slump and Bemis in the cab. In
+some way they had escaped, had stolen the locomotive, and were
+speeding away to liberty.
+
+"Just heard a whistle. It must be the Dover Accommodation," Slump was
+remarking. "Get off and open the siding switch, Mort."
+
+This Bemis did, and the engine started up again. Ralph thrilled at the
+words Slump had spoken. He was weak and dizzy-headed, but he made a
+desperate effort, staggered to his feet and sprang from the cab.
+
+Had the locomotive remained at the picnic grounds, the train would
+have been switched to the siding again until the Accommodation passed.
+As it was, unwarned, the Accommodation would crash into the train.
+
+Ralph heard its whistle dangerously near. He looked up and down the
+tracks. Ahead, a bridge crossed the tracks, and near it was a
+framework with leather pendants to warn freight brakemen in the night
+time. Towards this Ralph ran swiftly. Weak as he was, he managed to
+scale the framework, gained its center, and sat there panting, poised
+for the most desperate action of his young career.
+
+The Accommodation train came into view. Ralph sat transfixed, knowing
+that he would soon face death, but unmindful of the fact in the hope
+that his action would save the lives of those aboard the picnic
+train.
+
+The Accommodation neared him. The young fireman got ready to drop. He
+let go, crashed past the roof of the cab, and landed between the
+astonished engineer and fireman.
+
+"The picnic train--on the main, stop your locomotive!" he panted, and
+fainted dead away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+IN "THE BARRENS"
+
+
+Ralph Fairbanks had taken a terrible risk, and had met with his first
+serious accident since he had commenced his career as a young fireman.
+When he next opened his eyes he was lying in his own bed, a doctor and
+his mother bending solicitously over him.
+
+Slowly reason returned to him. He stared wonderingly about him and
+tried to arise. A terrible pain in his feet caused him to subside.
+Then Ralph realized that he had suffered some serious injury from his
+reckless drop into the locomotive cab near the picnic grounds.
+
+"What is it, doctor?" he asked faintly.
+
+"A bad hurt in one arm and some ugly bruises. It is a wonder you were
+not crippled for life, or killed outright."
+
+"The train--the picnic train!" cried Ralph, clearly remembering now
+the incidents of the stolen engine.
+
+"The Accommodation stopped in time to avert a disaster," said Mrs.
+Fairbanks.
+
+Ralph closed his eyes with a satisfied expression on his face. He soon
+sank into slumber. It was late in the day when he awoke. Gradually his
+strength came back to him, and he was able to sit up in bed.
+
+The next day he improved still more, and within a week he was able to
+walk down to the roundhouse. Forgan and all his old friends greeted
+him royally.
+
+"I suppose you have the nerve to think you are going to report for
+duty," observed Forgan. "Well, you needn't try. Orders are to sick
+list you for a month's vacation."
+
+"I will be able to work in a week," declared Ralph.
+
+"Vacation on full pay," continued the roundhouse foreman.
+
+Ralph had to accept the situation. He told his mother the news, and
+they had a long talk over affairs in general. The doctor advised rest
+and a change of scene. The next day Van Sherwin called on his way back
+to The Barrens. That resulted in the young fireman joining him, and
+his mother urged him to remain with his friends and enjoy his
+vacation.
+
+A recruit to the ranks of the workers of the Short Cut Railroad
+presented himself as Ralph and Van left for the depot one morning to
+ride as far as Wilmer. This was Zeph Dallas.
+
+"No use talking," said the farmer boy. "I'm lonesome here at Stanley
+Junction and I'm going to join Joe."
+
+"All right," assented Van, "if you think it wise to leave a steady job
+here."
+
+"Why, you'll soon be able to give me a better one, won't you?"
+insisted Zeph. "It just suits me, your layout down there in The
+Barrens. Take me along with you."
+
+When they reached Wilmer and left the train, Van pointed proudly to a
+train of freight cars on the Great Northern tracks loaded with rails
+and ties.
+
+"That's our plunder," he said cheerily. "Mr. Trevor is hustling, I
+tell you. Why, Ralph, we expect to have this end of the route
+completed within thirty days."
+
+As they traversed the proposed railroad line, Ralph was more and more
+interested in the project. Little squads of men were busily employed
+here and there grading a roadbed, and the telegraph line was strung
+over the entire territory.
+
+They reached the headquarters about noon. A new sign appeared on the
+house, which was the center of the new railroad system. It was
+"Gibson."
+
+A week passed by filled with great pleasure for the young railroader.
+Evenings, Mr. Gibson and his young friends discussed the progress and
+prospects of the railroad. There were to be two terminal stations and
+a restaurant at the Springfield end of the route. There were only two
+settlements in The Barrens, and depots were to be erected there.
+
+"We shall have quite some passenger service," declared Mr. Gibson,
+"for we shorten the travel route for all transfer passengers as well
+as freight. The Great Northern people do not at all discourage the
+scheme, and the Midland Central has agreed to give us some freight
+contracts. Oh, we shall soon build up into a first-class, thriving,
+little railroad enterprise."
+
+One evening a storm prevented Ralph from returning to headquarters, so
+he camped in with some workmen engaged in grading an especially
+difficult part of the route. The evening was passed very pleasantly,
+but just before nine o'clock, when all had thought of retiring, a
+great outcry came from the tent of the cook.
+
+"I've got him, I've caught the young thief," shouted the cook,
+dragging into view a small boy who was sobbing and trembling with
+grief.
+
+"What's the row?" inquired one of the workmen.
+
+"Why, I've missed eatables for a week or more at odd times, and I just
+caught this young robber stealing a ham."
+
+"I didn't steal it," sobbed the detected youngster. "I just took it.
+You'd take it, too, if you was in our fix. We're nearly starved."
+
+"Who is nearly starved?" asked Ralph, approaching the culprit.
+
+"Me and dad. We were just driven to pick up food anywhere. You've got
+lots of it. You needn't miss it. Please let me go, mister."
+
+"No, the jail for you," threatened the cook direfully.
+
+"Oh, don't take me away from my father," pleaded the affrighted
+youngster. "He couldn't get along without me."
+
+"See here, cook, let me take this little fellow in hand," suggested
+Ralph.
+
+"All right," assented the cook, adding in an undertone, "give him a
+good scare."
+
+Ralph took the boy to one side. His name was Ned. His father, he said,
+was Amos Greenleaf, an old railroader, crippled in an accident some
+years before. He had become very poor, and they had settled in an old
+house in The Barrens a few miles distant. Ralph made up a basket of
+food with the cook's permission.
+
+"Now then, Ned," said Ralph, "you lead the way to your home."
+
+"You won't have me arrested?"
+
+"Not if you have been telling me the truth."
+
+"I haven't," declared the young lad. "It's worse than I tell it. Dad
+is sick and has no medicine. We have nearly starved."
+
+It was an arduous tramp to the wretched hovel they at last reached.
+Ralph was shocked as he entered it. It was almost bare of furniture,
+and the poor old man who lay on a miserable cot was thin, pale and
+racked with pain.
+
+"I am Ralph Fairbanks, a fireman on the Great Northern," said the
+young railroader, "and I came with your boy to see what we can do for
+you."
+
+"A railroader?" said Greenleaf. "I am glad to see you. I was once in
+that line myself. Crippled in a wreck. Got poor, poorer, bad to worse,
+and here I am."
+
+"Too bad," said Ralph sympathizingly. "Why have you not asked some of
+your old comrades to help you?"
+
+"They are kind-hearted men, and did help me for a time, till I became
+ashamed to impose on their generosity."
+
+"How were you injured, Mr. Greenleaf?" asked Ralph.
+
+"In a wreck. It was at the river just below Big Rock. I was a
+brakeman. The train struck a broken switch and three cars went into
+the creek. I went with them and was crippled for life. One of them was
+a car of another road and not so high as the others, or I would have
+been crushed to death."
+
+"A car of another road?" repeated Ralph with a slight start.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You don't know what road it belonged to?"
+
+"No. They recovered the other two cars. I never heard what became of
+the foreign car. I guess it was all smashed up."
+
+"Gondola?"
+
+"No, box car."
+
+Ralph was more and more interested.
+
+"When did this occur, Mr. Greenleaf?" he asked.
+
+"Five years ago."
+
+"Is it possible," said Ralph to himself, "that I have at last found a
+clew to the missing car Zeph Dallas and that car finder are so anxious
+to locate?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+TOO LATE
+
+
+Two days later Ralph went down the line of the little railroad to
+where it met the tracks of the Great Northern. Mr. Gibson had sent him
+with some instructions to the men at work there, and at the request of
+the young fireman had assigned him to work at that point.
+
+This consisted in checking up the construction supplies delivered by
+rail. Ralph had a motive in coming to this terminus of the Short Line
+Route. The information he had gained from the old, crippled
+railroader, Amos Greenleaf, had set him to thinking. He found Zeph
+Dallas working industriously, but said nothing about his plans until
+the next day.
+
+At the noon hour he secured temporary leave of absence from work for
+Zeph and himself, and went to find his friend.
+
+Zeph was a good deal surprised when Ralph told him that they were to
+have the afternoon for a ramble, but readily joined his comrade.
+
+"Saw some friends of yours hanging around here yesterday," said the
+farmer boy.
+
+"That so?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"Yes, Slump and Bemis. Guess they were after work or food, and they
+sloped the minute they set eyes on me. Say, where are you bound for
+anyway, Ralph?"
+
+"For Wilmer."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I want to look around the river near there. The truth is, Zeph, I
+fancy I have discovered a clew to that missing freight car."
+
+"What!" cried Zeph excitedly. "You don't mean car No. 9176?"
+
+"I mean just that," assented Ralph. "Here, let us find a comfortable
+place to sit down, and I'll tell you the whole story."
+
+Ralph selected a spot by a fence lining the railroad right of way.
+Then he narrated the details of his interview with Amos Greenleaf.
+
+"Say," exclaimed Zeph, "I believe there's something to this. Every
+point seems to tally somehow to what information the car finder gave
+me, don't you think so? Besides, in investigating the matter, I heard
+about this same wreck. And five years ago? Ralph, this is worth
+looking up, don't you think so?"
+
+Zeph was fairly incoherent amid his excitement. He could not sit
+still, and arose to his feet and began walking around restlessly.
+
+"You see, it is a long time since the car disappeared," said Ralph,
+"and we may not be able to find any trace of it. The car finder, in
+his investigations, must have heard of this wreck. Still, as you say,
+it is worth following up the clew, and that is why I got a leave from
+work for the afternoon."
+
+"Hello," said Zeph, looking in among the bushes abruptly, "some one in
+there? No, I don't see anybody now, but there was a rustling there a
+minute or two ago."
+
+"Some bird or animal, probably," said Ralph. "Come on, Zeph, we will
+go to the bridge and start on our investigations."
+
+The river near Wilmer was a broad stream. It was quite deep and had a
+swift current. The boys started down one bank, conversing and watching
+out. Ralph laughed humorously after a while.
+
+"I fancy this is a kind of a blind hunt, Zeph," he said. "We certainly
+cannot expect to find that car lying around loose."
+
+"Well, hardly, but we might find out where it went to if we go far
+enough," declared Zeph. "I tell you, I shall never give it up now if I
+have to go clear to the end of this river."
+
+They kept on until quite late in the afternoon, but made no
+discoveries. They passed a little settlement and went some distance
+beyond it. Then Ralph decided to return to the railroad camp.
+
+"All right," said Zeph, "only I quit work to-morrow."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"To find that car. I say, I'm thirsty. Let us get a drink of water at
+that old farm house yonder."
+
+They went to the place in question and were drinking from the well
+bucket when the apparent owner of the place approached them.
+
+"Won't you have a cup or a glass, my lads?" he inquired kindly.
+
+"Oh, no, this is all right," said Ralph.
+
+"On a tramp, are you?" continued the farmer, evidently glad to have
+someone to talk to.
+
+"In a way, yes," answered Ralph, and then, a sudden idea struck him,
+he added: "By the way, you are an old resident here, I suppose?"
+
+"Forty years or more."
+
+"Do you happen to remember anything of a wreck at the bridge at Wilmer
+about five years ago?"
+
+"Let me see," mused the man. "That was the time of the big freshet.
+Yes, I do remember it faintly. It's the freshet I remember most
+though. Enough timber floated by here to build a barn. See that old
+shed yonder?" and he pointed to a low structure. "Well, I built that
+out of timber I fished ashore. Lumber yard beyond Wilmer floated into
+the creek, and all of us along here got some of it."
+
+"What do you know about the wreck?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Heard about it at the time, that's all. Sort of connect the freshet
+with it. That was a great washout," continued the farmer. "Even sheds
+and chicken coops floated by. And say, a box car, too."
+
+"Oh," cried Zeph, with a start as if he was shot.
+
+"Indeed?" said Ralph, with a suppressed quiver of excitement in his
+tone.
+
+"Yes. It went whirling by, big and heavy as it was."
+
+"Say, Mister, you don't know where that car went to, do you?" inquired
+Zeph anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I do. I know right where it is now."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes, old Jabez Kane, ten miles down the creek, got it. He is using it
+now for a tool shed."
+
+"Oh!" again cried Zeph, trembling with suspense and hope.
+
+Ralph nudged him to be quiet. He asked a few more questions of the
+farmer and they left the place.
+
+"Ralph," cried Zeph wildly, "we've found it!"
+
+"Maybe not," answered the young fireman. "It may not be the same
+car."
+
+"But you're going to find out?"
+
+"It's pretty late. We had better make a day of it to-morrow."
+
+"All right, if we can't attend to it to-day," said Zeph
+disappointedly; and then both returned to camp.
+
+Next morning early both started for the creek again. By proceeding
+across the country diagonally, they saved some distance.
+
+It was about noon when they approached a rickety, old farmhouse which
+a man had told them belonged to Jabez Kane.
+
+"There it is, there it is," cried Zeph, as they neared it.
+
+"Yes, there is an old box car in the yard near the creek, sure
+enough," said Ralph.
+
+They entered the farm yard. The box of the car they looked at sat flat
+on the ground. It had been whitewashed several times, it appeared, so
+they could trace no markings on it. They approached it and stood
+looking it over when a man came out of the house near by.
+
+"Hey," he hailed, advancing upon them. "What you trespassing for?"
+
+"Are we?" inquired Ralph, with a pleasant smile. "We mean no harm."
+
+"Dunno about that," said the farmer suspiciously. "Was you here last
+night?"
+
+"Oh, no," answered Ralph.
+
+"Well, what do you want?"
+
+"I was sort of interested in this old car," announced Ralph.
+
+"Why so?" demanded Kane.
+
+"Well, we are looking for a car that floated down the creek here about
+five years ago."
+
+"For the railroad?" asked the farmer.
+
+"In a way, yes, in a way, no."
+
+"Does the railroad want to take it away from me?"
+
+"Certainly not. They would like to know, though, if it's a car of the
+Southern Air Line and numbered 9176."
+
+"You've got it, lad. This was just that car. What's the amazing
+interest in it all of a sudden? Look here," and he took them around to
+the other side of the car. "Last night two boys came here; my son saw
+them hanging around here. Then they disappeared. This morning I found
+the car that way."
+
+Ralph and Zeph stared in astonishment. A four-foot space of the
+boards on the outside of the car had been torn away. At one point
+there was a jagged break in the inside sheathing. In a flash the same
+idea occurred to both of them.
+
+"Too late!" groaned poor Zeph. "Some one has been here and the
+diamonds are gone."
+
+Ralph was stupefied. He remembered the rustling in the bushes when
+they were discussing their plans the day previous. He believed that
+their conversation had been overheard by some one.
+
+Ralph asked the man to send for his son, which he did, and Ralph
+interrogated him closely. The result was a sure conviction that Ike
+Slump and Mort Bemis had secured the diamonds hidden in the box car
+about five years previous.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE MAD ENGINEER
+
+
+"Well, good-bye, Zeph."
+
+"Good-bye, Ralph. Another of my wild dreams of wealth gone."
+
+"Don't fret about it, Zeph."
+
+"How can I help it?"
+
+Ralph had decided to return home. He was now fully recuperated, and
+his vacation period would expire in a few days.
+
+It was the evening of the day when they had discovered the missing box
+car only to find that others had discovered it before them. Ralph had
+arranged to flag a freight at the terminus of the Short Line Route and
+was down at the tracks awaiting its coming.
+
+The freight arrived, Ralph clambered to the cab, waved his hand in
+adieu to Zeph, and was warmly welcomed by his friends on the engine.
+
+They had proceeded only a short distance when a boy came running down
+an embankment. So rapid and reckless was his progress that Ralph
+feared he would land under the locomotive. The lad, however, grasped
+the step of the cab, and was dragged dangerously near to the wheels.
+Ralph seized him just in time and pulled him up into the cab.
+
+"Well!" commented the engineer, "it's a good thing we were going slow.
+Here, land out as you landed in, kid."
+
+"Please don't," cried the boy, gazing back with tear-filled eyes and
+trembling all over. "Please let me ride with you."
+
+"Against the rules."
+
+"See, there they are!" almost shrieked the boy, pointing to two men
+who came rushing down the embankment. "Oh, don't let them get me."
+
+"Give him a show till I learn his story," said Ralph to the engineer,
+so the latter put on steam and the two men were outdistanced.
+
+"Oh, thank you, thank you!" panted the boy, clinging close to Ralph.
+
+"Come up on the water tank," said Ralph, "and I'll have a talk with
+you."
+
+The lad, whom the young fireman had befriended, was a forlorn-looking
+being. He wore no shoes, was hatless, and had on a coat many sizes too
+large for him.
+
+"Now then, what's the trouble?" inquired Ralph, when they were both
+seated on the water tank.
+
+"Those men were pursuing me," said the lad.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I was running away from them. They are my uncles, and they have been
+very wicked and cruel to me. They want to send me to a reform school
+to get rid of me, and locked me up. I ran away this morning, but they
+got trace of me again."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Earl Danvers. My father died and left them my guardians. They are
+after the property, I guess."
+
+"What do you propose to do?"
+
+"Oh, anything to get away from them."
+
+Ralph talked for quite a while with the boy and learned his entire
+history. Then he said:
+
+"This is a case for a lawyer. Would you like to come to Stanley
+Junction with me and have a lawyer look into the matter for you?"
+
+"No. I only want to escape from those bad men."
+
+"That will follow. You come with me. I will interest myself in your
+case and see that you are protected."
+
+"How kind you are--you are the only friend I ever knew," cried the
+boy, bursting into tears of gratitude.
+
+Ralph took Earl Danvers home with him when they reached Stanley
+Junction. His kind-hearted mother was at once interested in the
+forlorn refugee. They managed to fit him out with some comfortable
+clothing, and Ralph told him to take a rest of a few days, when he
+would have him see their lawyer and tell him his story.
+
+Two days later the young fireman reported at the roundhouse for duty,
+and the ensuing morning started on a new term of service as fireman of
+the Limited Mail.
+
+The first trip out Griscom was engineer. Ralph noticed that he looked
+pale and worried. The run to the city was made in a way quite unusual
+with the brisk and lively veteran railroader. Ralph waited until they
+were on their way home from the roundhouse that evening. Then he
+said:
+
+"Mr. Griscom, you have not been your usual self to-day."
+
+"That's true, lad," nodded the engineer gravely.
+
+"Anything the matter especially?"
+
+"Oh, a little extra care on my mind and under the weather a bit
+besides," sighed Griscom.
+
+"Can I help you in any way?" inquired Ralph.
+
+"No, lad--we must all bear our own troubles."
+
+The next day Griscom did not report for duty at train time. A man
+named Lyle was put on extra duty. Ralph did not know him very well nor
+did he like him much. He understood that he was a fine engineer but
+that he had been warned several times for drinking.
+
+As he came into the cab, Ralph noticed that his eyes were dull and
+shifty, his hands trembled and he bore all the appearance of a man who
+had been recently indulging in liquor to excess.
+
+As soon as they were out on the road, Lyle began to drink frequently
+from a bottle he took out of his coat. He became more steady in his
+movements, and, watching him, Ralph saw that he understood his
+business thoroughly and was duly attentive to it.
+
+After the wait at the city, however, Lyle came aboard of the
+locomotive in quite a muddled condition. He was talkative and boastful
+now. He began to tell of the many famous special runs he had made, of
+the big salaries he had earned, and of his general proficiency as a
+first-class engineer.
+
+He ordered full steam on, and by the time they were twenty miles from
+the city he kept the locomotive going at top notch speed. There was a
+tremendous head on the cylinders and they ran like a racer. Frogs and
+target rods were passed at a momentum that fairly frightened Ralph,
+and it was a wonder to him the way the wheels ground and bounded that
+they always lit on the steel.
+
+Lyle took frequent drinks from the bottle, which had been replenished.
+His eyes were wild, his manner reckless, almost maniacal. As they
+passed signals he would utter a fierce, ringing yell. Ralph crowded
+over to him.
+
+"Mr. Lyle," he shouted, "we are ahead of time."
+
+"Good," roared the mad engineer, "I'm going to make the record run of
+the century."
+
+"If any other train is off schedule, that is dangerous."
+
+"Let 'em look out for themselves," chuckled Lyle. "Whoop! pile in the
+black diamonds."
+
+"Stop!" almost shrieked Ralph.
+
+Of a sudden he made a fearful discovery. A signal had called for a
+danger stop where the Great Northern crossed the tracks of the Midland
+Central. Unheeding the signal, Lyle had run directly onto a siding of
+the latter railroad and was traversing it at full speed.
+
+"Stop, stop, I say--there's a car ahead," cried Ralph.
+
+Lyle gave the young fireman a violent push backwards and forged
+ahead.
+
+Chug! bang! A frightful sound filled the air. The locomotive had
+struck a light gondola car squarely, lifting it from the track and
+throwing it to one side a mass of wreckage. Then on, on sped the
+engine. It struck the main of the Midland Central.
+
+Ralph grabbed up a shovel.
+
+"Lower speed," he cried, "or I will strike you."
+
+"Get back," yelled Lyle, pulling a revolver from his pocket. "Back, I
+say, or I'll shoot. Whoop! this is going."
+
+Ralph climbed to the top of the tender. He was powerless alone to
+combat the engineer in his mad fury. A plan came into his mind. The
+first car attached to the tender was a blind baggage. Ralph sprang to
+its roof. Then he ran back fast as he could.
+
+The young fireman lost no time, dropping from the roof between
+platforms. As he reached the first passenger coach he ran inside the
+car.
+
+Passengers were on their feet, amazed and alarmed at the reckless
+flight of the train. The conductor and train hands were pale and
+frightened.
+
+"What's the trouble?" demanded the conductor, as Ralph rushed up to
+him.
+
+"A maniac is in charge of the train. He is crazed with drink, and
+armed. Who of you will join me in trying to overpower him?"
+
+None of the train hands shrank from duty. They followed Ralph to the
+platform and thence to the top of the forward coach. At that moment
+new warnings came.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+A NEW MYSTERY
+
+
+"Danger," shouted Ralph. "Quick, men. Do you see ahead there?"
+
+Down the rails a red signal fuse was spluttering. It was quite a
+distance away, but they would reach it in less than sixty seconds if
+the present fearful speed of the train was kept up.
+
+"Hear that?" roared the conductor in a hoarse, frightened tone.
+
+Under the wheels there rang out a sharp crack, audible even above the
+roar of the rushing train--a track torpedo.
+
+Ralph ran across the top of the forward car. As he reached its front
+end, Lyle turning discovered him.
+
+He set up a wild yell, reached into the tender, seized a big
+sledgehammer lying there and braced back.
+
+The young fireman was amazed and fairly terrified at his movements,
+for Lyle began raining blows on lever, throttle and everything in the
+way of machinery inside of the cab.
+
+Past the red light, blotting it out, sped the train, turning a curve.
+Ralph anticipated a waiting or a coming train, but, to his relief, the
+rails were clear. Ahead, however, there was a great glow, and he now
+understood what the warnings meant.
+
+The road at this point for two miles ran through a marshy forest, and
+this was all on fire. Ralph gained the tender.
+
+"Back, back!" roared Lyle, facing him, weapon in hand. "She's fixed to
+go, can't stop her now. Whoop!"
+
+With deep concern the young fireman noted the disabled machinery.
+
+Half-way between centers, the big steel bar on the engineer's side of
+the locomotive had snapped in two and was tearing through the cab like
+a flail, at every revolution of the driver to which it was attached.
+
+Just as Ralph jumped down from the tender, the locomotive entered the
+fire belt--in a minute more the train was in the midst of a great
+sweeping mass of fire. The train crew, blinded and singed, retreated.
+Ralph trembled at a sense of the terrible peril that menaced.
+
+Lyle had drawn back from the lever or he would have been annihilated.
+Then as the fire swept into his face, he uttered a last frightful
+yell, gave a spring and landed somewhere along the side of the track.
+
+The young fireman was fairly appalled. Such a situation he had never
+confronted before. The cab was ablaze in a dozen different places. The
+tops of the cars behind had also ignited. Ralph did not know what to
+do. Even if he could have stopped the train, it would be destruction
+to do so now.
+
+Suddenly the locomotive dove through the last fire stretch. Ahead
+somewhere Ralph caught the fierce blast of a locomotive shrieking for
+orders. For life or death the train must be stopped.
+
+He flew towards the throttle but could not reach it safely. The great
+bar threatened death. Twice he tried to reach the throttle and drew
+back in time to escape the descending bar. At a third effort he
+managed to slip the latch of the throttle, but received a fearful
+graze of one hand. Then, exhausted from exertion and excitement, the
+young fireman saw the locomotive slow down not a hundred yards from a
+stalled train.
+
+The passenger coaches were soon vacated by the passengers, while the
+train crew beat out the flames where the cars were on fire.
+
+The Limited Mail made no return trip to Stanley Junction that night.
+The following morning, however, when the swamp fire had subsided, the
+train was taken back to the Great Northern and then to terminus.
+
+Lyle, the engineer, was found badly burned and delirious in the swamp,
+where he would have perished only for the water in which he landed
+when he jumped from the locomotive cab. He was taken to a hospital.
+
+There was a great deal of talk about the latest exploit of the young
+fireman of the Limited Mail, and Ralph did not suffer any in the
+estimation of the railroad people and his many friends.
+
+One evening he came home from an interview with a local lawyer
+concerning the interests of his young friend, Earl Danvers.
+
+Ralph felt quite sanguine that he could obtain redress for Earl from
+his heartless relations, and was thinking about it when he discovered
+his mother pacing up and down the front walk of the house in an
+agitated, anxious way.
+
+"Why, mother," said Ralph, "you look very much distressed."
+
+"I am so, truly," replied Mrs. Fairbanks. "Ralph, we have met with a
+great loss."
+
+"What do you mean, mother?"
+
+"The house has been burglarized."
+
+"When?"
+
+"Some time during the past three hours. I was on a visit to a sick
+neighbor, and returned to discover the rear door open. I went inside,
+and all the papers in the cabinet and some money we had there were
+gone."
+
+"The papers?" exclaimed Ralph.
+
+"Yes, every document concerning our claim against Gasper Farrington is
+missing."
+
+"But what of Earl Danvers?" inquired Ralph. "Was he away from home?"
+
+"He was when I left, but he must have returned during my absence."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Ralph.
+
+"The cap he wore when he went away I found near the cabinet."
+
+Ralph looked serious and troubled.
+
+"I hope we have not been mistaken in believing Earl to be an honest
+boy," he said, and his mother only sighed.
+
+Then Ralph began investigating. The rear door, he found, had been
+forced open. All the rooms and closets had been ransacked.
+
+"This is pretty serious, mother," he remarked.
+
+Earl Danvers did not return that day. This troubled and puzzled Ralph.
+He could not believe the boy to be an accomplice of Farrington, nor
+could he believe that he was the thief.
+
+Next morning Ralph reported the loss to the town marshal. When he went
+down the road, he threw off a note where the men were working on the
+Short Line Route at its junction with the Great Northern. It was
+directed to Zeph Dallas, and in the note Ralph asked his friend to
+look up the two uncles of Earl Danvers and learn all he could about
+the latter.
+
+It was two nights later when Mrs. Fairbanks announced to Ralph quite
+an important discovery. In cleaning house she had noticed some words
+penciled on the wall near the cabinet. They comprised a mere scrawl,
+as if written under difficulty, and ran:
+
+  "Earl prisoner. Two boys stealing things in house. Get the old
+  coat I wore."
+
+"Why, what can this mean?" said Ralph. "Earl certainly wrote this. A
+prisoner? two boys? the thieves? Get the old coat? He means the one he
+wore when he came here. What can that have to do with this business?
+Mother, where is the coat?"
+
+"Why, Ralph," replied Mrs. Fairbanks, "I sold it to a rag man last
+week."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+THE FREIGHT THIEVES
+
+
+Two days later Zeph Dallas came to Stanley Junction to purchase some
+supplies for Mr. Gibson's construction camp. In the evening he called
+at the Fairbanks home. The farmer boy had located the relatives of
+Earl Danvers, and his report verified the story of the latter, who had
+disappeared from home, and, according to his uncles, his whereabouts
+was unknown to them.
+
+Ralph related the story of the burglary, and Zeph was at once
+interested. He believed that some mystery of importance was attached
+to the old coat. When he had gone away Ralph got to thinking this
+over.
+
+"Mother," he asked, "do you know the man to whom you sold that old
+coat?"
+
+"Why, yes," replied Mrs. Fairbanks. "He is the man who goes around
+with an old wagon visiting the different country towns in this
+district in turn."
+
+Ralph made some inquiries, and ascertained that the peddler in
+question made his headquarters at Dover. He resolved upon opportunity
+to visit the man at a near date, although it was probable that the
+coat with the rags sold with it had been sent to some mill. A few days
+later Zeph came again to Stanley Junction and Ralph told him about the
+peddler.
+
+For a time after this, affairs ran on smoothly for the Limited Mail
+and her experienced crew, and Ralph had settled down to a quiet
+enjoyment of congenial employment when there occurred a break in the
+routine that once more placed him in a position of peril.
+
+One day as he returned from the city run, the roundhouse foreman
+informed him that he was to report at the office of the master
+mechanic. Ralph did not go home, but went at once to answer the
+summons.
+
+The master mechanic was his good friend and received him with his
+usual cordiality.
+
+"Fairbanks," he said, "you are pretty well known to the officers of
+the road, and favorably, too, I suppose you know that."
+
+"It is a pleasure to have you say so," answered the young fireman.
+
+"They seem especially to value your ability in running down
+crookedness and ferreting out criminals," pursued the master
+mechanic. "The superintendent wired me today to have one road
+detective start out on a certain case. I wired back that Mr. Adair was
+engaged in a special case in the city. The return was to relieve you
+of regular duty and have you report at Afton this afternoon."
+
+Ralph nodded to indicate that he understood, but he said:
+
+"I do not like these interruptions to routine duty, but I suppose the
+company knows where it most needs a fellow."
+
+Ralph went down the road shortly after noon. He reached Afton and
+reported at once to the assistant superintendent.
+
+"I have ordered a substitute fireman on the Mail for a week,
+Fairbanks," said that official. "I think we shall engage your services
+for that length of time."
+
+"Is it some particular case, sir?" asked Ralph.
+
+"A very important case, yes. We seem to have got rid of incompetent
+employes and strikers, thanks to you and others who stood by the
+company in time of trouble. There is one thing, however, that is
+bothering us. It bothers every road more or less, but we won't have
+it."
+
+Ralph waited for a further explanation.
+
+"Freight thieves, Fairbanks," continued the official. "Some gang is
+regularly stealing from the road. When, where and how it is done we
+have been unable to ascertain. A train will leave the city or the
+Junction, arrive at terminus, and some valuable package will be
+missing. The car seals will be all right, no one seems to have entered
+the car, and yet the pilfering goes on. Will you help us run down the
+thieves?"
+
+"I will try," answered Ralph. "What trains seem to suffer most?"
+
+"Always the night freights," replied the assistant superintendent.
+"Now, take your time, spare no expense, and go to work on this problem
+in your usual effective way."
+
+Ralph devoted the remainder of the day to going up and down the road
+and familiarizing himself with the various freight trains and their
+schedules.
+
+Just after dark he clambered into the cab of the night freight leaving
+the city. It was a dark, sleety night, for cold weather had just set
+in.
+
+The engineer was a tried and trusty veteran in the service. Ralph felt
+that he understood him, and that he must trust him to a degree in
+order to facilitate his own programme. He waited till the fireman was
+busy outside on the engine, then he spoke to the old engineer.
+
+"Mr. Barton, I am on special duty here tonight."
+
+"That so, lad?" inquired the engineer.
+
+"Yes, I suppose you know there is a good deal of missing freight in
+these night runs."
+
+"I heard so," answered Barton, "but you see that is the business of
+the conductor, so I haven't much troubled myself about it."
+
+"Still, you don't care to have these things occur in your runs."
+
+"Should say not! Working on the case, Fairbanks?"
+
+"Frankly, yes, Mr. Barton, and I want you to keep it quiet, but assist
+me when you can. I will be all over the train and the car tops
+to-night, and wanted to explain why to you."
+
+"That's all right, lad. Just call on me if I can help you. Hello, you,
+Woods!" bawled the engineer suddenly to a fellow who appeared near the
+cab side, "what you doing there?"
+
+The man slunk out of view at being addressed, with a muttered remark
+that it was his own business.
+
+"Don't like that fellow--caboose look-out," explained Barton.
+
+"I hope he did not overhear our conversation," spoke Ralph.
+
+About mid-way of the train there was a gondola oil car. It had an
+elevated runway so that train hands could pass over it readily. Ralph
+selected this car as a vantage point, and got aboard as the train
+started on its way for Stanley Junction.
+
+He was dressed as a tramp, looked the character completely, and the
+false moustache he wore effectually changed his face so that no
+persons except familiar friends would easily recognize him.
+
+Ralph got down at one side of the big oil tank. For the next hour he
+remained quiet. Finally, as a brakeman passed over the platform, he
+climbed up and kept track of his movements.
+
+The man, however, simply passed up and down the train and then
+returned to the caboose. Then there was a stop. Ralph leaned from the
+car and looked up and down the train.
+
+"Why," exclaimed Ralph suddenly, "there is that fellow Woods working
+at the doors of the cars a little ahead there."
+
+The brakeman in question now came down the length of the train. The
+engine was taking water. He halted almost opposite the car Ralph was
+hiding on. Suddenly he uttered a low, sharp whistle, and it was
+answered. Three men appeared from the side of the track, spoke to him,
+bounded up on to the oil car, and crouched down so near to Ralph that
+he could almost touch them.
+
+Woods stood on the next track with his lantern as if waiting for the
+train to start up.
+
+"Cars marked," he spoke. "I'll flash the glim when the coast is clear.
+You'll know the cases I told you about."
+
+There was no response. The locomotive whistled, and the brakeman ran
+back to the caboose. Ralph lay perfectly still. The three men sat up
+against the railing of the car.
+
+"Got the keys to the car ventilators?" asked one of the men, finally.
+
+"Sure," was the response. "Say, fellows, we want to be wary. This is a
+clever game of ours, but I hear that the railroad company is watching
+out pretty close."
+
+"Oh, they can't reach us," declared another voice, "with Woods taking
+care of the broken seals, and all kinds of duplicate keys, we can
+puzzle them right along."
+
+Just then one of them arose to his feet. He stumbled heavily over
+Ralph.
+
+"Hello!" he yelled, "who is this?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+A PRISONER
+
+
+The three men almost instantly confronted Ralph, and one of them
+seized him, holding him firmly.
+
+Ralph quickly decided on his course of action. He yawned in the face
+of the speaker and drawled sleepily:
+
+"What are you waking a fellow up for?"
+
+One held Ralph, another lit a match. They were rough, but shrewd
+fellows. Instantly one of them said:
+
+"Disguised!" and he pulled off Ralph's false moustache. "That means a
+spy. Fellows, how can we tell Woods?"
+
+"S--sh!" warned a companion--"no names. Now, young fellow, who are
+you?"
+
+But "young fellow" was gone! In a flash Ralph comprehended that he was
+in a bad fix, his usefulness on the scene gone. In a twinkling he had
+jerked free from the grasp of the man who held him, had sprung to the
+platform of the oil car and thence to the roof of the next box car.
+
+Almost immediately his recent captor was after him. It was now for
+Ralph a race to the engine and his friend Barton.
+
+The running boards were covered with sleet and as slippery as glass,
+yet Ralph forged ahead. He could hear the short gasps for breath of a
+determined pursuer directly behind him.
+
+"Got you!" said a quick voice. Its owner stumbled, his head struck the
+young fireman and Ralph was driven from the running board.
+
+He was going at such a momentum that in no way could he check himself,
+but slid diagonally across the roof of the car. There destruction
+seemed to face him.
+
+His pursuer had fallen flat on the running board. Ralph dropped flat
+also, clutching vainly at space. His fingers tore along the thin
+sheeting of ice. He reached the edge of the car roof.
+
+For one moment the young fireman clung there. Then quick as a flash he
+slipped one hand down. It was to hook his fingers into the top slide
+bar of the car's side door. The action drew back the door about an
+inch. It was unlocked. Ralph dropped his other hold lightning-quick,
+thrust his hand into the interstice, pushed the door still further
+back, and precipitated himself forward across the floor of an empty
+box car.
+
+There he lay, done up, almost terrified at the crowding perils of the
+instant, marveling at his wonderful escape from death.
+
+"They must think I went clear to the ground," theorized Ralph. "I am
+safe for the present, at least. What an adventure! And Woods is in
+league with the freight thieves! That solves the problem for the
+railroad company.
+
+"An empty car," he said, as he finally struggled to his feet. "I'll
+wait till the train stops again and then run ahead to Barton. Hello!"
+he exclaimed sharply, as moving about the car, his foot came in
+contact with some object.
+
+Ralph stood perfectly still. He could hear deep, regular breathing, as
+of some one asleep. His curiosity impelled him to investigate farther.
+He took a match from his pocket, flared it, and peered down.
+
+Directly in one corner of the car lay a big, powerful man. He was
+dressed in rags. His coat was open, and under it showed a striped
+shirt.
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Ralph, "a convict--an escaped convict!"
+
+The man grasped in one hand, as if on guard with a weapon of defense,
+a pair of handcuffs connected with a long, heavy steel chain.
+Apparently he had in some way freed himself from these.
+
+Ralph flared a second match to make a still closer inspection of the
+man. This aroused the sleeper. He moved, opened his eyes suddenly, saw
+Ralph, and with a frightful yell sprang up.
+
+"I've got you!" he said, seizing Ralph. "After me, are you? Hold
+still, or I'll throttle you. How near are the people who sent you on
+my trail?"
+
+"I won't risk that," shouted the man wildly.
+
+In a twinkling he had slipped the handcuffs over Ralph's wrists. The
+latter was a prisoner so strangely that he was more curious than
+alarmed.
+
+"Going to stop, are they?" pursued the man, as there was some
+whistling ahead. "Mind you, now, get off when I do. Don't try to call,
+and don't try to run away, or I'll kill you."
+
+The train stopped and Ralph's companion pulled back the door. He got
+out, forcing Ralph with him, and proceeded directly into the timber
+lining the railroad, never pausing till he had reached a desolate spot
+near a shallow creek.
+
+Then the man ordered a halt. He sat down on the ground and forced his
+captive to follow his example.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded roughly.
+
+"I am Ralph Fairbanks, a fireman on the Great Northern Railroad,"
+promptly explained the young fireman.
+
+"Do you know me?"
+
+"I infer from these handcuffs and your under uniform that you are an
+escaped convict," answered Ralph.
+
+"Know a good many people, do you?"
+
+"Why, yes, I do," answered Ralph.
+
+"Where is Stanley Junction?"
+
+"About forty miles north of here. I live there."
+
+"You do? you do?" cried the convict, springing up in a state of
+intense excitement. "Here, lad, don't think me harsh or mean, or
+cruel, but you have got to stay with me. You would betray me to the
+police."
+
+"No, I would not," declared Ralph.
+
+"You would, I know--it's human nature. There is a big reward out for
+me. Then, too, you know people. Yes, you must stay with me."
+
+"I can't help you any--why should you detain me?" insisted Ralph.
+
+"I must find a man," cried the convict, more wildly than ever--"or you
+must find him for me."
+
+"What man is that?" spoke Ralph.
+
+"Do you know a Mr. Gasper Farrington?"
+
+"Quite well," answered Ralph, rather startled at the question.
+
+"That is the man!" shouted the convict.
+
+"And that is singular, for I am very anxious myself to find that same
+individual," said the young fireman.
+
+Ralph felt that he was in the midst of a series of strange adventures
+and discoveries that might lead to important results, not only for the
+person he had so strangely met, but for himself, as well.
+
+This impression was enforced as he watched his captor pace up and down
+the ground, muttering wildly. He seemed to have some deep-rooted
+hatred for Gasper Farrington. "Revenge," "Punishment," "Justice," were
+the words that he constantly uttered. Ralph wondered what course he
+could pursue to get the man down to a level of coherency and reason.
+Finally the man said:
+
+"Come, get up, we must find some shelter."
+
+After an hour of arduous tramping they came to an old barn that had
+been partly burned down. There was some hay in it. The convict lay
+down on this, unloosed one handcuff from the wrist of his prisoner,
+and attached the other to his own arm and lay as if in a daze until
+daybreak.
+
+Now he could inspect his prisoner clearly, and Ralph could study the
+worn, frenzied face of his captor. The latter had calmed down
+somewhat.
+
+"Boy," he said, finally, "I don't dare to let you go, and I don't know
+what to do."
+
+"See here," spoke Ralph, "you are in deep trouble. I don't want to
+make you any more trouble. Suppose you tell me all about yourself and
+see if I can't help you out."
+
+"Oh, I don't dare to trust any one," groaned the man.
+
+"You spoke of Gasper Farrington," suggested Ralph. "Is he an enemy of
+yours?"
+
+"He has ruined my life," declared the convict.
+
+"And why do you seek him?"
+
+"To demand reparation, to drag him to the same fate he drove me to.
+Just let me find him--that is all I wish--to meet him face to face."
+
+Ralph began to quietly tell the story of his own dealings with the
+village magnate of Stanley Junction. It had a great effect upon his
+auditor. From dark distrust and suspicion his emotions gradually
+subsided to interest, and finally to confidence.
+
+It was only by gradations that Ralph led the man to believe that he
+was his friend and could help him in his difficulties.
+
+The convict told a pitiful story. Ralph believed it to be a true one.
+To further his own avaricious ends, Farrington had devised a
+villainous plot to send the man to the penitentiary. He had escaped.
+He had documents that would cause Farrington not only to disgorge his
+ill-gotten gains, but would send him to jail.
+
+"I want to get to where those documents are hidden," said the convict.
+"Then to find Farrington, and I shall right your wrongs as well as my
+own."
+
+Ralph reflected deeply over the matter in hand. He resolved on a
+course of proceedings and submitted it to his companion.
+
+He offered to take the convict to the isolated home of Amos Greenleaf,
+where he could remain safely in retirement. Ralph promised to get him
+comfortable garments and provide for his board and lodging. In a few
+days he would see him again and help him to find Farrington.
+
+The young fireman was now released from the handcuffs. He calculated
+the location of the place where Greenleaf lived.
+
+"It is about fifteen miles to the spot I told you of," he explained to
+the convict.
+
+"Can we reach it without being seen by any one?" anxiously inquired
+his companion.
+
+"Yes, I can take a route where we need not pass a single habitation."
+
+It was afternoon when they reached the home of old Amos Greenleaf.
+
+Ralph experienced no difficulty in arranging that the convict remain
+there for a few days. He gave Greenleaf some money, and, promising to
+see the convict very soon, proceeded to Wilmer.
+
+The young fireman took the first train for Afton, and reported what
+had occurred to the assistant superintendent.
+
+Two days later Woods and his companions were in jail, and a great part
+of the stolen freight plunder was recovered.
+
+Woods confessed that he had duplicated keys and seals for the doors
+and ventilators of the freight cars, and the bold thieveries along the
+Great Northern now ceased.
+
+Ralph obtained leave of absence for a week. He decided that it was
+worth while to try and find Gasper Farrington. He went to the city,
+got certain papers belonging to the magnate from Mr. Grant, and went
+to Wilmer.
+
+He was soon at the junction of the Springfield & Dover Short Cut
+Railroad and the Great Northern. That terminus was completed. A neat
+depot had been erected, and on the tracks of the new railroad there
+stood a handsome locomotive.
+
+"Oh, Ralph!" cried Zeph Dallas, rushing forward to greet his friend,
+as the young fireman appeared. "Great news!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE LOST DIAMONDS
+
+
+"Great news, eh?" said Ralph.
+
+"You will say so when you hear what I have got to tell you," declared
+Zeph Dallas. "Say, I am going straight to headquarters. Come with me.
+The news will keep till we get there."
+
+"All right," assented Ralph. "There is enough going on around here to
+keep a fellow interested."
+
+"The new railroad?" spoke Zeph brightly. "I should say so. Isn't it
+just famous? I tell you, some hustling work has been done here in the
+past few weeks."
+
+Ralph was amazed and delighted at the progress made by the Short Line
+Railway. As said, a new locomotive was on the rails at the terminus,
+and a little depot had been built. Workmen were busy as far down the
+line as he could see. In fact, everything indicated that the road
+would soon be in full operation.
+
+"The tracks are laid both ways from headquarters, except for a little
+distance on the Springfield side," said Zeph. "We expect passenger
+and freight cars for the road to-day, and on Monday we open the
+line."
+
+"And in what capacity will you appear on that grand occasion, Zeph?"
+inquired the young fireman pleasantly.
+
+"Conductor!" exploded the farmer boy, drawing himself up proudly. "See
+here;" he drew back his coat and revealed the biggest and most
+elaborate "Conductor" badge manufactured. "We expect that Earl Danvers
+will become our brakeman."
+
+"Who?" cried Ralph with a start.
+
+"Earl Danvers."
+
+"Is he here?"
+
+"He is at headquarters," said Zeph. "Don't bother asking me about him
+now. You will soon see him, and he will tell you his own story. Then,
+too, Mr. Gibson wishes to see you particularly. Here's our hand-car,
+jump aboard. We'll spin along at a fine rate, I tell you, for the
+roadbed is splendid."
+
+Ralph found it so. It was a most interesting journey to headquarters.
+There was only one track, and on this the men had spent their energies
+to great advantage, and commendable results followed.
+
+He was warmly welcomed by his friends, particularly so by Earl
+Danvers. Just as soon as mutual greetings were over Ralph took Earl to
+a pile of ties a little distance away.
+
+"Now then, young man," he said, "seeing we are alone, suppose you give
+an account of yourself."
+
+Earl Danvers was thin and pale. He looked as if he had gone through
+some recent severe hardships, but he smiled serenely as he said:
+
+"It's easy to tell my story, now I am out of my troubles, but I tell
+you, Ralph, I have had a hard time of it."
+
+"With Slump and Bemis?"
+
+"Yes. The afternoon I left Stanley Junction, they were the fellows who
+forced me to go away with them. They broke into your house, and I
+found them ransacking it. They pitched on to me, and tied me up. Then
+they recognized me."
+
+"What, had you known them before?" exclaimed Ralph, in some surprise.
+
+"I found out that I had. You remember the first day that you saw me?"
+
+"Yes," nodded Ralph.
+
+"Well, I had run away from my uncles that morning. I had made up a
+package hurriedly, containing shoes, coat and cap, and got away
+through a window in the attic. I went about five miles, when I ran
+right into two fellows in the woods. They were Slump and Bemis. They
+got mad at my stumbling over them, took away my parcel and began to
+belabor me. I had to run to keep from being terribly beaten. Then I
+sneaked around, hoping to recover my parcel. They had gone in
+swimming. My parcel had disappeared. I had to have a coat. I grabbed
+one and ran away with it. They yelled after me, but I outdistanced
+them. Then later I ran across my uncles looking for me. The rest you
+know."
+
+"And what about the coat?"
+
+"Well," related Earl, "when those fellows broke into your house, they
+inquired about that coat. I at once saw that they had a great interest
+in it. I told them I didn't know where it was. They insisted that I
+did. They ransacked the house from top to bottom. They took me away
+from town to a miserable hut where they were staying. Until yesterday
+I was a prisoner there, tied up, half-starved, and every day Slump
+would come and demand to know if I was going to tell him what had
+become of that coat. From the first I knew that coat was what they
+were after when they burglarized your house, and wrote what words I
+could on the wall of your sitting room."
+
+"Yes," said Ralph, "we found your message there. Did you learn what
+their especial interest was in the coat?"
+
+"Yes, I overheard some of their conversation a few days ago," replied
+Earl. "That coat contained some diamonds they found in an old box
+car."
+
+"What!" cried Ralph. "Is it possible?"
+
+"It seems so. I escaped yesterday. You had told me about this place,
+and so I came here. Zeph Dallas was my friend at once, when I told him
+my story. Here he is now."
+
+Zeph approached with a beaming face.
+
+"Fairbanks," he said, "I suppose Danvers has told you how he came
+here, and his troubles with Slump and Bemis."
+
+"Yes," nodded Ralph.
+
+"Well, I went to Dover yesterday and saw the old rag man. He ransacked
+his stock and we found the coat."
+
+"You did?" spoke Ralph, expectantly.
+
+"Yes, and in an inside pocket were the diamonds. Here they are."
+
+Zeph handed Ralph a moldy chamois skin bag. With interest the young
+fireman inspected the contents.
+
+"This is a rich find, Zeph," he said. "You must report to the car
+finder at once."
+
+"I am going to the city to-day to see him," explained the former
+farmer boy.
+
+Zeph left headquarters about noon. The next morning he reappeared. He
+was fairly gorgeous attired in the uniform of a conductor.
+
+"One thousand dollars I get as a special reward for the recovery of
+the diamonds," he said, "and more when the car finder has seen their
+original owner. I am to divide with you, Fairbanks."
+
+"Not at all," dissented Ralph.
+
+"Oh, yes, I shall," insisted Zeph. "And, by the way, I have some news
+of importance for you."
+
+"Indeed?" said Ralph.
+
+"Yes. You know where Trafton is?"
+
+"On the Midland Central."
+
+"Exactly. Well, this morning on the platform there, I saw a man in
+whom you are considerably interested."
+
+"Who was that?" inquired the young fireman.
+
+"Bartlett, the fellow who was a partner of Gasper Farrington in that
+wire-tapping scheme."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+JUSTICE AT LAST--CONCLUSION
+
+
+Ralph lost no time in making up his mind to at once go to Trafton and
+endeavor to run down Bartlett. He was the friend and confidant of
+Gasper Farrington, and the latter the young fireman was now determined
+to find.
+
+He had his troubles for his pains. He got a trace of Bartlett at
+Trafton, but lost it again. His final clew was that Bartlett had last
+been seen driving away from town in a covered wagon.
+
+Ralph devoted the morning to these discoveries, then he made for the
+home of Amos Greenleaf. He cut across the timber for ten miles, and
+late in the afternoon reached the miserable hovel where the crippled
+railroader lived.
+
+It was when he was within a few rods of the place that a voice hailed
+him.
+
+"This way, Mr. Fairbanks, I have something to tell you."
+
+Ralph went to a copse near at hand where the speaker stood, as if in
+hiding. It was the escaped convict. He was deeply excited.
+
+"I wanted to prepare you for a surprise before you went into the
+house," said the convict.
+
+"Why, what do you mean?" asked Ralph.
+
+"I mean Farrington!" cried the convict. "He is there."
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Ralph.
+
+"No, it is true."
+
+"How did he happen to come here?"
+
+"A man driving a covered wagon brought him. Farrington was sick,
+dying. The other man carried him into the house and said he would
+hurry for a doctor."
+
+"When was this?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Two hours ago. I have not shown myself to Farrington yet. The man is
+certainly in a dying condition."
+
+"I had better investigate affairs," said Ralph, and he proceeded to
+the house.
+
+Gasper Farrington lay on a wretched cot in a little bedroom. Ralph was
+amazed at the change in the magnate since he had last seen him.
+Farrington was thin, pale and weak. He was gasping painfully for
+breath, and groaned wretchedly as he recognized his visitor.
+
+"Why, Mr. Farrington," said Ralph, "you are a very sick man."
+
+"I am dying, Ralph Fairbanks," moaned the stricken Farrington. "You
+have your revenge."
+
+"I wish for no revenge--I truly am sorry to see you in this
+condition."
+
+"Well, here I am," groaned Farrington--"a miserable wreck, dying in a
+wretched hovel, the end of all my plotting, and worst of all, robbed
+of everything I own."
+
+"By whom?" asked Ralph.
+
+"By Bartlett, who has abandoned me. I know it, and only this morning
+he got from me the deeds conveying all my property to him. Once
+recorded, I am a beggar, and can make no reparation to those whom I
+have defrauded."
+
+"Is that true?" asked Ralph.
+
+"Yes. He pretended he would drive to Wilmer, record the deeds at
+Stanley Junction, return and take me safely out of the country.
+Instead, he has isolated me in this desolate place. Oh, to outwit him,
+Fairbanks!" continued the magnate eagerly. "I can yet defeat him if
+you can assist me."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Under the bed is my box of private papers. Unknown to Bartlett, last
+week, suspecting his scheme to rob me, believing I was dying, I
+executed deeds that distributed my property among those whom I had
+wronged. One deed is for your mother to adjust that twenty thousand
+dollar claim. Another is for a poor fellow I sent to jail--an innocent
+man. Another places my property in trust with your lawyer. Here they
+are," and Farrington took some documents from the box that Ralph had
+handed him. "Now then, act quickly."
+
+Ralph looked over the papers. They were what the magnate described. He
+went outside and saw the convict, showing him the deed containing the
+name of "John Vance."
+
+"Is that your name?" asked Ralph.
+
+"It is," assented the convict.
+
+"Then Farrington has done you tardy justice," and he explained the
+situation.
+
+In a few minutes the young fireman was bounding away towards Wilmer.
+
+Ralph caught a train just as it was moving away from the depot. He did
+not venture inside the cars, for he saw that Bartlett was aboard, but
+at the next station proceeded to the locomotive.
+
+When the train reached the limits at Stanley Junction, Ralph left it
+and boarded an engine on another track bound for the depot.
+
+He reached it some minutes in advance of the other locomotive. A
+hurried run for the office of the recorder, a swift delivery of the
+deeds, and then Ralph hastened after the town marshal.
+
+They came upon Bartlett leaving the office of the recorder with a glum
+and puzzled face. In his hand in a listless way he held some deeds
+which he had evidently been told were worthless.
+
+The man was disguised, but Ralph knew him at once. The marshal stepped
+forward and seized his arm.
+
+"Mr. Bartlett," he said sternly, "you are under arrest."
+
+"Oh, you want me? What--er--for?" stammered the plotter.
+
+"Conspiracy in the recent railroad strike," explained the official.
+"Pretty serious, too--not to mention that so-called accident you had
+on one of the cars, for which you wanted damages."
+
+With a scowl on his face Bartlett turned and confronted Ralph.
+
+"Ah, so it's you?" he growled.
+
+"Yes," returned the young fireman, coldly.
+
+"This is some of your work!"
+
+"If so, it is at the request of the man you robbed, Bartlett."
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"I mean Gasper Farrington," answered Ralph, and this news caused the
+prisoner to turn pale and stagger back. He realized that he had come
+to the end of his plotting and must now suffer the consequences of his
+misdeeds. He was marched off to jail, and it may be as well to state,
+was, later on, sent to prison for a term of years.
+
+Gasper Farrington did not linger long. Before he died, however, he had
+a talk with Ralph and with the convict, and signed several papers of
+importance. He acknowledged all his wrong doings, and did all in his
+power to straighten matters out. His relatives came to his aid, and
+his last hours on earth were made as comfortable as circumstances
+permitted.
+
+Two days after Farrington's funeral came a surprise for Ralph. He
+received word that Ike Slump and Mort Bemis had been caught in a
+tavern near Dover. Both of the roughs were in rags and penniless,
+having lost what money they had had. Both were turned over to the
+police, and in due course of time each followed Bartlett to prison.
+
+"It serves them right," said Griscom, to Ralph. "My! my! What a
+difference in boys! Do you remember when you and Slump were both
+wipers at the roundhouse?"
+
+"I do indeed!" answered Ralph feelingly. "I am sorry for Ike. But he
+has no one to blame but himself."
+
+"A holiday for us day after to-morrow, lad," went on the veteran
+engineer of the Limited Mail, with a twinkle in his eye. "Guess you
+know why."
+
+"Opening of the other line?" queried the young fireman.
+
+"Exactly. Special invitation for both of us," went on Griscom, with a
+chuckle.
+
+"Well, I hope everything pans out right," said Ralph. "Our friends
+have worked hard enough, goodness knows."
+
+The day for the opening of the new railroad came, and Ralph and the
+old engineer took the early morning train for Wilmer. Not a few
+friends accompanied them.
+
+"It's a great day for Van and for Mr. Gibson," said Ralph. "And a
+great day for Zeph and Earl too," he added, with a smile. Earl's
+uncles had been hailed into court, and a new guardian had been
+appointed for the boy.
+
+A little after noon that day the formal opening of the Springfield &
+Dover Railroad was celebrated.
+
+Two beautiful passenger coaches were filled with friends of the road
+and persons living near Wilmer. The locomotive and cars were gaily
+decorated with bunting. Limpy Joe was bustling around his restaurant
+stand at the depot, happy and chipper. Zeph Dallas was the proud
+conductor, and Earl Danvers the brakeman of the train. Mr. and Mrs.
+Gibson, Mrs. Fairbanks, Mr. Trevor and some of their friends formed a
+party by themselves. It was a regular gala occasion. The first trip
+was a grand success. People along the line greeted the train with glad
+cheers, and, returning to headquarters, a sumptuous repast was spread
+for the guests of the new road.
+
+"Well, we are a happy family party," said Farwell Gibson with
+enthusiasm, as, that evening, his employes sat around the supper table
+at headquarters.
+
+"Yes," nodded Trevor. "To-morrow actual work begins. We have splendid
+prospects, loyal employes, and the Springfield & Dover Short Line is a
+grand success."
+
+"I cannot too deeply announce my feelings towards you, Fairbanks,"
+said Mr. Gibson. "It is to your friendship and co-operation that I
+owe, in a measure, all my good fortune in completing the railroad."
+
+"A grand lad," applauded old John Griscom heartily. "His pluck and
+perseverance have helped us all out of difficulties many a time."
+
+"Three cheers for the boy who helped to build a railroad!" cried Zeph
+Dallas.
+
+They were given with enthusiasm, and Ralph had to respond with a
+speech.
+
+"I believe this is the happiest moment of my life," he declared. "I
+have been through some strenuous times, but all has ended well."
+
+And then what a cheer went up!
+
+Ralph imagined that now, since his enemies had been disposed of, quiet
+times were ahead. But this was not to be. Adventures in plenty still
+awaited him, and what some of them were will be related in another
+story, to be called "Ralph on the Overland Express; or, The Trials and
+Triumphs of a Young Engineer."
+
+"It was certainly a great day, mother," said the young fireman, when
+he got home from the celebration.
+
+"Yes, Ralph," answered Mrs. Fairbanks. "And to think that you helped
+to make that day possible. Oh, I am proud of you!" And she gave him a
+fond caress.
+
+"And the best of it is, that we have all those thousands of dollars,"
+continued the young fireman. "We are not exactly rich, but we are
+comfortably situated, eh?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, Ralph! But listen to me. Do you want to leave the
+railroad? You might go into business, or go to college, or----"
+
+"No, no, mother! I was born to follow a railroad life--I feel it. Who
+knows, some day I may be the President of some road."
+
+"That is true. Well, have your wish, Ralph. They tell me now you are
+the best fireman in these parts. Soon you'll have your engine
+then----"
+
+"I'll be very happy!" finished Ralph.
+
+And his eyes brightened as he thought of splendid opportunities the
+future promised.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THIS ISN'T ALL!
+
+Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made
+in this book?
+
+Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
+
+On the _reverse_ side of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.
+
+DON'T THROW AWAY THE WRAPPER
+
+Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
+in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
+catalog.
+
+
+
+
+THE RAILROAD SERIES
+
+By ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
+American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad
+wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"
+locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money
+on board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among
+railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
+getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the
+manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
+ruin.
+
+RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;
+Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
+
+RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;
+Or, Clearing the Track.
+
+RALPH ON THE ENGINE;
+Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
+
+RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;
+Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
+
+RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;
+Or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.
+
+RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;
+Or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit.
+
+RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;
+Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
+
+RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;
+Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ralph on the Engine, by Allen Chapman
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH ON THE ENGINE ***
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