diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-0.txt | 394 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-0.zip | bin | 123619 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-8.txt | 8001 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-8.zip | bin | 123323 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-h.zip | bin | 226442 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-h/39050-h.htm (renamed from 39050-h/39050-h.html) | 370 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-rst.zip | bin | 209713 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-rst/39050-rst.rst | 7654 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050-rst/images/img-front.jpg | bin | 93236 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050.txt | 8001 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39050.zip | bin | 123301 -> 0 bytes |
11 files changed, 4 insertions, 24416 deletions
diff --git a/39050-0.txt b/39050-0.txt index 5a0dcc0..abfb2fc 100644 --- a/39050-0.txt +++ b/39050-0.txt @@ -1,27 +1,4 @@ - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse - -Author: Allen Chapman - -Release Date: March 04, 2012 [EBook #39050] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39050 *** Produced by Al Haines. @@ -7625,371 +7602,4 @@ Northern Railroad." THE END -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39050 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the Project -Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered -trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you -receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of -this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this -eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, -reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and -given away – you may do practically _anything_ with public domain -eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially -commercial redistribution. - - - -The Full Project Gutenberg License - - -_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ - -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or -any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works - - -*1.A.* By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the -terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all -copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you -paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this -agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you -paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -*1.B.* “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things -that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even -without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph -1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help -preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See -paragraph 1.E below. - -*1.C.* The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of -Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in -the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you -from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating -derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project -Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the -Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works -by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms -of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated -with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others. - -*1.D.* The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the -copyright status of any work in any country outside the United States. - -*1.E.* Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -*1.E.1.* The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on -which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase -“Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, -viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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 http://www.gutenberg.org - -*1.E.2.* If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with -the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, -you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through -1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.3.* If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -*1.E.4.* Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. - -*1.E.5.* Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. - -*1.E.6.* You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than -“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ web site -(http://www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -*1.E.7.* Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless -you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.8.* You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided -that - - - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you - already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to - the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to - donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 - days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally - required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments - should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, - “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary - Archive Foundation.” - - - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. - You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the - works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and - all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works. - - - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - - - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - - -*1.E.9.* If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth -in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from both the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Hart, the -owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3. below. - -*1.F.* - -*1.F.1.* Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. -Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the -medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but -not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription -errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a -defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -*1.F.2.* LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES – Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability -to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE -THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF -WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. -YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR -UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, -INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE -NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. - -*1.F.3.* LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND – If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -*1.F.4.* Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS,’ WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -*1.F.5.* Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -*1.F.6.* INDEMNITY – You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ - - -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals -and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely -available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and -permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn -more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how -your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org . - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state -of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue -Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is -64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the -full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. - -The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official page -at http://www.pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - - -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the -number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely -distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of -equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to -$5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with -the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where -we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any -statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside -the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways -including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, -please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic -works. - - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless -a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook’s eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including -how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to -our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39050 *** diff --git a/39050-0.zip b/39050-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 25de7e2..0000000 --- a/39050-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39050-8.txt b/39050-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index dc67fb4..0000000 --- a/39050-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8001 +0,0 @@ - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse - -Author: Allen Chapman - -Release Date: March 04, 2012 [EBook #39050] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - -[Illustration: RALPH STEPPED OVER HIS RECUMBENT COMPANION AND PLACED HIS -HAND ON THE LEVER.] - - ---- - - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - OR - - BOUND TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN - - BY - - ALLEN CHAPMAN - - NEW YORK - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS - - Made in the United States of America - - ---- - - Copyright, 1906, by - THE MERSHON COMPANY - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I--THE DAYLIGHT EXPRESS - CHAPTER II--WAKING UP - CHAPTER III--A LOST BALL - CHAPTER IV--IKE SLUMP'S DINNER PAIL - CHAPTER V--OPPORTUNITY - CHAPTER VI--THE MASTER MECHANIC - CHAPTER VII--AT THE ROUNDHOUSE - CHAPTER VIII--THE OLD FACTORY - CHAPTER IX--AN UNEXPECTED GUEST - CHAPTER X--THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER - CHAPTER XI--ON DUTY - CHAPTER XII--IKE SLUMP'S REVENGE - CHAPTER XIII--MAKING HIS WAY - CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST - CHAPTER XV--"VAN" - CHAPTER XVI--FACE TO FACE - CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS - CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY? - CHAPTER XIX--IKE SLUMP'S FRIENDS - CHAPTER XX--THE HIDE-OUT - CHAPTER XXI--A FREE RIDE - CHAPTER XXII--BEHIND TIME - CHAPTER XXIII--BARDON, THE INSPECTOR - CHAPTER XXIV--A NEW ENEMY - CHAPTER XXV--DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND - CHAPTER XXVI--A ROVING COMMISSION - CHAPTER XXVII--RECALLED TO LIFE - CHAPTER XXVIII--MYSTERY - CHAPTER XXIX--A RIVAL RAILROAD - CHAPTER XXX--THE RIGHT OF WAY - CHAPTER XXXI--A REMARKABLE CONFESSION - CHAPTER XXXII--FOUND - CHAPTER XXXIII--IKE SLUMP'S RAFT - CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY! - CHAPTER XXXV--CONCLUSION - - ---- - - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE DAYLIGHT EXPRESS - - -The Daylight Express rolled up to the depot at Stanley Junction, on -time, circling past the repair shops, freight yard and roundhouse, a -thing of life and beauty. - -Stanley Junction had become a wide-awake town of some importance since -the shops had been moved there, and when a second line took it in as a -passing point, the old inhabitants pronounced the future of the Junction -fully determined. - -Engine No. 6, with its headlight shining like a piece of pure crystal, -its metal trimmings furbished up bright and natty-looking, seemed to -understand that it was the model of the road, and sailed majestically to -a repose that had something of dignity and grandeur to it. - -The usual crowd that kept tab on arriving trains lounged on the -platform, and watched the various passengers alight. - -A brisk, bright-faced young fellow glided from their midst, cleared an -obstructing truck with a clever spring, stood ready to greet the -locomotive and express car as they parted company from the passenger -coaches, and ran thirty feet along the siding to where the freight-sheds -stood. - -He appeared to know everybody, and to be a general favorite with every -one, for the brakeman at the coach-end air brake gave him a cheery: "Hi, -there, kid!" gaunt John Griscom, the engineer, flung him a grim but -pleased nod of recognition, and the fireman, discovering him, yelled a -shrill: "All aboard, now!" - -The young fellow turned to face the latter with a whirl and struck an -attitude, as if entirely familiar with jolly Sam Cooper's warnings. - -For the latter, reaching for a row of golden pippins stowed on his oil -shelf, contributed by some bumpkin admirer down the line, seized the -biggest and poised it for a fling. - -"Here she goes, Ralph Fairbanks!" he chuckled. - -"Let her come!" cried back Ralph, and--clip! he cut the missile's career -short by the latest approved baseball tactics. - -Ralph pocketed the apple with a gay laugh, and was at the door of the -express section of the car as it slid back and the messenger's face -appeared. - -The agent had come out of his shed. He glanced over an iron chest and -some crated stuff shoved forward by the messenger, and then, running his -eye over the bills of lading handed him by the latter, said briskly: - -"You will not be needed this time, Ralph." - -"All right, Mr. More." - -"Nothing but some transfer freight and the bank delivery--that's my -special, you know. Be around for the 5.11, though." - -"Sure," nodded Ralph Fairbanks, looking pleased at the brisk dismissal, -like a boy on hand for work, but, that failing, with abundant other -resources at hand to employ and enjoy the time. - -With a cheery hail to the baggage master as he appeared on the scene, -Ralph rounded the cow-catcher, intent on a short cut across the tracks. -His appearance had been actuated by business reasons strictly, but, -business not materializing, he was quite as practical and eager on -another tack. - -Ever since vacation began, three weeks previous, Ralph had made two -trips daily to the depot, on hand to meet the arriving 10.15 and 5.11 -trains. - -This had been at the solicitation of the express agent. Stanley -Junction was not a very large receiving point, but usually there were -daily several packages to deliver. When these were not for the bank or -business houses in the near center of the town, but for individuals, the -agent employed Ralph to deliver them, allowing him to retain the ten -cents fee for charges. - -Sometimes Ralph picked up as high as fifty cents a day, the average was -about half that amount, but it was welcome pocket money. Occasionally, -too, some odd job for waiting passengers or railroad employes would come -up. It gave Ralph spending money with which to enjoy his vacation, and, -besides, he liked the work. - -Especially work around the railroad. What live boy in Stanley Junction -did not--but then Ralph, as the express agent often said, "took to -railroading like a duck to water." - -It was a natural heritage. Ralph's father had been a first-class, -all-around railroad man, and his son felt a justifiable pride in -boasting that he was one of the pioneers who had made the railroad at -Stanley Junction a possibility. - -"Home, a quick bite or two, and then for the baseball game," said Ralph -briskly, as he ran his eye across the network of rails, and beyond them -to the waving tree tops and the village green. Preparing to make a run -for it, Ralph suddenly halted. - -A grimed repair man, tapping the wheels of the coaches, just then jerked -back his hammer with a vivid: - -"Hi, you!" - -Ralph discerned that the man was not addressing him, for his eyes were -staringly fixed under the trucks. - -"Let me out!" sounded a muffled voice. - -Ralph was interested, as there struggled from the cindered roadbed an -erratic form. It was that of a boy about his own age. He judged this -from the dress and figure, although one was tattered, and the other -strained, crippled and bent. The face was a criss-cross streak of dust, -oil and cinders. - -"A stowaway!" yelled the repair man, excitedly waving his hammer. -"Schmitt! Schmitt! this way!" - -The depot officer came running around the end of the train at the call. -Ralph had eyes only for the forlorn figure that had so suddenly come -into action in the light of day. - -He could read the lad's story readily. The last run of No. 6 was of ten -miles. There was no doubt but that for this distance, if not for a -greater one, the stowaway had been a "dead-head" passenger, perilously -clinging to the brace bars, or wedged against the trucks under the -middle coach. - -The dust and grime must have half-blinded him, the roar have deafened, -for he staggered about now in an aimless, distracted way, hobbling and -wincing as he tried to get his cramped muscles into normal play. - -"What you doing?" roared the old watchman, on a run, and waving his club -threateningly. - -"I've done it!" muttered the boy dolefully. He kept hobbling about to -get his tensioned nerves unlimbered, edging away from the approaching -watchman as fast as he could. - -"Show me!" he panted, appealingly to Ralph, - -The latter understood the predicament and wish. He moved his hand very -meaningly, and the stowaway seemed to comprehend, for he glided to where -a heap of ties barricaded a dead-end track. Rubbing the blinding dirt -from his eyes, he cleared the heap, dropped on the other side, and ran -down a narrow lane bounded on one side by a brick wall and on the other -by a ten-foot picket fence. - -"Third one in a week!" growled the watchman. "Got to stop! Against the -law, and second one lost a foot!" - -Ralph moved along, crossed four tracks and a freight train blockaded, -and kept on down the straight rails. The stowaway had passed from his -mind. Now, glancing toward the fence, he saw the lad limping down the -lane. - -The stowaway saw him, and coming to a halt grasped two of the fence -bars, and peered and shouted at him. - -"Want me?" asked Ralph, approaching. He saw that the stowaway was in -bad shape, for he clung to the fence as if it rested him. He had not -yet gotten all the cricks out of his bones. - -"It was a tough job," muttered the boy. "It took grit! Say, tell me -something, will you?" - -Ralph nodded. The boy rubbed the knuckle of one hand across his coat to -wipe off the blood of an abrasion, and groped in a pocket. - -"Where is that?" he asked, bringing to light an envelope, and holding it -slantingly for Ralph's inspection. "Can you tell me?" - -"Why," said Ralph, with a start--"let me look at that!" - -"No," demurred the other cautiously. "It's near enough to read. I want -to find that person." - -"It's my name," said Ralph, quickly and with considerable wonderment. -"Give it to me." - -"I guess not!" snapped the stowaway. "I don't know who John Fairbanks -is, but I know enough to be sure you ain't him." - -"No, he was my father. Climb over the fence. I don't quite understand -this, and I want you to explain." - -The stowaway sized up the fence, wincing as he lifted one foot, and -then, with a disgusted exclamation, turned abruptly and broke into a -run. - -Ralph saw that the cause of this action was the watchman, who had come -into view through a doorway in the brick wall, and had started a new -pursuit of the boy. - -He was a husky, clumsy individual, and had counted on heading off or -creeping unawares on the fugitive, but the latter, with a start, soon -outdistanced him, and was lost to Ralph's view where the lane broadened -out into the railroad scrap yards. - -Ralph stood undecided for a minute or two, and then somewhat reluctantly -resumed his way. - -"He'll find us, if he's got that letter to deliver," he concluded. "I -wonder what it can be? From somebody who doesn't know father is dead, -it seems." - -Ralph neared home in the course of ten minutes, to save time crossing -lots to reach by its side door the plain, but comfortable looking, -neatly kept cottage that had been his shelter since childhood. - -It was going to be a busy day with him, he had planned, and he flung off -his coat with a business air of hurried preparation for a change of -toilet. - -Ten feet from the door through which he intended to bolt as usual with -all the impetuosity of a real flesh and blood boy, on the jump every -waking minute of his existence, Ralph came to an abrupt halt. - -He expected to find his mother alone, and was ready to tell her about -the stowaway episode and the letter. - -But voices echoed from the little sitting room, and the first -intelligible words his ear caught, spoken in a gruff snarl, made Ralph's -eyes flash fire, his fists clenched, and his breath came quick. - -"Very well, Widow Fairbanks," fell distinctly on Ralph's hearing, -"what's the matter with that good-for-nothing son of yours going to work -and paying the honest debts of the family?" - - - - -CHAPTER II--WAKING UP - - -Ralph recognized that strident voice at once. It belonged to Gasper -Farrington, one of the wealthiest men of Stanley Junction, and one of -the meanest. - -Whenever Ralph had met the man, and he met him often, one fact had been -vividly impressed upon his mind. Gasper Farrington had a natural -antipathy for all boys in general, and for Ralph Fairbanks in -particular. - -The Criterion Baseball Club was a feature with juvenile Stanley -Junction, yet they had many a privilege abrogated through the influence -of Farrington. He had made complaints on the most trivial pretexts, -winning universal disrespect and hatred from the younger population. - -More than once he had put himself out to annoy Ralph. In one instance -the latter had stood for the rights of the club in a lawyer-like manner. -He had beaten Farrington and the town board combined on technical legal -grounds as to the occupancy of a central ball field, and Ralph's -feelings towards the crabbed old capitalist had then settled down to -dislike, mingled with a certain silent independence that nettled -Farrington considerably. - -He had publicly dubbed Ralph "the ringleader of those baseball -hoodlums," a stricture passed up by the club with indifference. - -Ralph never set his eyes on Farrington but he was reminded of his -father. John Fairbanks had come to Stanley Junction before the Great -Northern was even thought of. He had thought of it first. A practical -railroad man, he had gone through all the grades of promotion of an -Eastern railway system, and had become a division superintendent. - -He had some money when he came to Stanley Junction. He foresaw that the -town would one day become a tactical center in railroad construction, -submitted a plan to some capitalists, and was given supervisory work -along the line. - -His minor capital investment in the enterprise was obscured by mightier -interests later on, but before he died it was generally supposed that he -held quite an amount of the bonds of the railroad, mutually with Gasper -Farrington. - -It was a surprise to his widow, and to friends generally of the -Fairbanks family, when, after Mr. Fairbanks' death, a few hundred -dollars in the bank and the homestead, with a twelve-hundred dollar -mortgage on it in favor of Gasper Farrington, were found to comprise the -total estate. - -Mrs. Fairbanks discovered letters, memoranda and receipts showing that -her deceased husband and Farrington had been mutually engaged in several -business enterprises, but they were vague and fragmentary, and, after -ascertaining from her the extent of her documentary evidence, Farrington -bluntly declared he had been a loser by her husband. - -He professed a friendship for the dead railroader, however, and in a -patronizing way offered to help the widow out of her difficulties by -taking the homestead off her hands for the amount of the mortgage, "and -making no trouble." - -Mrs. Fairbanks had promptly informed him that she had no intention of -selling out, and for two years, until the present time, had been able to -meet the quarterly interest on the mortgage when due. - -Gasper Farrington was now on one of his periodical visits on business to -the cottage, but as, right at the home threshold, and in the presence of -the gentle, loving-hearted widow, he gave utterance to the scathing -remark still burning in the listener's ears, a boy of true spirit, -Ralph's soul seemed suddenly to expand as though it would burst with -indignation and excitement. - -Many times Ralph had asked his mother concerning their actual business -relations with Gasper Farrington, but she had put him off with the -evasive remark that he was "too young to understand." - -But now he seemed to understand. The spiteful tone of the crabbed old -capitalist implied that he indulged in the present malicious outburst -because in some way he had the widow in his power. - -Ralph took an instantaneous step forward, but paused. He could trust -his mother to retain her dignity on all occasions, and he recalled her -frequent directions to him to never act on an angry impulse. - -Now he could see into the room. His mother stood by her sewing basket, -a slight flush of indignation on her face. - -Farrington squirmed against the doorway, fumbling his cane, and puffing -and purple with violent internal commotion. - -"Then what's the matter with that idle, good-for-nothing, son of yours -going to work and paying the honest debts of the family!" he stormily -repeated. - -The widow looked up. Her lips fluttered, but she said calmly: "Mr. -Farrington, Ralph is neither idle nor good-for-nothing." - -"Huh! aint! What's he good for?" - -The widow's face became momentarily glorified, the true mother love -shone in the depths of her pure, clear eyes. - -"He is the best son a mother ever had." She spoke with a tremor that -made Ralph thrill, and must have made Farrington squirm. - -"He is affectionate, obedient, considerate. And that is why I have -never burdened his young shoulders with my troubles." - -"It's high time, then!" snarled Farrington--"a big, overgrown bumpkin! -Guess he'll shoulder some responsibility soon, or some one else will, or -you'll all be without a shelter." - -Ralph felt a sinking at the heart at the vague threat. He was relieved, -however, as anxiously glancing at his mother's face he observed that she -was not a whit disturbed or frightened. - -"Mr. Farrington," she said, "Ralph has nothing to do with our business -affairs, but I wish to say this: I am satisfied that my dead husband -left means we have never been able to trace. It lies between your -conscience and yourself to say how much more you know about this than I -do. I have accepted the situation, however, and with the few dollars in -ready money he left me, and my sewing, I have managed to so far give -Ralph a fair education. He has well deserved the sacrifice. He has -been foremost in every athletic sport, a leader and of good influence -with his mates, and was the best scholar at the school, last term." - -"Oho! prize pupil in the three R's!" sneered Farrington--"Counts high, -that honor does!" - -"It is a step upwards, humble though it be," retorted Mrs. Fairbanks -proudly. "If he does as well in his academic career----" - -"In his what?" fairly bellowed Farrington. "Is the woman crazy? You -don't mean to tell me, madam, that you have any such wild idea in your -head as sending him to college?" - -"I certainly have." - -"Then you'll never make it--you'll waste your dollars, and bring him up -a pampered ingrate, and he's a sneak if he allows his old mother to dig -and slave her fingers off for his worthless pleasure!" - -A faint flush crossed the widow's face. Ralph burst the bounds. He -sprang forward, and confronted the astonished magnate so abruptly that -in the confusion of the moment, Farrington dropped his cane. - -"Mr. Farrington," said Ralph, striving hard to keep control of himself, -"my mother is not old, but I am--older than I was an hour ago, I can -tell you! old enough to understand what I never knew before, and----" - -"Hello!" sniffed Farrington, "what's this your business?" - -"I just overheard you say it was essentially my business," answered -Ralph. "I begin to think so myself. At all events, I'm going to take a -hand in my mother's affairs hereafter. If I have hitherto been blind to -the real facts, it was because I had the best mother in the world, and -never realized the big sacrifice she was making for me." - -"Bah!" - -"Mr. Farrington," continued Ralph, seeming to grow two inches taller -under the influence of some new, elevating idea suddenly finding -lodgment in his mind, "as a person fully awakened to his own general -worthlessness and idle, good-for-nothing character, and in duty bound to -pay the honest debts of the family--to quote your own words--what is -your business here?" - -"My business!" gasped Farrington, "you, you--none of your business! Mrs. -Fairbanks," he shouted, waving his cane and almost exploding with rage, -"I've said my say, and I shan't stay here to be insulted by a pert chit -of a boy. You'd better think it over! I'll give you five hundred -dollars to surrender the house and get out of Stanley Junction. Decline -that, and fail to pay me the interest due to-day, and I'll close down on -you--I'll sell you out!" - -"Can he do it?" whispered Ralph, in an anxious tone. - -"No, Ralph," said his mother. "Mr. Farrington, I believe I have thirty -days in which to pay the interest?" - -"It's due to-day." - -"I believe I have thirty days," went on the widow quietly. "It is the -first time I have been delinquent. I have even now within twenty -dollars of the amount. Before the thirty days are over you shall have -your money." - -"I'll serve you legal notice before night!" growled Farrington--"I don't -wait on promises, I don't!" - -There were hot words hovering on Ralph's lips. It would do him good, he -felt, to give the heartless old capitalist a piece of his mind. A -glance from his mother checked him. - -She was the gracious, courteous lady in every respect as she ushered her -unpleasant visitor from the house. - -Her heart was full in more ways than one as she returned to the little -sitting room. A predominating emotion filled her thoughts. She -understood Ralph's mind thoroughly, and realized that circumstances had, -as he had himself declared, "awakened him." - -She had intuitively traced in his manner and words a change from -careless, boyish impetuosity to settled, manly resolution, and was -thankful in her heart of hearts. - -"Ralph!" she called softly. - -But Ralph was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER III--A LOST BALL - - -Ralph Fairbanks had "woke up," had seen a great light, had formed a -mighty resolution all in a minute, and was off like a flash. - -As he bolted through the doorway it seemed as if wings impelled him. - -He realized what a good mother he had, and how much she had done for -him. - -Following that was one overwhelming conclusion: to prove how he -appreciated the fact. - -"Yes," he said, as he hurried along, "I'd be a sneak to let my mother -slave while I went sliding easy through life. If I've done it so far, -it was because I never guessed there wasn't something left from father's -estate to support us, and never stopped to think that there mightn't be. -She's hidden everything from me, in her kind, good way. Well, I'll pay -her back. I see the nail I'm to hit on the head, and I'll drive it home -before I'm twenty-four hours older!" - -Gasper Farrington had opened a gate on the highway of Ralph Fairbanks' -tranquil existence, and, though he never meant it, had aroused the boy's -soul to a sudden conception of duty. And Ralph had seen the path -beyond, clear and distinct. - -It seemed to him as if with one wave of his hand he had swept aside all -the fervid dreams of boyhood, formed a resolution, set his mark, and was -started in that very minute on a brand-new life. - -Ralph did not slacken his gait until he reached a square easily -identified as a much used ball grounds. - -Over in one corner was a flat, rambling structure. It had once been -somebody's home, had fallen into decay and vacancy. The club had rented -it for a nominal sum, fixed it up a bit, and this was headquarters. - -Over the door hung the purple pennant of the club, bearing in its center -a broad, large "C." In the doorway sat Ned Talcott, an ambitious -back-stop, who spent most of his time about the place, never tired of -the baseball atmosphere. - -He looked curiously at Ralph's flustered appearance, but the latter -nodded silently, passed inside, and then called out: - -"Come in here, Ned--I want to see you." - -Ned was by his side in a jiffy. An enthusiast, he fairly worshiped his -expert whole-souled captain, and counted it an honor to do anything for -him. - -"None of the crowd here, I see," remarked Ralph. "Got your uniform yet, -Ned?" - -"Why, no," answered Ned. "I've got the cloth picked out, and it's all -right. Father's away, though, and as we won't need the suits for show -till the new series begin next week, I didn't hurry." - -"We're about of a size," went on Ralph, looking his companion over. - -"And resemblance stops right there, eh?" chuckled Ned. - -"I was thinking," pursued Ralph with business-like terseness, as he -unfastened the door of his locker. "Maybe we could strike a trade? I -want to sell." - -He drew out his baseball uniform, tastily reposing in a big pasteboard -box just as he had brought it from the tailor that morning. - -"I've been thinking maybe I could strike a deal with some one to take -this off my hands," he added. - -"Eh!" ejaculated Ned, in a bewildered way. - -"Yes, you see it's brand-new, whole outfit complete, haven't even put it -on yet." - -"You'll look nobby in it when you do have it on!" - -Ralph said nothing on this score, compressing his lips a trifle. - -"It cost me eight dollars," he continued, after a moment's silence. - -"Yes, I know that's the regular price." - -"It fits you, or, with very slight alteration, can be made to. I wish -you'd try it on, Ned, and give me five dollars for it." - -"Why, I don't understand, Ralph?" faltered Ned, completely puzzled. - -Ralph winced. He realized that there would be a general commotion when -he told the rest of the club what he was now vaguely intimating to Ned -Talcott. - -Ralph did not flatter himself a particle when he comprehended that every -member of the nine was his friend, champion and admirer, and that a -general protest would go up from the ranks when he announced his -intentions. - -"Is it a bargain?" he asked, smiling quizzically at Ned's puzzled face. -"See here, I'd better out with it. I shan't need the uniform, Ned, -because I've got to resign from the club." - -"Oh, never!" vociferated Ned, starting back in dismay. "Say, now----" - -"Yes, say that again, Ralph Fairbanks!" broke in a challenging voice. - -Ralph was shaken a trifle by the unexpected interruption. His lips set -even a little firmer, however, as he turned and faced his trusty first -baseman, Will Cheever, and in his train four other members of the club. - -"It's true," said Ralph seriously, "just as it is sudden and sure. I've -got to drop athletics as a sport, fellows--for a time, anyhow--and I've -got to do it right away." - -"You're dreaming!" scoffed Cheever, bustling up in his inimitable, -push-ahead way, and pulling Ralph playfully about. "Resign? Huh! On -the last test game--with the pennant almost ours? Gag him!" - -"Why," drawled a tone of pathetic alarm, "it would be rank treachery, -you know!" - -"Hello, are you awake?" jeered Will, turning on the last speaker. - -Ralph looked at him too, and through some wayward perversity of his -nature his face grew more determined than ever. His eyes flashed -quickly, and he regarded the speaker with disfavor, but he kept silence. - -"You won't do it, you know!" blundered the newcomer, making his way -forward. "It would queer the whole kit. What have we been working for? -To get the bulge, and run the circuit. Why, I've just counted on it!" - -Grif Farrington, for that was the speaker's name, expressed the -intensest sense of personal injury as he spoke. - -He was the nephew of Gasper Farrington, although he did not resemble his -uncle in any striking particular as to form or feature. Both were of -the same genus, however, for the crabbed capitalist was universally -designated "a shark" by his neighbors. - -Grif was a fat, overgrown fellow, with big saucer eyes and flabby cheeks -and chin. "Bullhead" some of the boys had dubbed him. But they often -found that what they mistook for stupidity was in reality indolence, and -that in any deal where his own selfish concern was involved Grif managed -to come out the winner. - -As Ralph did not speak, Grif grew even more voluble. - -"I say, it would be rank treachery!" he declared. "And a shame to treat -a club so. If we lose this game we're ditched for only scrub home -games. Win it, and we are the champion visiting club all over the -county. That's what we have been working for. Are you going to spoil -it? Haven't I put up like a man when the club was behind. See here, -Ralph Fairbanks, I'll give you--I'll make it five dollars if you'll keep -in for just this afternoon's game." - -"Shut up, you chump!" warned Will Cheever, slipping between the boor and -Ralph, whose color was rising dangerously fast. - -Will pushed aside Grif's pocketbook, linked an arm in that of Ralph, and -led him from the building, winking encouragingly to his mates. - -He came back to the group in about a quarter of an hour, but alone. - -"Fixed it?" inquired half a dozen eager voices. - -"Yes, I've fixed it," said Cheever, though none too cordially. "He's -going to leave us, fellows, and it's too bad! He'll play the game this -afternoon, but that's the last." - -"What's up?" put in Grif Farrington, in his usual coarsely inquisitive -way. - -"You was nearly up--or down!" snapped Cheever tartly. "You nearly -spoiled things for us. Money isn't everything, if you have got lots of -it, and haven't the sense to know that it's an insult to offer to buy -what Ralph Fairbanks would give to his friends for nothing, or not at -all!" - -When the game was called at two o'clock, Ralph was on hand. - -He was the object of more than ordinary interest to his own and the -opposition club that afternoon. The word had gone the rounds that he -had practically resigned from service, and the fact caused great -speculation. His nearest friends detected a certain serious change in -him that puzzled them. They knew him well enough to discern that -something of unusual weight lay upon his mind. - -According to enthusiastic little Tom Travers, Ralph Fairbanks was "just -splendid!" that afternoon. Whatever Ralph had on his mind, he did not -allow it to interfere with the work on hand. - -Ralph was the heaviest batter of the club, and on this particular -occasion he conducted himself brilliantly, and the pennant was the -property of the Criterions long before the fifth inning was completed. -The club was in ecstasies, and Grif Farrington, who had money and time -for spending it, wore a grin of placid self-satisfaction on his flat, -fat face. - -"Whoop!" yelled Will Cheever, as the ninth inning went out in a blaze of -baseball glory. - -Will posed to give Ralph, bat in hand, a royal "last one." It was -Ralph's farewell to the beloved diamond field. He poised the bat and -caught the ball with a masterly stroke that had something cannon-like in -its execution. - -Crack! he sent it flying obliquely, and felt as if with that final -stroke he had driven baseball with all its lovely attributes dear out of -his life. - -Smash! the ball grazed the high brick wall around the old unused factory -to the left, struck an upper window, shattered a pane to atoms, and -disappeared. - -"Lost ball!" jeered little Tom Travers. - -No one went after it. The fence surrounding the factory bore two signs -that deterred--one was "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted," and the other -announced that it was "For Rent, by the owner, Gasper Farrington." - -Ralph made a grimace, and a mental note of later mending the breakage -for which he was responsible. - -Will Cheever caught him up as he was heading for home. - -"See here, Ralph," he remarked, "if you wasn't so abominably -close-mouthed----" - -"About what?" challenged Ralph, pleasantly serious. "Why, there's no -mystery about my resigning. I had to do it." - -"Why?" - -"I've got to go to work. My mother needs the money, and I'm old -enough." - -"What you going to work at?" inquired Will, with real interest. - -"Railroading,--if I can get it to do." - - - - -CHAPTER IV--IKE SLUMP'S DINNER PAIL - - -Ralph hurried home. His mother had gone temporarily to some neighbors, -he judged, for the house was open, and the midday lunch he had purposely -avoided was still spread on the table. - -He ate with a zest, but in a hurry. His mind was working actively, and -he hoped to accomplish results before he had an interview with his -mother, and was glad when he got away from the house again without -meeting her. - -Ralph went down to the depot. He was not in a communicative mood, and -did not exchange greetings with many friends there. When the 5.11 train -came in there were two packages to deliver. He attended to these -promptly, and was back at the express shed just as the agent was closing -up for the day. - -"All square, Fairbanks?" he inquired, as Ralph handed him the receipt -book. - -"Yes," nodded Ralph. "They paid me. I want to thank you for all the -little jobs you have thrown in my way, Mr. More. It has helped me -through wonderfully. You haven't anything permanent you could fit me -into, have you?" - -"Eh?" ejaculated the agent, with a critical stare at Ralph. "Why, no. -Looking for a regular job, Fairbanks?" - -"I've got to," answered Ralph. - -"Railroading?" - -"Any branch of it." - -"For steady?" - -"Yes, I think it's my line." - -"I think so, too," nodded the agent decisively, "You haven't made loaf -and play of what little you've done for me. There's no show here, -though. I get only forty-five dollars a month, and have to help with -the freight at that, but if you are headed for the presidency----" - -Ralph smiled. - -"Start in the right way, and that is at the bottom of the ladder. You -don't want office work?" - -"That would take me to general headquarters at Springfield," demurred -Ralph, "and I don't want to leave mother alone--just yet." - -"I see. There's nothing at the shops down at Acton, where you could go -and come home every day, except a trade, and you're not the boy to stop -at master mechanic." - -"Oh, come now! Mr. More----" - -"You can't look too far ahead," declared the agent sapiently. "Dropping -jollying, though, we narrow down to real service. There's your Starting -point, my boy, plain, sure and simple, and don't you forget it--and -don't you miss it!" - -He extended his finger down the rails. - -"The roundhouse?" said Ralph, following his indication. - -"The roundhouse, Fairbanks, the first step, and I never knew a genuine, -all-around railroad man who didn't make his start in the business in the -oil bins." - -"What is the main qualification to recommend a fellow?" asked Ralph. - -"An old suit of clothes, a tough hide, and lots of grit." - -"I think, then, I can come well indorsed," laughed Ralph. "Whom do I -see?" - -"Usually the ambitious father of a future railway president goes through -the regular application course at headquarters," explained the agent, -"but if you want quick action----" - -"I do." - -"See the foreman." - -"Who is he?" - -"Tim Forgan. If he takes you on, and you get to be a fixture, the -application route is handy later, when you think you deserve promotion." - -"Thank you," said Ralph, and walked away thoughtfully. - -He had five dollars in his pocket that Ned Talcott had given him for his -uniform, and eighty cents in loose change. This made Ralph feel quite -free and easy. He had not a single disturbing thought on his mind at -present except the broken window at the old factory, and that was easily -fixed up, he told himself. - -So, in quite an elevated frame of mind, Ralph walked down the rails. The -roundhouse was his objective point. Ralph had been there many a time -before, but only as a visitor. - -Now he was interested in a practical way, and the oil sheds, dog house, -turntable and other adjuncts of this favored center of activity -fascinated him more than ever. - -He had a nodding acquaintance with some of the firemen and engineers, -but was not fortunate enough to meet any of these on the present -occasion. - -Ralph went along the hard-beaten cinder path, worn by many feet, that -circled the one-story structure which sheltered the locomotives, and -glancing through the high-up open windows caught the railroad flavor -more and more as he viewed the stalls holding this and that puffing, -dying or stone-dead "iron horse." - -Over the sill of one of these windows there suddenly protruded a black, -greasy hand holding a square dinner pail. It came out directly over -Ralph's head, and halted him. - -Its owner sounded a low whistle and a return whistle quite as low and -suspicious echoed behind Ralph. - -"Take it, and hustle!" followed from beyond the window, and almost -mechanically Ralph Fairbanks put up his hand, the handle of the pail -slipped into his fingers, and he uttered an ejaculation. - -For the pail was as heavy as if loaded with gold, and bore him quite -doubled down before he got his equilibrium. Then it was jerked from his -grasp, and a gruff voice said: - -"Hands off! What you meddling for?" - -"Meddling?" retorted Ralph abruptly, and looked the speaker over with -suspicion. He was a ragged, unkempt man of about forty, with a swarthy, -vicious face. "I was told to take it, wasn't I?" - -"Hullo! what's up? Who are you? Oh! Fairbanks." - -The speaker was the person who had passed out the dinner pail, and who, -apparently aroused by the colloquy outside, had clambered to a bench, -and now thrust his head out of the window. He looked startled at first, -then directed a quick, meaning glance at the tramp, who disappeared as -if by magic. The boy overhead scowled darkly at Ralph, and then thought -better of it, and tried to appear friendly. - -"I give the poor beggar what's left of my dinner for carrying my pail -home, so I won't be bothered with it," he said. - -The speaker's face showed he did not at all believe that keen-witted -Ralph Fairbanks accepted this gauzy explanation, after hefting that -pail, but Ralph said nothing. - -"What's up, Fairbanks?" inquired his shock-headed interlocutor at the -window--"sort of inspecting things?" - -Ralph, preparing to pass on, nodded silently. - -"Trying to break in, eh?" - -"Is there any chance?" inquired Ralph, pausing slightly. - -Ike Slump laughed boisterously. He was a year or two older than Ralph, -but had a face prematurely developed with cunning and tobacco, and -looked twenty-five. - -"Yes," he said, "if you're anxious to get boiled, blistered, oiled and -blinded twenty times a day, be kicked from platform to pit, and paid -just about enough to buy arnica and sticking plaster!" - -"Bad as that?" interrogated Ralph dubiously. - -"For a fact!" - -"Oh, well--there's something beyond." - -"Beyond what?" - -"When you get out of the oil and cinders, and up into the sand and -steam." - -"Huh! lots of chance. I've been here six months, and I haven't had a -smell of firing yet--even second best." - -Ralph again nodded, and again started on. He did not care to have -anything to do with Ike Slump. The latter belonged to the hoodlum gang -of Stanley Junction, and whenever his crowd had met the better juvenile -element, there had always been trouble. - -Ike's ferret face worked queerly as he noted Ralph's departure. He -seemed struggling with uneasy emotions, as if one or two troublesome -thoughts bothered him. - -"Hold on, Fairbanks!" he called, edging farther over the sill. "I say, -that dinner pail----" - -"Oh, I'm not interested in your dinner pail," observed Ralph. - -"Course not--what is there to be curious about? I say, though, was you -in earnest about getting a job here?" - -"I must get work somewhere." - -"And it will be railroading?" - -"If I can make it," - -"You're the kind that wins," acknowledged Ike. "Got any coin, now?" - -"Suppose I have?" - -Ike's weazel-like eyes glowed. - -"Suppose you have? Then I can steer you up against a real investment of -the A1 class." - -Ralph looked quizzically incredulous. - -"I can," persisted Ike Slump. "You want to get in here to work, don't -you? Well, you can't make it." - -"Why can't I?" - -"Without my help--I can give you that help. You give me a dollar, and -I'll give you a tip." - -"What kind of a tip?" - -"About a vacancy." - -"Is there going to be one?" - -"There is, I can tell you when, and I can give you first chance on the -game, and deliver the goods." - -Ralph was interested. - -"If you are telling the truth," he said finally, "I'd risk half a -dollar." - -Ralph took out the coin. A sight of it settled the matter for Ike. - -He reached for it eagerly. - -"All right, I'm the vacancy. You watch around, for soon as I get my pay -to-morrow I'm going to bolt. It's confidential, though, -Fairbanks--you'll remember that?" - -"Oh, sure." - -Ike Slump was a notorious liar, but Ralph believed him in the present -instance. Anyhow, he felt he was making progress. He planned to be on -hand the next day, prepared for the expected vacancy, and incidentally -wondered what had made Ike Slump's dinner pail so tremendously heavy, -and, also, as to the identity of the trampish individual who had -disappeared with it so abruptly. - -He wandered about half a mile down the tracks where they widened out -from the main line into the freight yards, and selected a pile of ties -remote from any present activity in the neighborhood to have a quiet -think. - -He determined to see the foreman, Tim Forgan, the first thing in the -morning, and discover what the outlook was in general. If absolutely -turned down, he would await the announced resignation of Mr. Ike Slump. - -Ralph understood that a green engine wiper in the roundhouse was paid -six dollars a week to commence on if a boy, nine dollars if a man. He -picked up a torn freight ticket drifting by in the breeze, and fell to -figuring industriously, and the result was pleasant and reassuring. - -Ralph looked up, as with prodigious whistlings a single locomotive came -tearing down the rails, took the outer main track, and was lost to -sight. - -Not two minutes later a second described the same maneuver. Ralph -arose, wondering somewhat. - -Looking down the rails towards the depot, he noticed unusual activity in -the vicinity of the roundhouse. - -A good many hands were gathered at the turntable, as if some excitement -was up. Then a third engine came down the rails rapidly, and Ralph -noticed that the main "out" signal was turned to "clear tracks." - -As the third locomotive passed him, he noticed that the engineer -strained his sight ahead in a tensioned way, and the fireman piled in -the coal for the fullest pressure head of steam. - -Ralph made a start for home, reached a crossroad, and was turning down -it when a new shrill series of whistles directed his attention to -locomotive No. 4. It came down the rails in the same remarkable and -reckless manner as its recent predecessors. - -"Something's up!" decided Ralph, with an uncontrollable thrill of -interest and excitement--"I wonder what?" - - - - -CHAPTER V--OPPORTUNITY - - -The boy turned and ran back to the culvert crossing just as the fourth -locomotive whizzed past the spot. - -He waved his hand and yelled out an inquiry as to what was up, but cab -and tender flashed by in a sheet of steam and smoke. - -He recognized the engineer, however. It was gruff old John Griscom, and -in the momentary glimpse Ralph had of his hard, rugged face he looked -grimmer than ever. - -Ralph marveled at his presence here, for Griscom had the crack run of -the road, the 10.15, driven by the biggest twelve-wheeler on the line, -and was something of an industrial aristocrat. The locomotive he now -propelled was a third-class freight engine, and had no fireman on the -present occasion so far as could be seen. - -Ralph knew enough about runs, specials and extras, to at once comprehend -that something very unusual had happened, or was happening. - -Whatever it was, extreme urgency had driven out this last locomotive, -for Griscom wore his off-duty suit, and it was plain to be seen had not -had time to change it. - -Ralph's eyes blankly followed the locomotive. Then he started after it. -Five hundred feet down the rails, a detour of a gravel pit sent the -tracks rounding to a stretch, below which, in a clump of greenery, half -a dozen of the firemen and engineers of the road had their homes. - -With a jangle and a shiver the old heap of junk known as 99 came to a -stop. Then its whistle began a series of tootings so shrill and -piercing that the effect was fairly ear-splitting. - -Ralph recognized that they were telegraphic in their import. Very -often, he knew, locomotives would sound a note or two, slow up just here -to take hands down to the roundhouse, but old Griscom seemed not only -calling some one, but calling fiercely and urgently, and adding a whole -volume of alarm warnings. - -Ralph kept on down the track and doubled his pace, determined now to -overtake the locomotive and learn the cause of all this rush and -commotion. - -As he neared 99, he discerned that the veteran engineer was hustling -tremendously. Usually impassive and exact when in charge of the superb -10.15, he was now a picture of almost irritable activity. - -Having thrown off his coat, he fired in some coal, impatiently gave the -whistle a further exercise, and leaning from the cab window yelled -lustily towards the group of houses beyond the embankment. - -Just as Ralph reached the end of the tender, he saw emerging from the -shaded path down the embankment a girl of twelve. He recognized her as -the daughter of jolly Sam Cooper, the fireman. - -She was breathless and pale, and she waved her hand up to the impatient -engineer with an agitated: - -"Was you calling pa, Mr. Griscom?" - -"Was I calling him!" growled the gruff old bear--"did he think I was -piping for the birds?" - -"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he can't come, he----" - -"He's got to come! It's life and death! Couldn't he tell it, when he -saw me on this crazy old wreck, and shoving up the gauge to bursting -point. Don't wait a second--he's got to come!" - -"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he's in bed, crippled. Ran into a scythe in the -garden, and his ankle is cut terrible. Mother's worried to death, and -he won't be able to take the regular run for days and days." - -Old Griscom stormed like a pirate. He glared down the tracks towards -the roundhouse. Then he shouted ferociously: - -"Tell Evans to come, then--not a minute to lose!" - -"Mr. Evans has gone for the doctor, for pa," answered the girl. - -Griscom nearly had a fit. He flung his big arms around as if he wanted -to smash something. He glanced at his watch, and slapped his hand on -the lever with an angry yell. - -"Can't go back for an extra!" Ralph heard him shout, "and what'll I do? -Rot the road! I'll try it alone, but----" - -He gave the lever a jerk, the wheels started up. Ralph thought he -understood the situation. He sprang to the step. - -"Get out--no junketing here--life and death--Hello, Fairbanks!" - -"Mr. Griscom," spoke Ralph, "what's the trouble?" - -"Trouble--the shops at Acton are on fire, not a locomotive within ten -miles, and all the transfer freight hemmed in." - -Ralph felt a thrill of interest and excitement. - -"Is that so?" he breathed. "I see--they need help?" - -"I guess so, and quick. Out of the way!" - -The old engineer hustled about the cab, set the machinery whizzing at -top-notch speed, and seized the fire shovel. - -"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, catching on by a sort of inspiration, "let -me--let me do that." - -"Eh--what----" - -Ralph drew the shovel from his unresisting hands. - -"You can't do both," he insisted--"you can't drive and fire. Just tell -me what to do." - -"Can you shovel coal?" - -"I can try." - -"Here, not that way--" as Ralph opened the furnace door in a clumsy -manner. "That's it, more--hustle, kid! That'll do. No talking, now." - -Griscom sprang to the cushion. For two minutes he was absorbed, looking -ahead, timing himself, reading the gauge, in a fume and sweat, like a -trained greyhound eager to strike the home stretch. - -Suddenly he ran his head and shoulders far past the window sill, and -uttered one of his characteristic alarm yells. - -"Rot the road!" he shouted. "No flags!" - -He reached over for the tool box, and slammed up its cover. He pawed -over a dozen or more soiled flags of different colors, snatched up two, -shook out their white folds, and then, as the speeding engine nearly -jumped the track at a switch, flopped back the lever. - -"Set them," he ordered. - -In his absorbed excitement he seemed to forget the dangerous mission he -was setting, for a novice, Ralph did not ask a question. He threw in -some coal, then taking the flags in one hand, he crept out through the -forward window. - -It was his first experience in that line. The swishing wind, the -teeter-like swaying of the engine, the driving hail of cinders, all -combined to daunt and confuse him, but he clung to the engine rail, -gained the pilot, set one flag in its socket, then with a stooping swing -the other, and felt his way back to the cab, flushed with satisfaction, -but glad to feel a safe footing once more. - -Griscom glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, with a growl that -might mean approbation or anything else. - -"Fire her up," he ordered. - -Ralph had little leisure during the twenty miles run that followed--he -did not know till afterwards that they covered it in exactly thirty -minutes, a remarkable record for old 99. - -As they whirled by stations he noticed a crowd at each. As they rounded -the last timbered curve to the south his glance took in a startling -sight just ahead of them. - -On a lower level stood the car shops. He could see the site in the near -distance like a person looking down from an observation tower. - -The setting sun made the west a glow of red. Against it were set the -shop yards in a yellow dazzle of flame. - -A broad sheet of fire ran in and out from building to building, fanned -by the fierce breeze. On twenty different tracks, winding about among -the structures, were as many freight trains. - -This was a general transfer point to a belt line tapping to the south. -Two of the engines from Stanley Junction were now rushing towards the -outer trains which the flames had not yet reached, to haul them out of -the way of the fire. No. 99 whizzed towards this network of rails, hot -on the heels of the third locomotive. - -The general scene beggared description. Crowds were rushing from the -residence settlement near by, an imperfect fire apparatus was at work, -and railroad hands were loading trucks with platform freight and carting -it to the nearest unexposed space. - -Ralph was panting and in a reek from his unusual exertions, but not a -bit tired. Griscom directed a critical glance at him, caught the -excited and determined sparkle in his eye, and said in a tone of -satisfaction: - -"You'll do--if you can stand it out." - -"Don't get anybody else, if I will do," said Ralph quickly. "I like -it." - -Griscom slowed up, shouted to a switchman ahead, using his hand for a -speaking trumpet, to set the rails for action. He took advantage of the -temporary stop to rake and sift the furnace, put things in trim in -expert fireman-like order, and turned to Ralph. - -"Now then," he said, "your work's plain--just keep her buzzing." - -A yard hand jumped to the pilot with a wave of his arm. Down a long -reach of tracks they ran, coupled to some twenty grain cars, backed, set -the switch for a safe siding, and came steaming forward for new action. - -Little old 99 seemed at times ready to drop to pieces, but she stood the -test bravely, braced, tugged and scolded terribly in every loose point -and knuckle, but within thirty minutes had conveyed over a hundred cars -out of any possible range of the fire. - -Ralph, at a momentary cessation of operations, wiped the grime and -perspiration from his baked face, to take a scan of the fire-swept area. - -A railroad official had come up to the engine, hailed Griscom, and -pointed directly into the heart of the flames to where, hemmed in a -narrow runway between the walls of two smoking buildings, were four -freight cars. - -"They'll be gone in five minutes," he observed. - -"I can reach them in two," announced Griscom tersely, setting his hand -to the lever. "Get a good man to couple--our share won't miss. Let her -go!" - -A brakeman, winding a coat around his head like a hood, and keeping one -end open, sprang to the cowcatcher, link and bar ready. - -Ralph shuddered as they ran into the mouth of the lane. It was choked -with smoke, burning cinders fell in showers on and under the cab. - -"Shove in the coal--shove in the coal!" roared Griscom, eyes ahead, -lever under a tensioned control. "Good for you!" he shouted to the -nervy brakeman as there was a bump and a snap. "Reverse. We've made -it!" - -A sweep of flame wreathed the pilot. The air was suffocating. Ralph -staggered at his work. As the locomotive reversed and drew quickly out -of that dangerous vortex of flame, the boy noticed that the last of the -four cars was blazing at the roof. - -"Just in time," he heard old Griscom chuckle. "Hot? Whew!" - -He set the wheels whirling on the fast backward spin, and stuck his head -out of the window to shout encouragingly to the huddled, smoking hero on -the pilot. - -They were passing a brick building, almost grazing its windows, just -then. Of a sudden a curl of smoke from one of these was succeeded by a -bursting roar, a leap of flame, and Ralph saw the old engineer enveloped -in a blazing cloud. - -An explosion had blown out the sash directly in his face. The glass, -shivered to a million tiny pieces, came against him like a sheet of -hail. - -Ralph saw him waver and sprang to his side. The engineer's face was cut -in a dozen places, and he had closed his eyes. - -"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, "are you hurt much?" - -"Keep her going," muttered the old hero hoarsely, straightening up, -"only, only--tell me." - -"You can't see?" breathed Ralph. - -"Do as I tell you," came the grim order. - -"Switch," said Ralph, in strained, subdued tones as they passed out of -the fire belt, ran forward, uncoupled, and sent the four cars down a -safe siding, the brakeman and a crowd running after it to extinguish the -burning roof of one of the freights. - -Ralph saw Griscom strain his sight and blink, and shift the locomotive -down a V, then to the next rails leading in among the burning buildings. - -He brought the panting little worker to a pause, asked Ralph to draw a -cup of water, brushed his face with his hand, and breathed heavily. - -"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you are badly hurt! You can't do anything -more, for there's only one car left on the last track, right in the nest -of the fire. Let me get somebody to help you where you can be attended -to." - -He placed a hand pleadingly on the engineer's arm. Old Griscom shook it -off in his gruff giant way. - -"What's that?" he asked. - -He turned his face towards the fire. Ralph looked too, in sudden -askance. A crowd surged towards two buildings, nearly consumed, between -which lay a single car. The firemen who had been playing a hose just -there dropped it, running for their lives. - -"Get back!" yelled one of them, as he passed the engine, "or you're gone -up. That's a powder car! We just found it out, and it's all ablaze!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI--THE MASTER MECHANIC - - -A man appearing to be a railway official shouted up an order to the -haggard engineer as he rushed by. - -"Get out of this--there's twenty tons of powder in that car!" - -Griscom dashed his hand across his eyes. He seemed to clear them -partially, and strained his gaze ahead and took in the meaning of the -scene, if not all its vivid outlines, and muttered: - -"If that stuff goes off, the whole yards are doomed." - -Ralph hung on the engineer's words and hovered at his elbow. - -"We had better get out of this, Mr. Griscom," he suggested. - -The engineer made a rough, impatient gesture with his arm, and then -pulled his young helper to the window. - -"Look sharp!" he ordered, - -"Yes, Mr. Griscom." - -"My--my eyes are pretty bad. When the smoke lifts--what's beyond the -car yonder?" - -"I can't make out exactly, but I think a clear track." - -"How's the furnace?" - -"Rushing." - -"All right. Now then, you jump off. I'm going to let her go." - -Ralph stared hard at the grim old veteran. He could see he was on the -verge of physical collapse, and he wondered if his mind was not -tottering too; his pertinacity had something weird and astonishing in -it. - -"Jump!" ordered Griscom, giving the lever a pull. - -Ralph did not budge. As he clearly read his companion's purpose, he -made up his mind to stick. - -The prospect was something awful, and yet, after the previous -experiences of that exciting half-hour, he had somehow become inured to -danger, and reckless of its risks. The excitement and wild, hustling -activity bore a certain stimulating fascination. - -With a leap 99 bounded forward at the magic touch of the old king of the -lever. It plunged headlong into a whirling vortex of smoke. - -A groaning yell went up from the fugitive crowds in the distance, as the -intrepid occupants, of the cab disappeared like lost spirits. - -Only for the shelter of the cab roof, they would have been deluged with -burning sparks. - -A tongue of flame took Griscom across the side of his face, and he -uttered an angry yell--it seemed to madden him that he could not see -clearly. Then as they struck the car they were making for with a heavy -thump, the shock and a spasm of weakness drove Griscom from the cushion, -and he slipped to the floor of the cab. - -Ralph's mind grasped the situation in all its details. He knew the -engineer's purpose, and he felt that it was incumbent on him to carry it -out if he could do so. He stepped over his recumbent companion, and -placed his hand on the lever. - -He could not now see ten feet ahead. They were in the very vortex of -the fire. Suddenly they shot into the clear, cool air, bracing as a -shower bath. - -The cab roof was smoking, the cab floor was paved with burning cinders, -and some oil waste was blazing back among the coal at the edge of the -tender. - -Ahead, the top and sides of the powder car were sheeted with flames, -which the swift forward movement drove back in shroud-like form. - -On the end of the car facing, the grim, black warning: "Powder! Danger!" -stared squarely and menacingly into the eye of the pilot front. - -Griscom struggled to his feet. He fell against Ralph. The latter -thought he was delirious, for his lips were moving, and his tortured -face working spasmodically. Finally he said weakly: "Put my hands on -the gearing. We're out of it?" - -"Yes, but the car is blazing." - -"What's ahead?" - -"Dead tracks for nearly a thousand feet." - -"And the dump pit beyond?" - -"It looks so," said Ralph, leaning from the window and glancing ahead -anxiously. "Yes, it's rusted rails clear up to what looks like a slough -hole, and no buildings beyond." - -He held his breath as Griscom pulled the momentum up another notch. This -last effort palsied the engineer, his fingers relaxed, and he slipped -again to the floor, nerveless but writhing. - -"Keep her going--full speed for five hundred feet," he panted. "Then -stop her." - -"Yes," breathed Ralph quickly. "Stop her--how," he projected, knowing -in a way, but wanting to be sure, for the sense of crisis was strong on -him, and the present was no time to make mistakes. Griscom's directions -came quick and clear, and Ralph obeyed every indication with promptness. - -Ninety-nine with its deadly pilot of destruction plunged ahead. Ralph -estimated distance. He threw himself upon the lever, and reversed. - -The wheels shivered to a sliding halt. He ran back rapidly five hundred -feet, slowed down, and half hung out of the window, white as a sheet and -limp as a rag. - -A glance towards the burning shops had shown the firemen back at their -work; the powder-car menace removed. Ralph, too, saw little crowds -rounding the shops, and making towards them. - -Then he fixed his eyes on the lone-speeding powder car. - -It had been thrown at full-tilt impetus, and drove away and ahead, a -living firebrand, reached the end of the rusted rails, ran off the -roadbed, tilted, careened, took a sliding header, and disappeared from -view. - -Even at the distance of a thousand feet Ralph could hear a prodigious -splash. A cascade of water shot up, and then a steamy smoke, and then -there lifted, torrent-like, house-high above the pit, a Vesuvius of -water, dirt, splinters and twisted pieces of iron. A reverberating -crash and the end had come! - -Griscom struggled to his feet. On his face there was a grimace meant -for a smile, and he chuckled: - -"We made it!" - -He managed with Ralph's help to get into the engineer's seat. - -"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you're in bad shape. We can't get back the -way we came, but if you could walk as far as the offices we might find a -doctor." - -"That's so, kid," nodded the old engineer, a little wearily. "I've got -to get this junk and glassware out of my eyes if I run the 10.15 -to-morrow." - -Soon the advance stragglers of the curious crowd from the shops drew -near. One little group was headed by a man of rather more imposing -appearance than the section men in his train. - -He was a big-faced individual who looked of uncertain temper, yet there -were force and power in his bearing. - -"Hello, there--that you, Griscom?" he sang out. - -The engineer blinked his troubled eyes, and nodded curtly. - -"It's what's left of me, Mr. Blake," he observed grimly. - -Ralph caught the name and recognized the speaker--he was the master -mechanic of the road. - -"They're going to get the fire under control, I guess," continued Blake. -"They wouldn't, though, if you hadn't got that car out of the way. Why, -you're hurt, man!" exclaimed the official, really concerned as he caught -a closer glimpse of the face of the engineer. - -"Oh, a little scratch." - -Ralph broke in. He hurriedly explained what had happened to the -engineer's eyes, while the nervy Griscom tried to make little of it. - -"Bring a truck out here," cried the master mechanic. "Why, man! you -can't stand up! This is serious." - -In about five minutes they had rolled a freight truck to the locomotive, -and in ten more Griscom was under charge of one of the road surgeons, -hastily summoned to a room in the yard office, where the sufferer was -taken. - -It took an hour to mend up the old veteran. It was lucky, the surgeon -told him, that soot and putty had mixed with the glass in the explosion -dose, or the patient would have been blinded for life. - -Griscom could see quite comfortably when he was turned over to the -master mechanic again, although his forehead was bandaged, and his -cheeks dotted here and there with little criss-cross patches of -sticking-plaster. - -Ralph, waiting outside, had been forced to tell the story of the daring -dash through the flames more than once to inquisitive railroad men. He -quite obliterated himself in the recital. - -The firemen had gained control of the flames, the exigency locomotives -had all been sent back to the city. The master mechanic stood -conversing with Griscom for a few moments after the latter left the -surgeon's hands, and then approached Ralph with him. It was dusk now. - -"We'll catch the 8.12, kid," announced Griscom. "That's him, Mr. -Blake," he added, pointing Ralph out to his companion. "He did it, and -I only helped him, and he's an all-around corker, I can tell you!" - -Griscom slapped Ralph on the shoulder emphatically. The master mechanic -looked at the youth grimly, yet with a glance not lacking real interest. - -"From the Junction?" he said. - -"Yes, sir." - -"What's the name?" - -"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks." - -"Oh," said the master mechanic quickly, as if he recognized the name. -"We'll remember you, Fairbanks. If I can do anything for you----" - -"You can, sir." The words were out of Ralph's mouth before he intended -it. "I want to learn railroading." - -"Learn!" chuckled Griscom--"why! the way you worked that lever----" - -"Which you needn't dwell on," interrupted the master mechanic, a harsh -disciplinarian on principle. "He had no right in your locomotive, I -suppose you know, and rules say you are liable for a lay off." - -Griscom kept on chuckling. - -"We'll forget that, though. Where do you want to start, Fairbanks?" - -"Right at the bottom, sir," answered Ralph modestly. - -"In the roundhouse?" - -"Yes, sir." - -The master mechanic drew a card from his pocket, wrote a few lines, and -handed it to Ralph. - -"Give that to Tim Forgan," he said simply. - -To Ralph, just then, he was the greatest man in the world--he who could -in ten words command the position that seemed to mean for him the -entrance into the grandest realm of industry, ambition and opulence. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--AT THE ROUNDHOUSE - - -Ralph Fairbanks came out of the little cottage next morning after -breakfast feeling bright as a dollar and happy as a lark. - -He realized that a new epoch had begun in his young existence, and he -stood fairly on the threshold of a fascinating experience. - -Yesterday seemed like a variegated dream, and To-Day full of -expectation, novelty and promise. - -His mother's anxiety the evening previous had given way to pride and -subdued affection, when he had appeared about ten o'clock after seeing -the engineer home, and had told her in detail the story of the most -eventful day of his life. - -If Mrs. Fairbanks felt a natural disappointment in seeing Ralph forego -the advantages of a finished education, she did not express it, for she -knew that the best ambitions of his soul had been aroused, and that his -loyal boyish nature had chosen a noble course. - -Ralph went down to the depot and bought a Springfield morning paper. It -contained a full account of the fire at the yards. It detailed the -destruction of the powder car, and Griscom came in for full meed of -praise. Ralph was not referred to, except as "the veteran engineer's -heroic helper." - -It did not take long, however, for Ralph to discover that word of mouth -had run ahead of telegraphic haste. - -He was hailed by a dozen acquaintances, including the depot master, the -watchman, express messenger and others, who made him flush and thrill -with pleasure as he guessed that old Griscom had managed to spread the -real news wholesale. - -"You're booked, sure!" declared More, giving his young favorite a hearty -slap on the shoulder. - -"Why, I imagine so myself," answered Ralph brightly, but thinking only -of the master mechanic's card in his pocket. - -"You're due for an interview with the president, you are," declared the -enthusiastic More. "Why, you two saved the company half a million. And -the pluck of it! Don't you be modest, kid. Hint for a good round -reward and a soft-snap life position." - -"All right," nodded Ralph gayly. "Only, I'll start at it where you told -me yesterday." - -"Eh?" - -"Yes--at the roundhouse." - -"Hold on, Fairbanks--circumstances alter cases----" - -"Not in this instance. Good-bye. I expect to be in working togs before -night, Mr. More." - -Ralph went down the tracks, leaving the agent staring studiously after -him. - -He had often been inside the roundhouse, but with genuine interest stood -looking about him for some minutes after stepping beyond the broad -entrance of that dome-like structure. - -Not much was doing at that especial hour of the morning. Three "dead" -locomotives stood in their stalls, all furbished up for later -employment. - -A lame helper was going over one, just arrived, with an oiled rag. - -In the little apartment known as the "dog house," a dozen men chatted, -snoozed, or were playing checkers--firemen, engineers and brakemen, -waiting for their run, or off duty and killing time. - -Ralph finally made for a box-like compartment built in one section of -the place. A man was sweeping it out. - -"Can you tell me where I will find the foreman?" he asked. - -"Oh, the boss?" - -"Yes, sir--Mr. Forgan." - -"You mean Tim. He's in the dog house, I guess. Was, last I saw of -him." - -Ralph went to the dog house. At a rough board nailed to the wall, and -answering for a desk, a big-shouldered, gruff-looking man of about fifty -was scanning the daily running sheet. - -Two of the loungers, firemen, knew Ralph slightly, and nodded to him. He -went up to one of them. - -"Is that Mr. Forgan?" he inquired in a low tone. - -"That's him," nodded the fireman--"and in his precious best temper this -morning, too!" - -Ralph approached the fierce-visaged master of his fate. - -"Mr. Forgan," he said. - -The foreman looked around at him, and scowled. - -"Well?" he growled out. - -"Could I see you for a moment," suggested Ralph, a trifle flustered at -the rude reception. - -"Take a good look. I'm here, ain't I?" - -Some of the idle listeners chuckled at this, and Ralph felt a trifle -embarrassed, and flushed up. - -"Yes, sir, and so am I," he said quietly--"on business. I wish to apply -for a position." - -"Oh, you do?" retorted the big foreman, running his eye contemptuously -over Ralph's neat dress. "Sort of floor-walker for visitors, or -brushing up the engineers' plug hats?" - -"I could do that, too," asserted Ralph, good-naturedly. - -"Well, you won't do much of anything here," retorted the foreman, "for -there's no job open, at present. If there was, we've had quite enough -of kids." - -Ralph wondered if this included Ike Slump. He had been surprised at not -finding that individual on duty. - -The foreman now unceremoniously turned his back on him. Ralph -hesitated, then torched Forgan on the arm. - -"Excuse me, sir," he said courteously, "but I was told to give you -this." - -Ralph extended the card given to him the evening previous by the master -mechanic. - -The foreman took it with a jerk, and read it with a frown. Ralph was -somewhat astonished as he traced the effect upon him of the simple note, -requesting, as he knew, that a place be made for him in the roundhouse. - -The innocent little screed put the foreman in a violent ferment. His -face grew angry and red, his throat throbbed, and his heavy jaw knotted -up in a pugnacious way. He turned and glared with positive dislike and -suspicion at Ralph, and the latter, quick to read faces, wondered why. - -Then the foreman re-read the card, as if to gain time to get control of -himself, and was so long silent that Ralph finally asked: - -"Is it all right, sir?" - -"Yes, it is!" snapped the foreman, turning on him like a mad bull. "I -suppose Blake knows his business; I've been sent all the pikers on the -line. Probably know what kind of material I want myself, though. Come -again to-morrow." - -"Ready for work?" asked Ralph, pressing his point. - -"Yes," came the surly reply. - -"What time, if you please, sir?" - -"Seven." - -"Thank you." - -The foreman turned from him with an angry grunt, and Ralph started to -leave. - -One of the firemen he knew winked at him, another made an animated -grimace at the surly boss. Ralph heard a third remark, in a low tone. - -"What a liking he's taken to him! He'll have a fierce run for his -money." - -"Yes, it'll be a full course of sprouts. You won't have a path of -flowers, kid." - -"I shan't come here to raise flowers," answered Ralph quietly. - -He trod the air as he left the roundhouse. The gruff, uncivil manner of -the foreman had not daunted him a whit. He had met all kinds of men in -his brief business experience, and he believed that honest, -conscientious endeavor could not fail to win both success and good will -in time. - -Ralph went back to his friend More, at the express shed, and told his -story. - -"You're booked, sure enough," admitted the agent, though a little -glumly. "I'd have struck higher." - -"It suits me, Mr. More," declared Ralph. "And now, I want your good -services of advice as to what I am expected to do, and what clothes I -need." - -Ralph left his friend, thoroughly posted as to his probable duties at -the roundhouse. The agent advised him to purchase a cheap pair of -jumpers, and wear old rough shoes and a thin pair of gloves the first -day or two. - -Ralph visited a dry-goods store, fitted himself out, and started for -home. - -He was absorbed in thinking and planning, and turning a corner thus -engrossed almost ran into a pedestrian. - -As he drew back and aside, a hand was suddenly thrust out and seized his -arm in a vise-like grip. - -"No, you don't!" sounded a strident voice. "I've got you at last, have -I?" - -In astonishment Ralph looked up, to recognize his self-announced captor. -It was Gasper Farrington. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE OLD FACTORY - - -Ralph pulled loose from the grasp of the crabbed old capitalist, fairly -indignant at the sudden onslaught. - -"Don't you run! don't you run!" cried Farrington, swinging his cane -threateningly. - -"And don't you dare to strike!" warned Ralph, with a glitter in his eye. -"I'd like to know, sir, what right you have stopping me on the public -street in this manner?" - -"It will be a warrant matter, if you aint careful!" retorted Farrington. - -"I can't imagine how." - -"Oh, can't you?" gibed Farrington, his plain animosity for Ralph showing -in his malicious old face. "Well, I'll show you." - -"I shall be glad to have you do so." - -"Do you see that building?" - -Farrington pointed across the baseball grounds at the edge of which they -stood, indicating the old unused factory. - -A light broke on Ralph's mind. - -"I own that building," announced Farrington, swelling up with -importance--"it's my property." - -"So I've heard." - -"A window was broken there and you broke it!" - -"I did," admitted Ralph. - -"Oho! you shamefacedly acknowledge it, do you? Malicious mischief, -young man--that's the phase of the law you're up against!" - -"It was an accident," said Ralph--"pure and simple." - -"Well, you'll stand for it." - -"I intend to. I made a note of it in my mind at the time, Mr. -Farrington, and if you had not said a word to me about it I should have -done the right thing." - -"What do you call the right thing?" - -"Replacing the light of glass, of course," was Ralph's reply. - -"Glad to see you've got some sense of decency about you. All right. -It'll cost you just a dollar and twenty-five cents. Hand over the -money, and I'll have my man fix it." - -Ralph laughed outright. - -"Hardly, Mr. Farrington," he said. "I can buy a pane of glass for -thirty-five cents, and put it in for nothing. I will take this bundle -home and attend to it at once." - -Farrington looked mad and disappointed at being outwitted in his attempt -to make three hundred per cent. However, if Ralph made good he could -find no fault with the proposition. He mumbled darkly and Ralph passed -on. Then a temptation he could not resist came to the boy, and turning -he remarked: - -"You'll be glad to know, perhaps, Mr. Farrington, that I have obtained -steady work." - -"Why should I be glad?" - -"Because you advised it, and because it will enable us to pay you your -interest promptly." - -"Humph!" Then with an eager expression of face Farrington asked: "What -are you going to work at?" - -"Railroading." - -"Very good--of course at the general offices at Springfield?" - -"Of course not. I start in at the roundhouse here, to-morrow." - -It was amazing how sour the magnate's face suddenly grew. Once more -Ralph wondered why this man was so anxious to get them out of Stanley -Junction. - -Ralph proceeded homewards. It warmed his heart to see how thoroughly -his mother entered into all his hopes and projects. She was soon busy -in her quick, sure way, sewing on more strongly the buttons of jumper -and overalls, and promised to have a neat light cap and working gloves -ready for him by nightfall. - -Ralph explained to her about the broken window, got a rule from his -father's old tool chest, and went over to the vacant factory. - -It was surrounded by a high fence, but at one place in seeking lost -balls members of the Criterion Club had partially removed a gate. Ralph -passed among the dbris littering the yard, and went around the place -until he found a door with a broken lock. - -He gained the inside and went up a rickety stairs. Swinging open a door -at their top, Ralph found himself in the compartment with the broken -window. - -The air was close and unwholesome, despite the orifice the baseball had -made. A broken skylight topped the center of the room, and a rain of -the previous night had dripped down unimpeded and soaked the flooring. - -"The ball must be here somewhere," mused Ralph. "There it is, but----" - -As he spied the ball about the center of the room, Ralph discerned -something else that sent a quick wave of concern across his nerves. - -He stood silent and spellbound. - -Upon the floor was a human being, so grimly stark and white, that death -was instantly suggested to Ralph's mind. - -His eyes, becoming accustomed to the half-veiled light filtered through -the dirt-crusted panes of the skylight, made out that the figure on the -floor was that of a boy. - -As he riveted his glance, Ralph further discovered that it was the same -boy he had met at the depot the morning previous--the mysterious -"dead-head" under the trucks of the 10.15 train. - -He lay upon the rough boards face upwards, his limbs stretched out -naturally, but stiff and useless-looking. - -The rain had soaked his garments, and he must have lain there at least -since last midnight. Ralph was shocked and uncertain. Then an abrupt -thought made him tremble and fear. - -The ball lay by the boy's side. Right above one temple was the dark -circular outline of a depression. - -It flashed like lightning through Ralph's mind that the stranger had -been struck by the ball. - -The theory forced itself upon him that in hiding from the pursuing depot -watchman, the stranger had sought refuge in the factory. - -He might have quite naturally needed a rest after his long and torturing -ride on truck and crossbar--he must have been in this room when Ralph -had swung the bat that had sent the baseball hurtling through the window -with the force of a cannon shot. - -"It is true--it is true!" breathed Ralph in a ghastly whisper, as the -full consequence of his innocent act burst upon his mind. - -He had to hold to a post to support himself, swaying there and looking -down at the cold, mute face, sick at heart, and his brain clouded with -dread. - -It must have been a full five minutes before he pulled himself together, -and tried to divest himself of the unnatural horror that palsied his -energies. - -He finally braced his nerves, and, advancing, knelt beside the prostrate -boy. - -Ralph placed his trembling hand inside the open coat, and let it rest -over the heart. His own throbbed loud and strong with hope and relief, -as under his finger tips there was a faint, faint fluttering. - -"He is alive--thank heaven for that!" cried Ralph fervently. - -He ran to the window. Through the broken pane he could view the -baseball grounds and the clubhouse beyond. - -Will Cheever was sitting outside of the house, and at a little distance -another member of the Criterions was exercising with a pair of Indian -clubs. - -Ralph tried to lift the lower sash, but it would not budge. - -He ripped out of place the loose side piece, and removed the sash -complete. - -"Will--boys!" he shouted loudly, "come--come quick!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX--AN UNEXPECTED GUEST - - -Ralph soon drew the attention of his friends, and in a few minutes Will -Cheever and his companion had made their way into the old factory. - -Both looked startled as they entered the room, and serious and anxious -as Ralph hurriedly told of his discovery and theory. - -"It looks as if you were right, Ralph," said Will as he looked closely -at the silent form on the floor. - -"Poor fellow!" commented Will's companion. "He must have been lying -here all alone--all through that storm, too---since yesterday -afternoon." - -"He isn't dead," announced Will, but still in an awed tone. "What are -you going to do, Ralph?" - -"We must get him out of here," answered Ralph. "If one of you could -bring the cot over from the clubhouse, we will carry him there." - -Will sped away on the mission indicated. When he returned, they -prepared to use the cot as a stretcher. The strange boy moved and -moaned slightly as they lifted him up, but did not open his eyes, and -lay perfectly motionless as they carefully carried him down the stairs, -across the ballfield, and into the clubhouse. - -There was a telephone there. Ralph hurriedly called up a young -physician, very friendly with the boys, and whose services they -occasionally required. - -He arrived in the course of the next fifteen minutes. He expressed -surprise at the wet and draggled condition of his patient, felt his -pulse, examined his heart, and sat back with his brows knitted in -thoughtfulness. - -"Who is he?" inquired the doctor. - -"I don't know," answered Ralph. "He is a stranger to Stanley Junction. -From his clothes, I should judge he is some poor fellow from the country -districts, who has seen hard work," and Ralph told about the first -sensational appearance of the stranger at the depot the morning before, -and the details of his accidental discovery an hour previous in the old -factory. - -"Your theory is probably correct, Fairbanks," said the young physician -gravely. "That blow on the head is undoubtedly the cause of his present -condition, and that baseball undoubtedly struck him down. Lying -neglected and insensible for twenty-four hours, and exposed to the -storm, has not helped things any." - -"But--is his condition dangerous?" inquired Ralph in a fluttering tone. - -"It is decidedly serious," answered the doctor. "There appears to be a -suspension of nerve activity, and I would say concussion of the brain. -The case puzzles me, however, for the general functions are normal." - -"Can't you do something to revive him?" inquired Will. - -"I shall try, but I fear returning sensibility will show serious damage -to the brain," said the doctor. - -He opened his pocket medicine case, and selecting a little phial, -prepared a few drops of its contents with water, and hypodermically -injected this into the patient's arm. - -In a few minutes the watchers observed a warm, healthy flush spread over -the white face and limp hands of the recumbent boy. His muscles -twitched. He moved, sighed, and became inert again, but seemed now -rather in a deep, natural sleep than in a comatose condition. - -The doctor watched his patient silently, seemingly satisfied with the -effects of his ministrations. - -After a while he took up another phial, held back one eyelid of the -sleeper with forefinger and thumb, and let a few drops enter the eye of -the sleeper. - -The patient shot up one hand as if a hot cinder had struck his eyeball. -He rubbed the afflicted optic, gasped, squirmed, and came half-upright -en one arm. Both eyes opened, one blinking as though smarting with -pain. - -He wavered so weakly that Ralph braced an arm behind to support him. - -"Steady now!" said the doctor, touching his patient with a prodding -finger to attract his attention. "Who are you, my friend?" - -The boy stared blankly at him as he caught the sound of his voice, and -then at the three boys. He did not smile, and there was a peculiarly -vacant expression on his face. - -Then he moved his lips as if his throat was parched and stiff, and said -huskily: - -"Hungry." - -The doctor shrugged his shoulders, puzzled and amused. Ralph himself -half-smiled. The demand was so distinctively human it cheered him. - -The patient kept looking around as if expecting food to be brought to -him. The young physician studied him silently. Then he projected half -a dozen quick, sharp questions. His patient did not even appear to hear -him. He looked reproachfully about him, and again spoke: - -"Fried perch would be pretty good!" - -"He must be about half-starved, poor fellow!" observed Will. "Doctor, -he acts all right, only desperately hungry. Maybe a good square meal -will fix him out all right?" - -The doctor moved towards the door, and beckoned Ralph there. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "this is a serious matter--no, no, I don't mean -the fact that the baseball did the damage," he explained hurriedly, as -he saw Ralph's face grow pale and troubled. "That was an accident, and -something you could not foresee. I mean that this poor fellow is, for -the present at least, helpless as a child." - -"Doctor," quavered Ralph, "you don't mean his mind is gone." - -"I fear it is." - -"Oh, don't say that! don't say that!" pleaded Ralph, falling against the -door post and covering his face with his hands. - -He was genuinely distressed. All the brightness of his good luck and -prospects seemed dashed out. He could not divest his mind of a certain -responsibility for the condition of the poor fellow on the cot, whose -usefulness in life had been cut short by an accidental "lost ball." - -"Don't be overcome--it isn't like you, Fairbanks," chided the doctor -gently. "I know you feel badly--we all do. Let us get at the practical -end of this business without delay. We had better get the patient -removed to the hospital, first thing." - -"No!" interrupted Ralph quickly, "not that, doctor--that is, anyway not -yet." - -"He needs skillful attention." - -"He's needing some hash just now!" put in Will Cheever, approaching, his -face, despite himself, on a grin. "Hear him!" - -The stranger was certainly sticking to his point. "Hash with lots of -onions in it!" they heard him call out. - -"Will it hurt him to eat, doctor?" inquired Ralph. - -"Not a bit of it. In fact, except to feed him and watch, I don't see -that he needs anything. You can't splint a brain shock as you can a -broken finger, or poultice a skull depression as you would a bruise. -There's simply something mental gone out of the boy's life that science -cannot put in again. There is this hope, though: that when the physical -shock has fully passed, something may develop for the better." - -"You mean to-day, to-morrow----" - -"Oh, no--weeks, maybe months." - -Ralph looked disheartened, but the next moment his face took upon it a -look of resolution always adopted when he fully made up his mind to -anything. - -"Very well," he said, "he must be taken to our house." - -With the doctor Ralph was a rare favorite, and his face showed that he -read and appreciated the kindly spirit that prompted the young -railroader's action. He placed his hand in a friendly way on his -shoulder. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "you're a good kind, and do credit to yourself, -but I fear you are in no shape to take such a burden on your young -shoulders." - -"It is my burden," said Ralph firmly, "whose else's? Why, doctor! if I -let that poor fellow go to the hospital, among utter strangers, handed -down the line you don't know where--poorhouse, asylum, and pauper's -grave maybe, it would haunt me! No, I feel I am responsible for his -condition, and I intend to take care of him, at least until something -better for him turns up. Help me, boys." - -"I'll drop in to see him again, at your house," said the doctor. "I -don't think he will make you any trouble in the way of violence, or -that, but you had better keep a constant eye on him." - -Ralph thought a good deal on the way to the cottage. He felt that he -was doing the right thing, and knew that his mother would not demur to -the arrangements he had formulated. - -Mrs. Fairbanks not only did not demur, but when she was made aware of -the particulars, sustained Ralph in his resolution. - -"Poor fellow!" she said sympathetically. "The first thing he needs is a -warm bath, and we might find some dry clothes for him, Ralph." - -The widow bustled about to do her share in making the unexpected guest -comfortable. Will Cheever and his companion felt in duty bound to lend -a helping hand to Ralph. - -They had put the cot in the middle of the kitchen, and quiet now, but -with wide-open eyes, its occupant watched them as they hurriedly got out -a tub and put some water to heat on the cook stove. - -"Swim," said the stranger, only once, and was content thereafter to -watch operations silently. - -"He's got dandy muscles--built like a giant!" commented Will, as half an -hour later they carried the boy into the neat, cool sitting room, and -lodged him among cushions in an easy-chair. - -Meantime, Mrs. Fairbanks had not been idle. She had prepared an -appetizing lunch. The stranger looked supremely happy as Ralph appeared -with a tray of viands. He ate with the zest of a growing, healthy boy, -and when he had ended sank back among the cushions and fell into a calm, -profound sleep. - -"Ralph Fairbanks, you're a brick!" said Will. "He don't look much like -the half-drowned, half-starved rat he was when you picked him up." - -"Knocked him down, you mean!" said Ralph, with a sigh. "Well, mother, -we'll do what we can for him." - -"We will do for him just what I pray some one might do for my boy, -should such misfortune ever become his lot," said the widow tremulously. -"He looks like a hard-working, honest boy, I only hope he may come out -of his daze in time. If not, we will do our duty--what we might think a -burden may be a blessing in disguise." - -"You're always 'casting bread on the waters,' Mrs. Fairbanks!" declared -Will, in his crisp, offhand way. - -To return after many days--light-headed, light-hearted Will Cheever! -There are incidents in every boy's life which are the connecting links -with all the unknown future, and for Ralph Fairbanks, although he little -dreamed it, this was one of them. - - - - -CHAPTER X--THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER - - -Will and his friend offered to attend to the broken window in the old -factory for Ralph, and the latter was glad to accept the tendered -service. - -He gave them the price of glass and putty, and a blunt case knife, told -them they would find his rule under the window, and as they departed -felt assured they would attend to the matter with promptness and -dispatch. - -Ralph had something on his mind that he felt he could best carry out -alone, and after their departure he left his mother quietly sewing in -her rocking chair to watch their placidly slumbering guest. - -"The boy is a stranger here, of course," Ralph ruminated. "Where did he -come from? I hope I will find something among his belongings that will -tell." - -They were poor belongings, and now hung across a clothes line in the -back yard, drying in the warm sunshine. - -The coat and trousers were of coarse material, clumsily patched here and -there as if by a novice, and Ralph decided did not bear that certain -unmistakable trace that tells of home or motherly care. - -In the trousers pocket Ralph found a coil of string, a blunt bladed -pocket knife, and a hunk of linen thread with a couple of needles stuck -in it--this was all. - -The coat contained not a single clew as to the identity of the stranger, -not a hint of his regular place of residence, whence he had come or -whither he was going. - -It held but one object--a letter which the boy when pursued by the depot -guardians had shown to Ralph the morning previous, and which at that -time with considerable astonishment Ralph had observed bore the -superscription: "Mr. John Fairbanks." - -He had thought of the letter and wondered at its existence, the possible -sender, the singular messenger, a score of times since he had attempted -to take it from the dead-head passenger of the 10.15. - -Now he held it in his grasp, but Ralph handled it gingerly. The -envelope was soaking wet, just as was the coat and the pocket he had -taken it from. As he removed it from its resting place he observed that -the poor ink of the superscription had run, and the letters of the -address were faded and fast disappearing. - -To open it with any hope of removing its contents intact in its present -condition was clearly impossible. Ralph held it carefully against the -sunlight. Its envelope was thin, and he saw dark patches and blurs -inside, indicating that the writing there had run also. - -"I had better let it dry before I attempt to open it," decided Ralph, -and he placed it on a smooth board near the well in the full focus of -the bright sunshine. - -A good deal hinged on that letter, he told himself. It would at all -events settle the identity of his dead father's correspondent, again it -would divulge who it was that had sent the letter and the messenger, and -thus the unfortunate's friends could be found. It would take a little -time to dry out the soggy envelope, and Ralph paced about the garden -paths, whistling softly to himself and thinking hard over the queer -happenings of the past twenty-four hours. - -As he passed the window of the little sitting room, he tiptoed the -gravel path up to it and glanced in. - -His mother still sat in the rocker, but she had fallen into a slight -doze, and her sewing lay idle in her lap. Ralph, transferring his gaze -to the armchair where they had so comfortably bestowed the invalid, -fairly started with astonishment. - -"Why, he isn't there!" breathed Ralph in some alarm, and ran around to -the entrance by the kitchen door. - -At its threshold Ralph paused, enchained by the unexpected picture there -disclosed to his view. - -The injured boy stood at the sink. He had found and tied about his -waist a work apron belonging to Mrs. Fairbanks. Before him was the -dishpan half-full of water, and he had washed and wiped neatly and -quickly the dishes from the tray. - -He arranged the various articles in their respective drawers and -shelves, stood back viewing them with satisfaction, removed the apron, -carefully hung it up, and went to the open back door leading into the -wood shed. - -Ralph's alarm for fear that his guest had wandered off or might do -himself a mischief, gave place to pleased interest. - -It looked as if the strange boy had been used to some methodical -features of domestic life, and habit was fitting him readily and -comfortably into the groove in which he found himself. - -Ralph decided that he would not startle or disturb the stranger, but -would watch to see what he did next. - -The boy glanced towards the wood box behind the cook stove. In the -hurry of the past twenty-four hours Ralph had not found time to keep it -as well filled as usual. - -His guest evidently observed this, went into the wood shed, seated -himself on the chopping log, and seizing the short handled ax there, -began chopping the sawed lengths piled near at hand with a pleased, -hearty good will. - -Mrs. Fairbanks, disturbed by the sound of chopping, had awakened, and -with some trepidation came hurrying from the sitting room, anxiously -seeking to learn what had become of their guest. - -Ralph motioned her to silence, his finger on his lip, and pointed -significantly through the open rear doorway. - -A pathetic sympathy crossed the widow's face and the tears came into her -eyes. Ralph left her to keep an unobtrusive watch on their guest, and -returning to the well, found the envelope he had left there pretty well -dried out. - -He carefully removed the envelope, and placed it in his pocket. Then he -as carefully unfolded the sheet within. - -An expression of dismay crossed his face. The inside screed had not -been written in ink, but with a soft purple lead pencil. This the rain -had affected even more than it had the envelope in which it had been -enclosed. - -At first sight the missive was an indecipherable blur, but scanning it -more closely, Ralph gained some faint hope that he might make out at -least a part of its contents. - -He had a magnifying glass in his workroom in the attic, and he went -there for it. For nearly an hour Ralph pored over the sheet of paper -which he held in his hand. - -His face was a study as he came downstairs again, and sought his mother. - -She sat near the doorway between the kitchen and the sitting room, where -she could keep sight of their guest. - -The invalid was seated on the door step of the wood shed shelling a pan -of peas, as happy and contented a mortal as one would see in a day's -journey. - -"He is a good boy," said the widow softly to Ralph, "and winsome with -his gentle, easy ways. He seems to delight in occupation. What is it, -Ralph?" she added, as she noted the serious, preoccupied look on her -son's face. - -"It is about the letter, mother," explained Ralph. "I told you partly -about it. It was certainly directed to father, and some one employed or -sent this boy to deliver it." - -"Who was it, Ralph?" inquired Mrs. Fairbanks. - -"That I can not tell." - -"Was it not signed?" - -"It was once, but the upper fold and the lower fold of the sheet are a -perfect blur. I have been able to make out a few words here and there -in the center portion, but they tell nothing coherently." - -Mrs. Fairbanks looked disappointed. - -"That is unfortunate, Ralph," she said. "I hoped it would give some -token of this boy's home or friends. But probably, when he does not -return, and no answer comes to that letter, the writer will send another -letter by mail." - -"The boy may have been only incidentally employed to deliver it," -suggested Ralph, "and not particularly known to the sender at all." - -"I can not imagine who would be writing to your dead father," said Mrs. -Fairbanks thoughtfully. "It can scarcely be of much importance." - -"Mother," said Ralph, with an emphasis that impressed the widow, "I am -satisfied this letter was of unusual importance--so much so that a -special messenger was employed, and that is what puzzles me. A line in -it was plainly 'your railroad bonds,' another as plainly refers to 'the -mortgage,' the last word heads like 'Farewell,' and there is something -that looks very much like: 'to get even with that old schemer, Gasper -Farrington.'" - -The widow started violently. - -"Why, Ralph!" she exclaimed. - -"Yes, mother. We may never know more than this. It is all a strange -proceeding, but if that poor fellow out yonder could tell all he knows, -I believe it would surprise and enlighten us very much, and in a way -greatly for our benefit." - -"Then we must wait with patience, and hope with courage," said Mrs. -Fairbanks calmly. - -Ralph felt all that he said. He could not get the letter out of his -mind that evening. - -They fitted up a little spare room off the dining room for their guest. -He went quietly to bed when they led him there, after enjoying a good, -supper, never speaking a word, never smiling, but with a pleased nod -betokening that he appreciated every little kindness they showed him. - -The next morning Ralph Fairbanks went to work at the roundhouse. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--ON DUTY - - -Ralph cut across lots on his way to the roundhouse. He was not one whit -ashamed to be seen wearing a working cap and carrying a dinner pail and -the bundle under his arm, but cap, pail and overalls were distressingly -new and conspicuous, and he was something like a boy in his first Sunday -suit and wondering if it fitted right, and how the public took it. - -It was too early to meet any of his school friends, but crossing a -street to take the tracks he was hailed volubly. - -Ralph did not halt. His challenger was Grif Farrington, his arm linked -in that of a chum whom Ralph did not know, both smoking cigarettes, and -both showing the rollicking mood of young would-be sports who wished it -to be believed they had been making a night of it, and thinking it -smart. - -"What's the uniform, Fairbanks?" cried Grif, affecting a critical -stare--"going fishing? Is that a bait box?" - -"Not a bit of it. It's my dinner pail, and I'm going to work, at the -roundhouse." - -"Chump!" - -"Oh, I guess not." - -"Double-distilled! Make more money going on the circuit with the club. -Personally guarantee you ten dollars a week. Got scads of money, me and -the old man. Sorry," commented Grif in a solemn manner, as Ralph -continued on his way unheeding. "Poor, but knows how to bat. Pity to -see a fellow go wrong that way, eh?" he asked his companion. - -Ralph laughed to himself, and braced up proudly. Between idle, -dissolute Grif Farrington and himself he could see no room for -comparison. - -Some sleepy loungers were in the dog house, and a fireman was running -his engine to its stall. Ralph went over to the lame helper he had seen -the day previous. - -"I'm to begin work here to-day, I was told," he said. "Can you start me -in?" - -"I'm not the boss." - -"I know that, but couldn't you show me the ropes before the others -come?" - -"Why, there's an empty locker for your traps," said the man. "When the -foreman comes, he'll tell you what your duties are." - -"No harm putting in the time usefully, I suppose?" insinuated Ralph. - -"I suppose not," answered the taciturn helper. He seemed a sickly, -spiritless creature, whom misfortune or a naturally crabbed temper had -warped clear out of gear. - -Ralph stowed his dinner pail in the locker, slipped on overalls and -jumper and an old pair of shoes, and placed the fingerless gloves he had -prepared in a convenient pocket. - -The lame helper had disappeared. Ralph noticed that the place needed -sweeping. He went to where the brooms stood, selected one, and started -in at his voluntary task. - -He felt he was doing something to improve the looks of things, and -worked with a will. He had made the greasy boards look quite spick and -smooth, and was whistling cheerily at his work, when a gruff growl -caused him to look up. - -The foreman, Tim Forgan, confronted him with a lowering, suspicious -brow. - -"Who told you to do that?" he demanded sharply. - -"Why, nobody," answered Ralph. "I like to keep busy, that's all. No -harm, I hope?" - -"Yes, there is!" snapped Forgan. Ralph surprisedly wondered why this -man seemed determined to be at odds with him. He had not fallen in with -very cheerful or elevating company. Forgan continued to regard him with -an evil eye. - -"See here," he said roughly, "I'll have discipline here, and I'll be -boss. I'll give you your duties, and if you step over the line, get -out. This isn't a playroom, as you'll probably find out before you've -been here long." - -Ralph thought it best to maintain silence. - -"You take that box and can yonder, and go to the supply and oil sheds -and get some waste and grease. Slump will be here soon, take your -orders from him for to-day." - -Ralph bowed politely and understandingly. - -"I'll tell you another thing," went on Forgan harshly. "Don't you get -to knowing too much, or talking about it. I'll have no spying around my -affairs." - -Ralph was astonished. He tried to catch the keynote of the foreman's -plaint. Suspicion seemed the incentive of his anger, and yet Ralph -could trace no reason for it. - -An open doorway led from one side of the roundhouse. Ralph picked up a -heavy sheet-iron pail and a tin box with a handle. Just then the helper -came into view. - -"Where do I go for oil and waste?" asked Ralph. - -The helper surlily pointed through the doorway. Ralph found himself in -a bricked-in passage, slippery with oil, and leading to a narrow yard. -On one side was a row of sheds, whose interior comprised bins for boxes -filled with all kinds of metal fittings. On the other side were like -sheds, full of cans, pails and barrels. From here some men were -conveying barrow loads of pails and cans filled with oil and grease, and -Ralph went to an open door. - -Inside was a grimy, greasy fellow marking something on a card tacked to -the wall. Ralph told him who he was, got both receptacles filled, and -went back to the roundhouse. - -He sat down on a bench and watched a fireman go through the finishing -touches on his engine which put it "to sleep." The last whistle -sounded, and in through the doorway came Ike Slump. - -The latter was a wiry, elfish fellow, usually very volatile and active. -On this especial morning, however, he looked ugly, depressed and wicked. -He went over to his locker, threw in his dinner pail, put on a pair of -overalls, and for the first time observed Ralph. - -"Hello!" he ejaculated, taking a step backward, hunching his shoulders, -showing his teeth, and lurching forward much with the pose of a prize -fighter descending on an easy victim. - -"Good-morning, Ike," said Ralph pleasantly. - -Ike Slump indulged in a vicious snarl. - -"Morning nothing!" he snapped. "What you doing here?" - -"I'm going to work here." - -"Who says so?" - -"The foreman." - -"When?" - -"Yesterday, and ten minutes ago. In fact, I am waiting to begin under -your directions, as he ordered." - -"Oh, you are!" muttered Ike darkly, and in hissing long-drawn-out -accents. "That's your lay, is it? Well, say, do you see those?" - -Ike glanced keenly about him. Then advancing, he strutted up to Ralph, -bunched one set of coarse, dirty knuckles, and rested them squarely on -Ralph's nose. - -Ralph did not budge for a second or two. When he did, it was with -infinite unconcern and the remark: - -"Yes, I see them, and a little soap and water wouldn't hurt them any." - -"Say! do you want to insult me? say! are you spoiling for a fight? -say----" - -"Keep a little farther away, please," suggested Ralph, putting out one -of those superbly-rounded, magnificently-formed arms of his, which sent -the bullying Ike back, stiff and helpless as if he was at the end of an -iron rod. - -"Say----" Ike began on his war dance again. "This is too much!" Then -he subsided as he noticed the foreman cross the roundhouse. "No chance -now, but to-night, after work, we'll settle this!" - -"Just as you like, Ike," assented Ralph accommodatingly--"only, drop it -long enough just now to start me in at my duties, or we'll both have Mr. -Forgan in our hair." - -Ike unclinched his fists, but he continued to growl and grumble to -himself. - -"A nice sneak you are!" Ralph made out. "Thought you'd be smart! Gave -away my tip, didn't you?" - -"See here, Ike, what do you mean?" - -"I mean I told you I was going to leave, and you promised to hang around -and come on deck when I'd had my pay." - -"The way things turned out," said Ralph, "there was no occasion for -that." - -"You bet there wasn't! You just sneaked the word to Forgan -double-quick, he told the old man, and I got a walloping, locked up on -bread and water yesterday, and all my plans scattered about leaving. You -bet I'll cut the job just the same, though!" declared Ike, with a -vicious snap of his jaws. "Only, you gave me away, and I'm going to pay -you off for it." - -"Ike, you are very much mistaken." - -"Yah!" - -"I never mentioned what you told me to any one." - -"Cut it out! We'll settle that to-night. Now you get to work." - -Ralph at last understood the situation, but he saw the futility of -attempting to convince his obstinate companion of his error. - -Besides, the foreman in the distance was watching him from the corner of -one eye, and Ike thought it best to apply himself to business. - -"You just watch me for an hour or two," he bolted out grudgingly. - -Ralph did not spend a happy forenoon. Ike was sullen, grumpy and -savage. - -He made his helper hold the grease pail when it was unnecessary, till -Ralph's arms were stiff, dropping splotches of oil on his shoes. He let -the exhaust deluge him, as if by accident, and refused to engage in any -general conversation, nursing his wrath the meantime. - -He knew how to clean up an engine, although, Ralph divined, in the most -slipshod and easiest way that would pass inspection. Ralph was learning -something, however, and was patient under the slights Ike put upon him -from time to time. - -About eleven o'clock there was a lull in active work. - -Mr. Ike Slump lounged on the bench, indulging in a smoke and trying to -look important and dangerous, both at once. Then, as if casually, he -began kneading a fat, juicy ball of waste and grease, poked it under the -bench, and said to Ralph: - -"There's two switch engines coming in. You can take one of them, and -see if you know how to handle it." - -"I'll try," announced Ralph. - -"When you come to the bell, give her a good, hard rubbing. They'll give -you some sand at the supply shed." - -"Sand?" repeated Ralph vaguely. - -"Sure. Dump it in with the grease in the little pail, and don't fail to -slap it on thick and plenty." - -Ralph said nothing. He started for the passageway with more thoughts -than one in his mind. As he shot a quick glance back of him, he -observed Ike leap from the bench, poke out the grease ball, palm it, and -disappear from his range of vision. - -Ralph went to the supply shed and got a can full of sand. Then he -started back the way he had come. - -As he did so, he observed the foreman turn into the passage in front of -him. - -Ralph was due to pass by him, for the foreman was pursuing his way at a -leisurely gait, but Ralph did nothing of the sort. - -He guessed considerable and anticipated more from the recent suspicious -movements of his temporary master, and smiled slightly, allowing the -foreman to precede him. - -As Tim Forgan stepped through the doorway leading into the roundhouse, -that happened which Ralph Fairbanks had foreseen. - -His enemy, lying in wait there to "christen" his new work suit as he had -threatened, let drive, never doubting but that the approaching footsteps -were those of Ralph. - -With a dripping swush the ball of waste and grease cut through the air -and took the roundhouse foreman squarely in the face. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--IKE SLUMP'S REVENGE - - -The roundhouse foreman staggered back with a gasp. - -The oil splattered over his face, neck and chest, the waste separated -and dropped down inside his vest. - -Then, astonished, Forgan dashed the blinding grease from his eyes, ran -forward, took a stare in every direction, and doubled his pace with a -roar like a maddened bull. - -"You imp of Satan!" he yelled. - -He had detected Ike Slump, unmistakably the culprit. With agile -springs, fairly terrified at his mistake, Ike had taken to flight. - -In his haste he tripped over a rail. His pursuer pounced down on him -before he could get up, snatched him up with one hand by the collar, -grabbed half a loose box cover with another, dragged him into the little -office, banged the door shut with his foot, and the work of retribution -began. - -The men in the dog house had been attracted by the turmoil. Now they -stood gazing at the closed office door. - -A grin ran the rounds, as from within escaped sounds unmistakably -connected with the box cover, mingled with the frantic yells of Ike -Slump. - -"That kid's been spoiling for just this for some time," observed a -gray-bearded engineer. - -"Has he?" echoed an extra--"well, just! He's been the bane of Forgan's -life ever since he came here. The boss had to keep him because Ike's -father is a crony, but he's getting real enjoyment for the privilege!" - -There was nothing malicious in Ralph's nature, but he felt that Ike -Slump deserved a lesson. Ralph proceeded calmly on his way as though -nothing had happened, carried his can of sand over to the bench, mixed -it well in one of the small oil pails, took up the other and some waste, -and went over to one of the two switch engines that had just come in. - -They stood on adjacent tracks, not yet run to stall. Ralph began his -first task as a real wiper. He had watched Ike carefully, and it was no -trick at all to follow in his mechanical groove, and much improve his -system, besides. - -Ralph was busy on the bell as the door of foreman's office was thrust -open. - -Ike Slump was as quickly thrust out. He was blubbering, limp, and -smarting with pain. - -Forgan was red-faced and panting from his exertions. - -"Now then," he said, "you get to work, or get out and home to your -father, just as you like." - -"He'll kill me if I do!" came from Ike. - -"He ought to. Hustle there, now!" - -Ike went to the bench, picked up the grease pail, and climbed to the -cabin of the other switch engine. - -He cast an angry glance at Ralph. - -"Played it smart, didn't you!" he snarled. - -"You shouldn't complain," answered Ralph calmly. - -"Wait till to-night!" - -"I'm waiting," tranquilly rejoined Ralph, poising back to view about as -fine a shimmer to the bell he was working on as oil and waste and elbow -grease could produce. - -Meantime, Ike had blindly, savagely slapped a coat of grease on the bell -opposite. - -A yell went up from his wrathful lips as he applied the waste. - -He nearly had a fit and if he could have found a loose missile he would -doubtless have thrown it at Ralph. - -"Confound you!" he hissed. "Oh, I'll get you yet!" - -"I'm here," said Ralph. "What's up. You said sand was good for the -bell. Is it?" - -"Say, you wait! oh, say, you wait!" foamed Ike. - -Both worked their way simultaneously into the cabs, the upper wiping -done. Ralph watched his fellow-worker. The locomotives had been -dumped, but there was still enough steam to run them to bed. - -"Soon as I run her in," announced Ike malevolently across the two-foot -space between the engines, "I'm going to jump my job." - -Ralph said nothing. Ike had put his hand on the lever, intending -evidently to slow back the locomotive to its stall. Ralph was expected -to do the same with the other engine. - -"But I'll be laying for you at quitting time, and with the bunch, don't -you forget it!" supplemented Ike. - -Ralph gave the lever a touch, the wheels started, but instantly he shut -off steam. - -Glancing sideways and out through the open front of the roundhouse, his -eyes met a sight that would have paralyzed some people, but which acted -on his impetuous nature like a shock of electricity. - -With one leap he cleared the cab, in two springs he had reached the -doorway. The startled Ike Slump saw him disappear behind the -locomotive. His bead-like eyes glowed. - -Now was his chance. Leaning over between the two locomotives, he -touched the lever Ralph had just shut off. The locomotive started -towards its stall. - -Directing his own forward, it went on its diverging course at routine -slow speed. - -This cleared the view from doghouse and office. At that moment the -foreman's strident tones belched out: - -"Stop her! Where's the wiper?" - -All eyes saw that the second locomotive was not manned. Some had -witnessed Ralph's sensational disappearance. - -Three or four made a run for the unguided locomotive. The foremost of -the group sprang into the cab just as the tender struck the circular -outer wall of the roundhouse. - -He halted the engine, but not until the tender had smashed a hole out to -daylight, taking one big window upon its back, and buried the rails -under half a ton of brick and mortar. - -Ike Slump descended from his locomotive serene as summer skies, as -Forgan rushed up to the scene. - -"Where's the smart-Aleck that did that!" roared the foreman. - -He was fairly distracted with the accumulating disturbances of the hour. - -"Dunno. Got scared at hearing the steam hiss, I guess, and run for it," -said Ike. - -Tim Forgan paced up and down the planks, a smoldering volcano of wrath. - -"There he is now," piped Ike, hugging himself with delight, as he -considered that he had turned the tables on Ralph. - -The foreman dashed towards the entrance of the roundhouse. Sure enough, -Ralph had come into view. - -Half a dozen persons were straggling after him, and some unusual -commotion was evidently rife among them, but the infuriated roundhouse -foreman at the moment had eyes only for the object of his rage. - -Ralph's face was as white as chalk, he was out of breath, one arm of his -jacket was torn away, and from the elbow to the finger tips there was a -long, bleeding scratch. - -The foreman ran up to him, and almost jerked him off his feet as he -caught him by the arm. - -"You young blunderer!" he roared--"look at your work! Five hundred -dollars damage!" - -Ralph seemed in an uncomprehending daze and failed to take in the -wrathful sweep of Forgan's arm towards the dismantled wall. - -"I'll give you the same dose I gave that young imp, Slump!" shouted -Forgan, losing all control of himself. - -He began to drag Ralph towards the office. The latter had acted as if -about to faint! Now his senses seemed to arouse abruptly. - -Ralph braced back. His eyes swept the crowd about him. He caught sight -of Ike Slump's gloating face, and beyond him the wrecked wall. - -"Wait!" he said faintly, and then with more firmness of tone: "Stop! -what do you accuse me of?" - -"Accuse you of?" roared the foreman. "Hear him! I suppose you pretend -not to see your work. Look at that wall, look at that engine----" - -"I didn't do it," declared Ralph positively, catching on for the first -time. - -"Oh, I won't listen to such rot!" fumed Forgan. "You get out good and -quick, but I'll give you something to remember it by before you do." - -"Stop!" again spoke Ralph, and this time it was a command. "You are -accusing me of something I know nothing about, Mr. Forgan. Let go my -arm." - -"Why, you impudent young jackanapes! I'll lick the daylight out of you -now, just to drive some truth into you!" - -"Don't you dare to touch me!" cried Ralph. He was fully aroused now. -The natural glitter had returned to his eye, and with a quick move he -jerked free from the grasp of the foreman, powerful as it was. "I allow -no man to punish me for what I did not do, and this is a place where we -stand as man to man." - -The foreman had been surprised at Ralph's exhibition of genuine -strength, but that manifestation had only served to increase his rage. - -In positive fury he posed for a savage spring at Ralph. The latter put -both hands on the defensive. His lips were firmly compressed. He did -not wish to imperil his position by fighting with a superior, but he was -determined to stand on his rights. - -At that moment, in advance of the pressing crowd outside, big Denny -Sloan, the yard watchman, came into view. - -"Drop that, Tim Forgan!" he ordered quickly. "Don't touch that boy, or -you'll be sorry for it to your dying day!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--MAKING HIS WAY - - -Big Denny confronted the roundhouse foreman, an obstructing block in his -path. He was one of the heaviest men in the service, built like an ox, -and immensely good-natured. - -Just now, however, he was also immensely excited and serious, and the -crowd stared at him curiously, and at Forgan in an astonished way. - -"This is none of your business. Don't you interfere, don't you try to -shield that miserable blunderer!" shouted the foreman. - -"Hold on, Tim," advised the watchman, putting out his big arm, and -abruptly checking Forgan in a forward dash. - -"Do you know what he's done!" howled Forgan. - -"Do you?" - -"Do I----" - -"I guess you don't, Tim," said Big Denny quietly. "Just you cool down. -This way, boys," called the watchman into the crowd at his heels. "Keep -cool, Tim--there's no harm done, but there might have been if Fairbanks -here wasn't quicker than lightning, and a brave young hero, besides!" - -The crowd parted, a switchman came into view. He carried in his arms, -white and limp, a little girl about ten years of age. - -Hanging by the neck ribbon was her pretty summer hat, crushed and cut -squarely in two. One temple was somewhat disfigured, and her dress was -soiled with roadbed dust and grime. - -Tim Forgan looked once and his jaws dropped. He shuddered as if some -one had dealt him a blow, and staggered where he stood, his face turning -to a sickly gray. - -"Nora!" he gasped--"my little Nora! Denny--boys! she is hurt--dead!" - -"Neither," answered the big watchman promptly, placing a soothing hand -on the foreman's quivering arm. "Steady, old man, now!" - -"Give her to me!" shouted Forgan, in a frenzy. "Nora, my little Nora! -What has happened? what has happened?" - -The big fellow had one idol, one warm corner in his heart--his little -grandchild. - -His rugged brow corrugated, and he was frantic beyond all reason as he -covered the still white face with kisses, nestling the motionless child -in his arms tenderly. - -"Take her into the office," directed Denny. "Give her air, lads--and -get some cold water, some of you." - -He blocked the doorway with his bulky frame as the foreman and his -charge passed through, admitting a moment later a switchman with a can -of water, and two of the older engineers at his heels. - -Then he closed the door, and looked around for Ralph. The latter had -sunk to a bench, still pale and faint-looking. The lame helper was -ransacking his locker. Coming thence with some clean waste and a bottle -of liniment, he snatched up a pail, went outside, got some warm water -from a locomotive, and approached Ralph. - -Ralph regarded him in some wonder, but made no demur as the strange, -silent fellow began to wash and dress his injured arm with a touch soft -and careful as that of a woman. - -Big Denny continued to stand on guard at the closed door of the -foreman's little office. - -The crowd from the outside was exchanging information with the -roundhouse throng, trying to patch mutual disclosures together into some -coherency. - -Ike Slump's look of malevolent gratification had faded away. He began -to surmise that Ralph had a purpose in so summarily deserting his post, -and that the anticipated "turning of the tables" was not destined to -materialize. - -"What's the rights of things, Denny?" asked one of the engineers. "That -was little Nora Forgan, wasn't it!" - -"Sure--and you know what she is to gruff old Tim, apple of his eye. If -anything happened to her, I believe he'd go mad." - -"He's pretty near there now, with his tantrums!" volunteered a voice -from the crowd. - -"I think this will cure him a bit," said Denny. "The little one has -been bringing him his dinner lately, you know. A child like that has no -business along the tracks, but he usually had her come back of the -roundhouse, where there wasn't so much risk. This time, I suppose she -feared she'd be late, and crossed over the busiest switches. My heart -stood still, lads, when, ten minutes since, five hundred feet away from -her, I saw her trip, fall, strike her head on the rails, and lay there -stunned, squarely in the way of a dead-end freight, coming." - -Big Denny squirmed with real feeling in his powerful, husky voice, as he -dabbed the perspiration from his brow. - -"Next thing, I saw a flash come out through the roundhouse door here. It -was--him!" - -Mechanically the crowd turned. Twenty pairs of eyes rested on Ralph, -whom Denny had pointed out. - -"Yes, sir--it was him, young Fairbanks! He's got the right blood in -him, that kid. I knew his father, and he wouldn't be Jack Fairbanks' -son if he hadn't acted just as he did!" - -No comment could have pleased Ralph more than that. He darted a -grateful look at his bulky champion. - -"No one any good seemed to have noticed the accident except him," went -on Denny, the eyes of his absorbed auditors again riveted intently upon -him. "I counted the seconds in a sort of sickly horror, for it seemed -impossible that he could make it in time." - -"But he did!" cried a strained voice. - -"He did--it was terrifying. The last ten feet he saw his only chance. -It was like a fellow sliding for base. Flat he dived and drove. It -must have been an awful scrape! The first wheels of the backing car -fairly reached the little angel's long, golden curls. As it was, they -cut the dangling hat straight in two. He grabbed her, just escaping the -wheels, not a second too soon." - -With a working face the lame helper had stood listening, rooted to the -spot like a statue. - -The crowd swayed towards Ralph. They were all in one uniform mood of -admiration for his nervy exploit, only they expressed it in different -ways. - -A dozen shook his hand till they nearly wrung it off; a big, bluff -fireman, with a fist like a ham, slapped his shoulders so exuberantly -that the contact nearly drove the breath out of his body. - -"As to that little heap of rubbish," observed Big Denny, with lofty -contempt indicating the broken brick wall--"I reckon Tim Forgan won't -let that count against the life of that child." - -Ralph arose to his feet. - -"But I didn't do it," he asseverated. - -"Don't you worry about trifles, kid," advised Denny. - -"But I didn't!" insisted Ralph. - -Denny looked annoyed. He wished to dismiss the subject peremptorily -while his hero was still on the pedestal, and, human-like, he believed -Ralph was trying to square himself at the cost of a lame explanation, or -a lie. - -"That's--that's right," suddenly interposed a quavering voice. - -"Hello!" laughed Denny, turning to confront the sphinx-like helper, -whose taciturnity was proverbial. "You'll be making a speech, next!" - -"Yes," bolted out the lame helper, very much agitated over his own -unusual temerity. - -"Give it a voice, Limpy." - -"He didn't do it." - -"Didn't do what?" - -"Run that engine into the wall." - -"How do you know?" - -"I saw him--he started her up, but shut her off, dead, before he jumped -for the tracks and ran outside." - -Ralph looked surprised, but pleased, Big Denny convinced, and the crowd -tremendously interested. - -On the outskirts of the crowd Ike Slump gave ear, perked up his face in -a grimace, and a minute later sneaked out of the place. - -"Saw the whole thing," declared Limpy. "Fellow in the next engine -leaned over soon as Fairbanks left, slipped the lever, and let her -drive." - -"Who was it?" demanded the watchman indignantly. - -"Slump, the scamp." - -"Where is he?" - -The crowd made a search, but it was unavailing--Ike Slump had "jumped -his job" permanently, to all appearances, for his locker was empty. - -The fireman came out of the office. - -"She's all right," he announced to Denny, "but the old man's terribly -broken up. Better go in and give him a word." - -"All right," said Denny--"you come, too, Fairbanks." - -"I'd rather not," said Ralph--"I've got work to do." - -"You take a rest and eat your dinner before you do anything else," -advised the big watchman. - -The noon whistle sounded just then and dispersed the crowd. Ralph went -over to a bench and brought out his dinner pail. - -His arm was sore and smarting, but he was not at all seriously crippled, -and he sat thoughtfully eating his lunch and wondering how the damage to -the wall would be repaired. - -Ralph noticed the two engineers leave the office, then Big Denny. The -latter had hold of the hand of little Nora. - -He led the way up to Ralph. Limpy had just taken his seat on the other -end of the bench. - -"I'm going to take her home," said the watchman. "Nora, do you know who -this young gentleman is?" - -The little girl looked still pale and frightened, but except for the -torn dress and hat and a dark bruise on her forehead seemed none the -worse for her recent perilous experience. - -"No, sir," she said shyly. - -"It's Ralph Fairbanks. He saved your life." - -"Oh, sir! did you? did you?" she cried, running up to Ralph. She put -her arms around his neck and kissed him, the tears running down her -cheeks. "When I tell mamma, she'll come down and thank you, too!" she -continued and then passed on. - -Ralph was affected by the incident. His heart warmed up as he reflected -how the tide of feeling had changed towards him in the past hour. Then, -reaching for his lunch pail, his hand unexpectedly came in contact with -a big, juicy square of pie. The lame helper had disappeared. - -It was a further tribute from that strange, silent man, and it told -Ralph unmistakably that beyond that grim wall of reserve was probably -hidden a heart of gold. - -The excitement and rough usage of the morning had used up Ralph -considerably. He felt the need of fresh air, put aside his dinner pail, -and started for the outside. - -Just then, the helper came across to him from the direction of the -little office. - -"Wanted," he said sententiously. "Foreman wants to see you." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST - - -Ralph felt the sense of a crisis strong upon him. Circumstances had -given some stormy features to the morning's progress, but had cleared -the air generally. - -He believed, all told, that he had carried off the honors quite -creditably, and was in a measure master of the situation. - -When he came to the office door it was partly open, but he knocked. - -"Come in," spoke the foreman's voice, a good deal toned down from its -usual accents of asperity. - -Tim Forgan stood over near the window, his back turned to Ralph. His -hands, clasped behind him, fumbled nervously. He was palpably in a -disturbed mood, and from the vague view Ralph had of his side face he -noted it was pale and anxious-looking. - -"Sit down," directed the foreman. He stood in the same position for -nearly a minute. Then very abruptly he turned, came up to Ralph, -extended his hand as if with an effort, and said, almost brokenly: - -"Fairbanks, I want to thank you for what you have done for me and mine." - -"I am glad I did it," answered Ralph simply. - -The foreman sank into a chair, started to speak, arose, paced the floor -restlessly, finally halted in front of Ralph, and looked him squarely in -the face. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "I believe I have done you an injustice. Don't -answer. Let me speak while the mood is on me. I am a proud man, and -it's hard for me to root out my settled suspicions. I won't say they -are all gone yet, but after what has happened it would be wrong and -churlish for me to hold back what is on my lips. When you came here -this morning, I was satisfied that you came here as a spy upon my -actions." - -"Oh, Mr. Forgan!" explained Ralph involuntarily. - -"And I prepared to treat you as a spy. I have had trouble with the -master mechanic, off and on--that is, we are rivals in the race for the -presidency of the local labor council, and Ike Slump's father, when I -told him about your card from the master mechanic, scented a plot at -once." - -"Why, Mr. Forgan!" exclaimed Ralph in amazement, "I never saw the master -mechanic until night before last, then only for less than two minutes, -and my meeting with him was purely accidental." - -The roundhouse foreman looked Ralph through and through. - -"I believe you, Fairbanks," he said, at length. "You don't look like -the lying, sneaking sort, and Denny says he'd bank his soul on you. He -says I've got bad, crafty advisers. Maybe so, maybe so," went on -Forgan, half to himself. "I wish I'd kept out of the labor ring. It -makes one fancy half his friends enemies. Drop that, though. I've made -my confession, and I believe you're square. I've sent for you to -exonerate you from all part in the smash-up, and to tell you that I owe -you a debt I can never pay. I'll try to square some of it, though. -Fairbanks, you shall stay here, and I shall give you more than a chance -to forge ahead." - -"I thank you, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph gratefully. - -The foreman strode over to the window again. Ralph studied this strange -make-up of real force, dark suspicions and ungovernable impulses, but -did not appear to watch him. In a covert way, with a sidelong glance at -Ralph, the foreman opened the door of a little closet, took out a dark -bottle, and Ralph could hear the gurgling dispatch of a long, deep -draught. - -He had overheard some of the men in the dog house hinting at the boss' -failing, that morning. Now, Ralph knew what it was, and the discovery -depressed him. - -The stimulating draught seemed to restore the foreman's equilibrium, for -in a minute or two, when he again addressed Ralph, his old -half-dignified, half-autocratic manner had returned to him. - -"We shall have no more Ike Slump here, father or no father," he -observed. "I'm going to give you a chance, Fairbanks." - -"Thank you, Mr. Forgan." - -"Keep on as wiper till I get a new helper, and I'll give you a boost -into an extra berth quicker than any boy ever shot up the roundhouse -ladder before. I tell you, I'll never forget what you've done for -me--and my dear little Nora!" - -Ralph arose. - -"Mr. Forgan," he said, "I am much obliged to you, and I hope I shall -deserve and win your good opinion. But I want to earn my way. I don't -wish to slip over one single branch of the course that will make a -thorough, all-around, first-class railroad man out of me, and too fast -promotion might spoil me." - -The foreman understood him, but the liquor had exhilarated him, and he -said: - -"All the same, I'm your friend for life, Fairbanks--and I give you my -word, when you ask me a favor, I'll grant it." - -Ralph bowed and proceeded towards the door. Forgan was back at the -closet almost immediately, Ralph wavered. He formed a quick resolution, -and stepped back into the room just as the foreman turned, wiping off -his lips. - -"Mr. Forgan," said Ralph, "you will not be offended at something I feel -it my duty to say?" - -"Not a bit of it," pledged the foreman. - -"You said I might ask you a favor." - -"Just name it, Fairbanks." - -"I shall, but first, I want to say this: You are in a fine, responsible -position here, and your control and your influence affect every man in -your service." - -"I worked hard for the job," asserted Forgan proudly. - -"I know you must have done that," said Ralph, "and I also know you must -have had good abilities to step so high over the heads of others. But -sometimes, Mr. Forgan--you will acknowledge it yourself--your temper, -your impulses, your suspicions get the better of you." - -Ralph was treading on dangerous ground. He realized it, for a certain -quick flash came into Forgan's eyes. It was quenched, however, at an -evident memory of the incident of the morning; and the foreman spoke, -quite gayly: - -"Go ahead, I'll listen. I see your drift." - -"You have lots of friends, sir--try and know the real ones. And, Mr. -Forgan, now for the favor I have to ask." - -The foreman's bushy brows met in a suspicious way, but he declared -promptly: - -"You have only to ask." - -"You will grant it?" - -"For little Nora's sake, lad, I'd give you half I own!" - -"I don't want that, Mr. Forgan. The favor I have to ask is--don't -drink." - -It was out, with an effort--Ralph had placed a pleading hand on the -foreman's arm. He felt Forgan start and quiver. Would he burst into -one of his uncontrollable fits of passion and storm and rave, and -probably assault him? - -The climax delayed so long that Ralph ventured another appeal. - -"For little Nora's sake, Mr. Forgan!" he pleaded. - -"Boy, you have said enough--go! go!" spoke Forgan huskily. - -He almost pushed Ralph from the room. The door went shut, with Ralph -standing outside, his breath coming quickly, for the episode had been -one of intense strain. - -Ralph sighed. Had he gone too far? The sincerity of his wish for the -foreman's good told him he had not. - -In the little office he could hear Forgan striding to and fro. Suddenly -there was a halt. - -Then came a crash. If only for the time being, Tim Forgan had been -influenced to a holy, beneficent decision. He had shattered the -wretched black bottle to atoms. - -"Thank God!" breathed the young railroader fervently. - - - - -CHAPTER XV--"VAN" - - -When the one o'clock whistle sounded, Ralph started over for the engine -stalls. - -"Hold on!" challenged the lame helper, suddenly appearing in his usual -extraordinary way. - -"What's the trouble?" asked Ralph. - -"Boss says you're on the sick list." - -"But I'm not!" declared Ralph with a smile and mock-valiantly waving his -injured arm. - -"Says you're to go home, and report in morning." - -"But I can't do that," demurred Ralph. - -"Must--orders." - -"It would worry my mother, she would think something serious was wrong -with me, while I feel as well as I ever did in my life--yes, better, -even," insisted Ralph. - -"Well, you're not to work, boss says--you can loaf, if you like." - -"That's something I don't fancy." - -"Then watch me, and I'll show you some things." - -"Good!" assented Ralph. "If they are bound to have me invalided, at -least let me learn something in the meantime." - -Limpy did not talk much, but after an hour of his company Ralph voted -him a wonder. - -There must be some vivid history back of the man, Ralph theorized, for -there were sparkles of real genius here and there in his movements and -explanations of the next two hours. - -He showed Ralph the true merits and economics of the wiper's avocation -in a quick, practical way that proved Ike Slump was a novice and a -bungler. - -Then the helper took Ralph under his special tuition higher up in the -scale. - -Ralph was in a real transport of delighted interest as the lame helper -taught him the first principles of preparing, running and controlling a -locomotive. - -He did something more than control a throttle or move a lever--he -explained why this and that was done, and demonstrated cause and effect -in a clear-cut way that gave Ralph more real, sound information in two -hours than he could have gained from the study of books in as many -months. - -The foreman passed in and out of the place several times during the -afternoon, but seemed almost studiously to avoid contact or conversation -with Ralph. - -About four o'clock the helper, busy wheeling away the broken bricks from -the hole in the wall, nudged Ralph meaningly. - -"Slump's old man," he said tersely. - -Glancing towards the office, Ralph saw a coarse-featured, disorderly -looking man conversing with the foreman. - -The latter was cool, dignified and evidently laying down the law in an -unmistakably clear manner to his visitor, who shrugged his shoulders, -pounded his palms together, and seemed wroth and worked up over the -situation they were discussing. - -Ralph knew that Slump senior ran a saloon just beyond the freight sheds, -and was glad to see him go off alone and evidently disgruntled and -fancied he caught an expression on Forgan's face indicating that he had -done his duty and was glad of it. - -"Bad lot," commented Limpy, coming back for some more bricks. - -"Foreman?" - -"No, Slump. It was two of his poison drinks four years ago that sent me -home one night on the wrong tracks, crippled me for life, lost me my -run, and made a pensioned drudge of me for the rest of my years," -declared the helper bitterly. - -By five o'clock the dbris had been cleared away from the break in the -roundhouse wall, the derailed locomotive backed to place, and things -ready for the masons to repair the damage in the morning. - -Ralph was walking away from a cursory inspection of the spot, when a -whistle sounded directly outside. Then a hissing voice echoed: - -"Hey, Slump!" - -Ralph turned. A man was moving around the edge of the break in the -wall. - -"I'm not Slump," announced Ralph. Then he recognized the stranger. It -was the tramp-like individual who had come after Ike Slump's dinner pail -two nights previous. - -"Oh!" he now said, drawing back in a suspicious, embarrassed manner. -"Where's Ike?" - -"He has gone home, I suppose," answered Ralph. - -"Didn't--that is, he hasn't left his dinner pail for me, has he?" -floundered the tramp. - -"No, he took it with him. At any rate, his locker is empty." - -"All right," muttered the fellow, edging away. - -Ralph remembered that heavily-weighted dinner pail of Ike Slump's with -some suspicion. Still, Ike's explanation of furnishing the man with a -daily lunch looked plausible. - -"Hold on," called Ralph after the receding form. - -"What is it?" inquired the tramp, wheeling about. - -"I'll help you out--wait a minute." - -Ralph hurried to his locker. Fully half of his noonday lunch had been -left untasted. He bundled up the fragments and returned to the break in -the wall. - -"Here's a bite," said Ralph. - -"Thank you," growled the tramp gruffly, taking the proffered lunch. - -A minute later Ralph was summoned to a bench placed under the windows at -the south curve of the building. - -Limpy stood on the bench, looking out. - -"Come here," he directed. "No use!" - -"What do you mean?" inquired Ralph. - -"Look." - -Ralph, clambering up to the bench, had the retiring tramp in full view. - -The latter was piece by piece firing the lunch he had given him at -switches and signal posts, as if he had a special spite against it. - -"Didn't come for food, you see?" observed the helper. - -"What did he come for, then?" demanded Ralph, indignant and wrought up. - -Limpy simply shrugged his shoulders, and went off about his duties. - -Ralph was not sorry when the six o'clock whistle sounded. He had gone -through an uncommon strain, both mental and physical, during the day, -and was tired and glad to get home. - -Limpy, in his smooth, quiet way, arranged it so that he left the -roundhouse when Ralph did, and as the latter noticed that his companion -kept watching out in all directions, he traced a certain voluntary -guardianship in the man's intentions. - -But if Limpy feared that Ike Slump or his satellites were lying in wait, -it was not along the special route Ralph took in proceeding homewards. - -He reached the little cottage with no unpleasant interruptions. His -mother welcomed him at the gate with a bright smile. Their boy guest -was weeding out a vegetable bed. He immediately came up to Ralph, -extending a beautifully clean full-grown carrot he had selected from its -bed. - -Ralph took it, patting the giver encouragingly on the shoulder, who -looked satisfied, and Ralph was pleased at this indication that the boy -knew him. - -"How has he been all day?" Ralph inquired of his mother. - -"Just as you see him now," answered the widow. "He has been busy all -day, willing, happy as a lark. The doctor dropped in this afternoon." - -"What did he say?" asked Ralph. - -"He says there is nothing the matter with the boy excepting the shock. -He fears no violent outbreak, or anything of that kind, and only hopes -that gradually the cloud will leave his mind." - -"If kindness can help any, he will get sound and well," declared Ralph -chivalrously. "He doesn't talk much?" - -"Hardly a word, but he watches, and seems to understand everything." - -"What is that?" asked Ralph, pausing as they passed together through the -side door. - -The wood shed door was scrawled over with chalk marks Ralph had not seen -there before. - -"Oh," explained Mrs. Fairbanks, "he found a piece of chalk, and seemed -to take pleasure in writing every once in a while." - -"And just one word?" - -"Yes, Ralph--those three letters." - -"V-A-N," spelled out Ralph. "Mother, that must be his name--Van." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--FACE TO FACE - - -Ralph Fairbanks' second day of service at the roundhouse passed -pleasantly, and without any incident out of the common. - -With the disappearance of Ike Slump a new system of order and harmony -seemed to prevail about the place. The foreman's rugged brow was less -frequently furrowed with care or anger over little mishaps, and Ralph -could not help but notice a more subdued tone in his dealings with the -men. - -When Ralph came home that evening, his mother told him of a visit from -the foreman's daughter-in-law and little Nora. They had brought Mrs. -Fairbanks a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and their praises of Ralph had -made the widow prouder of her son than ever. - -That morning, Van, as they now called their guest, had insisted on going -with Ralph to his work as far as the next corner, and it was with -difficulty that the young railroader had induced him to return to the -cottage. - -That evening, Van met him nearly two squares away, and when he reached -the house Ralph expressed some anxiety to his mother over their guest's -wandering proclivities. - -"I don't think he would go far away of his own will," said Mrs. -Fairbanks. "You see, Ralph, he counts on your going and coming. This -morning, after you sent him home, I found him on the roof of the house. -He had got up there from the ladder, and was watching you till you were -finally lost to view among the car tracks." - -Ike Slump did not show up the third day. A fireman told Ralph that he -had run away from home, and that his father had been looking for him. -Ike had been seen in the town by several persons, but always at a -distance, and evidently keeping in hiding with some chosen cronies most -of the time. - -"He's no good, and you'll hear from him in a bad way yet," was the -railroader's prediction. - -When No. 6 came into the roundhouse next morning, the extra who had -taken engineer Griscom's place for two days told Ralph that the old -veteran would be on hand to take out the afternoon west train himself. - -Ralph got Limpy to help him put some fancy touches on the heaviest -runner of the road. At noon he hurried home and back, and brought with -him a bright little bouquet of flowers. - -No. 6, standing facing the turntable at two o'clock that afternoon, was -about as handsome a piece of metal as ever crossed the rails. - -Old Griscom came into the roundhouse a few minutes later, his running -traps slung over his arm, reported, and was surrounded by the dog house -crowd. - -This was his first public appearance since the fire at the yards. He -still looked singed and shaken from his rough experience, but as he saw -Ralph he extended his hand, and gave his young favorite a twist that -almost made Ralph wince. - -"On deck, eh?" he called cheerily. "Well, I call first choice when you -get ready to fire coal." - -"That's a long ways ahead, Mr. Griscom!" laughed Ralph. - -"Forgan don't say so. Hi! what you giving me? A brand-new runner?" - -The veteran engineer gave a start of prodigious animation and real -pleased surprise as his glance fell on No. 6. - -The headlight shone like a great dazzling brilliant, the brass work -looked like gold. In the engineer's window stood the little bouquet, -and the cab was as neat and clean as a housewife's kitchen. - -Griscom swung onto his cushion with a kind of jolly cheer, and the -foreman, catching the echo, waved his welcome and approbation in an -unusually pleasant way from the door of his little office. - -Big Denny had been a periodical visitor to the roundhouse since the -rescue of little Nora Forgan. - -He had taken a strong fancy to Ralph, it seemed, and whenever he had a -few minutes to spare would seek out the young wiper, and seemed to take -a rare pleasure in posting him on many a bit of technical experience in -the railroading line. - -He chatted with Ralph on this last occasion while the latter sat filling -the firemen's cans with oil, and drew him out as to his home life, his -mother and his reason for going to work. - -"So Farrington holds a mortgage on your home?" said Denny. "I didn't -know that. He's pretty rich, I hear. I remember the time, though, when -people thought your father was his partner in some of his bond deals." - -"Yes, mother supposed so, too," said Ralph. - -"Your father put him onto the good thing the railroad was, first of all. -I know that much," declared Denny. - -"It looks as if my father lost all his holdings just before he died," -said Ralph. - -"Then Farrington got them, I'll wager that--the sly old fox!" commented -Denny, who was generally strong in his personal convictions. - -"Well, some day, when I am in a position to do so, I'm going to have Mr. -Gasper Farrington hauled into court about the matter," observed Ralph. -"If he has anything belonging to my mother and me, we want it." - -"It seems to me you ought to find something among your father's papers -shedding light on the subject?" suggested Denny. - -"It looks as if my father had had blind confidence in Mr. Farrington," -said Ralph. - -"Yes, the old fox has a way of winding himself around his victims," -declared the outspoken watchman. "I remember a fellow he wound up good -and proper, about three years ago." - -"Who was that?" asked Ralph. - -"His name was Farwell Gibson. He got the railroad fever, sold his farm, -came to the Junction, and he and Farrington had some deals. They had a -big row one night, too, and Farrington threw Gibson out of his house, -and some windows were broken. The neighbors heard Gibson accuse -Farrington of robbing him. Next day, though, Farrington swore out a -warrant against Gibson for forgery, and Gibson has never been seen -since. Maybe," concluded Big Denny, "he killed him." - -"Oh, he wouldn't do that!" - -"Gasper Farrington has a heart as hard as flint," said Denny, "and would -do anything for money." - -"Farwell Gibson," murmured Ralph, memorizing the name. - -When quitting-time came that evening, Ralph left the roundhouse alone, -Limpy having been sent with a message to the depot. - -As usual, he saved distance by following the tracks where they curved, -then at a certain point cut through the unfenced back yards of some -small stores fronting the depot street. - -Beyond this was a prairie. Turning a heap of ties to take a last -straight shoot for home, Ralph found his progress abruptly blocked. - -"Thought we'd get you!" announced a familiar voice, and Ike Slump -stepped into view. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS - - -"What do you want?" demanded Ralph. - -He did not at all look as if his hour had come, but he backed to a -commanding position against the pile of ties, as half a dozen hoodlum -companions of Ike Slump followed their leader into sight. - -"Peel!" said Ike importantly, and he began to roll up his sleeves. - -"I'm comfortable," suggested Ralph easily. "By the way, Ike, your -father is looking for you." - -"Never you mind about my affairs," retorted Ike. "It's you I've been -waiting for, it's you I've got, and it's you I'm going to lick." - -"What for?" asked Ralph. - -"What for?" echoed Ike derisively--"hear him, fellows!" - -"Ho! hear him!" echoed the motley crew at Ike's heels. - -"I told you at the roundhouse that I'd pay you off, didn't I?" demanded -Ike. - -"I think I remember." - -"Well, I'm going to do it." - -"Here? And now?" - -"Precisely." - -"You insist that I've done something to be paid off for?" - -"Yes. You insulted me." - -"How?" - -This was a poser. Ike was silent. - -"Tell you, Slump," said Ralph, setting down his dinner pail. "You're -just spoiling to do something mean. I never did you an injury, and I -would like to do you some good, if I could. You're in bad company. You -had better leave it and go home to your father. If you won't take -advice, and are bound to force me to the wall--why, I'll do my share." - -At Ralph's allusion to the company Ike kept, two of the biggest of his -cohorts sprang forward. - -"Your turn later," said Ike. "This is my personal affair just now." - -"You will force things?" questioned Ralph calmly. - -"What! Do you mean will I let you off? Nixy! No baby act, Fairbanks! -Peel, and put up your fists." - -"Very well," said Ralph. "I think I can manage you with my coat on." - -Ralph was not a particle in doubt as to the ultimate result of the -"scrap." He had gone through a half-vacation course of splendid -athletic training, and his muscles were as hard as iron. Not so -cigarette-smoking, loose-jointed Ike Slump. - -"That for that sand trick!" announced Ike. "And that's for dodging that -waste ball." - -So sure was Ike of landing on Ralph's nose with one fist, that he -supplemented his first announcement with the second one as his other -fist circled to take Ralph on the side of the head. - -Ralph did not dodge. He inwardly laughed at Ike's clumsy tactics. With -one hand he warded off both blows, drew back his free fist, and let it -drive. - -"Ugh!" said Ike Slump. - -As Ralph's knotty knuckles took him under the chin, there was a snap, a -whirl, and Ike Slump keeled clear off his balance and sat down on the -ground. - -It was done so quickly and so neatly that Ike's cohorts were too -astonished to move. - -"Get up--go for him!" directed the biggest boy in the gang. - -"I can't!" bellowed Ike, spitting out a tooth--"he's cracked my jaw. He -had a spike in his hand!" - -"Foul, eh!" scowled the big fellow, hunching towards Ralph. - -The young railroader with a contemptuous smile extended both free palms. -He shut them quickly together again, however, for he saw that Slump's -crowd did not know the meaning of either honor or fairness. - -So determined and ready did he look that the big fellow hesitated. Ralph -heard him give some directions to his companions, and the crowd moved -forward in unison. - -"A rush, eh?" he said. "You're a fine bunch! but--come on." - -Ralph's spirit was now fully aroused. He had no ambition to shine as a -pugilist, but he would always fight for his rights. - -The big fellow dashed at him, calling to his companions. Ralph shot out -his right fist as quick as lightning. The blow went home, and the big -bully blinked, spluttered, and reeled aside with his nose flattened. - -Two of his companions sprang at Ralph, one on each side. Ralph caught -one by the throat, the other by the waistband. They were hitting away -at him, but he knew how to dodge. To and fro they wrestled, Ralph -knocking them together whenever he could, never letting go, and using -them as a shield against the big fellow, who, as mad as a hornet and -with a reckless look in his eye, had resumed the attack. - -Suddenly the latter managed to dodge behind Ralph, put out his foot, -tripped him, and the trio fell to the ground. - -Ralph held on to his first assailants, struggling to a sitting position. - -At that moment the big bully ran upon him. The cowardly brute raised -his foot to kick Ralph. The latter saw he was at the rascal's mercy. He -let go the two squirming at his side, shot out a hand, and catching the -uplifted foot brought its owner pell-mell down upon him. - -The bully struck his head in falling, and was momentarily dizzied. Ralph -flopped clear over, sat upon him, and was kept busy warding off the -blows of the two fellows he had released. - -There were six others in the gang. These now made an onrush. Ralph -tried to calculate his chances and map out the best course to pursue. - -Just then a new element was injected into the scene. - -Around the corner of the pile of ties came a new figure with cyclonic -precipitancy. - -It was Van, the guest of the cottage. He must have witnessed the scene -from a distance. He swung to a halt, his face imperturbable as ever, -but his eyes covering every object in the ensemble. - -"Fight," he said simply, and swinging both arms like battering arms -sailed into the nearest adversary. - -"Don't strike him!" called out Ralph instantly--"he's wrong in his -head!" - -"We'll right it for him!" announced one of the crowd. - -The speaker swung a bag as he spoke. It seemed to contain something -bulky, for as it just missed Van's head and bounded on the shoulders of -one of the user's own friends, the latter went down like a lump of lead. - -Van never stopped. In a kind of windmill progress he struck out, -sideways, in all directions. In two minutes' time he had cleared the -field, every combatant was in flight, and leaning over and seizing the -big bully squirming under Ralph, he weighted him on a dead balance for a -second, and then sent him sliding ten feet along the ground after his -beaten fellows. - -Ralph released the other two and let them run for safety, actually -afraid that his friend Van would do them some serious injury with that -phenomenal ox-like strength stored up in his sturdy arms. - -But Van was as cool as an iceberg. He was not even out of breath. - -"More," he said - -"No, no, Van!" demurred Ralph. "You've done nobly, old fellow. Let -them go, they've had their medicine. Carry this for me," and Ralph -thrust his dinner pail into Van's hand, more to divert his attention -than anything else. "They've left something behind, it seems." - -Ralph picked up the bag he had seen used as a missile. Its weight -aroused his curiosity, he peered into the bag. - -"I see!" he murmured gravely to himself. - -In the bottom of the bag was about thirty pounds of brass fittings. -Ralph had seen bin after bin of their counterparts in the supply sheds -near the roundhouse, and never in any quantity anywhere else. - -These, like those, were stamped, and bore the impress that they were -railroad property. - -"You can come with me, Van," said Ralph, and turned back in the -direction of the roundhouse. - -The foreman was just leaving the office, Ralph dropped the bag inside -the room. - -"What's that, Fairbanks?" inquired Forgan, as he heard the stuff jangle. - -"It's some brass fittings," explained Ralph. "I am sure they belong to -the company. I found them in the hands of a gang of hoodlums, and of -course they were stolen." - -"Eh? hold on--this interests me!" and Forgan proceeded to inspect the -contents of the bag "That's bad!" he commented with knit brows. "A leak -like that shows something rotten on the inside! Tell me more about this -affair, Fairbanks." - -Ralph fancied he now understood the mission of the tramp who was in such -close touch with Ike Slump, and also the reason why Slump's dinner pail -was so heavy. - -He did not, however, impart his suspicions to the foreman. The latter -muttered something about the thing being important, and that he must -look into it deeper, as Ralph stated that he had been assaulted by a -gang of hoodlums who had left the bag of fittings behind them. - -"Who are they?" questioned the foreman. - -"I don't know their names." - -"Was Ike Slump among them?" shrewdly interrogated Forgan. - -"I don't care to say," answered Ralph. - -"You needn't, I can guess the rest. Only don't forget what you do know -if somebody higher up asks about this matter. I'm responsible here, and -a leak in the supply department has dished more than one foreman. Thank -you, Fairbanks--thank you again," added the foreman with real sentiment -in glance and accents. - -About ten o'clock the next morning Ralph was called to the foreman's -office. - -He expected some further developments in the matter of the brass -fittings, but, upon entering the room, found himself face to face with -Ike Slump's father. - -The foreman was, or pretended to be, busy at his desk. Slump senior -looked very much troubled. Ralph shrank from his repulsive face and a -memory of his nefarious calling, but he nodded politely as Slump asked: - -"This is young Fairbanks?" - -The saloon keeper fidgeted for a minute or two. Then he said: - -"I don't suppose you bear any particular good will towards me or mine, -Fairbanks, but I've had to come to you. My boy assaulted you last -night, I understand." - -"Why, no," answered Ralph, with a slight smile--"he only tried to." - -"Well, it's just this: He's in trouble, and he's likely to go deeper -unless he's stopped. He keeps out of my way. His mother is -heart-broken and sick abed over his doings." - -"I am very sorry," said Ralph. "Can I do anything to help you, Mr. -Slump?" - -"I think you can," answered Slump. "You know Ike and his associates, -and maybe you can get track of their hang-out. I can't. Fairbanks," -and the man's voice broke, "it's killing my wife! It's a lot to ask of -you, under the circumstances, but Forgan says you seem to have a knack -of doing everything right. I want you to find my boy--I want you to try -to prevail on him to come home. Will you?" - -Ralph was a good deal moved as he thought of the stricken mother. He -had small hopes of Ike Slump--smaller than ever, as he considered the -manner of man his father was, but he answered promptly: - -"I'll try, Mr. Slump." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY? - - -Big Denny came to where Ralph was putting the finishing touches to one -of the fast runners of the road about ten o'clock one morning. - -Nobody in the world enjoyed talk and gossip like the veteran watchman, -as Ralph well knew, and it really pleased him to have his company, for -among the driftwood of all his desultory confidences Denny usually -produced some point interesting or enlightening. - -On this especial occasion there was a zest to the old watchman's -greeting of the young railroader that indicated he had something of more -than ordinary interest to impart. - -"By the way, Fairbanks," he observed, "I saw that rich old hunks, -Farrington, this morning. He was down here." - -"At the roundhouse, you mean?" inquired Ralph, with some interest. - -"Well, not exactly. He was over by the switch towers, met Forgan, and -had quite a talk with him. Thought I'd post you." - -"Why, what about?" asked Ralph. - -"He'll be after you, next." - -"Not until the first of next month, when the interest is due, I fancy," -said Ralph. "I do not think Mr. Farrington has any interest in us -outside of his semi-annual interest." - -"He'll be nosing around, see if he isn't!" predicted Denny oracularly. -"I've got a tip to give you, Fairbanks. I got the point yesterday. -There's some talk of running a switch over to Bloomdale. If they do, -they'll have to condemn a right of way, along where you live. Word to -the wise, eh? nuff said!" and Denny departed, with a significant wink. - -Ralph wondered if there was any real basis to Denny's intimation. He -fancied it was only one of the rumors constantly floating around about -prospective railroad improvements. - -That evening, however, Ralph received a suggestion that put him on his -guard, if nothing more. - -He had gone down town to get some nails for Van, who was building a new -chicken coop, when he met Grif Farrington. - -"Just looking for you," declared Grif. "I say, Fairbanks, the old man -is anxious to see you." - -"Your uncle wants to see me?" repeated Ralph incredulously. - -"Right away. Asked me to find you and tell you. Business, he says, and -important. You couldn't run up to the house now, could you?" he added. - -Ralph hesitated--he was suspicious of old Gasper Farrington, and he had -no business with him, for it was his mother's province to attend to -anything concerning their money dealings, and he did not feel warranted -in interfering. - -On second thought, however, Ralph decided that they could not know too -much of the plots and intentions of Farrington, and he told Grif he -would go up to the house at once. - -Gasper Farrington lived in a fine old mansion, from parsimony, however, -allowed to go to decay, so that all that was really attractive about the -place were the grounds. - -Ralph found the magnate seated on the porch. He knew that something was -up as Farrington arose with a great show of welcome, made him sit down -in the easiest chair, and treated him as if he were the dearest friend -the old man had in the world. - -"You sent for me, Mr. Farrington?" Ralph observed, between some -flattering but meaningless remarks of his wily host. - -"Why, yes--yes," assented Farrington. - -"On business, your nephew told me." - -"H'm--hardly that. I'll tell you, Fairbanks, I have been greatly -interested and pleased to notice the manly course you have taken." - -"Thank you, Mr. Farrington." - -"In fact, I have taken pains to inquire of your direct employers as to -your capability and record, and am gratified to find them -good--exceptionally good." - -Ralph wondered what was coming next. - -"Your father was my friend--I want to be yours. I am not without a -certain interest and influence in the matter of the railroad, as you may -know, and I have decided to exert myself in your behalf." - -"You are very kind," said Ralph. - -"Not at all. I recognize merit, and I--u'm! I feel a decided duty in -the premises. The auditor of the road at Springfield holds his office -through my recommendation. I was talking with him yesterday, and I have -a proposition to make you. I will give you five hundred dollars more -than the market price for your house and lot, rent you a place I own at -Springfield for a mere nominal turn, and guarantee you a good office -position in the auditor's department there at forty dollars a month to -start in with." - -Ralph opened his eyes wide. It was certainly a tempting bait. Had any -person but crafty old Gasper Farrington made the tender, he might have -jumped at it. - -Instantly, however, he remembered what Denny had said about the new -line, recalled the fact that Farrington had never been known to make a -bad bargain, compared confining labor over a desk in a hot, stifling -room with the free, glad dash of mail and express, the bracing air, the -constant change of real railroad life, reflected that once away from -Stanley Junction he and his mother would never be likely to learn more -of Farrington's past doings with his dead father, and--Ralph decided. - -"Mr. Farrington," he said, "in regard to the cottage, that is my -mother's sole business, and I do not think she could be induced to sell -you a place that has been a very dear home to her. As to myself--I -thank you for your kind intentions, but at present I have no desire to -change my work." - -"Why not--why not?" cried Farrington. He had been unctuous, smirking -and eager. Now his brow darkened, and his thin lips came together in a -sour, vicious way. - -"Well, I have marked out a certain thorough course after much thought -and advice, and do not like to depart from it." - -Gasper Farrington got up and paced the porch restlessly. The old rancor -and dislike came back to his thin, shrewd face. - -"You'll regret it!" he mumbled. - -"I hope not," said Ralph, rising also. - -"Young man," observed Farrington, stabbing at his guest with a quivering -finger, "I warn you that you are taking an obstinate and fatal course." - -"Warn?" echoed Ralph--"that is pretty strong language, isn't it, Mr. -Farrington?" - -"And I mean it to be so!" cried Farrington, casting aside all disguise. -"I said I had influence. I have. You can't work for the Great Northern -in Stanley Junction, if I say not." - -Ralph stared at the speaker incredulously. He could not comprehend how -Farrington could show the bad policy to put himself on record with such -a remark, be his intentions what they might. - -"In fact, sir," said Ralph, "you mean to intimate that you will get me -discharged?" - -"I mean just that," unblushingly admitted Farrington. "I will allow no -pauper brood to stand in the way of my--of my----" - -Ralph felt the blood surge hotly to his temples. With a strong effort -he controlled himself. - -"Mr. Farrington," he said quietly, though his voice trembled a trifle, -"you have said quite enough. I want to tell you that you are a wicked, -hypocritical old man. You have no interest in my welfare--you are after -our little property, because you have learned that the railroad may soon -pay a big price for it. You want us out of Stanley Junction, because -you are afraid we may find out something about your dealings with my -dead father. To carry your point, you threaten me--me, a poor boy, just -starting in to win his way by hard work--you threaten to plot against -and ruin me. Very well, Mr. Farrington, go ahead. I have too much -reliance in the teachings of a good mother to believe that you will -succeed." - -"What! what!" shouted the magnate, almost choking with rage and -mortification at this unvarnished arraignment, "you dare to tell me -this? In my own house!" - -"You invited me here," suggested Ralph. - -"Get out--get out!" cried Farrington, running to the door for his cane. - -"You will fail," spoke Ralph, going down the steps. "You won't gag me -as you have others. As you did----" - -Like an inspiration a suggestion came to Ralph Fairbanks' mind at that -moment. - -It seemed as if he had right before his eyes once more the mysterious, -blurred letter that Van had brought. He recalled one of its last words. -He had mistaken it for "Farewell." Now the light flashed in upon his -soul. "Farwell" was the name Big Denny had spoken--"Farwell Gibson." - -"As you did Farwell Gibson," concluded Ralph, at a venture. - -"Who? Come back! Stay, Fairbanks, one word!" - -The old man's face had grown white. His eyes seemed suddenly haunted -with dread. - -"That name!" he gasped, clutching at a chair for support. "What do you -know of Farwell Gibson?" - -"Only," answered Ralph, "that he wrote to my father last week." - -"He--wrote--" choked out Farrington, "last week--to your father--Farwell -Gibson!" - -The information was the capping climax. The old man uttered a groan, -fell over, carrying the chair he grasped with him, and lay on the porch -floor in a fit. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--IKE SLUMP'S FRIENDS - - -When Ralph reached home after his exciting half-hour with Gasper -Farrington, he was considerably wrought up. - -He had called for assistance at the Farrington home as soon as its owner -went down in a fit, a servant had hurried to the porch, between them -they got Farrington into the house and on a couch, a physician was -telephoned for, and as soon as he saw returning signs of consciousness -on the part of his host and discerned that his condition was not really -serious, Ralph left the place. - -Van had gone to bed, and Ralph found his mother alone. They sat in the -little parlor, conversing. Mrs. Fairbanks was very much perturbed at -Ralph's recital of his sensational encounter with Gasper Farrington. - -"I fear he is an evil man, Ralph," she said, with anxiety. "He has -power, and he will not hesitate to misuse it." - -"He seems to be determined to drive us out of Stanley Junction," said -Ralph. "And I fear he may succeed." - -"Not while I have you to care for and your interests to protect!" -declared Ralph, with vim. "That old man has aroused the fighting blood -in me, mother, and I'll see this thing through, and stay right on the -spot, if I have to peddle papers for a living. But don't you worry -about his getting me discharged. I have made some friends in the -railroad business, and I believe they will stick by me." - -Mrs. Fairbanks sighed in a worried way. - -"I wish you had not run counter to him to-night," she said. - -"I am glad," responded Ralph. "Don't you see he has shown his hand? -Why, mother, can anything be plainer than that he realizes our presence -here to be a constant menace to some of his interests? And as to that -random shot about Farwell Gibson--it told. He is afraid of us and this -Gibson. Well, it has all cleared the way to definite action." - -"What do you mean, Ralph?" - -"I mean that the letter Van brought us must have been very important. I -believe this man, Gibson, is alive, but in hiding. He shows it by the -roundabout, laborious way he took to send the letter, and his ignorance -of father's death. I believe that letter hinted at his knowledge of -wrongs Farrington has done us. If we can find this person, I feel -positive he can impart information of vital value to our interests." - -Mrs. Fairbanks acquiesced in her son's theories, but was timorous about -further antagonizing their enemy. It was mostly for Ralph and his -prospects that she cared. - -"I have been thinking the whole matter over, mother," proceeded Ralph, -"and I believe I see my course plain before me. As soon as I can, I am -going to ask the foreman to give me a couple of days' leave of absence. -Then I will get Mr. Griscom to take Van and me on his run, and return. -Van came in on his morning run, so I conjecture he must have got on the -train somewhere between Stanley Junction and the terminal. Is it not -possible, going back over the course, that he may show recognition of -some spot with which he is familiar?" - -"Yes, Ralph, that looks reasonable." - -"Once we know where he came from, and find his friends, we can trace up -this Mr. Gibson. Don't you see, mother?" - -Mrs. Fairbanks did see, and commended Ralph's clear, ready wit in -formulating the plan suggested. She did not show much enthusiasm, -however. She was more than content with the present--a comfortable -home, a manly, ambitious boy at her side, full of devotion to her, and -making his way steadily to the front. - -Ralph was called into the foreman's office almost as soon as he reached -the roundhouse next morning. - -Forgan looked serious and acted anxious. - -"Sit down, Fairbanks," he directed, closing the door after his visitor. -"We're in trouble here, and I guess you will have to lift us out of it." - -"Can I, Mr. Forgan?" inquired Ralph. - -"You can help, that's sure. Those brass fittings you found were stolen -from the railroad company." - -"I thought that. They had the Great Northern stamp on them." - -"That isn't the worst of it. Some one has been systematically rifling -the supply bins. I suppose you know that some of these pinions and -valves are very nearly worth their weight in silver?" - -"I know they must cost considerable, those of a special pattern," -assented Ralph. - -"They do. That little heap you brought in the bag represents something -over fifty dollars to the company." - -Ralph was surprised at this declaration. - -"To an outsider they are not worth one-tenth that amount, because there -is a penalty for selling them, even as junk, and the only people who -handle them are stolen-goods receivers, who melt them down. Well, -Fairbanks, I started an investigation in the supply department last -evening. The result is astonishing." - -The foreman's grave manner indicated that he had some pretty sensational -disclosures in reserve. - -"We find," continued Forgan, "that there has been cunning, systematic -thievery; some one entirely familiar with the supply sheds and their -system has removed a large amount of plunder, probably a little at a -time. They, or he, whoever it is, did not excite suspicions by taking -the fittings from the bins, but tapped the reserve boxes and kegs in the -storeroom. We estimate that nearly two thousand dollars' worth of stuff -has been stolen." - -Ralph was astonished at this statement. - -"That means trouble for me," announced the foreman, "unless I can remedy -it. I am supposed to employ reliable men, and safeguard the goods in -their charge. The railroad company doesn't stop to find excuses for -shortages, they simply discharge a man who is not smart enough to -protect his own and the company's interests." - -"I understand," murmured Ralph. - -"A new inventory is due next month. I must recover that stolen -plunder--at least discover the thieves--to square myself before then," -announced Forgan. "We can't afford to dodge any corners, Fairbanks, and -I want you to be clear and open with me. I believe that young rascal, -Ike Slump, had a hand in the robbery, and I further believe that you -know it to be a fact." - -"I do not positively know it, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph. - -"But you suspect it, eh? Don't shield a rogue, Fairbanks. It isn't -fair to me and it isn't fair to the company. Ike's father told me this -morning you promised to try and find his son for him. I think you are -shrewd enough to do it. All right--at the same time keep in mind my -interest in the affair, and try and get a clew from Ike Slump as to -those stolen fittings. You can call the day off--I'll pay your time out -of my own pocket." - -Ralph understood what was expected of him. He received the suggestions -of his superior without further questioning, as if they comprised a -regular order, went to his locker, and in a few minutes was ready for -the street. - -He did not know where to find Ike Slump, but he was thoroughly -acquainted with the town, which had its rough quarters, like all other -railroad centers. - -Extending from the depot along the tracks for half a mile were small -hotels, workingmen's boarding houses, second-hand stores, restaurants -saloons, and all kinds of little business places. - -They comprised a nest where most of the drinking and all of the crime of -the place occurred. It was not a desirable quarter, but Ralph realized -that within its precincts he was likely to locate Ike Slump, if at all -in Stanley Junction. - -Ralph put in an hour strolling in the vicinity. He kept a keen eye out -for those of Ike's chosen chums whom he knew. He did not believe that -Ike was likely to show himself much in the day-time. His father had -been unable to find him, and Ike probably had some safe hide-out, and -pickets on the lookout, besides. - -About eleven o'clock, coming down the tracks near the scene of the -battle royal, Ralph discovered half a dozen boys in the rear yard of a -blacksmith shop. - -Various vehicles, sheds and general yard litter enabled Ralph to -approach them unobserved. He fancied that at least two of the crowd had -been mixed up in the fracas which Van's valiant onslaught had -terminated, for one had a swollen nose and another a black eye. - -Ralph suddenly appeared before the crowd, engrossed in their game. They -rose up, startled. Then he was apparently recognized, for a quick -murmur went the rounds, and they quickly hunched together with lowering -brows and suspicious looks. - -"I want to have a word with you fellows," said Ralph bluntly. - -They were six to one, and here was a golden opportunity to avenge the -ignominious defeat they had sustained. Ralph's off-hand bearing, -however, his clear eye and manly tones, impressed them, and perhaps, -too, they had a wholesome fear that his giant-fisted champion, Van, -might be lurking in the vicinity. - -No one spoke, and Ralph resumed. - -"See here, boys, this is business. I want to find Ike Slump, and it's -for his own good. He's likely to get into trouble if he doesn't see his -father very soon, and it will be the police, not me, next visit. His -mother's sick, boys, sick abed, and heart-broken over his absence. Come, -fellows, tell me where he is." - -"You're pretty fresh!" spoke out one of the crowd. "What are you after? -a bluff, or a give-away?" - -"If you mean I am misrepresenting Ike's danger, or that I have any -unfriendly feeling towards him," said Ralph, "you are entirely wrong. -I'm trying to help him, for the sake of his poor mother and others--not -hurt him." - -Two or three heads went close together. There was a brief undertoned -conference. - -"We don't bite," finally announced the spokesman of the crowd. "We'll -take your message to Ike. If he wants to find you, he knows how." - -"All right," said Ralph, moving away--"only he may wait too long. I'll -give you a quarter to put me in touch with him for two minutes." - -No one responded to the offer. A little dirty-faced urchin, who looked -unhappy and out of place with that motley crew, looked longingly at -Ralph. No one called him back as he moved slowly away. - -Ralph left the place, and had gone about two hundred yards down the -track along a high fence, when he heard a thin, piping voice call out: - -"Hold on, mister, back up--I want to tell you something!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX--THE HIDE-OUT - - -"Where are you?" Ralph inquired, somewhat mystified. - -"Here I am--the wiggling stick. I'm behind it." - -"Oh! I see!" said Ralph--"and who are you?" - -"Me? Oh, nobody in particular." - -Ralph now discovered that his challenger was on the other side of the -close board fence, and through a crack was moving a thin splinter of -wood up and down to indicate his exact location. Ralph came up to the -spot. - -"What do you want?" he inquired. - -"That quarter, mister--you know, back there with the gang, I heard you. -Well, here I am. Pass through the coin, will you?" - -Ralph got a dim focus through the crack, and surmised that the speaker -was the dirty-faced little fellow who had looked at him so longingly -when he offered the money. - -"You know where Ike Slump is?" asked Ralph. - -"No, I don't, mister." - -"Well, then?" - -"But I can put you on." - -"On to what?" - -"Where he goes every night--where you're sure to find him after dark." - -"Well, tell me." - -"See here, mister," piped the little fellow in an uncertain voice. "The -gang 'd kill me if they knew I was giving 'em away, but I'm just about -starving. Because I'm little they make me do all kinds of work, and -when there's anything to eat they forget I'm around. They stole some -melons out of the cars last night. All I got was the rind." - -"Who are you, anyway?" asked Ralph. - -"Oh, I'm nobody. I was at the county farm, but run away and got in with -these fellows. Wish I was back! I'd go, only they'd punish me and lock -me up. You give me the quarter, and I'll meet you later and show you -where Ike Slump hangs out nights." - -"You'll keep your promise?" - -"Honor bright!" - -"Where will you be?" - -"Right here, only outside the fence." - -"What time?" - -"Just at dark." - -"I'll do it," said Ralph, slipping a twenty-five-cent piece through the -crack in the fence. "Remember, now. I trust you, and I'll give you as -much more to-night if you don't play me any tricks." - -"Crackey! that's fine; only you keep mum on my showing you?" - -"I certainly will," assured Ralph. - -He did not feel certain that he had accomplished much. It all depended -on the reliability of the urchin. Ralph went back to the roundhouse and -told the foreman he could do nothing further toward locating Ike Slump -until nightfall, and put in the afternoon at his regular duties, -although Forgan told him he need not do so. - -Ralph went home at quitting-time, got his supper, explained to his -mother that he had something to attend to for the foreman, and not to -worry if he was not back early. - -He reached the rendezvous agreed on at dusk, and after a few minutes' -waiting saw the little fellow of the morning coming down the tracks. - -"I'm here," announced the new arrival. - -"So am I, as you see," answered Ralph. "How did you get on -to-day--let's see, what is your name?" - -"Teddy." - -"All right, Teddy. Did you get something to eat?" - -"Not a great deal. The fellow saw me buying some grub. I told 'em I -found a quarter, and they made me play craps with the change--twenty -cents." - -"Of course you lost." - -"Oh, sure--knew that before I began. They always win, them fellows. -Say, mister, please, I'll go ahead alone, because if any of them should -happen to see me with you it would be all-day for Teddy!" - -"Go ahead," directed Ralph. - -The boy went down the tracks. At the end of the fence he turned into a -yard with a barn at the back. The building in front was a dilapidated -two-story frame structure. The windows at the rear were fastened up, -but the one doorway visible was open, and led into a dark hallway. - -Teddy had paused near a wagon, and looked anxious to get away. - -"That's the place," he said. "You go in that door and up some stairs. -There's a big room in front where the crowd meet nights, and play cards, -and drink and smoke. Ike Slump spends all his evenings here." - -"All right," said Ralph. "There's another quarter. See here, Teddy, if -you'll come down to the roundhouse to-morrow, I'll give you a good -dinner. I want to have a talk with you." - -"Well, I'll see," said the urchin, palming the coin with a chuckle and -disappearing at once. - -Ralph looked the place over. Finally, from his knowledge of the street -beyond, he located it properly in his mind. The building, was in the -middle of what was known as Rotten Row. It was a double store front, -one half of which was occupied by a cheap barber shop. The other half, -Ralph remembered, was a second-hand clothing store run by a man named -Cohen, who also did something in the pawnbroker line. - -Ralph had often noticed the dilapidated place, and knew that its -denizens had a shady reputation. He realized that Cohen was just about -the man to encourage boys to hang around and steal, and doubtless -controlled the rooms upstairs. - -Ralph entered the dark rear hallway after some deliberation. When he -reached the top of the stairs he paused and listened. - -Under the crack of the door some gleams of light showed. The front room -of the upper story lay beyond, Ralph theorized. He could catch a low -hum of voices, the click of dominoes, and there was a tobacco taint in -the atmosphere. He ran his hand over the door, but it had no knob. the -keyhole was plugged up, and he could not see into the room. - -Ralph judged from the appearance of things that Ike Slump came to the -place by the front way, so there was no use waiting for him at the rear -stairs. He reasoned, too, that if he went around to the front he would -be seen by some of Ike's cohorts, and the latter would be warned and -kept out of the way. - -"I wish I could get a chance into that front room," mused Ralph. "Once -I come in range of Ike, I think I can at least say enough to get him to -listen to me." - -There was one other room on the second floor and one other door. Ralph -found a knob here. But the door was locked. It had, unlike the other -door, a transom. The sash of this was gone, and the space stopped up -with a loose sheet of manilla paper. - -Ralph lightly lifted himself to the knob on one foot. He pushed at the -paper, and it moved out free except at two corners where it was tacked. -It was no trick at all for Ralph to lift himself through the transom and -drop to the floor on the other side. - -With some satisfaction he noticed that this room connected with the -front apartment, the light coming in over its transom reflecting into -the rear room so that he could make out its contents plainly. - -At one side stood a big hogshead nearly full of loose excelsior, used -for packing. Near it were as many as twenty flat boxes. Ralph touched -one with his foot. He could not budge it, and then, drawing closer, he -looked into a box with its cover off, and saw that it was nearly full of -brass fittings. - -"They're here, there's a lot of them," breathed Ralph quickly, "packed -up for shipment. This is a find! What had I better do?" - -The discovery modified all Ralph's prearranged plans. He knew quite -well that if found in this room his presence would show a _prima facie_ -evidence that he knew the storage place of the stolen plunder. Ralph -decided to get out as quickly as he had got in, and try to come upon Ike -from some other point of the compass, without giving the alarm to Cohen, -or whoever really controlled the stolen goods. - -Before he could make a move, however, a key grated in the lock of the -connecting room. The knob was broken off on the inside of the door over -which he had just clambered. To reach the transom and get sufficient -purchase to let himself over through the aperture he would have to have -a box or chair to stand on. - -There was no time to select either. The door leading to the front room -came briskly open. Ralph looked for a hiding place. None presented, -for the boxes lay flat on the floor, and the hogshead was away from the -side wall. - -Ralph thought quick and acted on an impulse. He thrust his arm down -into the hogshead. Its light contents gave way to the touch. - -Leaping its rim, Ralph sank as in a snowbank, ducked down his head, -pulled the stringy wooden fiber over it, and snuggled inside the -hogshead, out of view. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--A FREE RIDE - - -The hogshead in which Ralph had ensconced himself was made of loose, -defective staves. He found himself facing an aperture, through which he -could look quite readily. - -Two persons entered the room. One was Ike Slump. The other Ralph -recognized as the second-hand dealer, Cohen. The latter carried a lamp, -which he placed on a shelf. He closed the door after him, and sat down -on a box. Ralph's range of vision was immediately impeded. Ike had -lifted himself to the edge of the hogshead and perched there, his feet -dangling and beating a tattoo on the staves with his heels. - -"Now then, Slump," were Cohen's first words, "you're bound to leave?" - -"Haven't I got to?" demanded Ike testily. "I'm in a nice box, I -am--lost my job, don't dare to go home, and no money." - -"I gave you some." - -"A measly ten dollars in a week, not a fiftieth part of what I brought -in. See here, Cohen, you haven't given me a fair deal. I've taken all -the risk, and what have I got?" - -"The risk? the risk?" repeated Cohen. "My young friend, it's me who -takes all the risk. Suppose the railroad men should drop in here and -find the stuff? Where would I be? As to money, will anybody else you -know touch the stuff?" - -"Well, I've got to get some funds, I'm going to slope the town for -good," announced Ike. "Now, there'll be no slip up if I carry out your -plans?" - -"Not a bit of it," answered Cohen. "I have no facilities here for -handling railroad junk. Jacobs, at Dover, has. I don't dare to ship it -by rail. He has his own melters. I furnish the horse and wagon. We'll -load you up, and cover the boxes with vegetables. All you've got to do -is to drive out of town and deliver the goods at Dover. You say your -friend, the tramp, will go with you?" - -"Yes, but what about the team? I won't come back, you know. I'm going -West for a spell." - -"Jacobs will attend to the team. See, here is a letter--give it to him. -He'll give you the twenty-five dollars I promised you, and that's the -end of it." - -"All right. What time shall we start?" - -"When the town is asleep, and nobody nosing around. Say one o'clock, -sharp." - -"I'll be ready." - -The conference seemed ended. Ralph comprehended that his double mission -would be ineffective unless he got word to Ike Slump's father and the -roundhouse foreman within the next four hours. - -He lay snug and still, formulating an escape from the place as soon as -the two plotters should withdraw. - -Ike slipped to the floor, took out a cigarette, lit it, threw the match -away, and stretched his arms and yawned. - -"Give me a little loose change to play with the crowd, Cohen, will you?" -he asked. - -Cohen reached in his pocket, but very quickly drew out his hand again -empty, to point it excitedly at the hogshead with the sharp cry. - -"Fire! look there! You stupid, see what you've done!" - -"What have I done? Ginger--the cigarette!" - -Ralph quivered as he listened and looked. A swishing sound accompanied -a brilliant flare. Ike had carelessly thrown the match with which he -had lighted his cigarette into the midst of the dry, tindery excelsior. - -"Put it out! Stamp it out!" yelled Cohen. - -Ike grabbed a handful or two of the flaming mass, burned his fingers, -and retreated, while Cohen made a frightened rush for a stand in one -corner of the room holding a big pitcher. - -He ran at the hogshead with it. It was half-full of water. Cohen -doused it into the hogshead just as Ralph, unable to stand the pressure -any longer, arose upright. - -Ike gave a stare and a shout. Cohen jumped back with alarm in his face. -The water had extinguished the blaze, but the episode had betrayed -Ralph's presence to his enemy. - -"Who are you?" ejaculated Cohen darkly, grasping, the pitcher and again -advancing. - -"Needn't ask him--I know!" snapped out Ike. "Grab him, Cohen! It's -Ralph Fairbanks, from the roundhouse, and he's a spy!" - -Ralph leaned a hand on the hogshead rim to get purchase for a leap out -of his difficulties. Ike made a spring for him and grabbed one arm, -preventing the movement. - -"If he's a railroader and a spy," cried Cohen, "we're in for it!" - -"Don't let him go, then--oh!" - -Ike went spinning, for Ralph had given him a quick blow, knocking him -aside. Cohen swung the pitcher aloft. Down it came with terrific -force. Ralph experienced a blow on the side of the head that instantly -shut out sense and sight. He fell over the edge of the hogshead, and -hung there limp and lifeless. - -It was the first blank in his life. Its duration Ralph could only -surmise as he opened his eyes. At first he fancied he was blind, for -everything was pitchy black about him. He sat up with difficulty, -putting a hand to his head where it felt sore and smarted. - -Ralph found a bad cut there, which had bled profusely. The blow with -the pitcher had been cruelly heavy. He sat up, swaying to and fro, and -soon traced out his environment. - -He was in a freight car, its doors and windows were closed, and it was -rolling along at a good fast rate of speed. - -Ralph reasoned out his situation. His enemies had fancied he was -seriously hurt, or wanted him out of the way until they could safely -remove the stolen plunder. His hopes and plans were effectually balked -if he had been long insensible, or was far on the free trip, for which -they had booked him. They had carried him from Cohen's rooms by way of -the back stairs, had thrown him into the empty car, and had left him to -his fate. - -Ralph tried the side door of the car. To his satisfaction it shoved -open freely. Getting his eyes used to the darkness and his mind -clearer, as the moments sped by, he endeavored to guess his location and -estimate the time. - -He was partly familiar with the road, and knew considerable as to the -various passenger and freight trains and their schedule and route. Ralph -concluded that he was on the regular nine o'clock freight, which usually -hauled empties, going south. Judging from distant lights in houses -scattered on the landscape, he estimated that it was about ten o'clock. - -He soon surmised from landmarks he passed that the train was not on the -main line. As he neared a cattle pen he knew exactly where he was--two -miles from Acton and about twenty-two from Stanley Junction. - -"They don't stop for ten miles," quickly reckoned Ralph. "There's the -creek. I've got to get to Acton and back to the Junction before -midnight, if I hope to accomplish anything." - -The train slowed somewhat on the up grade. Ralph clung to the door and -looked ahead. It was a long train, and he was at about its middle. He -had an idea of trying to get to the roof, run back to the caboose, and -try and interest the conductor. On second thought, however, he realized -that he could not expect them to stop for him. He would only lose time. -A daring idea presented itself to his mind, and his breath came quick. -An opportunity hovered, and he had too much reliance in himself to let -it pass by. - -"I've got to get back and stop the removal of that stolen plunder," he -kept telling himself over and over, fixing his eyes on the signals that -indicated the bridge over the creek. - -Ralph posed for a spring as the locomotive struck the bridge and the -gleaming waters came nearer and nearer. The bridge had no railing, and -they were on the outer side; Ralph posed himself steady and true, let go -the door, and leaped into the darkness as the car he was in reached the -middle of the bridge. - -Then he dropped down like a shot, struck the cold, deep water, and went -under. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--BEHIND TIME - - -The boy was completely at home in the water, but the present instance -was somewhat extraordinary. The shock and chill of his daring jump, -added to his naturally weakened condition after Cohen's stunning blow -with the pitcher, helped to confuse him. But he never lost his presence -of mind, and as he felt himself deprived of his usual buoyancy, he -struck out under water for the shore. - -He waited on the bank long enough for the water to drip off from him, -and getting his breath, started to regain the railroad tracks. - -When he came to a little station he found it closed for the night, but -he knew that the agent must live in some one of the few houses in the -settlement. He might locate him and induce him to come to the station -and telegraph to Stanley Junction. With the aid of a signal lantern, -however, Ralph was able to see the clock in the station. It was a few -minutes after ten o'clock. - -"There's a train reaches the Junction at eleven twenty-five," he -reflected. "By hustling I can catch it at Acton. I can tell more and -do more personally in five minutes than I can in five hours by wiring." - -Ralph reached Acton some minutes before the West train came in. He had -some change in his pocket, paid his fare to the Junction, and went out -on the rear platform as they neared the destination. - -He left the train a mile from the depot, swinging off at a point that -would enable him to reach the roundhouse foreman's house by a short cut. - -Ralph found the place closed up. There was a light in one upper room, -however, and he had only to knock twice when Forgan came to the door in -his shirt-sleeves. - -"Is it you, Fairbanks?" he said, in some surprise. - -"Yes, sir, and--special!" - -"Why, what have you been into?" exclaimed Forgan, catching a glimpse of -Ralph's bedraggled form and disfigured head. - -"I have been in a freight car for one thing, and in the river for -another," said Ralph. "There is no time to lose, Mr. Forgan, if you -want to get back those stolen fittings." - -"You know where they are?" - -"I know where they were at eight o'clock," responded Ralph, "but I know -they won't be there much after midnight. - -"Good--wait a minute," directed Forgan. - -He hurried back into the house and returned drawing on his coat. "I was -just going to bed," he explained. "Now, then, Fairbanks," as he led the -way to the street. "Tell your story--quick." - -Ralph recited his experience of the past four hours, and Forgan hastened -his steps as the narration developed the necessity of sharp, urgent -action. - -"Fairbanks, you are a trump!" commended Forgan, as the story was all -told. "I'll leave you here. You get home, into dry clothes, and have -your hurt attended to. You had better take the sick-list benefits for a -day or two. Good-night--till I have something more definite to say to -you." - -A dismissal did not suit Ralph at all. It looked like crowding him out -of an exciting and interesting game only half-finished. - -"I might help you some further," he began, but Forgan interrupted him -with the words: - -"You've done the real work, Fairbanks, and neither of us will care to -muddle in with the details of arrest. I shall put the matter directly -in the hands of the road detective, Matthewson. I am sorry for his -father's sake if Ike Slump gets caught in the net, but he deserves it -fully, and I can't stop to risk the interests of the railway company." - -Ralph went home. As he expected, his mother was waiting up for him. She -was not the kind of a woman to faint or get hysterical at the sight of a -little blood, but she was anxious and trembling as she helped Ralph to -get into comfortable trim. - -"Don't worry, mother," said Ralph. "This is probably the end of trouble -with the Ike Slump complication." - -"I always fear an enemy, Ralph," sighed the widow. "It seems as if you -are fated to have them at every step. I keep thinking day and night -about Gasper Farrington's unmanly threat." - -"Mother," said Ralph earnestly, "I am trying to do right, am I not?" - -"Oh, Ralph--never a boy better!" - -"Thank you, mother, that is sweet praise, and worth going through the -experience that will make a man of me. Well, I am going to keep right -on doing my duty the best way I know how. I expect ups and downs. Men -like Farrington may succeed for a time, but in the end I believe I shall -come out just right." - -Ralph found himself a trifle sore and stiff the next morning, but he -started for work as usual. He was curious as to the outcome of the -foreman's action the night previous. Forgan, however, did not show up -at the roundhouse till ten o'clock. He at once called Ralph into his -little office. - -"Well, Fairbanks," he said briskly, "I suppose you will be interested to -know the outcome of last night's affair?" - -"Very much so," acknowledged Ralph. - -"The road detective and myself were at Cohen's before midnight. The -birds had flown." - -"Had they moved the plunder, too?" - -"Yes, what you described as being in boxes was all carted away." - -"And Ike Slump had gone?" - -"Presumably. We found that two horses and a wagon belonging to Cohen -were missing. The only person we found, outside of Cohen, was a little -fellow asleep in an outside shed." - -"Was his name Teddy?" And Ralph gave a rapid description of the county -farm waif. - -"That's the boy. He's in jail with Cohen, now. They want to detain him -as a witness. In Cohen's barn, hidden under some hay, we found two old -locomotive whistles. He claims that he did not know they were there. -The road detective, however, says if we can fasten the least real -suspicion on Cohen and break up his fence, we will have rooted out this -robbery evil, for the crowd he housed and encouraged to steal has -scattered." - -"Has Mr. Matthewson tried to overtake the wagon?" - -"Yes, he has men out in pursuit. If we can recover those fittings, -Fairbanks, it will be a glad day for me and a lucky one for you." - -But with the arrest of Cohen, his release on bail, bound over to appear -before the September grand jury, the affair seemed ended. - -The little fellow, Teddy, could not, or would not tell, much and was -also released. Ike Slump's crowd melted away, and Ike Slump, and his -tramp friend, and Cohen's two horses and wagon, and the boxed-up brass -fittings, had vanished as completely as if the earth had opened and -swallowed them up. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--BARDON, THE INSPECTOR - - -Matters dropped into a pleasant routine for Ralph, the two weeks -succeeding his rather stormy introduction into active railroad life at -the roundhouse of the Great Northern at Stanley Junction. - -It was like a lull after the tempest. The youthful hoodlum gang that -had been a menace to Ralph and the railroad company had been entirely -broken up. - -Tim Forgan was a changed man. He and the senior Slump had drifted -apart, and the foreman's previous irascibility and suspicious gloom had -departed. He was more brisk, natural and cheery, and Ralph believed and -fervently hoped had given up the tippling habit which had at times made -him a capricious slave to men and moods. - -The lame helper had become a useful, pleasant chum to Ralph. There was -not a day that he did not teach the novice some new and practical point -in railroad experience. - -Gasper Farrington Ralph had not met again. - -At the cottage Van led an even, happy existence, making no trouble, -being extremely useful and industrious, and daily more and more -endearing himself to both Ralph and Mrs. Fairbanks. - -With the dog house crowd Ralph had become a general favorite. He had -won the regard of those rough and ready fellows, and his loyal adhesion -to Griscom in the fire at the shops, his rescue of little Nora Forgan, -and his manly, accommodating ways generally, had enforced their respect, -and more than one dropped his oaths and coarseness when Ralph -approached, and they tipped over the liquor bottle of one of the -"extras" who had the temerity to ask Ralph to test its contents. - -Altogether, Ralph was going through a happy experience, and every day -life and railroading seemed to develop some new charm of novelty and -progress. - -It was with a proud spirit that he took home his first month's salary, -twenty-seven dollars and some odd cents. - -Those odd cents, with some added, Ralph stopped near the depot to hand -over to little Teddy. - -The county farm orphan had been turned loose from custody after a week's -imprisonment, with orders to report to the police at nine o'clock every -Monday morning. - -He was practically on parole, the authorities hoping that on the trial -of Cohen he might give some evidence that would implicate the -stolen-goods receiver, and Ralph had run across the little fellow -drifting aimlessly about the town. - -Ralph had a long talk with him, then he decided to "stake" him as a -newsboy. The depot watchman agreed to let him sell papers at the train -exit, and Teddy had done fairly well, earning enough to pay for his -lodging, Ralph making up the deficiency as to meals. - -It was a bright hour in Mrs. Fairbanks' life when, after putting -together what money she had with Ralph's earnings, and deducting the -interest due Gasper Farrington, they were able to count a surplus of -nearly twelve dollars. - -Mrs. Fairbanks took the interest money to a bank where she had been -notified the note was deposited, paid the amount, received the note, and -with a lightened heart contemplated the future. - -Two mornings later, when Ralph entered the roundhouse, he was accosted -by Limpy in a keen, quick way. - -"Primping day, Fairbanks," said the lame helper. "You want to hustle." - -"What are you getting at?" inquired Ralph. - -"Inspection." - -"That's new to me." - -"So I'll explain. The inspector is on his tour, we got the tip to-day. -Came up on the daylight mail." - -"What does he inspect?" - -"Everything from a loose drop of oil to a boiler dent. He is so beloved -that the dog house crowd kick loose all the litter cans soon as he's -gone, and so particular that he inspects the locomotives with a -magnifying glass." - -"Who is he?" inquired Ralph curiously. - -"Bardon is his name--it ought to be Badone! He's a relative of and -trains with the division superintendent. He acted as a spy at the -switchmen's strike, got nearly killed for his sneaking tactics, and the -company rewarded him by giving him a gentlemanly position." - -Ralph readily saw that this Mr. Bardon was not a favorite with the rank -and file of the railroad crowd. - -"Well, we'll have to show him what a lot of active elbow grease will do -towards making this a model roundhouse," said Ralph cheerfully. - -Limpy was not at all in harmony with this idea, and showed it plainly by -action and words. He and the others considered the roundhouse and its -privileges essentially their personal property, and resented advice or -censure, especially from a man whom they intensely disliked. - -During the afternoon various little things were done about the dog house -that indicated the spirit of the crowd there. A pasteboard box nailed -to the wall bore written directions to engineers and firemen to keep -their kid gloves there. Another stated that brakemen must not wear -turned collars. Various receptacles were labeled "For cinders," "Clean -your nails here," and the general layout was a palpable satire on the -strained relations with an expected visitor who was considered a -martinet. - -Ralph went carefully and conscientiously to work to brighten up things a -bit and make them look their best, while Limpy growled and grumbled at -him all the afternoon. - -About four o'clock the lame helper was enjoying a brief respite from -work at his usual lounging place, standing on a bench and looking out of -a window. He called Ralph so suddenly and sharply that the latter -hurried towards him. - -"Quick!" uttered Limpy, face and hands working spasmodically, as they -always did when he was excited. - -"What's up?" inquired Ralph, leaping to the bench beside him. - -"Look there!" directed the helper. - -He pointed to a long freight train backing down the tracks. It had just -passed a switch. - -"Pivot loose, and the signal flanges exactly reversed!" pronounced Limpy -quickly. "They think they are on track A. Say, it's sure to be a -smash!" - -In a twinkling Ralph's eye took in the situation. The train was on a -curve, and had run back all right in response to switch A, set open, -according to the white indicator on top. But red should have shown, it -appeared. The pivot holding the signal in unison with the operating bar -must have become loosened, and the wind had blown the signal plate awry. - -The freight, therefore, had struck track B, which a hundred feet further -on split off onto two sets of rails. Both had short ends, terminating -at bumpers, and each held a single car. - -Track C held a gaudy, expensive car belonging to some traveling show, -all gold and glitter, and must have cost eighteen thousand dollars. -Track D held an old disabled box car. And into one or the other of -these the backing freight was destined to run unless checked inside of -the next half minute. - -"Give me a show!" spoke Ralph, in a hurry. - -He brushed Limpy aside, leaped through the window, struck the ground -eight feet below the high sill, and made a run towards the backing -freight. - -The curve prevented his seeing the engine or any one to whom he might -signal. He doubled his pace, reached the split switch, unlocked the -bar, half-lifted it, and stood undecided. - -It was not his province to interfere, he well knew, if half the cars on -the road were reduced to kindling wood through the mistake or -carelessness of some one else, but action was irresistible with his -impetuous nature when the same meant timely service. - -If he left the switch as it now was, the freight would back down into -the show car with terrific destructive force. - -It seemed a pity to spoil that new pretty model of the car builder's -art. Ralph discerned that the box car was ready for the scrap heap, and -decided. - -He pulled the switch over, not a moment too soon, jumped back, and the -next minute the freight train struck the solitary box car, and it -collapsed like a folding accordion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--A NEW ENEMY - - -The box car was smashed teetotally. The car that struck it had one end -battered in, its rear trucks rode up over the dbris threatening to -telescope or derail others, but the engineer ahead, catching the token -of some obstruction from the shock, shut off steam quick enough to -prevent any very serious general results. - -The crash had sounded far and wide. Ralph stood surveying the wreck and -ruin in a kind of fascinated daze. - -Yardmen came rushing up from all directions. Soon too, the brakeman of -the freight and its engineer were hurrying to the scene of the wreck. - -More leisurely, a man carrying a cane, faultlessly dressed, and -accompanied by the depot master, crossed from the semaphore house to the -spot. - -Ralph turned to look at the stranger of the twain as he heard a voice in -the crowd say: - -"There's Bardon, the inspector." - -The engineer was vociferously disclaiming any responsibility in the -affair, and his brakeman tranquilly listened to him as he recited that -he had taken signals as set. - -The one-armed switchman who had charge of these tracks appeared on the -scene, his signal flag stuck under his perfect arm, and looking -flustered. - -Everybody was asking questions or explaining, as the depot master and -his companion edged their way to the rails. - -Ralph had a full view now of the man he knew to be Bardon, the -inspector. - -His first impression was a vivid one. He saw nothing in the coarse, -sensual lips and shifty, sneering eye of the man to commend him for -either humanity or ability. - -"What's the trouble here?" questioned Bardon, with the air of a person -owning everything in sight, and calling down the humble myrmidons who -had dared to interfere with the smooth workings of an immaculate railway -system. - -"You ought to be able to see," growled the freight engineer bluntly. - -The inspector frowned at this free-and-easy, offhand offense to his -dignity and importance. - -"I'm Bardon," he said, as if the mention of that name would suffice to -bring the stalwart engineer to the dust. - -"I know you are," said the latter indifferently. "Cut off the two last -cars," he ordered to his brakeman, turning his back on Bardon and -starting back for his engine to pull out. - -"Hold on," ordered the inspector. - -The engineer halted with a sullen, disrespectful face. - -"Well?" he projected. - -"Who's to blame in this smash up?" - -"Tain't me, that's dead sure," retorted the engineer, with a careless -shrug of his shoulders, "and we'll leave it to the yardmaster to find -out." - -"_I_ want to find out," spoke Bardon incisively--"I am here to do just -this kind of thing. Can't you read a signal right?" he demanded of the -brakeman. - -The latter smiled a lazy smile, lurched amusedly from side to side, took -a chew of tobacco, and counter-questioned: - -"Can't you?" - -Mr. Bardon, inspector, was getting scant courtesy shown him all around, -and his eyes flashed. He deigned to glance at the first switch. It was -set wrong, he could detect that at a glance. - -"How's this?" he called to the one-armed switchman sharply. "You're -responsible here." - -"I reckon not, cap'n," answered the man lightly. "The switch is set on -rule. I got no signal to change it." - -"But the indicator's wrong?" - -"That's the repair gang's business--and the wind. The Great Northern -don't own the wind, so I reckon it will have to pocket the loss -gracefully." - -Bardon bit his lips. - -"We've saved the junkmen a job as it is," said the freight engineer. -"The switch was set for track C. You'd have had a pretty bill if you'd -smashed that twenty-thousand dollar show car yonder." - -"That's right--the switch was C open," declared the switchman. - -"Then who changed it?" demanded Bardon, scenting a chance yet to exploit -his meddling, nosing qualifications. - -Ralph hesitated. He doubted if Bardon was the proper party to whom to -report. He, however, simplified the situation by saying: - -"I did it, sir." - -"Eh? Why--you!" exclaimed the inspector, turning on him with a -malevolent scowl. - -"Yes, sir." - -"What did you change it for?" - -The freight engineer gave a derisive guffaw. - -"To save the show car, of course!" he said quickly. "The company owes -you about nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars, kid!" -declared the engineer, giving Ralph a glance of the profoundest -admiration. - -But Mr. Bardon, inspector, was not to be moved by matters of sentiment. -He fixed a stony stare on the free-and-easy engineer, and turned upon -Ralph, the icy, immovable disciplinarian to perfection. - -"What right have you to tamper with the railway company's switches?" he -demanded. - -"None, perhaps," answered Ralph, "but----" - -"You are a switchman?" - -"No, sir, but I am an employe of the company." - -"Oh, you are?" - -Ralph bowed. - -"In what capacity?" - -"Wiper." - -"At the roundhouse?" - -"Yes." - -"And you took it on yourself to----" - -"To choose the best horn of a dilemma, and saved the company a big lump -of money," put in the imperturbable freight engineer. "And bully for -you, kid! and if we had more sharp young eyes and ready wits like yours, -there would not be so many smash-ups. That's right, Bardon?" - -The inspector scowled dreadfully. If the engineer had called him Mr. -Bardon he might have coincided in the view of the case presented. -Turning his back on the free and fearless knight of the lever as if he -was dirt under his feet, he took out a pencil and memorandum book. - -"I'll look into this matter myself," he said severely. "You say you are -a wiper, young man?" - -"Yes, sir," assented Ralph. - -"Name?" - -"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks." - -"What--eh? Oh, yes! Ralph Fairbanks." - -The young railroader regarded the inspector with positive astonishment -as he uttered that sharp startling "What." He was manifestly roused up. -Quickly, however, Bardon recovered himself, looked Ralph over with a -decided show of interest, seemed secretly thinking of something, and -then, fingering over the pages of his memorandum book, appeared looking -for a notation, found it apparently, glanced again at Ralph in a -sinister way, and said calmly: - -"Very well, get your time." - -"What is that, sir?" exclaimed Ralph, startled anew. - -"Laid off, pending an investigation," added Bardon. - -Ralph's heart beat a trifle unsteadily, but he straightened up with -decision. - -"Does that mean, Mr. Bardon, that I am not to go back to work?" - -"You can understand what you like," snapped the inspector, seemingly -glad to show his authority to this disrespectful crowd, and appearing to -bear some personal spite against Ralph in particular, "only you are -suspended until this matter is looked into." - -Bardon turned to resume his way with the depot master, who looked bored -and uneasy. - -"Hold on!" thundered a tremendous bass voice. "That don't work." - -A greasy paw closed around the immaculate coat-sleeve of the inspector, -who turned with a brow as dark as a thunder cloud. - -"Drop my arm--what do you mean!" breathed Bardon, with a glance at the -husky freight engineer as if he would annihilate him. - -"Just this, Mr. Inspector Bardon," said the engineer, with a -never-quailing eye and the zest of extreme satisfaction in words and -bearing, "you can't lay anybody off." - -"I represent the Great Northern Railway Company," announced Bardon -grandiloquently. - -"Read your rules, then," retorted the engineer, "and see how far it will -sustain you in exceeding your duties. I tell you they won't uphold you, -and I speak with the voice of eighty-six thousand men and their -auxiliaries behind me--the International Brotherhood of Locomotive -Engineers." - -Bardon stood nonplussed. He fidgeted and turned ghastly with vexation. - -"I'll see that the proper official carries out my instructions just the -same," he said in a kind of a vicious hiss. - -"There's just one man to help you, then," coolly announced the engineer, -"and that's Tim Forgan." - -The inspector moved hastily away. - -"And he won't do it!" concluded the engineer, in an chuckling undertone, -giving Ralph a ringing slap on the shoulder. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND - - -Ralph went back to the roundhouse a trifle perturbed in his mind as to -the outcome of the episode of the hour. - -Something instinctively told him that he was about to have trouble. He -did not like that violent start of the inspector when he heard his name, -and there was something sinister in the way Bardon had looked up some -memoranda, and afterwards eyed him as a vulture might its prey. - -Limpy nearly had a fit when he had managed to probe out of Ralph the -details of his arraignment by the great and potent inspector. - -"Lay you off for saving the company a small fortune?" raved the helper -indignantly. "Say! you just tell that malicious scoundrel I told you to -change the switch." - -"I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Ralph calmly, "and you are a -good deal more worried about the affair than I am. I acted as common -sense and duty dictated, and I do not fear the final outcome." - -Just before quitting-time Bardon came into the roundhouse. He was -closeted with the foreman in his office until the whistle sounded, and -as Ralph left the place both came out and began a tour of the place. - -"I expect something will drop in the morning!" Ralph half-jocularly told -Limpy, as he bade him good-night. - -Ralph made it a rule to tell his mother everything of interest and -importance that came up during the day. Mrs. Fairbanks was manifestly -troubled when he had recited his encounter with Bardon. - -After supper Ralph went out with Van to inspect the new chicken coop he -had just built. He was surprised and pleased at the patience, ingenuity -and actual hard work displayed in the same, and Van seemed to show a -deeper appreciation and understanding of Ralph's commendation than he -had heretofore displayed. - -Ralph viewed him thoughtfully. He again began considering a plan to -take Van down the road some day on the chance of locating his former -home. - -At nine o'clock that evening, just as Ralph was locking up for the -night, there came a tremendous thump at the front door. - -Ralph went thither, to confront Big Denny, the yard watchman. - -Denny was in a feverish state of excitement, was perspiring, prancing -about with his cane, never still, and laboring under some severe mental -agitation. - -"Alone, Fairbanks?" he projected, in a startling, breathless kind of a -way. - -"They've all gone to bed but myself," answered Ralph. - -"Can I come in?" - -"Surely, and welcome." - -Denny thumped into the little parlor. He mopped his brow prodigiously, -loosened his collar, fidgeted and fumed, and after looking cautiously -around put his finger mysteriously to his lips with the -hoarsely-whispered injunction: - -"Secret as the grave, Fairbanks!" - -Ralph nodded, with a smile indulging the whim or mood of his good loyal -friend, who he knew was given to heroics. - -"What's the trouble?" he asked. - -"Bardon." - -"I fancied so," said Ralph. - -"Came right up here to see you," explained Denny. "Forgan sent me." - -"The foreman?" murmured Ralph, in some surprise. - -"Yes. You are not to report in the morning." - -"Does Mr. Forgan say so?" - -"Strictly. You are not to come near the roundhouse for a good many -days. They've got it in for you, and Tim Forgan and I are going to rout -'em, horse and harness!" - -"Rout whom?" - -"Bardon and Farrington." - -Ralph started at this mention of his capitalist enemy. - -"Mr. Farrington?" he repeated. - -"Yes, old Farrington." - -"What has he got to do with it?" - -"Everything," declared Denny expansively--"everything! The company is -going to lay you off." - -"Very well," commented Ralph quietly. - -"Pending an investigation of the smash up of this afternoon." - -"I apprehended it." - -"Do you know what that means?" cried Denny, growing excited--"red tape. -Do you know what red tape means? Delay, bother, no satisfaction, tire -you out, get you out, throw you out! They catch weasels asleep, though, -ha! ha! when they try it on two old war-horses like Tim and me!" - -Big Denny hugged himself in the enjoyment of some pleasing idea not yet -fully expressed. - -"Here's the program," he went on: "the inspector came to Forgan. He'd -got hold of the smashed roundhouse wall incident, and he had hold of the -freight smash-up to-day. Said an example must be made, system must be -preserved, at least a report to headquarters, and an investigation." - -"What did Mr. Forgan say?" inquired Ralph. - -"Listened--solemnly, didn't say a word." - -"Oh!" - -"Until Bardon asked him bluntly to lay you off." - -"And then?" - -"Refused--point-blank. Bardon left in a huff, with a threat; Tim gave -me my point. I followed him. Well, soon as he gets back to Springfield -he's going to get an order over Forgan's head to lay you off." - -"Can he do it?" - -"He won't do it." - -"Why not?" - -"For a simple reason." - -"Which is?" - -"We block his game. Have you got pen, ink and paper in the house?" - -"Yes." - -"Fetch it out." - -Ralph wondered a little, but realized that he was in the hands of loyal -friends. - -"Now then, you write," directed Denny. "Mind you, Forgan is in this -with me. You write." - -"Write what?" - -"Your resignation from railroad service." - -"Whew!" exclaimed Ralph, putting down the pen forcibly. - -"Looks hard, does it?" chuckled Denny. - -"Why--yes." - -"You'll do it, just the same," predicted the big watchman. "That -resignation goes to headquarters. That ends Ralph Fairbanks, wiper, -doesn't it?" - -"I suppose it does--it looks very much like it!" added Ralph vaguely. - -"It baffles Mr. Inspector Bardon, who drops the matter, beaten." - -"But I've got to work for a living," suggested Ralph, in a half-troubled -way. - -"All right, we've fixed that--that's another section of the same game. -Write out your resignation, and I'll tell you something interesting. -Good!" - -With complacency and satisfaction the watchman folded up and pocketed -the resignation that Ralph wrote and handed him with evident reluctance. - -"That settles the fact that Ralph Fairbanks is not a discharged -employee!" chuckled Denny. "Now then, sign that." - -The watchman had produced two papers. In astonishment Ralph recognized -one as a check drawn in his favor by the railroad company for twenty -dollars. - -The other was a receipt witnessing that he had been reimbursed for time, -damage to wearing apparel and railroad expenses the night he had -discovered the stolen brass fittings. In brackets was the notation: -"Special Service work." - -"But I only spent thirty-five cents for car fare, and the suit of -clothes I soaked is as good as ever," declared Ralph. - -"You do as you're told, Fairbanks," directed Denny, with a magnanimous -wave of his hand. "Now then, we, Tim and I and Matthewson, the road -detective, estimate you had better keep active hands off railroading for -about two weeks. In the meantime, Matthewson says you can take a run -between here and Dover." - -"That's where the stolen stuff, and horse and wagon, and Ike Slump and -the tramp were started for," said Ralph. - -"Exactly. They did not arrive. Matthewson's men have failed to -discover the least trace of the layout after leaving Stanley Junction." - -"Does he expect me to?" - -"Who can tell--he wants you to try. Has considerable faith in your -abilities--as we have. He gives you two weeks at ten dollars a week. -Here's your credentials--pass on any hand car, freight train, box or -gondola, passenger coach, smoker or parlor car, locomotive, freight, -switch or passenger, on the Great Northern and all its branches." - -Ralph caught his breath short and quick. This remarkable dovetailing of -events and prospects was rather exciting. - -Having got rid of his budget of intelligence, Big Denny subsided -somewhat. He had something more on his mind, however, and he began in a -more serious way: - -"And now, Fairbanks, for the real milk in the cocoanut." - -"You don't mean to say this isn't all?" - -"Scarcely. We might have taken care of you in a less complicated way, -only that we made a certain discovery." - -Ralph looked interested and expectant. - -"It was this: Bardon, the inspector, Bardon, the ex-spy, is connected -with Mr. Gasper Farrington." - -Ralph said nothing. He recalled, however, the threat of the crafty old -capitalist. His enemy had started in to use his influence. - -"Yes," declared Denny, "Bardon went straight to Farrington's house. When -he left there he went to find some old-time cronies at the Junction -Hotel. I had a friend listening to some of his boastful talk. We know -at this moment that Gasper Farrington offers him five hundred dollars to -get you discharged and away from Stanley Junction." - -"Which he won't do!" said Ralph very positively. - -"Not while Tim and I are on deck," declared Denny as positively. -"Listen, Fairbanks: before Saturday night Forgan will see the master -mechanic, before the following Wednesday the master mechanic will see -the division superintendent, before the following Saturday the president -of the road will have in his possession your full and complete record, -beginning with your heroic conduct at the fire at the yards, the rescue -of little Nora Forgan, the discovery of the stolen fittings, the saving -of the show car to-day, and your general good conduct and efficiency in -the service." - -Ralph flushed at the hearty encomiums of this loyal old friend. - -"In another week," continued Denny, rolling the words over in his mouth -and sprawling out with a sense of the keenest enjoyment, "we guarantee, -Tim and I, a letter, something like this: 'Mr. Ralph Fairbanks: Dear -Sir: Please come back to work.'" - -"I'll thank you," said Ralph, with bright, glad, shining eyes. "My old -place again--as wiper." - -"Not much!" negatived Big Denny, looking bigger than ever as he rose to -the full magnitude of his final declaration--"as switch towerman for the -Great Northern Railway at sixty dollars a month!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI--A ROVING COMMISSION - - -It was difficult for Ralph to sleep after the departure of Big Denny. He -was still under the disturbing influence of the exciting events of the -afternoon and evening. His mother had not been disturbed by the -watchman's visit. Ralph finally strolled out into the garden, and sat -down in the little summer house to rest and think. - -He did not exactly feel as though he were at the height of his ambition, -but Ralph did feel exceedingly thankful and encouraged. He valued most -the friends he had gained personally, from the lowly walks of life it -was true, but who had been bettered and elevated by the contact. - -The pre-eminent thought now in Ralph's mind was concerning Gasper -Farrington. Had things gone on smoothly, and had the magnate left him -alone, Ralph might have been inclined to accept the situation. His -mother did not care to rouse a sleeping enemy, and he would have -respected her decision. But now that Farrington had so palpably shown -his intentions, had declared war to the knife, bitter and vindictive, -all the fighting instincts in Ralph's nature arose to the crisis. - -"I shall not take Mr. Matthewson's ten dollars a week unless I find the -stolen plunder and really earn the money," Ralph reflected. "It is -hardly probable I shall succeed along that line, after his expert -assistants have failed. But in trying to locate Van's friends I shall -probably be in the neighborhood of Dover, and I may stumble across some -clew to Ike Slump's whereabouts." - -Ralph went inside the house after an hour and brought out a railroad -map. He studied the route of the Great Northern and the location of -Dover, and went to bed full of the plan of his projected journey. - -He showed his mother the check for the twenty dollars and his pass over -the road the next morning, and explained his projects fully. They met -with the widow's approbation. - -"Not that I want to get rid of Van," she said feelingly. "He has grown -very dear to me, Ralph. Poor fellow! Perhaps it is his affliction that -appeals to me, but I should be very lonely with him away." - -"I do not think he has many friends who care for him," theorized Ralph, -"or there would have been some search, or inquiry through the -newspapers." - -After breakfast Ralph went to the depot. He found his young pensioner, -Teddy, in high feather over success in getting two hours' regular -employment a day delivering bundles for a drygoods store. Ralph gave -him some encouraging advice, and went to see the young doctor who had -attended Van. - -He explained his intended experiment clearly, and asked the physician's -opinion as to its practicability. - -"Try it by all means," advised the doctor heartily. "It can do no harm, -and the sight of some familiar place may be the first step towards -clearing the lad's clouded mind. A great shock robbed him of reason; a -like event, such as strong, sudden confrontation by some person or place -he has known for years, may restore memory instantly." - -Ralph was encouraged. When he went home he sat down with Van and tried -to fix his attention. - -It was very difficult. His strange guest would listen and look pleased -at his attention, but his eyes would wander irresistibly after some -fluttering butterfly, or with a gleam of satisfaction over to the wood -pile his careful manipulation had made as neat and symmetrical as a -storekeeper's show case. - -Ralph pronounced in turn the name of every station on the main line of -the Great Northern, but Van betokened no recognition of any of them. - -Ralph waited in the neighborhood of Griscom's house after the 10.15 -express came in, and intercepted the engineer on his way homeward. - -He showed his pass and explained his project. He wanted Griscom to -allow himself and Van to ride on the tender to the end of his run and -back. - -"That's all right, Fairbanks," said the engineer, "pass or no pass. Be -on hand at the water tank yonder as we pull out the afternoon train. -I'll slow up and take you on." - -Ralph tried to express to Van that afternoon that they were going on a -journey. Van only looked fixedly at him, but when Mrs. Fairbanks handed -him a parcel of lunch, he proudly stowed it under one arm, and when she -put on him a clean collar and necktie, he showed more than normal -animation, as though he caught a dim inkling that something out of the -usual was on the programme. - -Van went placidly with Ralph. The afternoon train came along a few -minutes after they had reached the water tank. - -"Now then," said Ralph, as Griscom slowed up, "be lively, Van!" - -His words may have conveyed no particular meaning to his companion, but -the approaching train, the picturesque track environment and Ralph's -energetic motions roused up Van, whose face betokened an eagerness out -of the common as he commented: - -"Engine." - -"Yes, Van." - -"Ride." - -Ralph bundled him up into the cab, clambered back into the tender, and -made a comfortable seat for Van on top of the coal. - -On that perch the lad seemed a happy monarch of all he surveyed. Ralph -realized that the variety and excitement had a stimulating influence on -his mind, and that even if nothing materialized in the way of -discoveries from the trip, the general effect on Van would be at least -beneficial. - -Griscom tossed a cheery word to his young passengers ever and anon. His -fireman, a new hand, was kept busy at the shovel, and had no time to -inspect or chum with the boys. - -They passed station after station. Ralph kept a close watch on Van's -face. It was as expressionless as ever. His eyes roamed everywhere, -and he was evidently at the pinnacle of complacent enjoyment. - -Outside of that, however, Van gave no indication that he saw anything in -the landscape or the depot crowds they passed that touched a responsive -chord of recognition in his nature. - -Forty miles down the road was Wilmer. It was quite a town. Southwest -forty miles lay Dover, and west was the wild, wooded stretch known as -"The Barrens." This was no misnomer. There were said to be less than -twenty habitations in the desolate eighty miles of territory. - -The Great Northern had originally surveyed ten miles into this section -with the intention of crossing it, as by that route it could strike a -favorable terminal point at a great economy of distance. The -difficulties of clearing and grading were found so unsurmountable for an -infant road, however, that the project had been finally abandoned. - -They passed Wilmer. Signals called for "slow" ahead, as a freight was -running for a siding. They had barely reached the limits of the town -when Griscom put on a little more speed. - -"Whoop!" yelled Van suddenly. - -Ralph had shifted his seat on account of some undermining of the coal -supply, and at just that moment for the first time was away from the -side of his fellow passenger. - -Before he could clamber over the coal heap Van had arisen to his feet. - -"Stop, Van!" shouted Ralph. - -But Van's eyes were fixed on the little winding country road lining the -railway fence at the bottom of the embankment. - -An antiquated gig, well loaded and attached to a sorry looking nag, and -driven by a man well muffled up in a dilapidated linen duster, was -plodding along the dusty thoroughfare. - -Upon this outfit Van's eyes appeared to be set. His hand waved -nervously, and he seemed to forget where he was, and was not conscious -of what he was doing. - -He was in the act of stepping off into nothingness, and in a quiver of -dread Ralph yelled to the engineer: - -"Mr. Griscom, stop! stop!" - -But the engineer's hearing was occupied with the hiss of steam directly -around him, and his attention riveted on signals ahead. - -Ralph made a spring. Some lumps of coal slipped under his hasty -footing. His hand just grazed a disappearing foot. - -The train was going about fifteen miles an hour, and Van had recklessly -taken a header down the embankment. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII--RECALLED TO LIFE - - -Van landed half-way down the incline. His feet sank deep into the sandy -soil, the shock threw him forward with dangerous velocity, and he went -head over heels, slid ten feet like a rocket, and reached the bottom of -the embankment. - -His head landed squarely against the lower board of the fence. Rip! -crack! splinter! The contact burst the board into kindling wood. Van -drove through and about five feet beyond, and lay still and inert in the -bed of the dusty country road. - -Ralph believed he was killed. With a groan he leaped to the side of -Griscom and grabbed his arm. The engineer's lightning eye followed his -speechless indication of Van, and he pulled the machinery to a speedy -halt that jarred every bolt and pinion. - -Ralph was trembling with dread and emotion. He ran back along the track -fifty feet, and breathlessly rushed down the incline at the point where -Van had descended. - -As he gained the bottom of the embankment his heart gave a great jump of -joy. He saw Van move, struggle to a sitting posture, rub his head -bewilderedly with one hand, and stare about him as if collecting his -scattered senses. - -"Are you hurt?" involuntarily exclaimed Ralph. - -"Not much---- Hello! Who are you?" - -Ralph experienced the queerest feeling of his life. He could not -analyze it just then. There was an indescribable change in Van that -somehow thrilled him. For the first time since Ralph had found him in -the old factory he spoke words connectedly and coherently. - -A great wave of gladness surged over Ralph's soul. He was a quick -thinker. The presentation of the moment was clear. The young doctor at -Stanley Junction had said that just as a shock had deprived Van of -reason, so a second shock might restore it. Well, the second shock had -come, it seemed, and there was Van, a new look in his eyes, a new -expression on his face. Ralph remembered to have read of just such -extraordinary happenings as the present. He had but one glad, glorious -thought--Van had been recalled to life and reason, and that meant -everything! - -Toot! toot! Ralph glanced at the locomotive where Griscom was -impatiently waving his hand. The Great Northern could not check its -schedule to suit the convenience of two dead-head passengers. - -"Quick, Van," said Ralph, seizing the arm of his companion--"hurry, we -shall be left." - -"Left--how? where?" inquired Van, resisting, and with a vague stare. - -"To the locomotive. We must get back, you know. They won't wait." - -"What have I got to do with the locomotive?" - -"You just jumped from it." - -"Who did?" - -"You." - -"You're dreaming!" pronounced Van. - -"What you giving me--or I've been dreaming," he muttered, passing his -hand over his forehead again. - -Ralph suddenly realized that Van regarded him as an entire stranger, -that time and explanation alone could restore a friendly, comprehensive -basis. - -He gave Griscom the go ahead signal. The engineer looked puzzled, but -there was no time to waste, for the tracks were now signaled clear -ahead. He put on steam and the train moved on its way, leaving Ralph -and Van behind. - -The boy paid no further attention to locomotive or Ralph. He struggled -to his feet, and looked up the country road, then down it. The gig had -disappeared, but a cloud of dust lingered in the air over where it had -just turned a bend. - -Van started forward in this direction. There was a pained, confused -expression on his face, as if he could not quite get the right of -things. Ralph came up to him and detained his steps by placing a hand -on his arm. - -The way Van shook off his grasp showed that he had lost none of his -natural strength. - -"What you want?" he asked suspiciously. - -"Don't you know me?" - -"Me? you? No." - -"Hold on," persisted Ralph, "don't go yet. You are Van." - -"That's my name, yes." - -"And I am Ralph--don't you remember?" - -"I don't." - -"Ralph Fairbanks." - -Van gave a start. He squarely faced his companion now. His blinking -eyes told that the machinery of his brain was actively at work. - -"Fairbanks--Fairbanks?" he repeated. "Aha! yes--letter!" - -His hand shot into an inside coat pocket. He withdrew it -disappointedly. Then his glance chancing to observe for the first time, -it seemed, the suit he wore, apparel that belonged to Ralph, he stood in -a painful maze, unable to figure out how he had come by it and what it -meant. - -"You are looking for a letter," guessed Ralph. - -"Yes, I was--'John Fairbanks, Stanley Junction.' How do you know?" with -a stare. - -"Because I am Ralph Fairbanks, his son. When you first showed it to -me----" - -"Showed it to you?" - -"Yes." - -"Where? - -"At Stanley Junction." - -"I never was there." - -"I think you were." - -"When?" - -"About three weeks ago. And you just left there this morning. You was -with me on that locomotive that just went ahead, jumped off, and--you -had better sit down and let me explain things." - -Van looked distressed. He was in repossession of all his faculties, -there was no doubt of that, but there was a blank in his life he could -never fill out of his own volition. He studied Ralph keenly for a -minute or two, sighed desperately, sat down on a bowlder by the side of -the road, and said: - -"Something's wrong, I can guess that. I had a letter to deliver, and it -seems as if it was only a minute ago that I had it with me. Now it's -gone, I find myself here without knowing how I came here, with you who -are a stranger telling me strange things, and--I give it up. It's a -riddle. What's the answer?" - -Ralph had a task before him. In his judgment it was best not to crowd -things too speedily, all of a jumble. - -"You came to Stanley Junction with a letter about three weeks ago," he -said. "It seemed you had dead-headed it there on the trucks from some -point down the line." - -Van nodded as if he dimly recalled all this. - -"You hid in an old factory, or went there to take a nap. A baseball -struck your head accidentally. We took you to our home, you have been -there since." - -"That's queer, I can't remember. Yes--yes, I do, in a way," Van -corrected himself sharply. "Was there a chicken house there--oh, such a -fine chicken house!" he exclaimed expansively, "with fancy towers made -out of laths, and a dandy wind vane on it?" - -"You built that chicken house yourself," explained Ralph. - -"Oh, go on!" said Van incredulously. - -"Well, you did." - -"And there was a lady there, dressed in black," muttered Van, his glance -strained dreamily. "She was good to me. She used to sing sweet -songs--just like a mother would. I never had a mother, to remember." - -Van's eyes began to fill with tears. Ralph was touched at the -recognition of his mother's gentleness. Emotion had lightened the -shadows in Van's mind more powerfully than suggestion or memory. - -Ralph felt that he had better rouse his companion from a retrospective -mood. - -"You're all right now," he said briskly. - -"And I was knocked silly?" observed Van "I see how it was. I've been -like a man in a long sleep. How did I come out of it, though?" - -"Just as you went into it--with a shock. I took you for a trip on a -locomotive. Just as we got near here you made a sudden jump, rolled -down the embankment, your head burst through that fence board yonder, -and I thought you were killed." - -Van felt over his head. He winced at a sensitive touch at one spot, but -said, with a light laugh: - -"I've got a cast-iron skull, I guess! But what made me jump from the -locomotive? Did I have daffy fits?" - -"Oh, not at all." - -"Well, then?" - -"Why," said Ralph, "I think the sight of a man in a long linen duster, -driving a one-horse gig down this road startled you or attracted your -attention, or something of that sort." - -"Ginger!" interrupted Van, jumping to his feet, "I remember now! It -was--him! And I've got to see him. He went that way. I'm off." - -"Hold on! hold on!" called the dismayed Ralph. - -But Van heard not, or heeded not. He sprinted for the bend in the road, -Ralph hotly at his heels. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII--MYSTERY - - -Ralph outran his competitor, then kept easy pace with him, and did not -try to stop him. He recognized a certain obstinacy and impetuousness in -Van that he felt he must deal with in a politic manner. - -He noticed, too, that Van was not in normal physical trim. The roll -down the embankment had wrenched one foot slightly, and when they came -to the bend to discover no gig in sight, and a series of other bends -ahead, Van halted, breathless and tired. - -"Give it up!" he panted, sinking to a dead tree. "Oh, well! I can -catch him up later. Twenty-miles tramp, though." - -"You seem to know who the man in the linen duster is?" ventured Ralph. - -"Oh, yes." - -"Is it important that you should see him?" - -"Well, I guess so!" - -Van was close-mouthed after that. He lay back somewhat wearily on the -log and closed his eyes. The reaction from his tumble was succeeding -the false energy excitement had briefly given him. - -"See here," said Ralph, "I suggest that you take a little snooze. It -may do you a heap of good." - -"Wish that lady was here to sing one of her sweet songs!" murmured Van. -"I just feel collapsed." - -"If you will stay here quietly for a few minutes," suggested Ralph, "I -will go to that house over yonder and get some water and a bite to eat. -That will make you feel better. We had a lunch, but it was left behind -on the locomotive." - -"All right," said Van sleepily. - -He seemed instantly to sink into slumber. Ralph waited a few moments, -then he went over to a house on the outskirts of the town, all the time -keeping an eye directed towards the spot where he had left his -companion. - -A woman stood in its open doorway. She had witnessed the jump from the -locomotive, and referred to it at once. - -"Where's the boy who was with you?" she inquired. - -Ralph pointed to the spot where he had left Van. - -"Was he hurt much?" - -"I think not at all seriously. He's played out, though, and I have -advised him to sleep a little." - -"That's right," nodded the woman. "Natur's the panoseeds for all sich. -That--and hot drops. You just take him a little phial of our vegetable -hot drops. They'll fix him up like magic." - -"Why, thank you, madam, I will, if you can spare them," said Ralph. "I -was also going to ask you to put me up a bite of something to eat and -let me have a bottle of water." - -"Surely I will," and the good-hearted woman, pleased with Ralph's -engaging politeness, bustled off and soon returned with a paper parcel, -a two-quart bottle of water and a little phial filled with a dark -liquid. - -Ralph insisted on leaving her twenty-five cents, and went back to his -friend with a parting admonition "to be sure and give him the hot drops -soon as he woke up." - -Van was sleeping profoundly, and Ralph did not disturb him. He sat -watching the slumberer steadily. Van seemed to have placid, pleasant -dreams, for he often smiled in his sleep, and once murmured the refrain -of one of Mrs. Fairbanks' favorite songs. - -An hour later Van turned over and sat up quickly. Ralph had been -somewhat anxious, for he did not know what phase his companion's -condition might assume at this new stage in the case. Van came upright, -however, and dispelled vague fears--clear-eyed, smiling, bright as a -dollar. - -"Hello!" he hailed--"locomotive, friend, embankment. You're Fairbanks?" - -"That's right," said Ralph--"you remember me, do you?" - -"Sure, I do. What's in the bundle? Grub? and the bottle? Water? Give -me a swig--I'm burned up with thirst." - -"This first," said Ralph, producing the phial, and explaining its -predicted potency. "Half of it--now some water, if you like." - -Van choked and spluttered over the hot decoction. Ralph was immensely -gratified as he followed it up by eating a good meal of the home-made -pie, biscuits and cheese with which the kindhearted woman at the nearest -house had provided them. - -Van's affliction had lifted like a cloud blown entirely away by a brisk, -invigorating breeze. - -"Rested and fed," he declared, with a sigh of luxurious contentment and -satisfaction. "So I was crazy, eh?" he bluntly propounded. - -"Certainly not." - -"Idiotic, then?" - -"Hardly," dissented Ralph. "My mother has grown to think almost as much -of you as she does of me----" - -"Bless her dear heart!" - -"You've made our home lot look like the grounds of some summer villa," -went on Ralph. "That don't look as though there was much the matter -with you, does it?" - -"But there was. It's all over now, though. My head is clear as a bell. -I remember nearly everything. Now I want you to tell me the rest." - -Ralph decided it was the time to do so. They would certainly be at -cross-purposes on many perplexing points, until his companion had gained -a clear comprehension of the entire situation. - -There was never a more attentive listener. Van's eyes fairly devoured -the narrator, and when the graphic recital was concluded, his -wonderment, suspense, surprise and anxiety all gave way to one great -manifestation of gratitude and delight, as he warmly grasped Ralph's -hand. - -"I never read, heard or dreamed of such treatment!" declared the -warm-hearted boy. "You cared for me like a prince!" - -"Seeing that I had so effectually put you out of business," suggested -Ralph, "I fancy I had some responsibility in the case." - -"I want to see your mother again," said Van, in a soft, quivering voice. -"I want to tell her that she's woke up something good and happy and holy -in me. I was a poor, friendless, homeless waif, and she kept me in a -kind of paradise." - -"Well, you have woke up to more practical realities of life," suggested -Ralph, "and now what are you going to do next?" - -But Van could not get away from the theme uppermost in his mind. - -"And you are John Fairbanks' son?" he continued musingly. "And I landed -against you first crack out of the box! That was queer, wasn't it? -Some people would call it fate, wouldn't they? It's luck, anyhow--for -you sure, for me maybe. The letter didn't tell you anything, though. -Now what should I do? Say, Fairbanks, let me think a little, will you?" - -Ralph nodded a ready acquiescence, and Van sat evidently going over the -situation in his mind. As he looked up in an undecided way, Ralph said: - -"I don't see any great occasion for secrecy or reflection. You were -sent to deliver a letter?" - -"Yes, that's so." - -"To my father. My father is dead. We open the letter, as we have a -right to do. It satisfies us that the writer knows considerable that -might vitally affect our interests. Very well, it seems to me that your -duty is to take me, the representative of John Fairbanks, straight to -the person who wrote that letter." - -"Yes," said Van, "that looks all clear and nice enough to you, but I -don't know how he might take it." - -"You mean the writer of the letter?" - -"Of course." - -"Whose name is Farwell Gibson." - -"I didn't say so," declared Van evasively. - -"But I know it, don't I? Have you any reason for concealing his -identity?" - -"Yes, sir, I have," declared Van flatly. - -"Why?" - -"I can't tell you that. See here, Fairbanks, you guess what you like, -but until I have reported the result of my mission to--to him, I have no -right to say another word." - -"All right," assented Ralph. "It will all come out clear in the end, -only before we drop the subject I would like to make another guess." - -"What is it?" challenged Van. - -"That man in the long linen duster in the one-horse gig was Farwell -Gibson." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX--A RIVAL RAILROAD - - -There was some mystery about Farwell Gibson, Ralph decided, and the more -he scanned what he knew of his past, his peculiar method of sending the -letter to his father, and Van's guarded manner, the more he was -satisfied that there was a puzzle of some kind to solve. - -The sun was going down and night was coming on apace. Ralph propounded -a pertinent query. - -"What is your next move, Van?" - -"I don't mind telling you--to get after that one-horse gig." - -"It's home by this time, probably." - -"I intend to follow it." - -"I think I had better go with you, Van," suggested Ralph. - -"Why not? You don't think I am anxious to shake the best friend I ever -had, do you? There's just this, though: Mr. Gibson is a kind of a -hermit." - -"And does not like strange society? I see. Well, I shall not intrude -upon him until you have paved the way. Let me keep with you. When you -get near his home go on ahead and report just how matters stand. If he -cares to see me, I shall be glad. If he don't, there's an end to it." - -"That's satisfactory," assented Van heartily. "I guess he will be -willing to see you." - -"I hope so, Van." - -"And if he does, I know you will be glad he did," declared Van -convincedly. - -"Do you intend to start for his place to-night?" inquired Ralph. - -"I think we might. I feel fresh as a lark, and it's a beautiful night. -If we get tired we can stop for a rest, and cover the journey by -daybreak." - -"By daybreak?" repeated Ralph. "Why, it's an easy four hours' jaunt." - -"Is it?" smiled Van. "I guess not." - -"Only twenty miles?" - -"Yes, but such twenty miles! Why, it's a jungle half the distance." - -"Isn't there a road?" - -"Not a sign of one. The gig will make it on the cut-around, and that -means a good forty miles." - -"I see. Very well, Van, I am at your orders," announced Ralph. - -He thought it best to secure some more provisions. They went into the -village this time, and at a little store secured what eatables they -fancied they might need. - -The first mile or two of their journey was very fine traveling, for they -kept for that distance to the regularly-traversed road the gig had -taken. - -Then Van, who seemed to know his bearings, directed a course directly -into the timber. - -"I don't see any particular fault to be found with this," remarked -Ralph, after they had gone a couple of miles. - -"Oh, this is easy," rejoined Van. "You see, the Great Northern started -in right here to make a survey years ago. That's why there's quite a -road for a bit. Wait till you come to where they threw up the job. I -say, Fairbanks, that's where they missed it." - -"Who? what? where?" - -"The Great Northern. If they had surveyed right through and made Dover -the terminal, they could have still put through what is now the main -line, and this route would have kept the Midland Central out of the -field." - -"You seem pretty well-posted on railroad tactics," said Ralph. - -"I am--around these diggings. I've been in the railroad line for two -years." - -"You a railroader!" - -"I call myself one." - -"You have worked on a railroad?" - -"Sure--for two years." - -"What railroad?" - -Van regarded Ralph quizzically. - -"Tell you, Fairbanks," he said, "that's straight, although the railroad -hasn't a name yet, hasn't turned a wheel, is so far only two miles long, -and that's all grading and no rails." - -"Well, you present a truly remarkable proposition," observed Ralph. - -"Isn't it? It's a reality, all the same. And it's the key to a -situation worth hundreds of thousands." - -"You mystify me," acknowledged Ralph,--"allowing you are in earnest." - -"Absolutely in earnest. No joshing. I'm quite interested, too, for I'm -one of the two men who have built the railroad so far." - -"Who is the other?" - -Van shook his head. - -"That's a secret, for the present. I think you'll know soon, -though--soon as you see Mr. Gibson." - -Ralph had to be content with this. He comprehended that there was some -basis to Van's railroad pretensions, and felt very curious concerning -the same. - -At about eleven o'clock that night Van's predictions as to the -difficulties in the way of progress were fully verified. - -They were apparently in the midst of an untrodden forest. The brush was -jungle-like, the ground one continuous sweep of hill and dale. - -It took one breathless, arduous hour to cover a mile, and their clothes -and hands were scratched and torn with thorns and brambles. - -"It's a little better beyond the creek," said Van. "A man could hide in -a wilderness like this a good many years in a safe way, eh, Fairbanks?" - -"Yes, indeed," answered Ralph, and mentally wondered if his companion -was alluding to the mysterious Farwell Gibson. - -They were a wearied and travel-worn pair as they lay down to rest at the -first token of daybreak. It was at the edge of a level expansive sweep -surmounted by a dense growth of trees. - -"We're nearly there," proclaimed Van. - -"How near?" interrogated Ralph. - -"You see that hill?" - -"Yes." - -"That's our last climb." - -"I'm thankful," said Ralph. - -They tramped up the slope after a bit. Once over its edge Ralph, -looking ahead, made out a low rambling log house. It was about half a -mile away, and smoke was coming out of its chimney. - -"Now then," said Van with a smile, "I reckon this is about as close as -you need come, for the present--it's a great deal closer than many -others have come." - -"This is a very isolated spot," said Ralph. - -"That's Mr. Gibson's house yonder," continued Van. "I'll go on alone, -see him, report, and come back and advise you." - -"That's business," said Ralph. - -"Just wander around and amuse yourself," recommended Van. "You may find -something to interest you." - -Ralph grew tired of sitting alone and waiting for Van. As his recent -companion had advised, he took a stroll. There seemed a break in the -timber about one hundred feet to the left. Ralph proceeded in that -direction. He paused at a ten foot avenue cut neat and clean through -the woods, and stood lost in contemplation. - -Far as he could see across the hill this break in the timber continued. -The brush had been cleared away, the ground leveled here and there, some -rudely cut ties were set in place, and the layout showed a presentable -and scientifically laid put and graded roadbed. - -"I wonder," said Ralph thoughtfully, "if this is a part of Van's boasted -railroad? It looks all right as far as it's gone." - -What Ralph scanned represented a great deal of labor, that could be -discerned at a glance. He knew enough about survey work to judge that a -master mind had directed this embryo railroad project. - -Ralph was still inspecting the work when a shrill whistle signaled the -return of Van. - -"It's all right," he announced as he came up to Ralph. "I've told Mr. -Gibson everything. He will see you." - -"That's good," said Ralph. - -He followed Van to the house in the distance. As he neared it he -observed that a man stood in the doorway. - -This individual was powerfully built, wore a full bushy beard, and had a -keen, piercing eye. - -He scanned Ralph closely as he approached, and then, standing partly -aside, with a not ungraceful wave of his hand welcomed Ralph to the -hospitality of his house. - -"You are Mr. Gibson?" said Ralph, feeling impelled to say something. - -"Yes, young man, I am that person, and this is the office of the Dover -and Springfield Short Line. Come in." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX--THE RIGHT OF WAY - - -The peculiar announcement of Ralph's host was so grandiloquent, and his -manner so lofty and important, that the young railroader smiled despite -himself. - -Certainly Ralph decided the Dover & Springfield Short Line had its -headquarters in a particularly isolated place, and its presentation of -physical resources was limited. - -"I never heard of that road before," observed Ralph. - -"Probably not," answered his host--"you will hear of it, though, and -others, in the near future." - -Ralph did not attach much importance to the prediction. He had seen at -a glance that Gibson was an erratic individual, his hermit life had -probably given birth to some visionary ideas, and his railroad, simmered -down to the tangible, had undoubtedly little real foundation outside of -his own fancies and dreams. - -Ralph changed his mind somewhat, however, as he crossed the threshold of -the door, for he stood in the most remarkable apartment he had ever -entered. - -This was a long, low room with a living space at one end, but the -balance of the place had the unmistakable characteristics of a depot and -railway office combined. - -In fact it was the most "railroady" place Ralph had ever seen. Its -walls were rude and rough, its furniture primitive and even grotesque, -but everything harmonized with the idea that this was the center of an -actual railroad system in operation. - -There were benches as if for passengers. In one corner with a grated -window was a little partitioned off space labeled "President's Office." -Hanging from a strap were a lot of blank baggage checks, on the walls -were all kinds of railroad timetables, and painted on a board running -the entire width of the room were great glaring black letters on a white -background, comprising the announcement: "Dover & Springfield Short Line -Railroad." - -To complete the presentment, many sheets of heavy manilla paper formed -one entire end of the room, and across their surface was traced in red -and black paint a zigzag railway line. - -One terminal was marked "Dover," the other "Springfield." There were -dots for minor stations, crosses for bridges and triangles for water -tanks. - -Ralph readily comprehended that this was the plan of a railroad -right-of-way crossing The Barrens north and south from end to end, and -the big blue square in the center was intended to indicate the -headquarters where he now stood in the presence of the actual and -important president of the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad. - -Ralph must have been two full minutes taking in all this, and when he -had concluded his inspection he turned to confront Gibson, whose face -showed lively satisfaction over the fact that the layout had interested -and visibly impressed his visitor. - -"Well," he challenged in a pleased, proud way, "how does it strike you?" - -"Why," said Ralph, "to tell the truth, I am somewhat astonished." - -"That is quite natural," responded Gibson. "The idea of the world in -general of a railroad headquarters is plate glass, mahogany desks and -pompous heads of departments, looking wise and spending money. The -Short Line has no capital, so we have to go in modest at the start. All -the same, we have system, ideas and, what is surer and better than all -that put together, we have the Right of Way." - -"The Right of Way?" repeated Ralph, taking in the announcement at its -full importance. - -"Yes, that means what? That under the strictest legal and full state -authority we have a franchise, empowering us to construct and operate a -railway from Dover to Springfield, and vesting in us the sole title to a -hundred-foot strip of land clear across The Barrens, with additional -depot and terminal sites. - -"That must be a very valuable acquisition," said Ralph. - -"I am not used to talking my business to outsiders," responded Gibson, -"and you are one of the very few who have ever been allowed to enter -this place. I admit you for strong personal reasons, and I want to -explain to you what they are." - -He sat down on one of the benches and waved Ralph to the one opposite. -His mobile face worked, as silently for a minute or two he seemed -concentrating his ideas and choosing his words. - -"I am a strange man," he said finally, "probably a crank, and certainly -not a very good man, as my record goes, but circumstances made me what I -am." - -A twinge of bitterness came into the tones, and his eyes hardened. - -"The beginning of my life," proceeded Gibson, "was honest work as a -farmer--the end of it is holding on with bulldog tenacity to all there -is left of the wreck of a fortune. That's the layout here. The Short -Line, no one knows it--no one cares--just yet. But no one can ever -wrest it from me. Ten years ago, when the Great Northern was projected, -your father saw that a road across here was a tactical move, but the -investors were in a hurry to get a line through to Springfield, and -dropped this route. Later the Midland Central cut into Dover. They too -never guessed what a big point they might have made cutting through here -to Springfield. Well, I got possession of the franchise. I had to bide -my time and stay in the dark. To-day, with the Short Line completed, I -would hold the key to the traffic situation of two States, could demand -my own price from either railroad for it, and they would run up into the -millions outbidding each other, for the road getting the Short Line -completely dominates all transfer passenger and freight business north -and south." - -"Why, I see that," said Ralph, roused up with keen interest. "It -becomes a bee-line route, saving twenty or thirty miles' distance, and -opens up a new territory." - -"You've struck it. Now then, what I want to lead up to is -Farrington--Gasper Farrington. You know him?" - -"Yes, I know him," assented Ralph emphatically. - -"Between my old honest life and the dregs here his figure looms up -prominently," resumed Gibson. "Around him has revolved much concerning -your father and myself in the past. Around him will loom up -considerable concerning you and myself in the future. For this reason I -take you into my confidence--to join issues, to grasp the situation and -to move down on the enemy. In a word: Gasper Farrington ruined my -chances in life. In another, he robbed your father." - -Ralph was becoming intensely interested. - -"He robbed my father, you say?" - -"Yes." - -"Are you sure of that, Mr. Gibson?" - -"I am positive of it. I have the proofs. Even without those proofs, my -unsupported word would substantiate the charge. The more so, because I -helped him do it." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI--A REMARKABLE CONFESSION - - -"You helped Gasper Farrington rob my father!" exclaimed Ralph. - -"Yes," answered Gibson unhesitatingly. - -Ralph wondered how he could make the admission thus boldly and -unblushingly. Gibson, however, acted like a man who had taken a -desperate stand with an important end to attain, and for the time being -at least had set aside all questions of sentiment and conscience. - -"It will be brief," said Gibson, after a pause. "When the Great -Northern was on its first boom and everybody gone wild to invest in its -bonds, I caught the fever too. My wife had died and I had no children, -and converting my land into cash I came up to Stanley Junction with -thirty thousand dollars in my pocket. I was always stuck on -railroading. I fancied myself a director, riding in the president's car -and distributing free passes to my friends. In a black moment in my -life I ran afoul of Gasper Farrington. He took me under his wing and -encouraged my visionary ideas. At that time your father had twenty -thousand dollars in Great Northern bonds. They were not all paid for, -but nearly so. They were, in fact, held by a bank as trustee in what is -known as escrow--that is, subject to his call on payment of the small -sum still due on them. Your father had great confidence in Farrington. -So had I. I put my capital in his hands." - -Gibson became so wrought up in his recital that he could not sit still. -He got up and paced the floor. - -"If we had kept to a straight investment, your father and I," proceeded -Gibson, "we would have been all right. But Farrington dazzled us with -his stock-jobbing schemes. He actually did let us into a deal where by -dabbling in what is called margins we increased our pile considerably. -In about a month, however, he had us where he wanted us. That is, he -had our affairs so mixed up and complicated that neither of us knew just -where we stood, and didn't dare to make a move without his advice. For -some time we had all been dabbling in Midland Central securities. One -day, after he had got me to buy a big block of that stock, the market -broke. I was a pauper." - -"Had Mr. Farrington lost too?" inquired Ralph. - -"He pretended that he had, but later I found that he was the very person -who was manipulating the stocks on the sly, and trimming us. We had a -bitter quarrel. Then he said all was fair in war and business. I was -desperate, lad, about my money, and when he set up a plan to get hold of -your father's bonds, I went into it. I am sorry now. I was crazy those -days, I guess, money-mad!" - -The man's candor vouched for his sincerity, but Ralph looked sad and -disturbed. - -"Anyway, he got your father in a tight corner, and I helped him do it. -It was a complicated deal. I can't say that Farrington stole those -bonds outright, but in a roundabout way they finally came into his -possession. If the transaction was ever ripped up, I don't believe it -would stand in law. But I don't know that positively. Your father lost -his bonds, and I got nothing out of the transaction. But there is -something else that I want to get at. A little later, never doubting -Farrington's honesty, your father gave him a mortgage on his homestead. -It was done to protect your mother--that is, feeling himself getting -involved, your father wished to be sure that she had at least a shelter -over her head. There was no consideration whatever in the deal. It was -merely put temporarily in the shape of a mortgage until affairs had -cleared somewhat, when it was to be deeded to a third party, and then -direct to your mother." - -"Then Mr. Farrington never had a right to collect that interest money," -said Ralph. - -"He wasn't entitled to a cent of it. Farrington then got me into -another deal. I had borrowed one thousand dollars from my brother. He -got me to take security for it, as he called it. In some way he had got -hold of the old Short Line charter here. At that time it was treated as -a joke, and considered worthless. I didn't know it. He got my thousand -dollars, claimed to lose it in a deal, and I was flat broke." - -"And later?" suggested Ralph, recalling in an instant what he had heard -from Big Denny about Gibson. - -"Well, I got hard pressed. I saw a chance to get even with him. We -were in a deal together. I canceled it to get a few hundred dollars, -and signed our joint names as a firm. Later I learned that I had a -right only to sign my own name. I went to his house. He threatened to -have me arrested for forgery the next day, showed me the forged paper, -as he called it, and a warrant he had sworn out. We had a fearful row. -I beat him up good and proper, smashed some windows, and, disgusted with -life and mankind, fled to this wilderness." - -It was a vivid recital, running like some romance. Gibson took breath, -and concluded: - -"A man can't sit forever eating out his heart in loneliness. I knew -that Farrington would not hesitate to send me to jail. I located here. -One day, yonder faithful fellow, Van Sherwin, came along. He was an -orphan outcast, I took him in. His company gave a new spur to -existence. I got casting up accounts. I rarely ventured to the towns, -but I sent him to a relative, who loaned me a few hundred dollars. I -investigated the Short Line business, even paid a lawyer to look it up. -I found I had something tangible, and that for a certain date, then two -months ahead, provided I did some work each day except Sunday -thenceforward on the right of way, I could hold the franchise -indefinitely, unimpaired. Since then, Van and I have been at the -grading work, as you see." - -"And why did you write to my father? inquired Ralph. - -"My hard, bad nature has changed since Van came here to cheer me with -his loyal companionship," said Gibson. "I always felt I had wronged -your father. I wrote to him, thinking him still alive, to come and see -me. Instead, you come as his representative. Very well, this is what I -want to say: I am willing to make the statements in writing that I have -given to you verbally. That, you may say, is of no practical benefit to -you. But here is something that is: My sworn statement that the -mortgage was in reality a trust will cancel everything. That means -something for you, doesn't it?" - -"It means a great deal--yes, indeed," assented Ralph. - -"Very well," said Gibson. "You go and use the information I have given -you, the threat to expose Farrington, to get him to destroy that forged -note he holds against me, so that I can come out into the daylight a -free man to put my railroad project on foot, and I will give to you a -sworn statement that in any court of law will compel him to surrender to -your mother, free and clear, your home. And I won't say right now what -I will be glad to do for the widow and son of John Fairbanks, when the -Short Line is an assured fact and a success." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII--FOUND - - -It did not take Ralph long to figure out the merits and prospects of the -proposition that Farwell Gibson had made to him. - -As the latter went more into details concerning his own and Mr. -Fairbanks' dealings with Gasper Farrington, Ralph felt a certain pity -for the hermit. He had been the weak, half-crazed tool of a wicked, -cool headed plotter, had repented his share of the evil doings, and was -bent on making what restitution he might. - -The peculiar situation of affairs, Ralph's quick-witted comprehension of -things, above all his kindness to Van Sherwin, had completely won -Gibson's confidence. - -They had many little talks together after that. They compared notes, -suggested mutually plans for carrying out their campaign against the -Stanley Junction magnate, legally and above board, but guarding their -own interests warily, for they knew they had a wily, unscrupulous foe -with whom to contend. - -Gibson insisted that they could do nothing but rest that day and the -next, and when the third day drifted along he took Ralph for an -inspection of his enterprise. - -There was not the least doubt but that Gibson had a valuable proposition -and that he had legally maintained his rights in the premises. - -"Every day except Sunday within the prescribed period of the charter, I -have done work on the road as required by law," he announced to Ralph. -"Van's affidavit will sustain me in that. Everything is in shape to -present the scheme to those likely to become interested. It will be no -crooked stock deal this time, though," he declared, with vehemence. -"It's a dead-open-and-shut arrangement, with me as sole owner--it's a -lump sum of money, or the permanent control of the road." - -Van's eyes sparkled at this, and Ralph looked as if he would consider it -a pretty fine thing to come in with the new line under friendly -advantages, and work up, as he certainly could work up with Gibson so -completely disposed to do all he could to forward his interests. - -Next morning Ralph said he had other business to attend to. It was to -go to Dover in pursuance with his instructions from Matthewson, the road -detective of the Great Northern. - -It was arranged that Van should drive him over in the gig. If Ralph -made any important discoveries that required active attention, he was to -remain on the scene. If not, he promised to return to "headquarters" on -his way back to Stanley Junction. - -Ralph reached Dover about noon, and put in four hours' time. He located -Jacobs, the man to whom the stolen fittings were to have gone, he saw -the local police, and he gathered up quite a few facts of possible -interest to Matthewson, but none indicating the present whereabouts of -Ike Slump, his tramp friend, or the load of plunder. - -"Did you find out much?" Van inquired, as they started homewards about -five o'clock. - -"Nothing to waste time over here," replied Ralph. "I imagine the Great -Northern has seen the last of its two thousand dollars' worth of brass -fittings, and Stanley Junction of Ike Slump, for a time at least." - -The Gibson habitation was more accessible from this end of The Barrens -than from the point at which Ralph and Van had four days previously -entered it. - -There was a road for some ten miles, and then one along a winding creek -for half that distance. Beyond that lay the jungle. - -The sun was just going down when they forded the creek. The spot was -indescribably wild and lonely. Its picturesque beauty, too, interested -the boys, and they were not averse to a halt in mid-stream, the horse -luxuriating in a partial bath and enjoying a cool, refreshing drink. - -Suddenly Ralph, who had been taking in all the lovely view about them, -put a quick hand on Van's arm. - -"Right away!" he said, with strange incision--"get ashore and in the -shelter of the brush." - -"Eh! what's wrong?" interrogated Van, but obediently urged up the horse, -got to the opposite bank, and halted where the shrubbery interposed a -dense screen. - -"Now--what?" he demanded. - -Ralph made a silencing gesture with his hand. He dropped from his seat, -went back to the edge of the greenery, and peered keenly down stream. - -He seemed to be watching somebody or something, and was so long at it -that Van got impatient, and leaping from the wagon approached his side. - -"What's up?" he asked. - -Ralph did not reply. Van peered past him. Down stream about five -hundred feet a human figure stood, faced away from the ford, bent at -work over some kind of a frame structure partly in the water. - -"You seem mightily interested!" observed Van. - -"I am," answered Ralph, and his tone was quite intense. "I expect to be -still more so when that fellow faces about." - -"If he ever does. There--he has!" spoke Van. - -Ralph drew back from his point of observation, took a quick breath, and -was palpably excited. - -"I was right," he said, half to himself. "There's work here." - -"Say," spoke Van, impatiently and curiously, "you're keeping me on -nettles. What are you talking about, anyway?" - -"That fellow yonder. Do you know who he is?" - -"Of course I don't." - -"I do--it's Ike Slump." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII--IKE SLUMP'S RAFT - - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed Van. - -"Yes," declared Ralph--"the missing Ike Slump is found. I would know -him anywhere, in any guise, and at any distance, and that is he yonder." - -"You don't seem to have luck or anything in finding opportunities--and -people!" observed Van dryly. - -"I don't know about that." - -"There's the boy the railroad company wants to find, isn't it?" - -"Well, Ike Slump alone, a vagabond fugitive, isn't so much what they are -after," explained Ralph. "They want to recover that stolen plunder, and -from the general appearance of Slump I don't imagine he has much of -anything visible about him except what he probably calls 'hard luck.'" - -"What are you going to do?" - -"Have a talk with him first, if I can." - -Ralph reflected for a few moments. Then he decided on a course of -action. He suggested that Van remain where he was. Lining the shore -himself, Ralph kept well in the shelter of the shrubbery until he was -directly opposite the spot where the object of his interest was at work. - -He could not secure more than a general idea of what Ike was about -unless he exposed himself to view. Ike seemed to be framing together a -raft. He was very intent on his task--so much so, that when Ralph -finally decided to show himself he was not aware of a visitor until -Ralph stood directly at his side. - -"How do you do, Slump?" spoke Ralph, as carelessly as though meeting him -on the streets of Stanley Junction in an everyday recognition. - -"Hi! who--smithereens! Stand back!" - -Ike let out a whoop of amazement. He jumped back two feet. Then he -stared at his visitor in a strained attitude, too overcome to speak -coherently. - -"Ralph Fairbanks!" he spluttered. - -Ralph nodded pleasantly. - -Ike grew more collected. He presented a wretched appearance. He was -thin, hungry-looking, sullen of manner, and evidently dejected of -spirit. - -A sudden suspicion lit up his face as he glanced furtively into the -shrubbery beyond his visitor, as though fearing other intruders. Then -with his old time tricky nimbleness he described a kind of a sliding -slip, and seized a short iron bar lying on the ground. - -"What do you want?" he demanded, with a scowl. - -"I want to have a talk with you, Ike." - -"What about?" - -"Your mother." - -Ralph had heard back at Stanley Junction that Ike's mother had mourned -her son's evil course as a judgment sent upon them because her husband -sold liquor. He felt sorry for her, as Ike now shrugged his shoulders -impatiently, and not a gleam of home-longing or affection followed the -allusion to his mother. - -"Did you come specially for that?" demanded Ike. "Because if you did, -how did you know I was here?" - -"I didn't--this meeting is purely accidental." - -"Oh!" muttered Ike incredulously. - -"I'll be plain, Slump," said Ralph, "for I see you don't welcome my -company or my mission. Your father is worried to death about you, your -mother is slowly pining away. If you have any manhood at all, you will -go home." - -"What for?" flared out Ike, savagely swinging the iron rod--"to get -walloped! Worse, to get jugged! You played me a fine trick spying into -Cohen's and getting the gang in a box. I ought to just kill you, I -ought!" - -"Well, hear what I have to say before you begin your slaughter," said -Ralph quietly. "Out of sympathy for your mother, and because your -father has friends among the railroad men, I think the disposition of -the railroad company is to treat you with leniency in the matter of the -stolen junk, if you show you are ready to do the square thing." - -"They can't prove a thing against me!" shouted Ike wrathfully. "Think I -don't know how affairs stand? They can't do anything with Cohen, -either, unless some one peaches--and no one will." - -"Don't be too sure of that," advised Ralph. "They can lock you up, and -if they delve very deep, can convict you on circumstantial evidence. But -I don't want to discuss that. It's plain business, and now is your time -to act. Go home, give the company a chance to get back its property, -and I'll guarantee they will deal lightly with you--this time." - -"Put my head in the jaws of the lion?" derided Ike--"not much! Say, -Ralph Fairbanks, what do you take me for? And what do I know about -their stolen plunder?" - -"You drove off from Stanley Junction that night with it." - -"Prove it!" - -"You and your tramp friend. I was at Dover to-day. Your tramp friend -sold those two horses belonging to Cohen twenty miles further on, I -learned." - -"Drat him!" snarled Ike viciously. - -"You wasn't with him. Did he give you the slip, and leave you in the -lurch? It looks so. I wouldn't hold the bag for anybody, if I were -you, Ike Slump," rallied Ralph. - -"See here, Fairbanks," gritted Ike between his set teeth, "you know too -much, you do!" - -"Now what, in the meantime, became of the stolen brass fittings? You -know. Tell. Give the company a square deal, and take another chance to -drop bad company and behave yourself." - -"I won't go home," declared Ike, with knit, sullen brows. "You start on -about your business, and leave me to mine." - -"All right," said Ralph. "I'd be a friend to you if you would let me. -By the way, what is your business, Slump? Ah, I see--building a raft?" - -"What of it?" - -"And what for?" - -"Say!" cried Ike, brandishing the rod furiously and trying to intimidate -his visitor with a furious demonstration, "what do you torment me for! -Get out! I'm building a raft because I'm a persecuted, hunted being, -driven like a rat into a hole. I want to float to safety past the -towns, and go west. And I'm going to do it!" - -"Why not walk?" suggested Ralph. - -Ike flared a glance of dark suspicion at Ralph. - -"And why such a big raft?" pursued Ralph smoothly--"no, you don't! Now -then, since you've forced the issue, lie still." - -Ike had suddenly sprung towards Ralph, swinging the iron rod. The -latter was watching him, however. In a flash he had the bad boy -disarmed, lying flat on the ground, and sat astride of him, pinioning -his arms outspread at full length. - -Ralph gave a sharp, clear whistle. Van came rushing down the bank in -the distance in response. - -Ike Slump raved like a madman. He threatened, he pleaded. He even took -refuge in tears. All the time, Ralph Fairbanks was making up his mind. -That partially built raft had roused his suspicions very keenly, had -suggested a new line of action, and he determined to follow the -promptings of his judgment. - -"There's a piece of rope yonder," said Ralph, as Van approached on a -run. "Get it, and help me tie this young man hand and foot." - -They did the job promptly and well, Ike Slump raving worse than ever in -the meanwhile. - -"Now then," directed Ralph, "help me carry him to the gig. Van, this is -Ike Slump, of whom you have heard a little something. He is bound he -won't further the ends of justice, and I am as fully determined that at -least he shall not have his liberty to frustrate them. We will load him -in the gig, take him to headquarters, and you are to ask our friend -there as a special favor to me to keep him safely till he hears from -me." - -"I won't go!" yelled the squirming Ike--"I'll have your bones for this!" - -"I would advise you," said Ralph to the frantic captive, "to behave -yourself. You are going where you will have good treatment. Build up, -and do some thinking. I shall be as friendly to you as if you hadn't -tried to brain me." - -"You don't mean," said the astonished Van, "that you are going to stay -behind?" - -"Yes," answered Ralph, with a significant glance at Ike. "I have an -idea it is my clear duty to investigate why Ike Slump built that raft." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY! - - -In about five minutes the arrangements were completed by Ralph and Van -for the transportation of their prisoner to "headquarters." - -Ike Slump, tied securely, was snugly propped up in the seat beside Van. -Ralph waited until he saw them safely on their way, and then went -straight back to the spot where he had discovered Ike. - -A cursory view of the raft had already awakened a vivid train of -thought. Now, as he looked it over more particularly, Ralph found that -he had grounds for suspicions of the most promising kind. - -"Ike must have been at work on this for several days," decided Ralph. "I -didn't think he had so much patience and constructive ability. It's big -enough to carry a house, and of course his making it, as he says, to -float himself down stream to a safe distance, is sheer nonsense." - -Some large logs formed the basis of the raft. Over these were nailed -boards to give its bottom depth and solidity. - -It was a sight of those boards that had set Ralph thinking. Such handy -timber, he recognized, had no business this far from civilization. Where -had they come from? - -"Those two are box covers," concluded Ralph, after a close inspection, -"and they are the exact size of the boxes I saw at Cohen's back room at -Stanley Junction. I must find out what it does mean." - -Then Ralph made a second discovery, and knew that he was distinctly on -the hot trail of something of importance. - -Two corners of the raft were bound with heavy brass pieces used as -ornamental clamps on passenger coaches. They were stamped inside "G.N." - -"Great Northern property, sure," reflected Ralph, "and of course part of -the stolen plunder. That wagon load never went to or through Dover, so -far as the police people have been able to find out, but I am sure it -did come here, or near here, or what is Ike doing with those pieces?" - -Ralph now set about tracing Ike's living quarters. They must be -somewhere in the immediate vicinity. - -He had little difficulty in following up a worn path across the grass. -It led to a snug shakedown, under the lee of a slope roofed over with -dry branches and grass. - -Here Ralph found a case of canned goods, a box of crackers and a lot of -tobacco and cigarette papers. On a heap of dry grass lay a wagon -cushion. - -Ralph circled this spot. He had to exert the ingenuity and diligence of -an Indian trailer in an effort to follow the footsteps leading to and -from the place in various directions. Finally he felt that his patience -was about to be rewarded. For over two hundred feet the disturbed and -beaten down grass showed where some object had been dragged over the -ground, probably the boards used in the construction of the raft. - -The trail led along the winding shore of the creek and up a continuous -slope. Then abruptly it ceased, directly at the edge of a deep, -verdure-choked ravine. - -Ralph peered down. A gleam of red, like a wagon tongue, caught his eye. -Then he made out a rounding metal rim like the tire of a wheel. He began -to let himself down cautiously with the help of roots and vines. His -feet finally rested on a solid box body. - -An irrepressible cry of satisfaction arose from the lips of the lonely -delver in the dbris at the bottom of the ravine. - -When Ralph clambered up again he was warm and perspiring but his eyes -were bright with the influence of some stimulating discovery. - -He stood still for five minutes, as if undecided just what to do, -glanced at the fast-setting sun, and struck out briskly in the direction -of the road leading to Dover. - -It was midnight when he reached the town he had visited earlier in the -same day. Ralph went straight to the police station of the place. - -For about an hour he was closeted with one of the officers there whom he -had met earlier on his visit in the gig. They had a spirited -confidential talk. - -Ralph was on railroad business now, pure and simple, for he was acting -in accordance with Road Detective Matthewson's instructions and on the -strength of his written authority. - -"I ran catch a Midland Central train west to Osego in about an hour," he -planned, as he left the police station and walked towards the depot. -"There's a ten-mile cut across country on foot to Springfield, and then -I am headed for Stanley Junction by daylight." - -Ralph boarded the train at Springfield at about six o'clock in the -morning. His pass from Matthewson won him a comfortable seat in the -chair car, and he had a sound, refreshing nap by the time the 10.15 -rolled into Stanley Junction. - -Griscom had this run, but Ralph did not make his presence known to his -sturdy engineer friend. He left the train at a crossing near home, and -was soon seated at the kitchen table doing ample justice to a meal -hurriedly prepared for him by his delighted mother. - -Almost her first solicitous inquiry was for Van. - -"Van is well and happy, mother," Ralph Answered. "Grateful, too. And, -mother, he remembers 'the dear lady who sung the sweet songs.'" - -"Ralph, do you mean," exclaimed Mrs. Fairbanks tremulously--"do you mean -his mind has come back to him?" - -"Yes, mother." - -"Oh, God be praised!" murmured the widow, the tears of joy streaming -down her beaming face, lifted in humble thankfulness to heaven. - -Then Ralph hurriedly went over the details and results of his trip with -Van Sherwin. - -Later he spent half an hour at a careful toilet, and just as the town -clock announced the noon hour Ralph walked into the law office of Jerome -Black. - -Mr. Black was a well-known attorney of Stanley Junction. He was an -austere, highly efficient man in his line, had a good general record, -and all Ralph had against him was that he was Gasper Farrington's -lawyer. - -It was upon this account that Ralph had decided to call upon him. All -the way to the attorney's office Ralph had reflected seriously over what -he would say and do. - -The lawyer nodded curtly to Ralph as he came into his presence. He knew -the youth by sight, knew nothing against him, and because of this had -granted him an audience, supposing Ralph wanted his help in securing him -work, or something of that kind. - -But the leading lawyer of Stanley Junction was never so astonished in -his life as now, when Ralph promptly, clearly and in a business-like -manner outlined the object of his visit. - -"Mr. Black," Ralph said, "I know you are the lawyer of Mr. Gasper -Farrington. I also know you to have the reputation of being an exact -and honorable business man. I do not know the ethics of your -profession, I do not know how you will treat some information I am about -to impart to you, but I feel that you will in any case treat an honest -working boy, looking only for his rights, fairly and squarely." - -"Why, thank you, Fairbanks," acknowledged Black, looking very much -mystified at this strange preface--"but what are you driving at?" - -Then Ralph told him. He did not tell him all--there was no occasion to -do so. He simply said that he could produce evidence that Gasper -Farrington had treated his dead father in a most dishonorable manner, -and that, further, he could produce a sworn affidavit showing that the -mortgage on his mother's homestead was in reality only a deed of trust. - -The lawyer's brows knitted as Ralph told his story. He could not fail -to be impressed at Ralph's straightforwardness. When Ralph had -concluded he said briefly: - -"Fairbanks, you are an earnest, truthful boy, and I respect you for it. -What you tell me is my client's personal business, not mine. But I see -plainly that he must adopt some action to avoid a scandal. Your grounds -seem well taken, and I am pleased that you came to me instead of making -public what can do you no good, and might do Mr. Farrington considerable -harm. What do you want?" - -"Simply two things--they are my right. After that let Mr. Farrington -leave us alone, and we will not disturb him." - -"What are those two things?" inquired the lawyer. - -"The cancellation of the mortgage on my mother's home, and the alleged -forged note upon which Mr. Farrington bases a criminal charge against -one Farwell Gibson." - -"Why!" exclaimed the lawyer, very much amazed. "What has Farwell Gibson -got to do with this matter?" - -"Mr. Black," replied Ralph, "I can not tell you that. You have my -terms. Mr. Farrington is a bad man. He can make some restitution by -giving me those two documents. That ends it, so far as we are -concerned." - -"And if he does not agree to your terms?" insinuated the lawyer. - -"I shall go to some other lawyer at once, and expose him publicly," said -Ralph. - -Mr. Black reflected for some moments. Then he arose, took up his hat, -and said: - -"Remain here till I return, Fairbanks. Mr. Farrington has been sick for -some days----" - -"I should think he would be!" murmured Ralph, to himself. - -"But this is an important matter, and can not brook delay. I will see -him at once." - -Ralph had to wait nearly an hour. When the lawyer returned he closed -the office door and faced his visitor seriously. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "I have faith in your honor, or I would never -advise my client to do as he has done. You are sure you control this -matter sufficiently to prevent any further trouble being made for Mr. -Farrington, or any unnecessary publicity of this affair?" - -"Yes," assented Ralph pointedly--"unless I ever find out that we have -any just claim to the twenty thousand dollars in railroad bonds which -once belonged to my father." - -"I fancy that is a dead issue," said the lawyer, with a dry smile. "Very -well, there are your papers." - -He handed Ralph an unsealed envelope. Ralph glanced inside. - -Gasper Farrington had been forced to swallow a bitter dose of -humiliation and defeat. - -The inclosures were the Farwell Gibson forged note, and a deed of -release which gave to Ralph's mother her homestead, free and clear. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV--CONCLUSION - - -Ralph stepped across the turntable entrance to the roundhouse at Stanley -Junction just as the one o'clock whistles were blowing. - -It was like coming home again. Limpy, shining up a locomotive -headlight, gave a croak of welcome, jumped down from the pilot, and -slapped his greasy, blackened hand into that of his young favorite with -genuine fervor. - -The engineers, firemen and extras in the dog house called out the usual -variety of cheery chaff, but all pleasant and interested. - -"This is a great place to find friends!" smiled Ralph, and then hurried -his steps, for the roundhouse foreman at that moment appeared at the -door of his little office. - -"This way, Fairbanks," he hailed, quite eagerly. "Well," as he ushered -Ralph into the grimy sanctum, "back again, I see?" - -"Yes, Mr. Forgan," answered Ralph, "and glad to be here." - -"What news?" - -"About the stolen plunder," began Ralph. - -"Of course. That's the one considerable freight on my mind, just at -present," acknowledged the foreman, with an anxious sigh. "We show a -mortgage on our inventory, and a big railroad system don't take kindly -to that sort of thing, you know." - -"Very well, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph brightly, "you can change your -inventory." - -"What! you don't mean----" - -"I have found the wagon load of brass fittings," answered Ralph. "They -are in safe charge at the present time, subject to your order. Here is -my report to the special agent, Mr. Matthewson, and I guess, Mr. Forgan, -I'm out of a job again, for I don't see anything further in sight." - -"Fairbanks, you're a trump!" shouted the delighted foreman, slapping the -young railroader vigorously on the shoulder. "You've saved me some -uneasiness, I can tell you! That your report?" with a glance at a -neatly-directed envelope Ralph had produced. "Come with me. We want to -catch Matthewson before he gets away. He's going down to Springfield -this afternoon--on your business, too." - -"On my business?" repeated Ralph. "That sounds like a good omen." - -"Don't you worry about omens, my young friend!" chuckled the foreman. -"You've about won your spurs, this time. How did you run across that -stolen stuff, when those smart, experienced specials never got a sniff -of it?" - -"Quite by accident," replied Ralph. "I found Ike Slump. As near as I -can figure it out, he and his tramp friend had a breakdown near Dover. -The tramp appears to have got discouraged or frightened, cut away with -Cohen's horses, sold them and decamped, leaving Ike in the lurch. Ike -got the wagonload over into a ravine to hide it till he could raft the -stuff to a distance, and dispose of it and disappear, too. I nipped his -scheme just in time." - -Matthewson appeared as glad to see Ralph as Forgan had been. He -expressed the liveliest satisfaction at the contents of the report Ralph -handed to him. - -"I think this will be a final spoke in the wheel of Mr. Inspector -Bardon," he said significantly. "Hope you attended to your writing and -spelling in this report, Fairbanks?" - -"Why so?" inquired Ralph. - -"Because the president of the Great Northern is likely to see it before -nightfall," announced Matthewson, with a grim chuckle. - -The foreman and Ralph returned to the roundhouse. After a while Big -Denny came in, full of animation and welcome. Ralph learned that Mrs. -Slump was better, but hers was a sad household. The parents had about -given up ever redeeming their scapegrace son from his evil ways, and the -stricken mother insisted to her husband that they would never know good -luck again until he gave up selling strong drink. - -With a promise to come up to his house and see little Nora, "who so -prettily says her prayers for you every night," Forgan told Ralph, the -foreman allowed his friend to go home late in the afternoon. - -That was a quiet, happy evening at the Fairbanks homestead. - -It seemed to mother and son as though after a brave, patient struggle -they had reached some sublime height, from which they could look back -over all difficulties overcome, and forward to golden promises for the -future. - -Ralph valued the friends he had made in the railroad service and also -the experience he had gained. - -There had been ups and downs. There was hard work ahead. But, brighter -than ever, shone the clear star of ambition at the top of the ladder of -the railroad career. - -Ralph felt that he was in the hands of his friends, and could afford to -await their exertions in his behalf. - -The next day he was returning from a stroll, turning over in his mind a -plan to learn Matthewson's decision as to what, if anything, the company -wanted done with Ike Slump, and to make a visit to Farwell Gibson with -the joyful news that would make him a free man, when nearing home, Ralph -hurried his steps at the sounds of animated conversation within the -cottage. - -In the cozy little parlor sat his mother, and on a stool at her feet was -Van. His bright, ingenuous face was aglow with happiness, and he was -chatting away to a loving, interested listener merry as a magpie. - -"Hello, there, Van Sherwin!" challenged Ralph, in mock severity. "I -can't have any prodigal son pushing me out of my place this way!" - -"I have two boys now," said Mrs. Fairbanks, with a proud smile, as the -two manly young fellows joined hands in a brotherly welcome. - -"What brings you here?" was Ralph's first query. - -"Slump, mainly," answered Van. - -"What about him?" - -"Sloped, bag and baggage--and some of Mr. Gibson's baggage to boot. He -played it pretty fine on Mr. Gibson, who allowed him more liberty than -he deserved. Yes, Ike cut out last night, and we thought you ought to -know about it at once." - -"That's right," nodded Ralph. "However, maybe it is better he should -drop out of the affair in just that way. It will save trouble and -complications. He may sometime see the errors of his ways, and turn -over a new leaf." - -"I doubt it," dissented Van. "I think he's an all-around bad one. What -about Mr. Gibson's business, if I may ask? He's terribly anxious." - -"Nothing but good news," answered Ralph heartily. "Mr. Gibson is free -to introduce the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad to the great -traveling public just as soon as he likes, now." - -"Bet you he'll have it running inside of a year!" predicted the -exuberant Van. "Bet you in two I'm a first-class, bang-up locomotive -engineer, and you're master mechanic of the road!" - -"That's a far look into the future, Van," said Ralph, with an indulgent -smile. "Just now, I'm getting restless for work of 'most any kind--I -wish they would put me back in the roundhouse." - -There was a vigorous knock at the front door of the cottage at that -moment. - -Mrs. Fairbanks answered the summons. She rentered the parlor holding -an envelope in one hand. - -"A telegram," she announced. - -"For me?" questioned Ralph, as she extended it towards him. - -"For you, Ralph." - -It was the first telegram Ralph Fairbanks had ever received, and, his -mind on a working strain already, he looked conscious and expectant as -he opened it. - -The telegram was dated at Springfield, the headquarters of the road. - -It was signed: "James Blake, Master Mechanic." - -At a glance Ralph comprehended that the mission of his friend, -Matthewson, had been successful. - -"The first step up the ladder!" he said, with shining eyes, to his -mother and Van. - -The telegram read: - -"Ralph Fairbanks will report Monday morning at the roundhouse, Stanley -Junction, for duty as a regularly appointed switch towerman on the Great -Northern Railroad." - - THE END - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39050 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may -use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative -works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and -printed and given away - you may do practically _anything_ with public -domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, -especially commercial redistribution. - - - -The Full Project Gutenberg License - - -_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ - -To protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or -any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License available with this file or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works - - -*1.A.* By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the -terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all -copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in your possession. If -you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -*1.B.* "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things -that you can do with most Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works even -without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph -1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -*1.C.* The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of -Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works. Nearly all the individual works -in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you -from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating -derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project -Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the -Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting free access to electronic -works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg(tm) works in compliance with -the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg(tm) name -associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this -agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full -Project Gutenberg(tm) License when you share it without charge with -others. - -*1.D.* The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg(tm) work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -*1.E.* Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -*1.E.1.* The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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 http://www.gutenberg.org - -*1.E.2.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can -be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying -any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a -work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on -the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs -1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -*1.E.3.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg(tm) License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work. - -*1.E.4.* Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg(tm). - -*1.E.5.* Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) License. - -*1.E.6.* You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg(tm) web site -(http://www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -*1.E.7.* Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg(tm) works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.8.* You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works -provided that - - - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg(tm) works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - - - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg(tm) - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) - works. - - - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - - - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) works. - - -*1.E.9.* If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below. - -*1.F.* - -*1.F.1.* Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection. -Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, and the -medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but -not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription -errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a -defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -*1.F.2.* LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. -YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, -BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN -PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND -ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR -ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES -EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. - -*1.F.3.* LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -*1.F.4.* Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -*1.F.5.* Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -*1.F.6.* INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg(tm) -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg(tm) work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg(tm) - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg(tm)'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and -permanent future for Project Gutenberg(tm) and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org . - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state -of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue -Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is -64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the -full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page -at http://www.pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where -we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any -statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside -the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways -including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, -please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. - - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg(tm) -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg(tm) eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg(tm) eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless -a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg(tm), -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/39050-8.zip b/39050-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1fe0b3f..0000000 --- a/39050-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39050-h.zip b/39050-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 74e968a..0000000 --- a/39050-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39050-h/39050-h.html b/39050-h/39050-h.htm index eb1ccd4..c1182a1 100644 --- a/39050-h/39050-h.html +++ b/39050-h/39050-h.htm @@ -431,34 +431,9 @@ pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap </style> </head> <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39050 ***</div> <div class="document" id="ralph-of-the-roundhouse"> <h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE</h1> - -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en noindent pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst">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 <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse<br /> -<br /> -Author: Allen Chapman<br /> -<br /> -Release Date: March 04, 2012 [EBook #39050]<br /> -<br /> -Language: English<br /> -<br /> -Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE</span> ***</p> <div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> </div> <p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> @@ -5860,347 +5835,6 @@ Great Northern Railroad."</p> <!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> <div class="backmatter"> </div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE</span> ***</p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39050"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39050</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set -forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to -protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge -for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not -charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is -very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as -creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. -They may be modified and printed and given away – you may do -practically <em class="italics">anything</em> with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution.</p> -<div class="level-3 section" id="the-full-project-gutenberg-license"> -<span id="project-gutenberg-license"></span><h3 class="level-3 pfirst section-title title">The Full Project Gutenberg License</h3> -<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">Please read this before you distribute or use this work.</em></p> -<p class="pnext">To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-1-general-terms-of-use-redistributing-project-gutenberg-electronic-works"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title">Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works</h4> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.A.</strong> By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by -the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.B.</strong> “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.C.</strong> The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is in the public domain in the United -States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a -right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free -access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works -in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project -Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with -the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format -with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it -without charge with others.</p> -<p class="pnext"></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.D.</strong> The copyright laws of the place where you are located also -govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most -countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the -United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms -of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.</strong> Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.1.</strong> The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed:</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst">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 <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.E.2.</strong> If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work -can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without -paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing -access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with -or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements -of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of -the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in -paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.3.</strong> If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.4.</strong> Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg™.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.5.</strong> Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute -this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.6.</strong> You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other -than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ web site -(<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a>), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.7.</strong> Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.E.8.</strong> You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided -that</p> -<ul class="open"> -<li><p class="first pfirst">You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from -the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you -already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to -the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to -donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 -days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally -required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments -should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, -“Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation.”</p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst">You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies -you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he -does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ -License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all -copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue -all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ -works.</p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst">You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of -any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the -electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of -receipt of the work.</p> -</li> -<li><p class="first pfirst">You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free -distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.</p> -</li> -</ul> -<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">1.E.9.</strong> If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -Michael Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact -the Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.</strong></p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.1.</strong> Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend -considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe -and proofread public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg™ -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.2.</strong> LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES – Except for the -“Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the -Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.3.</strong> LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND – If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.4.</strong> Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set -forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS,’ WITH -NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.5.</strong> Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions.</p> -<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">1.F.6.</strong> INDEMNITY – You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, -the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause.</p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-2-information-about-the-mission-of-project-gutenberg"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title">Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™</h4> -<p class="pfirst">Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life.</p> -<p class="pnext">Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at <a class="reference external" href="http://www.pglaf.org">http://www.pglaf.org</a> .</p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-3-information-about-the-project-gutenberg-literary-archive-foundation"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title">Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation</h4> -<p class="pfirst">The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf</a> . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to -the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.</p> -<p class="pnext">The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are -scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is -located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) -596-1887, email <a class="reference external" href="mailto:business@pglaf.org">business@pglaf.org</a>. Email contact links and up to date -contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at <a class="reference external" href="http://www.pglaf.org">http://www.pglaf.org</a></p> -<p class="pnext">For additional contact information:</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">Dr. Gregory B. Newby</div> -<div class="line">Chief Executive and Director</div> -<div class="line"><a class="reference external" href="mailto:gbnewby@pglaf.org">gbnewby@pglaf.org</a></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-4-information-about-donations-to-the-project-gutenberg-literary-archive-foundation"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title">Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation</h4> -<p class="pfirst">Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing -the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely -distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of -equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to -$5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status -with the IRS.</p> -<p class="pnext">The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate</a></p> -<p class="pnext">While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate.</p> -<p class="pnext">International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.</p> -<p class="pnext">Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate">http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate</a></p> -</div> -<div class="level-4 section" id="section-5-general-information-about-project-gutenberg-electronic-works"> -<h4 class="level-4 pfirst section-title title">Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works.</h4> -<p class="pfirst">Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.</p> -<p class="pnext">Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the -U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition.</p> -<p class="pnext">Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's -eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others.</p> -<p class="pnext">Corrected <em class="italics">editions</em> of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is -renamed. <em class="italics">Versions</em> based on separate sources are treated as new -eBooks receiving new filenames and etext numbers.</p> -<p class="pnext">Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility:</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including -how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe -to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.</p> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39050 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/39050-rst.zip b/39050-rst.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c444b82..0000000 --- a/39050-rst.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39050-rst/39050-rst.rst b/39050-rst/39050-rst.rst deleted file mode 100644 index df4b469..0000000 --- a/39050-rst/39050-rst.rst +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7654 +0,0 @@ -.. -*- encoding: utf-8 -*-
-
-.. meta::
- :PG.Id: 39050
- :PG.Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse
- :PG.Released: 2012-03-04
- :PG.Rights: Public Domain
- :PG.Producer: Al Haines
- :DC.Creator: Allen Chapman
- :DC.Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse
- :DC.Language: en
- :DC.Created: 1906
-
-.. role:: small-caps
- :class: small-caps
-
-=======================
-RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
-=======================
-
-.. pgheader::
-
-.. figure:: images/img-front.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: RALPH STEPPED OVER HIS RECUMBENT COMPANION AND PLACED HIS HAND ON THE LEVER.--P. 42.]
-
- RALPH STEPPED OVER HIS RECUMBENT COMPANION AND PLACED HIS HAND ON THE LEVER.
-
-
-----
-
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- | RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | OR
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | BOUND TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN
-
-
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | BY
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | ALLEN CHAPMAN
-
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | NEW YORK
- | GROSSET & DUNLAP
- | PUBLISHERS
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | Made in the United States of America
-
-
-----
-
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | Copyright, 1906, by
- | THE MERSHON COMPANY
-
-
-----
-
-
-.. contents:: CONTENTS
- :depth: 1
- :backlinks: entry
-
-
-----
-
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- | RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I--THE DAYLIGHT EXPRESS
-===============================
-
-The Daylight Express rolled up to the depot at Stanley Junction, on
-time, circling past the repair shops, freight yard and roundhouse, a
-thing of life and beauty.
-
-Stanley Junction had become a wide-awake town of some importance since
-the shops had been moved there, and when a second line took it in as a
-passing point, the old inhabitants pronounced the future of the
-Junction fully determined.
-
-Engine No. 6, with its headlight shining like a piece of pure crystal,
-its metal trimmings furbished up bright and natty-looking, seemed to
-understand that it was the model of the road, and sailed majestically
-to a repose that had something of dignity and grandeur to it.
-
-The usual crowd that kept tab on arriving trains lounged on the
-platform, and watched the various passengers alight.
-
-A brisk, bright-faced young fellow glided from their midst, cleared an
-obstructing truck with a clever spring, stood ready to greet the
-locomotive and express car as they parted company from the passenger
-coaches, and ran thirty feet along the siding to where the
-freight-sheds stood.
-
-He appeared to know everybody, and to be a general favorite with every
-one, for the brakeman at the coach-end air brake gave him a cheery:
-"Hi, there, kid!" gaunt John Griscom, the engineer, flung him a grim
-but pleased nod of recognition, and the fireman, discovering him,
-yelled a shrill: "All aboard, now!"
-
-The young fellow turned to face the latter with a whirl and struck an
-attitude, as if entirely familiar with jolly Sam Cooper's warnings.
-
-For the latter, reaching for a row of golden pippins stowed on his oil
-shelf, contributed by some bumpkin admirer down the line, seized the
-biggest and poised it for a fling.
-
-"Here she goes, Ralph Fairbanks!" he chuckled.
-
-"Let her come!" cried back Ralph, and--clip! he cut the missile's
-career short by the latest approved baseball tactics.
-
-Ralph pocketed the apple with a gay laugh, and was at the door of the
-express section of the car as it slid back and the messenger's face
-appeared.
-
-The agent had come out of his shed. He glanced over an iron chest and
-some crated stuff shoved forward by the messenger, and then, running
-his eye over the bills of lading handed him by the latter, said briskly:
-
-"You will not be needed this time, Ralph."
-
-"All right, Mr. More."
-
-"Nothing but some transfer freight and the bank delivery--that's my
-special, you know. Be around for the 5.11, though."
-
-"Sure," nodded Ralph Fairbanks, looking pleased at the brisk dismissal,
-like a boy on hand for work, but, that failing, with abundant other
-resources at hand to employ and enjoy the time.
-
-With a cheery hail to the baggage master as he appeared on the scene,
-Ralph rounded the cow-catcher, intent on a short cut across the tracks.
-His appearance had been actuated by business reasons strictly, but,
-business not materializing, he was quite as practical and eager on
-another tack.
-
-Ever since vacation began, three weeks previous, Ralph had made two
-trips daily to the depot, on hand to meet the arriving 10.15 and 5.11
-trains.
-
-This had been at the solicitation of the express agent. Stanley
-Junction was not a very large receiving point, but usually there were
-daily several packages to deliver. When these were not for the bank or
-business houses in the near center of the town, but for individuals,
-the agent employed Ralph to deliver them, allowing him to retain the
-ten cents fee for charges.
-
-Sometimes Ralph picked up as high as fifty cents a day, the average was
-about half that amount, but it was welcome pocket money. Occasionally,
-too, some odd job for waiting passengers or railroad employes would
-come up. It gave Ralph spending money with which to enjoy his
-vacation, and, besides, he liked the work.
-
-Especially work around the railroad. What live boy in Stanley Junction
-did not--but then Ralph, as the express agent often said, "took to
-railroading like a duck to water."
-
-It was a natural heritage. Ralph's father had been a first-class,
-all-around railroad man, and his son felt a justifiable pride in
-boasting that he was one of the pioneers who had made the railroad at
-Stanley Junction a possibility.
-
-"Home, a quick bite or two, and then for the baseball game," said Ralph
-briskly, as he ran his eye across the network of rails, and beyond them
-to the waving tree tops and the village green. Preparing to make a run
-for it, Ralph suddenly halted.
-
-A grimed repair man, tapping the wheels of the coaches, just then
-jerked back his hammer with a vivid:
-
-"Hi, you!"
-
-Ralph discerned that the man was not addressing him, for his eyes were
-staringly fixed under the trucks.
-
-"Let me out!" sounded a muffled voice.
-
-Ralph was interested, as there struggled from the cindered roadbed an
-erratic form. It was that of a boy about his own age. He judged this
-from the dress and figure, although one was tattered, and the other
-strained, crippled and bent. The face was a criss-cross streak of
-dust, oil and cinders.
-
-"A stowaway!" yelled the repair man, excitedly waving his hammer.
-"Schmitt! Schmitt! this way!"
-
-The depot officer came running around the end of the train at the call.
-Ralph had eyes only for the forlorn figure that had so suddenly come
-into action in the light of day.
-
-He could read the lad's story readily. The last run of No. 6 was of
-ten miles. There was no doubt but that for this distance, if not for a
-greater one, the stowaway had been a "dead-head" passenger, perilously
-clinging to the brace bars, or wedged against the trucks under the
-middle coach.
-
-The dust and grime must have half-blinded him, the roar have deafened,
-for he staggered about now in an aimless, distracted way, hobbling and
-wincing as he tried to get his cramped muscles into normal play.
-
-"What you doing?" roared the old watchman, on a run, and waving his
-club threateningly.
-
-"I've done it!" muttered the boy dolefully. He kept hobbling about to
-get his tensioned nerves unlimbered, edging away from the approaching
-watchman as fast as he could.
-
-"Show me!" he panted, appealingly to Ralph,
-
-The latter understood the predicament and wish. He moved his hand very
-meaningly, and the stowaway seemed to comprehend, for he glided to
-where a heap of ties barricaded a dead-end track. Rubbing the blinding
-dirt from his eyes, he cleared the heap, dropped on the other side, and
-ran down a narrow lane bounded on one side by a brick wall and on the
-other by a ten-foot picket fence.
-
-"Third one in a week!" growled the watchman. "Got to stop! Against
-the law, and second one lost a foot!"
-
-Ralph moved along, crossed four tracks and a freight train blockaded,
-and kept on down the straight rails. The stowaway had passed from his
-mind. Now, glancing toward the fence, he saw the lad limping down the
-lane.
-
-The stowaway saw him, and coming to a halt grasped two of the fence
-bars, and peered and shouted at him.
-
-"Want me?" asked Ralph, approaching. He saw that the stowaway was in
-bad shape, for he clung to the fence as if it rested him. He had not
-yet gotten all the cricks out of his bones.
-
-"It was a tough job," muttered the boy. "It took grit! Say, tell me
-something, will you?"
-
-Ralph nodded. The boy rubbed the knuckle of one hand across his coat
-to wipe off the blood of an abrasion, and groped in a pocket.
-
-"Where is that?" he asked, bringing to light an envelope, and holding
-it slantingly for Ralph's inspection. "Can you tell me?"
-
-"Why," said Ralph, with a start--"let me look at that!"
-
-"No," demurred the other cautiously. "It's near enough to read. I
-want to find that person."
-
-"It's my name," said Ralph, quickly and with considerable wonderment.
-"Give it to me."
-
-"I guess not!" snapped the stowaway. "I don't know who John Fairbanks
-is, but I know enough to be sure you ain't him."
-
-"No, he was my father. Climb over the fence. I don't quite understand
-this, and I want you to explain."
-
-The stowaway sized up the fence, wincing as he lifted one foot, and
-then, with a disgusted exclamation, turned abruptly and broke into a
-run.
-
-Ralph saw that the cause of this action was the watchman, who had come
-into view through a doorway in the brick wall, and had started a new
-pursuit of the boy.
-
-He was a husky, clumsy individual, and had counted on heading off or
-creeping unawares on the fugitive, but the latter, with a start, soon
-outdistanced him, and was lost to Ralph's view where the lane broadened
-out into the railroad scrap yards.
-
-Ralph stood undecided for a minute or two, and then somewhat
-reluctantly resumed his way.
-
-"He'll find us, if he's got that letter to deliver," he concluded. "I
-wonder what it can be? From somebody who doesn't know father is dead,
-it seems."
-
-Ralph neared home in the course of ten minutes, to save time crossing
-lots to reach by its side door the plain, but comfortable looking,
-neatly kept cottage that had been his shelter since childhood.
-
-It was going to be a busy day with him, he had planned, and he flung
-off his coat with a business air of hurried preparation for a change of
-toilet.
-
-Ten feet from the door through which he intended to bolt as usual with
-all the impetuosity of a real flesh and blood boy, on the jump every
-waking minute of his existence, Ralph came to an abrupt halt.
-
-He expected to find his mother alone, and was ready to tell her about
-the stowaway episode and the letter.
-
-But voices echoed from the little sitting room, and the first
-intelligible words his ear caught, spoken in a gruff snarl, made
-Ralph's eyes flash fire, his fists clenched, and his breath came quick.
-
-"Very well, Widow Fairbanks," fell distinctly on Ralph's hearing,
-"what's the matter with that good-for-nothing son of yours going to
-work and paying the honest debts of the family?"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II--WAKING UP
-=====================
-
-Ralph recognized that strident voice at once. It belonged to Gasper
-Farrington, one of the wealthiest men of Stanley Junction, and one of
-the meanest.
-
-Whenever Ralph had met the man, and he met him often, one fact had been
-vividly impressed upon his mind. Gasper Farrington had a natural
-antipathy for all boys in general, and for Ralph Fairbanks in
-particular.
-
-The Criterion Baseball Club was a feature with juvenile Stanley
-Junction, yet they had many a privilege abrogated through the influence
-of Farrington. He had made complaints on the most trivial pretexts,
-winning universal disrespect and hatred from the younger population.
-
-More than once he had put himself out to annoy Ralph. In one instance
-the latter had stood for the rights of the club in a lawyer-like
-manner. He had beaten Farrington and the town board combined on
-technical legal grounds as to the occupancy of a central ball field,
-and Ralph's feelings towards the crabbed old capitalist had then
-settled down to dislike, mingled with a certain silent independence
-that nettled Farrington considerably.
-
-He had publicly dubbed Ralph "the ringleader of those baseball
-hoodlums," a stricture passed up by the club with indifference.
-
-Ralph never set his eyes on Farrington but he was reminded of his
-father. John Fairbanks had come to Stanley Junction before the Great
-Northern was even thought of. He had thought of it first. A practical
-railroad man, he had gone through all the grades of promotion of an
-Eastern railway system, and had become a division superintendent.
-
-He had some money when he came to Stanley Junction. He foresaw that
-the town would one day become a tactical center in railroad
-construction, submitted a plan to some capitalists, and was given
-supervisory work along the line.
-
-His minor capital investment in the enterprise was obscured by mightier
-interests later on, but before he died it was generally supposed that
-he held quite an amount of the bonds of the railroad, mutually with
-Gasper Farrington.
-
-It was a surprise to his widow, and to friends generally of the
-Fairbanks family, when, after Mr. Fairbanks' death, a few hundred
-dollars in the bank and the homestead, with a twelve-hundred dollar
-mortgage on it in favor of Gasper Farrington, were found to comprise
-the total estate.
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks discovered letters, memoranda and receipts showing that
-her deceased husband and Farrington had been mutually engaged in
-several business enterprises, but they were vague and fragmentary, and,
-after ascertaining from her the extent of her documentary evidence,
-Farrington bluntly declared he had been a loser by her husband.
-
-He professed a friendship for the dead railroader, however, and in a
-patronizing way offered to help the widow out of her difficulties by
-taking the homestead off her hands for the amount of the mortgage, "and
-making no trouble."
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks had promptly informed him that she had no intention of
-selling out, and for two years, until the present time, had been able
-to meet the quarterly interest on the mortgage when due.
-
-Gasper Farrington was now on one of his periodical visits on business
-to the cottage, but as, right at the home threshold, and in the
-presence of the gentle, loving-hearted widow, he gave utterance to the
-scathing remark still burning in the listener's ears, a boy of true
-spirit, Ralph's soul seemed suddenly to expand as though it would burst
-with indignation and excitement.
-
-Many times Ralph had asked his mother concerning their actual business
-relations with Gasper Farrington, but she had put him off with the
-evasive remark that he was "too young to understand."
-
-But now he seemed to understand. The spiteful tone of the crabbed old
-capitalist implied that he indulged in the present malicious outburst
-because in some way he had the widow in his power.
-
-Ralph took an instantaneous step forward, but paused. He could trust
-his mother to retain her dignity on all occasions, and he recalled her
-frequent directions to him to never act on an angry impulse.
-
-Now he could see into the room. His mother stood by her sewing basket,
-a slight flush of indignation on her face.
-
-Farrington squirmed against the doorway, fumbling his cane, and puffing
-and purple with violent internal commotion.
-
-"Then what's the matter with that idle, good-for-nothing, son of yours
-going to work and paying the honest debts of the family!" he stormily
-repeated.
-
-The widow looked up. Her lips fluttered, but she said calmly: "Mr.
-Farrington, Ralph is neither idle nor good-for-nothing."
-
-"Huh! aint! What's he good for?"
-
-The widow's face became momentarily glorified, the true mother love
-shone in the depths of her pure, clear eyes.
-
-"He is the best son a mother ever had." She spoke with a tremor that
-made Ralph thrill, and must have made Farrington squirm.
-
-"He is affectionate, obedient, considerate. And that is why I have
-never burdened his young shoulders with my troubles."
-
-"It's high time, then!" snarled Farrington--"a big, overgrown bumpkin!
-Guess he'll shoulder some responsibility soon, or some one else will,
-or you'll all be without a shelter."
-
-Ralph felt a sinking at the heart at the vague threat. He was
-relieved, however, as anxiously glancing at his mother's face he
-observed that she was not a whit disturbed or frightened.
-
-"Mr. Farrington," she said, "Ralph has nothing to do with our business
-affairs, but I wish to say this: I am satisfied that my dead husband
-left means we have never been able to trace. It lies between your
-conscience and yourself to say how much more you know about this than I
-do. I have accepted the situation, however, and with the few dollars
-in ready money he left me, and my sewing, I have managed to so far give
-Ralph a fair education. He has well deserved the sacrifice. He has
-been foremost in every athletic sport, a leader and of good influence
-with his mates, and was the best scholar at the school, last term."
-
-"Oho! prize pupil in the three R's!" sneered Farrington--"Counts high,
-that honor does!"
-
-"It is a step upwards, humble though it be," retorted Mrs. Fairbanks
-proudly. "If he does as well in his academic career----"
-
-"In his what?" fairly bellowed Farrington. "Is the woman crazy? You
-don't mean to tell me, madam, that you have any such wild idea in your
-head as sending him to college?"
-
-"I certainly have."
-
-"Then you'll never make it--you'll waste your dollars, and bring him up
-a pampered ingrate, and he's a sneak if he allows his old mother to dig
-and slave her fingers off for his worthless pleasure!"
-
-A faint flush crossed the widow's face. Ralph burst the bounds. He
-sprang forward, and confronted the astonished magnate so abruptly that
-in the confusion of the moment, Farrington dropped his cane.
-
-"Mr. Farrington," said Ralph, striving hard to keep control of himself,
-"my mother is not old, but I am--older than I was an hour ago, I can
-tell you! old enough to understand what I never knew before, and----"
-
-"Hello!" sniffed Farrington, "what's this your business?"
-
-"I just overheard you say it was essentially my business," answered
-Ralph. "I begin to think so myself. At all events, I'm going to take
-a hand in my mother's affairs hereafter. If I have hitherto been blind
-to the real facts, it was because I had the best mother in the world,
-and never realized the big sacrifice she was making for me."
-
-"Bah!"
-
-"Mr. Farrington," continued Ralph, seeming to grow two inches taller
-under the influence of some new, elevating idea suddenly finding
-lodgment in his mind, "as a person fully awakened to his own general
-worthlessness and idle, good-for-nothing character, and in duty bound
-to pay the honest debts of the family--to quote your own words--what is
-your business here?"
-
-"My business!" gasped Farrington, "you, you--none of your business!
-Mrs. Fairbanks," he shouted, waving his cane and almost exploding with
-rage, "I've said my say, and I shan't stay here to be insulted by a
-pert chit of a boy. You'd better think it over! I'll give you five
-hundred dollars to surrender the house and get out of Stanley Junction.
-Decline that, and fail to pay me the interest due to-day, and I'll
-close down on you--I'll sell you out!"
-
-"Can he do it?" whispered Ralph, in an anxious tone.
-
-"No, Ralph," said his mother. "Mr. Farrington, I believe I have thirty
-days in which to pay the interest?"
-
-"It's due to-day."
-
-"I believe I have thirty days," went on the widow quietly. "It is the
-first time I have been delinquent. I have even now within twenty
-dollars of the amount. Before the thirty days are over you shall have
-your money."
-
-"I'll serve you legal notice before night!" growled Farrington--"I
-don't wait on promises, I don't!"
-
-There were hot words hovering on Ralph's lips. It would do him good,
-he felt, to give the heartless old capitalist a piece of his mind. A
-glance from his mother checked him.
-
-She was the gracious, courteous lady in every respect as she ushered
-her unpleasant visitor from the house.
-
-Her heart was full in more ways than one as she returned to the little
-sitting room. A predominating emotion filled her thoughts. She
-understood Ralph's mind thoroughly, and realized that circumstances
-had, as he had himself declared, "awakened him."
-
-She had intuitively traced in his manner and words a change from
-careless, boyish impetuosity to settled, manly resolution, and was
-thankful in her heart of hearts.
-
-"Ralph!" she called softly.
-
-But Ralph was gone.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III--A LOST BALL
-========================
-
-Ralph Fairbanks had "woke up," had seen a great light, had formed a
-mighty resolution all in a minute, and was off like a flash.
-
-As he bolted through the doorway it seemed as if wings impelled him.
-
-He realized what a good mother he had, and how much she had done for
-him.
-
-Following that was one overwhelming conclusion: to prove how he
-appreciated the fact.
-
-"Yes," he said, as he hurried along, "I'd be a sneak to let my mother
-slave while I went sliding easy through life. If I've done it so far,
-it was because I never guessed there wasn't something left from
-father's estate to support us, and never stopped to think that there
-mightn't be. She's hidden everything from me, in her kind, good way.
-Well, I'll pay her back. I see the nail I'm to hit on the head, and
-I'll drive it home before I'm twenty-four hours older!"
-
-Gasper Farrington had opened a gate on the highway of Ralph Fairbanks'
-tranquil existence, and, though he never meant it, had aroused the
-boy's soul to a sudden conception of duty. And Ralph had seen the path
-beyond, clear and distinct.
-
-It seemed to him as if with one wave of his hand he had swept aside all
-the fervid dreams of boyhood, formed a resolution, set his mark, and
-was started in that very minute on a brand-new life.
-
-Ralph did not slacken his gait until he reached a square easily
-identified as a much used ball grounds.
-
-Over in one corner was a flat, rambling structure. It had once been
-somebody's home, had fallen into decay and vacancy. The club had
-rented it for a nominal sum, fixed it up a bit, and this was
-headquarters.
-
-Over the door hung the purple pennant of the club, bearing in its
-center a broad, large "C." In the doorway sat Ned Talcott, an
-ambitious back-stop, who spent most of his time about the place, never
-tired of the baseball atmosphere.
-
-He looked curiously at Ralph's flustered appearance, but the latter
-nodded silently, passed inside, and then called out:
-
-"Come in here, Ned--I want to see you."
-
-Ned was by his side in a jiffy. An enthusiast, he fairly worshiped his
-expert whole-souled captain, and counted it an honor to do anything for
-him.
-
-"None of the crowd here, I see," remarked Ralph. "Got your uniform
-yet, Ned?"
-
-"Why, no," answered Ned. "I've got the cloth picked out, and it's all
-right. Father's away, though, and as we won't need the suits for show
-till the new series begin next week, I didn't hurry."
-
-"We're about of a size," went on Ralph, looking his companion over.
-
-"And resemblance stops right there, eh?" chuckled Ned.
-
-"I was thinking," pursued Ralph with business-like terseness, as he
-unfastened the door of his locker. "Maybe we could strike a trade? I
-want to sell."
-
-He drew out his baseball uniform, tastily reposing in a big pasteboard
-box just as he had brought it from the tailor that morning.
-
-"I've been thinking maybe I could strike a deal with some one to take
-this off my hands," he added.
-
-"Eh!" ejaculated Ned, in a bewildered way.
-
-"Yes, you see it's brand-new, whole outfit complete, haven't even put
-it on yet."
-
-"You'll look nobby in it when you do have it on!"
-
-Ralph said nothing on this score, compressing his lips a trifle.
-
-"It cost me eight dollars," he continued, after a moment's silence.
-
-"Yes, I know that's the regular price."
-
-"It fits you, or, with very slight alteration, can be made to. I wish
-you'd try it on, Ned, and give me five dollars for it."
-
-"Why, I don't understand, Ralph?" faltered Ned, completely puzzled.
-
-Ralph winced. He realized that there would be a general commotion when
-he told the rest of the club what he was now vaguely intimating to Ned
-Talcott.
-
-Ralph did not flatter himself a particle when he comprehended that
-every member of the nine was his friend, champion and admirer, and that
-a general protest would go up from the ranks when he announced his
-intentions.
-
-"Is it a bargain?" he asked, smiling quizzically at Ned's puzzled face.
-"See here, I'd better out with it. I shan't need the uniform, Ned,
-because I've got to resign from the club."
-
-"Oh, never!" vociferated Ned, starting back in dismay. "Say, now----"
-
-"Yes, say that again, Ralph Fairbanks!" broke in a challenging voice.
-
-Ralph was shaken a trifle by the unexpected interruption. His lips set
-even a little firmer, however, as he turned and faced his trusty first
-baseman, Will Cheever, and in his train four other members of the club.
-
-"It's true," said Ralph seriously, "just as it is sudden and sure.
-I've got to drop athletics as a sport, fellows--for a time, anyhow--and
-I've got to do it right away."
-
-"You're dreaming!" scoffed Cheever, bustling up in his inimitable,
-push-ahead way, and pulling Ralph playfully about. "Resign? Huh! On
-the last test game--with the pennant almost ours? Gag him!"
-
-"Why," drawled a tone of pathetic alarm, "it would be rank treachery,
-you know!"
-
-"Hello, are you awake?" jeered Will, turning on the last speaker.
-
-Ralph looked at him too, and through some wayward perversity of his
-nature his face grew more determined than ever. His eyes flashed
-quickly, and he regarded the speaker with disfavor, but he kept silence.
-
-"You won't do it, you know!" blundered the newcomer, making his way
-forward. "It would queer the whole kit. What have we been working
-for? To get the bulge, and run the circuit. Why, I've just counted on
-it!"
-
-Grif Farrington, for that was the speaker's name, expressed the
-intensest sense of personal injury as he spoke.
-
-He was the nephew of Gasper Farrington, although he did not resemble
-his uncle in any striking particular as to form or feature. Both were
-of the same genus, however, for the crabbed capitalist was universally
-designated "a shark" by his neighbors.
-
-Grif was a fat, overgrown fellow, with big saucer eyes and flabby
-cheeks and chin. "Bullhead" some of the boys had dubbed him. But they
-often found that what they mistook for stupidity was in reality
-indolence, and that in any deal where his own selfish concern was
-involved Grif managed to come out the winner.
-
-As Ralph did not speak, Grif grew even more voluble.
-
-"I say, it would be rank treachery!" he declared. "And a shame to
-treat a club so. If we lose this game we're ditched for only scrub
-home games. Win it, and we are the champion visiting club all over the
-county. That's what we have been working for. Are you going to spoil
-it? Haven't I put up like a man when the club was behind. See here,
-Ralph Fairbanks, I'll give you--I'll make it five dollars if you'll
-keep in for just this afternoon's game."
-
-"Shut up, you chump!" warned Will Cheever, slipping between the boor
-and Ralph, whose color was rising dangerously fast.
-
-Will pushed aside Grif's pocketbook, linked an arm in that of Ralph,
-and led him from the building, winking encouragingly to his mates.
-
-He came back to the group in about a quarter of an hour, but alone.
-
-"Fixed it?" inquired half a dozen eager voices.
-
-"Yes, I've fixed it," said Cheever, though none too cordially. "He's
-going to leave us, fellows, and it's too bad! He'll play the game this
-afternoon, but that's the last."
-
-"What's up?" put in Grif Farrington, in his usual coarsely inquisitive
-way.
-
-"You was nearly up--or down!" snapped Cheever tartly. "You nearly
-spoiled things for us. Money isn't everything, if you have got lots of
-it, and haven't the sense to know that it's an insult to offer to buy
-what Ralph Fairbanks would give to his friends for nothing, or not at
-all!"
-
-When the game was called at two o'clock, Ralph was on hand.
-
-He was the object of more than ordinary interest to his own and the
-opposition club that afternoon. The word had gone the rounds that he
-had practically resigned from service, and the fact caused great
-speculation. His nearest friends detected a certain serious change in
-him that puzzled them. They knew him well enough to discern that
-something of unusual weight lay upon his mind.
-
-According to enthusiastic little Tom Travers, Ralph Fairbanks was "just
-splendid!" that afternoon. Whatever Ralph had on his mind, he did not
-allow it to interfere with the work on hand.
-
-Ralph was the heaviest batter of the club, and on this particular
-occasion he conducted himself brilliantly, and the pennant was the
-property of the Criterions long before the fifth inning was completed.
-The club was in ecstasies, and Grif Farrington, who had money and time
-for spending it, wore a grin of placid self-satisfaction on his flat,
-fat face.
-
-"Whoop!" yelled Will Cheever, as the ninth inning went out in a blaze
-of baseball glory.
-
-Will posed to give Ralph, bat in hand, a royal "last one." It was
-Ralph's farewell to the beloved diamond field. He poised the bat and
-caught the ball with a masterly stroke that had something cannon-like
-in its execution.
-
-Crack! he sent it flying obliquely, and felt as if with that final
-stroke he had driven baseball with all its lovely attributes dear out
-of his life.
-
-Smash! the ball grazed the high brick wall around the old unused
-factory to the left, struck an upper window, shattered a pane to atoms,
-and disappeared.
-
-"Lost ball!" jeered little Tom Travers.
-
-No one went after it. The fence surrounding the factory bore two signs
-that deterred--one was "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted," and the other
-announced that it was "For Rent, by the owner, Gasper Farrington."
-
-Ralph made a grimace, and a mental note of later mending the breakage
-for which he was responsible.
-
-Will Cheever caught him up as he was heading for home.
-
-"See here, Ralph," he remarked, "if you wasn't so abominably
-close-mouthed----"
-
-"About what?" challenged Ralph, pleasantly serious. "Why, there's no
-mystery about my resigning. I had to do it."
-
-"Why?"
-
-"I've got to go to work. My mother needs the money, and I'm old
-enough."
-
-"What you going to work at?" inquired Will, with real interest.
-
-"Railroading,--if I can get it to do."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV--IKE SLUMP'S DINNER PAIL
-===================================
-
-Ralph hurried home. His mother had gone temporarily to some neighbors,
-he judged, for the house was open, and the midday lunch he had
-purposely avoided was still spread on the table.
-
-He ate with a zest, but in a hurry. His mind was working actively, and
-he hoped to accomplish results before he had an interview with his
-mother, and was glad when he got away from the house again without
-meeting her.
-
-Ralph went down to the depot. He was not in a communicative mood, and
-did not exchange greetings with many friends there. When the 5.11
-train came in there were two packages to deliver. He attended to these
-promptly, and was back at the express shed just as the agent was
-closing up for the day.
-
-"All square, Fairbanks?" he inquired, as Ralph handed him the receipt
-book.
-
-"Yes," nodded Ralph. "They paid me. I want to thank you for all the
-little jobs you have thrown in my way, Mr. More. It has helped me
-through wonderfully. You haven't anything permanent you could fit me
-into, have you?"
-
-"Eh?" ejaculated the agent, with a critical stare at Ralph. "Why, no.
-Looking for a regular job, Fairbanks?"
-
-"I've got to," answered Ralph.
-
-"Railroading?"
-
-"Any branch of it."
-
-"For steady?"
-
-"Yes, I think it's my line."
-
-"I think so, too," nodded the agent decisively, "You haven't made loaf
-and play of what little you've done for me. There's no show here,
-though. I get only forty-five dollars a month, and have to help with
-the freight at that, but if you are headed for the presidency----"
-
-Ralph smiled.
-
-"Start in the right way, and that is at the bottom of the ladder. You
-don't want office work?"
-
-"That would take me to general headquarters at Springfield," demurred
-Ralph, "and I don't want to leave mother alone--just yet."
-
-"I see. There's nothing at the shops down at Acton, where you could go
-and come home every day, except a trade, and you're not the boy to stop
-at master mechanic."
-
-"Oh, come now! Mr. More----"
-
-"You can't look too far ahead," declared the agent sapiently.
-"Dropping jollying, though, we narrow down to real service. There's
-your Starting point, my boy, plain, sure and simple, and don't you
-forget it--and don't you miss it!"
-
-He extended his finger down the rails.
-
-"The roundhouse?" said Ralph, following his indication.
-
-"The roundhouse, Fairbanks, the first step, and I never knew a genuine,
-all-around railroad man who didn't make his start in the business in
-the oil bins."
-
-"What is the main qualification to recommend a fellow?" asked Ralph.
-
-"An old suit of clothes, a tough hide, and lots of grit."
-
-"I think, then, I can come well indorsed," laughed Ralph. "Whom do I
-see?"
-
-"Usually the ambitious father of a future railway president goes
-through the regular application course at headquarters," explained the
-agent, "but if you want quick action----"
-
-"I do."
-
-"See the foreman."
-
-"Who is he?"
-
-"Tim Forgan. If he takes you on, and you get to be a fixture, the
-application route is handy later, when you think you deserve promotion."
-
-"Thank you," said Ralph, and walked away thoughtfully.
-
-He had five dollars in his pocket that Ned Talcott had given him for
-his uniform, and eighty cents in loose change. This made Ralph feel
-quite free and easy. He had not a single disturbing thought on his
-mind at present except the broken window at the old factory, and that
-was easily fixed up, he told himself.
-
-So, in quite an elevated frame of mind, Ralph walked down the rails.
-The roundhouse was his objective point. Ralph had been there many a
-time before, but only as a visitor.
-
-Now he was interested in a practical way, and the oil sheds, dog house,
-turntable and other adjuncts of this favored center of activity
-fascinated him more than ever.
-
-He had a nodding acquaintance with some of the firemen and engineers,
-but was not fortunate enough to meet any of these on the present
-occasion.
-
-Ralph went along the hard-beaten cinder path, worn by many feet, that
-circled the one-story structure which sheltered the locomotives, and
-glancing through the high-up open windows caught the railroad flavor
-more and more as he viewed the stalls holding this and that puffing,
-dying or stone-dead "iron horse."
-
-Over the sill of one of these windows there suddenly protruded a black,
-greasy hand holding a square dinner pail. It came out directly over
-Ralph's head, and halted him.
-
-Its owner sounded a low whistle and a return whistle quite as low and
-suspicious echoed behind Ralph.
-
-"Take it, and hustle!" followed from beyond the window, and almost
-mechanically Ralph Fairbanks put up his hand, the handle of the pail
-slipped into his fingers, and he uttered an ejaculation.
-
-For the pail was as heavy as if loaded with gold, and bore him quite
-doubled down before he got his equilibrium. Then it was jerked from
-his grasp, and a gruff voice said:
-
-"Hands off! What you meddling for?"
-
-"Meddling?" retorted Ralph abruptly, and looked the speaker over with
-suspicion. He was a ragged, unkempt man of about forty, with a
-swarthy, vicious face. "I was told to take it, wasn't I?"
-
-"Hullo! what's up? Who are you? Oh! Fairbanks."
-
-The speaker was the person who had passed out the dinner pail, and who,
-apparently aroused by the colloquy outside, had clambered to a bench,
-and now thrust his head out of the window. He looked startled at
-first, then directed a quick, meaning glance at the tramp, who
-disappeared as if by magic. The boy overhead scowled darkly at Ralph,
-and then thought better of it, and tried to appear friendly.
-
-"I give the poor beggar what's left of my dinner for carrying my pail
-home, so I won't be bothered with it," he said.
-
-The speaker's face showed he did not at all believe that keen-witted
-Ralph Fairbanks accepted this gauzy explanation, after hefting that
-pail, but Ralph said nothing.
-
-"What's up, Fairbanks?" inquired his shock-headed interlocutor at the
-window--"sort of inspecting things?"
-
-Ralph, preparing to pass on, nodded silently.
-
-"Trying to break in, eh?"
-
-"Is there any chance?" inquired Ralph, pausing slightly.
-
-Ike Slump laughed boisterously. He was a year or two older than Ralph,
-but had a face prematurely developed with cunning and tobacco, and
-looked twenty-five.
-
-"Yes," he said, "if you're anxious to get boiled, blistered, oiled and
-blinded twenty times a day, be kicked from platform to pit, and paid
-just about enough to buy arnica and sticking plaster!"
-
-"Bad as that?" interrogated Ralph dubiously.
-
-"For a fact!"
-
-"Oh, well--there's something beyond."
-
-"Beyond what?"
-
-"When you get out of the oil and cinders, and up into the sand and
-steam."
-
-"Huh! lots of chance. I've been here six months, and I haven't had a
-smell of firing yet--even second best."
-
-Ralph again nodded, and again started on. He did not care to have
-anything to do with Ike Slump. The latter belonged to the hoodlum gang
-of Stanley Junction, and whenever his crowd had met the better juvenile
-element, there had always been trouble.
-
-Ike's ferret face worked queerly as he noted Ralph's departure. He
-seemed struggling with uneasy emotions, as if one or two troublesome
-thoughts bothered him.
-
-"Hold on, Fairbanks!" he called, edging farther over the sill. "I say,
-that dinner pail----"
-
-"Oh, I'm not interested in your dinner pail," observed Ralph.
-
-"Course not--what is there to be curious about? I say, though, was you
-in earnest about getting a job here?"
-
-"I must get work somewhere."
-
-"And it will be railroading?"
-
-"If I can make it,"
-
-"You're the kind that wins," acknowledged Ike. "Got any coin, now?"
-
-"Suppose I have?"
-
-Ike's weazel-like eyes glowed.
-
-"Suppose you have? Then I can steer you up against a real investment
-of the A1 class."
-
-Ralph looked quizzically incredulous.
-
-"I can," persisted Ike Slump. "You want to get in here to work, don't
-you? Well, you can't make it."
-
-"Why can't I?"
-
-"Without my help--I can give you that help. You give me a dollar, and
-I'll give you a tip."
-
-"What kind of a tip?"
-
-"About a vacancy."
-
-"Is there going to be one?"
-
-"There is, I can tell you when, and I can give you first chance on the
-game, and deliver the goods."
-
-Ralph was interested.
-
-"If you are telling the truth," he said finally, "I'd risk half a
-dollar."
-
-Ralph took out the coin. A sight of it settled the matter for Ike.
-
-He reached for it eagerly.
-
-"All right, I'm the vacancy. You watch around, for soon as I get my
-pay to-morrow I'm going to bolt. It's confidential, though,
-Fairbanks--you'll remember that?"
-
-"Oh, sure."
-
-Ike Slump was a notorious liar, but Ralph believed him in the present
-instance. Anyhow, he felt he was making progress. He planned to be on
-hand the next day, prepared for the expected vacancy, and incidentally
-wondered what had made Ike Slump's dinner pail so tremendously heavy,
-and, also, as to the identity of the trampish individual who had
-disappeared with it so abruptly.
-
-He wandered about half a mile down the tracks where they widened out
-from the main line into the freight yards, and selected a pile of ties
-remote from any present activity in the neighborhood to have a quiet
-think.
-
-He determined to see the foreman, Tim Forgan, the first thing in the
-morning, and discover what the outlook was in general. If absolutely
-turned down, he would await the announced resignation of Mr. Ike Slump.
-
-Ralph understood that a green engine wiper in the roundhouse was paid
-six dollars a week to commence on if a boy, nine dollars if a man. He
-picked up a torn freight ticket drifting by in the breeze, and fell to
-figuring industriously, and the result was pleasant and reassuring.
-
-Ralph looked up, as with prodigious whistlings a single locomotive came
-tearing down the rails, took the outer main track, and was lost to
-sight.
-
-Not two minutes later a second described the same maneuver. Ralph
-arose, wondering somewhat.
-
-Looking down the rails towards the depot, he noticed unusual activity
-in the vicinity of the roundhouse.
-
-A good many hands were gathered at the turntable, as if some excitement
-was up. Then a third engine came down the rails rapidly, and Ralph
-noticed that the main "out" signal was turned to "clear tracks."
-
-As the third locomotive passed him, he noticed that the engineer
-strained his sight ahead in a tensioned way, and the fireman piled in
-the coal for the fullest pressure head of steam.
-
-Ralph made a start for home, reached a crossroad, and was turning down
-it when a new shrill series of whistles directed his attention to
-locomotive No. 4. It came down the rails in the same remarkable and
-reckless manner as its recent predecessors.
-
-"Something's up!" decided Ralph, with an uncontrollable thrill of
-interest and excitement--"I wonder what?"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V--OPPORTUNITY
-======================
-
-The boy turned and ran back to the culvert crossing just as the fourth
-locomotive whizzed past the spot.
-
-He waved his hand and yelled out an inquiry as to what was up, but cab
-and tender flashed by in a sheet of steam and smoke.
-
-He recognized the engineer, however. It was gruff old John Griscom,
-and in the momentary glimpse Ralph had of his hard, rugged face he
-looked grimmer than ever.
-
-Ralph marveled at his presence here, for Griscom had the crack run of
-the road, the 10.15, driven by the biggest twelve-wheeler on the line,
-and was something of an industrial aristocrat. The locomotive he now
-propelled was a third-class freight engine, and had no fireman on the
-present occasion so far as could be seen.
-
-Ralph knew enough about runs, specials and extras, to at once
-comprehend that something very unusual had happened, or was happening.
-
-Whatever it was, extreme urgency had driven out this last locomotive,
-for Griscom wore his off-duty suit, and it was plain to be seen had not
-had time to change it.
-
-Ralph's eyes blankly followed the locomotive. Then he started after
-it. Five hundred feet down the rails, a detour of a gravel pit sent
-the tracks rounding to a stretch, below which, in a clump of greenery,
-half a dozen of the firemen and engineers of the road had their homes.
-
-With a jangle and a shiver the old heap of junk known as 99 came to a
-stop. Then its whistle began a series of tootings so shrill and
-piercing that the effect was fairly ear-splitting.
-
-Ralph recognized that they were telegraphic in their import. Very
-often, he knew, locomotives would sound a note or two, slow up just
-here to take hands down to the roundhouse, but old Griscom seemed not
-only calling some one, but calling fiercely and urgently, and adding a
-whole volume of alarm warnings.
-
-Ralph kept on down the track and doubled his pace, determined now to
-overtake the locomotive and learn the cause of all this rush and
-commotion.
-
-As he neared 99, he discerned that the veteran engineer was hustling
-tremendously. Usually impassive and exact when in charge of the superb
-10.15, he was now a picture of almost irritable activity.
-
-Having thrown off his coat, he fired in some coal, impatiently gave the
-whistle a further exercise, and leaning from the cab window yelled
-lustily towards the group of houses beyond the embankment.
-
-Just as Ralph reached the end of the tender, he saw emerging from the
-shaded path down the embankment a girl of twelve. He recognized her as
-the daughter of jolly Sam Cooper, the fireman.
-
-She was breathless and pale, and she waved her hand up to the impatient
-engineer with an agitated:
-
-"Was you calling pa, Mr. Griscom?"
-
-"Was I calling him!" growled the gruff old bear--"did he think I was
-piping for the birds?"
-
-"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he can't come, he----"
-
-"He's got to come! It's life and death! Couldn't he tell it, when he
-saw me on this crazy old wreck, and shoving up the gauge to bursting
-point. Don't wait a second--he's got to come!"
-
-"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he's in bed, crippled. Ran into a scythe in the
-garden, and his ankle is cut terrible. Mother's worried to death, and
-he won't be able to take the regular run for days and days."
-
-Old Griscom stormed like a pirate. He glared down the tracks towards
-the roundhouse. Then he shouted ferociously:
-
-"Tell Evans to come, then--not a minute to lose!"
-
-"Mr. Evans has gone for the doctor, for pa," answered the girl.
-
-Griscom nearly had a fit. He flung his big arms around as if he wanted
-to smash something. He glanced at his watch, and slapped his hand on
-the lever with an angry yell.
-
-"Can't go back for an extra!" Ralph heard him shout, "and what'll I do?
-Rot the road! I'll try it alone, but----"
-
-He gave the lever a jerk, the wheels started up. Ralph thought he
-understood the situation. He sprang to the step.
-
-"Get out--no junketing here--life and death--Hello, Fairbanks!"
-
-"Mr. Griscom," spoke Ralph, "what's the trouble?"
-
-"Trouble--the shops at Acton are on fire, not a locomotive within ten
-miles, and all the transfer freight hemmed in."
-
-Ralph felt a thrill of interest and excitement.
-
-"Is that so?" he breathed. "I see--they need help?"
-
-"I guess so, and quick. Out of the way!"
-
-The old engineer hustled about the cab, set the machinery whizzing at
-top-notch speed, and seized the fire shovel.
-
-"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, catching on by a sort of inspiration, "let
-me--let me do that."
-
-"Eh--what----"
-
-Ralph drew the shovel from his unresisting hands.
-
-"You can't do both," he insisted--"you can't drive and fire. Just tell
-me what to do."
-
-"Can you shovel coal?"
-
-"I can try."
-
-"Here, not that way--" as Ralph opened the furnace door in a clumsy
-manner. "That's it, more--hustle, kid! That'll do. No talking, now."
-
-Griscom sprang to the cushion. For two minutes he was absorbed,
-looking ahead, timing himself, reading the gauge, in a fume and sweat,
-like a trained greyhound eager to strike the home stretch.
-
-Suddenly he ran his head and shoulders far past the window sill, and
-uttered one of his characteristic alarm yells.
-
-"Rot the road!" he shouted. "No flags!"
-
-He reached over for the tool box, and slammed up its cover. He pawed
-over a dozen or more soiled flags of different colors, snatched up two,
-shook out their white folds, and then, as the speeding engine nearly
-jumped the track at a switch, flopped back the lever.
-
-"Set them," he ordered.
-
-In his absorbed excitement he seemed to forget the dangerous mission he
-was setting, for a novice, Ralph did not ask a question. He threw in
-some coal, then taking the flags in one hand, he crept out through the
-forward window.
-
-It was his first experience in that line. The swishing wind, the
-teeter-like swaying of the engine, the driving hail of cinders, all
-combined to daunt and confuse him, but he clung to the engine rail,
-gained the pilot, set one flag in its socket, then with a stooping
-swing the other, and felt his way back to the cab, flushed with
-satisfaction, but glad to feel a safe footing once more.
-
-Griscom glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, with a growl that
-might mean approbation or anything else.
-
-"Fire her up," he ordered.
-
-Ralph had little leisure during the twenty miles run that followed--he
-did not know till afterwards that they covered it in exactly thirty
-minutes, a remarkable record for old 99.
-
-As they whirled by stations he noticed a crowd at each. As they
-rounded the last timbered curve to the south his glance took in a
-startling sight just ahead of them.
-
-On a lower level stood the car shops. He could see the site in the
-near distance like a person looking down from an observation tower.
-
-The setting sun made the west a glow of red. Against it were set the
-shop yards in a yellow dazzle of flame.
-
-A broad sheet of fire ran in and out from building to building, fanned
-by the fierce breeze. On twenty different tracks, winding about among
-the structures, were as many freight trains.
-
-This was a general transfer point to a belt line tapping to the south.
-Two of the engines from Stanley Junction were now rushing towards the
-outer trains which the flames had not yet reached, to haul them out of
-the way of the fire. No. 99 whizzed towards this network of rails, hot
-on the heels of the third locomotive.
-
-The general scene beggared description. Crowds were rushing from the
-residence settlement near by, an imperfect fire apparatus was at work,
-and railroad hands were loading trucks with platform freight and
-carting it to the nearest unexposed space.
-
-Ralph was panting and in a reek from his unusual exertions, but not a
-bit tired. Griscom directed a critical glance at him, caught the
-excited and determined sparkle in his eye, and said in a tone of
-satisfaction:
-
-"You'll do--if you can stand it out."
-
-"Don't get anybody else, if I will do," said Ralph quickly. "I like
-it."
-
-Griscom slowed up, shouted to a switchman ahead, using his hand for a
-speaking trumpet, to set the rails for action. He took advantage of
-the temporary stop to rake and sift the furnace, put things in trim in
-expert fireman-like order, and turned to Ralph.
-
-"Now then," he said, "your work's plain--just keep her buzzing."
-
-A yard hand jumped to the pilot with a wave of his arm. Down a long
-reach of tracks they ran, coupled to some twenty grain cars, backed,
-set the switch for a safe siding, and came steaming forward for new
-action.
-
-Little old 99 seemed at times ready to drop to pieces, but she stood
-the test bravely, braced, tugged and scolded terribly in every loose
-point and knuckle, but within thirty minutes had conveyed over a
-hundred cars out of any possible range of the fire.
-
-Ralph, at a momentary cessation of operations, wiped the grime and
-perspiration from his baked face, to take a scan of the fire-swept area.
-
-A railroad official had come up to the engine, hailed Griscom, and
-pointed directly into the heart of the flames to where, hemmed in a
-narrow runway between the walls of two smoking buildings, were four
-freight cars.
-
-"They'll be gone in five minutes," he observed.
-
-"I can reach them in two," announced Griscom tersely, setting his hand
-to the lever. "Get a good man to couple--our share won't miss. Let
-her go!"
-
-A brakeman, winding a coat around his head like a hood, and keeping one
-end open, sprang to the cowcatcher, link and bar ready.
-
-Ralph shuddered as they ran into the mouth of the lane. It was choked
-with smoke, burning cinders fell in showers on and under the cab.
-
-"Shove in the coal--shove in the coal!" roared Griscom, eyes ahead,
-lever under a tensioned control. "Good for you!" he shouted to the
-nervy brakeman as there was a bump and a snap. "Reverse. We've made
-it!"
-
-A sweep of flame wreathed the pilot. The air was suffocating. Ralph
-staggered at his work. As the locomotive reversed and drew quickly out
-of that dangerous vortex of flame, the boy noticed that the last of the
-four cars was blazing at the roof.
-
-"Just in time," he heard old Griscom chuckle. "Hot? Whew!"
-
-He set the wheels whirling on the fast backward spin, and stuck his
-head out of the window to shout encouragingly to the huddled, smoking
-hero on the pilot.
-
-They were passing a brick building, almost grazing its windows, just
-then. Of a sudden a curl of smoke from one of these was succeeded by a
-bursting roar, a leap of flame, and Ralph saw the old engineer
-enveloped in a blazing cloud.
-
-An explosion had blown out the sash directly in his face. The glass,
-shivered to a million tiny pieces, came against him like a sheet of
-hail.
-
-Ralph saw him waver and sprang to his side. The engineer's face was
-cut in a dozen places, and he had closed his eyes.
-
-"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, "are you hurt much?"
-
-"Keep her going," muttered the old hero hoarsely, straightening up,
-"only, only--tell me."
-
-"You can't see?" breathed Ralph.
-
-"Do as I tell you," came the grim order.
-
-"Switch," said Ralph, in strained, subdued tones as they passed out of
-the fire belt, ran forward, uncoupled, and sent the four cars down a
-safe siding, the brakeman and a crowd running after it to extinguish
-the burning roof of one of the freights.
-
-Ralph saw Griscom strain his sight and blink, and shift the locomotive
-down a V, then to the next rails leading in among the burning buildings.
-
-He brought the panting little worker to a pause, asked Ralph to draw a
-cup of water, brushed his face with his hand, and breathed heavily.
-
-"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you are badly hurt! You can't do anything
-more, for there's only one car left on the last track, right in the
-nest of the fire. Let me get somebody to help you where you can be
-attended to."
-
-He placed a hand pleadingly on the engineer's arm. Old Griscom shook
-it off in his gruff giant way.
-
-"What's that?" he asked.
-
-He turned his face towards the fire. Ralph looked too, in sudden
-askance. A crowd surged towards two buildings, nearly consumed,
-between which lay a single car. The firemen who had been playing a
-hose just there dropped it, running for their lives.
-
-"Get back!" yelled one of them, as he passed the engine, "or you're
-gone up. That's a powder car! We just found it out, and it's all
-ablaze!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI--THE MASTER MECHANIC
-===============================
-
-A man appearing to be a railway official shouted up an order to the
-haggard engineer as he rushed by.
-
-"Get out of this--there's twenty tons of powder in that car!"
-
-Griscom dashed his hand across his eyes. He seemed to clear them
-partially, and strained his gaze ahead and took in the meaning of the
-scene, if not all its vivid outlines, and muttered:
-
-"If that stuff goes off, the whole yards are doomed."
-
-Ralph hung on the engineer's words and hovered at his elbow.
-
-"We had better get out of this, Mr. Griscom," he suggested.
-
-The engineer made a rough, impatient gesture with his arm, and then
-pulled his young helper to the window.
-
-"Look sharp!" he ordered,
-
-"Yes, Mr. Griscom."
-
-"My--my eyes are pretty bad. When the smoke lifts--what's beyond the
-car yonder?"
-
-"I can't make out exactly, but I think a clear track."
-
-"How's the furnace?"
-
-"Rushing."
-
-"All right. Now then, you jump off. I'm going to let her go."
-
-Ralph stared hard at the grim old veteran. He could see he was on the
-verge of physical collapse, and he wondered if his mind was not
-tottering too; his pertinacity had something weird and astonishing in
-it.
-
-"Jump!" ordered Griscom, giving the lever a pull.
-
-Ralph did not budge. As he clearly read his companion's purpose, he
-made up his mind to stick.
-
-The prospect was something awful, and yet, after the previous
-experiences of that exciting half-hour, he had somehow become inured to
-danger, and reckless of its risks. The excitement and wild, hustling
-activity bore a certain stimulating fascination.
-
-With a leap 99 bounded forward at the magic touch of the old king of
-the lever. It plunged headlong into a whirling vortex of smoke.
-
-A groaning yell went up from the fugitive crowds in the distance, as
-the intrepid occupants, of the cab disappeared like lost spirits.
-
-Only for the shelter of the cab roof, they would have been deluged with
-burning sparks.
-
-A tongue of flame took Griscom across the side of his face, and he
-uttered an angry yell--it seemed to madden him that he could not see
-clearly. Then as they struck the car they were making for with a heavy
-thump, the shock and a spasm of weakness drove Griscom from the
-cushion, and he slipped to the floor of the cab.
-
-Ralph's mind grasped the situation in all its details. He knew the
-engineer's purpose, and he felt that it was incumbent on him to carry
-it out if he could do so. He stepped over his recumbent companion, and
-placed his hand on the lever.
-
-He could not now see ten feet ahead. They were in the very vortex of
-the fire. Suddenly they shot into the clear, cool air, bracing as a
-shower bath.
-
-The cab roof was smoking, the cab floor was paved with burning cinders,
-and some oil waste was blazing back among the coal at the edge of the
-tender.
-
-Ahead, the top and sides of the powder car were sheeted with flames,
-which the swift forward movement drove back in shroud-like form.
-
-On the end of the car facing, the grim, black warning: "Powder!
-Danger!" stared squarely and menacingly into the eye of the pilot front.
-
-Griscom struggled to his feet. He fell against Ralph. The latter
-thought he was delirious, for his lips were moving, and his tortured
-face working spasmodically. Finally he said weakly: "Put my hands on
-the gearing. We're out of it?"
-
-"Yes, but the car is blazing."
-
-"What's ahead?"
-
-"Dead tracks for nearly a thousand feet."
-
-"And the dump pit beyond?"
-
-"It looks so," said Ralph, leaning from the window and glancing ahead
-anxiously. "Yes, it's rusted rails clear up to what looks like a
-slough hole, and no buildings beyond."
-
-He held his breath as Griscom pulled the momentum up another notch.
-This last effort palsied the engineer, his fingers relaxed, and he
-slipped again to the floor, nerveless but writhing.
-
-"Keep her going--full speed for five hundred feet," he panted. "Then
-stop her."
-
-"Yes," breathed Ralph quickly. "Stop her--how," he projected, knowing
-in a way, but wanting to be sure, for the sense of crisis was strong on
-him, and the present was no time to make mistakes. Griscom's
-directions came quick and clear, and Ralph obeyed every indication with
-promptness.
-
-Ninety-nine with its deadly pilot of destruction plunged ahead. Ralph
-estimated distance. He threw himself upon the lever, and reversed.
-
-The wheels shivered to a sliding halt. He ran back rapidly five
-hundred feet, slowed down, and half hung out of the window, white as a
-sheet and limp as a rag.
-
-A glance towards the burning shops had shown the firemen back at their
-work; the powder-car menace removed. Ralph, too, saw little crowds
-rounding the shops, and making towards them.
-
-Then he fixed his eyes on the lone-speeding powder car.
-
-It had been thrown at full-tilt impetus, and drove away and ahead, a
-living firebrand, reached the end of the rusted rails, ran off the
-roadbed, tilted, careened, took a sliding header, and disappeared from
-view.
-
-Even at the distance of a thousand feet Ralph could hear a prodigious
-splash. A cascade of water shot up, and then a steamy smoke, and then
-there lifted, torrent-like, house-high above the pit, a Vesuvius of
-water, dirt, splinters and twisted pieces of iron. A reverberating
-crash and the end had come!
-
-Griscom struggled to his feet. On his face there was a grimace meant
-for a smile, and he chuckled:
-
-"We made it!"
-
-He managed with Ralph's help to get into the engineer's seat.
-
-"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you're in bad shape. We can't get back the
-way we came, but if you could walk as far as the offices we might find
-a doctor."
-
-"That's so, kid," nodded the old engineer, a little wearily. "I've got
-to get this junk and glassware out of my eyes if I run the 10.15
-to-morrow."
-
-Soon the advance stragglers of the curious crowd from the shops drew
-near. One little group was headed by a man of rather more imposing
-appearance than the section men in his train.
-
-He was a big-faced individual who looked of uncertain temper, yet there
-were force and power in his bearing.
-
-"Hello, there--that you, Griscom?" he sang out.
-
-The engineer blinked his troubled eyes, and nodded curtly.
-
-"It's what's left of me, Mr. Blake," he observed grimly.
-
-Ralph caught the name and recognized the speaker--he was the master
-mechanic of the road.
-
-"They're going to get the fire under control, I guess," continued
-Blake. "They wouldn't, though, if you hadn't got that car out of the
-way. Why, you're hurt, man!" exclaimed the official, really concerned
-as he caught a closer glimpse of the face of the engineer.
-
-"Oh, a little scratch."
-
-Ralph broke in. He hurriedly explained what had happened to the
-engineer's eyes, while the nervy Griscom tried to make little of it.
-
-"Bring a truck out here," cried the master mechanic. "Why, man! you
-can't stand up! This is serious."
-
-In about five minutes they had rolled a freight truck to the
-locomotive, and in ten more Griscom was under charge of one of the road
-surgeons, hastily summoned to a room in the yard office, where the
-sufferer was taken.
-
-It took an hour to mend up the old veteran. It was lucky, the surgeon
-told him, that soot and putty had mixed with the glass in the explosion
-dose, or the patient would have been blinded for life.
-
-Griscom could see quite comfortably when he was turned over to the
-master mechanic again, although his forehead was bandaged, and his
-cheeks dotted here and there with little criss-cross patches of
-sticking-plaster.
-
-Ralph, waiting outside, had been forced to tell the story of the daring
-dash through the flames more than once to inquisitive railroad men. He
-quite obliterated himself in the recital.
-
-The firemen had gained control of the flames, the exigency locomotives
-had all been sent back to the city. The master mechanic stood
-conversing with Griscom for a few moments after the latter left the
-surgeon's hands, and then approached Ralph with him. It was dusk now.
-
-"We'll catch the 8.12, kid," announced Griscom. "That's him, Mr.
-Blake," he added, pointing Ralph out to his companion. "He did it, and
-I only helped him, and he's an all-around corker, I can tell you!"
-
-Griscom slapped Ralph on the shoulder emphatically. The master
-mechanic looked at the youth grimly, yet with a glance not lacking real
-interest.
-
-"From the Junction?" he said.
-
-"Yes, sir."
-
-"What's the name?"
-
-"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks."
-
-"Oh," said the master mechanic quickly, as if he recognized the name.
-"We'll remember you, Fairbanks. If I can do anything for you----"
-
-"You can, sir." The words were out of Ralph's mouth before he intended
-it. "I want to learn railroading."
-
-"Learn!" chuckled Griscom--"why! the way you worked that lever----"
-
-"Which you needn't dwell on," interrupted the master mechanic, a harsh
-disciplinarian on principle. "He had no right in your locomotive, I
-suppose you know, and rules say you are liable for a lay off."
-
-Griscom kept on chuckling.
-
-"We'll forget that, though. Where do you want to start, Fairbanks?"
-
-"Right at the bottom, sir," answered Ralph modestly.
-
-"In the roundhouse?"
-
-"Yes, sir."
-
-The master mechanic drew a card from his pocket, wrote a few lines, and
-handed it to Ralph.
-
-"Give that to Tim Forgan," he said simply.
-
-To Ralph, just then, he was the greatest man in the world--he who could
-in ten words command the position that seemed to mean for him the
-entrance into the grandest realm of industry, ambition and opulence.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII--AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
-==============================
-
-Ralph Fairbanks came out of the little cottage next morning after
-breakfast feeling bright as a dollar and happy as a lark.
-
-He realized that a new epoch had begun in his young existence, and he
-stood fairly on the threshold of a fascinating experience.
-
-Yesterday seemed like a variegated dream, and To-Day full of
-expectation, novelty and promise.
-
-His mother's anxiety the evening previous had given way to pride and
-subdued affection, when he had appeared about ten o'clock after seeing
-the engineer home, and had told her in detail the story of the most
-eventful day of his life.
-
-If Mrs. Fairbanks felt a natural disappointment in seeing Ralph forego
-the advantages of a finished education, she did not express it, for she
-knew that the best ambitions of his soul had been aroused, and that his
-loyal boyish nature had chosen a noble course.
-
-Ralph went down to the depot and bought a Springfield morning paper.
-It contained a full account of the fire at the yards. It detailed the
-destruction of the powder car, and Griscom came in for full meed of
-praise. Ralph was not referred to, except as "the veteran engineer's
-heroic helper."
-
-It did not take long, however, for Ralph to discover that word of mouth
-had run ahead of telegraphic haste.
-
-He was hailed by a dozen acquaintances, including the depot master, the
-watchman, express messenger and others, who made him flush and thrill
-with pleasure as he guessed that old Griscom had managed to spread the
-real news wholesale.
-
-"You're booked, sure!" declared More, giving his young favorite a
-hearty slap on the shoulder.
-
-"Why, I imagine so myself," answered Ralph brightly, but thinking only
-of the master mechanic's card in his pocket.
-
-"You're due for an interview with the president, you are," declared the
-enthusiastic More. "Why, you two saved the company half a million.
-And the pluck of it! Don't you be modest, kid. Hint for a good round
-reward and a soft-snap life position."
-
-"All right," nodded Ralph gayly. "Only, I'll start at it where you
-told me yesterday."
-
-"Eh?"
-
-"Yes--at the roundhouse."
-
-"Hold on, Fairbanks--circumstances alter cases----"
-
-"Not in this instance. Good-bye. I expect to be in working togs
-before night, Mr. More."
-
-Ralph went down the tracks, leaving the agent staring studiously after
-him.
-
-He had often been inside the roundhouse, but with genuine interest
-stood looking about him for some minutes after stepping beyond the
-broad entrance of that dome-like structure.
-
-Not much was doing at that especial hour of the morning. Three "dead"
-locomotives stood in their stalls, all furbished up for later
-employment.
-
-A lame helper was going over one, just arrived, with an oiled rag.
-
-In the little apartment known as the "dog house," a dozen men chatted,
-snoozed, or were playing checkers--firemen, engineers and brakemen,
-waiting for their run, or off duty and killing time.
-
-Ralph finally made for a box-like compartment built in one section of
-the place. A man was sweeping it out.
-
-"Can you tell me where I will find the foreman?" he asked.
-
-"Oh, the boss?"
-
-"Yes, sir--Mr. Forgan."
-
-"You mean Tim. He's in the dog house, I guess. Was, last I saw of
-him."
-
-Ralph went to the dog house. At a rough board nailed to the wall, and
-answering for a desk, a big-shouldered, gruff-looking man of about
-fifty was scanning the daily running sheet.
-
-Two of the loungers, firemen, knew Ralph slightly, and nodded to him.
-He went up to one of them.
-
-"Is that Mr. Forgan?" he inquired in a low tone.
-
-"That's him," nodded the fireman--"and in his precious best temper this
-morning, too!"
-
-Ralph approached the fierce-visaged master of his fate.
-
-"Mr. Forgan," he said.
-
-The foreman looked around at him, and scowled.
-
-"Well?" he growled out.
-
-"Could I see you for a moment," suggested Ralph, a trifle flustered at
-the rude reception.
-
-"Take a good look. I'm here, ain't I?"
-
-Some of the idle listeners chuckled at this, and Ralph felt a trifle
-embarrassed, and flushed up.
-
-"Yes, sir, and so am I," he said quietly--"on business. I wish to
-apply for a position."
-
-"Oh, you do?" retorted the big foreman, running his eye contemptuously
-over Ralph's neat dress. "Sort of floor-walker for visitors, or
-brushing up the engineers' plug hats?"
-
-"I could do that, too," asserted Ralph, good-naturedly.
-
-"Well, you won't do much of anything here," retorted the foreman, "for
-there's no job open, at present. If there was, we've had quite enough
-of kids."
-
-Ralph wondered if this included Ike Slump. He had been surprised at
-not finding that individual on duty.
-
-The foreman now unceremoniously turned his back on him. Ralph
-hesitated, then torched Forgan on the arm.
-
-"Excuse me, sir," he said courteously, "but I was told to give you
-this."
-
-Ralph extended the card given to him the evening previous by the master
-mechanic.
-
-The foreman took it with a jerk, and read it with a frown. Ralph was
-somewhat astonished as he traced the effect upon him of the simple
-note, requesting, as he knew, that a place be made for him in the
-roundhouse.
-
-The innocent little screed put the foreman in a violent ferment. His
-face grew angry and red, his throat throbbed, and his heavy jaw knotted
-up in a pugnacious way. He turned and glared with positive dislike and
-suspicion at Ralph, and the latter, quick to read faces, wondered why.
-
-Then the foreman re-read the card, as if to gain time to get control of
-himself, and was so long silent that Ralph finally asked:
-
-"Is it all right, sir?"
-
-"Yes, it is!" snapped the foreman, turning on him like a mad bull. "I
-suppose Blake knows his business; I've been sent all the pikers on the
-line. Probably know what kind of material I want myself, though. Come
-again to-morrow."
-
-"Ready for work?" asked Ralph, pressing his point.
-
-"Yes," came the surly reply.
-
-"What time, if you please, sir?"
-
-"Seven."
-
-"Thank you."
-
-The foreman turned from him with an angry grunt, and Ralph started to
-leave.
-
-One of the firemen he knew winked at him, another made an animated
-grimace at the surly boss. Ralph heard a third remark, in a low tone.
-
-"What a liking he's taken to him! He'll have a fierce run for his
-money."
-
-"Yes, it'll be a full course of sprouts. You won't have a path of
-flowers, kid."
-
-"I shan't come here to raise flowers," answered Ralph quietly.
-
-He trod the air as he left the roundhouse. The gruff, uncivil manner
-of the foreman had not daunted him a whit. He had met all kinds of men
-in his brief business experience, and he believed that honest,
-conscientious endeavor could not fail to win both success and good will
-in time.
-
-Ralph went back to his friend More, at the express shed, and told his
-story.
-
-"You're booked, sure enough," admitted the agent, though a little
-glumly. "I'd have struck higher."
-
-"It suits me, Mr. More," declared Ralph. "And now, I want your good
-services of advice as to what I am expected to do, and what clothes I
-need."
-
-Ralph left his friend, thoroughly posted as to his probable duties at
-the roundhouse. The agent advised him to purchase a cheap pair of
-jumpers, and wear old rough shoes and a thin pair of gloves the first
-day or two.
-
-Ralph visited a dry-goods store, fitted himself out, and started for
-home.
-
-He was absorbed in thinking and planning, and turning a corner thus
-engrossed almost ran into a pedestrian.
-
-As he drew back and aside, a hand was suddenly thrust out and seized
-his arm in a vise-like grip.
-
-"No, you don't!" sounded a strident voice. "I've got you at last, have
-I?"
-
-In astonishment Ralph looked up, to recognize his self-announced
-captor. It was Gasper Farrington.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII--THE OLD FACTORY
-=============================
-
-Ralph pulled loose from the grasp of the crabbed old capitalist, fairly
-indignant at the sudden onslaught.
-
-"Don't you run! don't you run!" cried Farrington, swinging his cane
-threateningly.
-
-"And don't you dare to strike!" warned Ralph, with a glitter in his
-eye. "I'd like to know, sir, what right you have stopping me on the
-public street in this manner?"
-
-"It will be a warrant matter, if you aint careful!" retorted Farrington.
-
-"I can't imagine how."
-
-"Oh, can't you?" gibed Farrington, his plain animosity for Ralph
-showing in his malicious old face. "Well, I'll show you."
-
-"I shall be glad to have you do so."
-
-"Do you see that building?"
-
-Farrington pointed across the baseball grounds at the edge of which
-they stood, indicating the old unused factory.
-
-A light broke on Ralph's mind.
-
-"I own that building," announced Farrington, swelling up with
-importance--"it's my property."
-
-"So I've heard."
-
-"A window was broken there and you broke it!"
-
-"I did," admitted Ralph.
-
-"Oho! you shamefacedly acknowledge it, do you? Malicious mischief,
-young man--that's the phase of the law you're up against!"
-
-"It was an accident," said Ralph--"pure and simple."
-
-"Well, you'll stand for it."
-
-"I intend to. I made a note of it in my mind at the time, Mr.
-Farrington, and if you had not said a word to me about it I should have
-done the right thing."
-
-"What do you call the right thing?"
-
-"Replacing the light of glass, of course," was Ralph's reply.
-
-"Glad to see you've got some sense of decency about you. All right.
-It'll cost you just a dollar and twenty-five cents. Hand over the
-money, and I'll have my man fix it."
-
-Ralph laughed outright.
-
-"Hardly, Mr. Farrington," he said. "I can buy a pane of glass for
-thirty-five cents, and put it in for nothing. I will take this bundle
-home and attend to it at once."
-
-Farrington looked mad and disappointed at being outwitted in his
-attempt to make three hundred per cent. However, if Ralph made good he
-could find no fault with the proposition. He mumbled darkly and Ralph
-passed on. Then a temptation he could not resist came to the boy, and
-turning he remarked:
-
-"You'll be glad to know, perhaps, Mr. Farrington, that I have obtained
-steady work."
-
-"Why should I be glad?"
-
-"Because you advised it, and because it will enable us to pay you your
-interest promptly."
-
-"Humph!" Then with an eager expression of face Farrington asked: "What
-are you going to work at?"
-
-"Railroading."
-
-"Very good--of course at the general offices at Springfield?"
-
-"Of course not. I start in at the roundhouse here, to-morrow."
-
-It was amazing how sour the magnate's face suddenly grew. Once more
-Ralph wondered why this man was so anxious to get them out of Stanley
-Junction.
-
-Ralph proceeded homewards. It warmed his heart to see how thoroughly
-his mother entered into all his hopes and projects. She was soon busy
-in her quick, sure way, sewing on more strongly the buttons of jumper
-and overalls, and promised to have a neat light cap and working gloves
-ready for him by nightfall.
-
-Ralph explained to her about the broken window, got a rule from his
-father's old tool chest, and went over to the vacant factory.
-
-It was surrounded by a high fence, but at one place in seeking lost
-balls members of the Criterion Club had partially removed a gate.
-Ralph passed among the débris littering the yard, and went around the
-place until he found a door with a broken lock.
-
-He gained the inside and went up a rickety stairs. Swinging open a
-door at their top, Ralph found himself in the compartment with the
-broken window.
-
-The air was close and unwholesome, despite the orifice the baseball had
-made. A broken skylight topped the center of the room, and a rain of
-the previous night had dripped down unimpeded and soaked the flooring.
-
-"The ball must be here somewhere," mused Ralph. "There it is, but----"
-
-As he spied the ball about the center of the room, Ralph discerned
-something else that sent a quick wave of concern across his nerves.
-
-He stood silent and spellbound.
-
-Upon the floor was a human being, so grimly stark and white, that death
-was instantly suggested to Ralph's mind.
-
-His eyes, becoming accustomed to the half-veiled light filtered through
-the dirt-crusted panes of the skylight, made out that the figure on the
-floor was that of a boy.
-
-As he riveted his glance, Ralph further discovered that it was the same
-boy he had met at the depot the morning previous--the mysterious
-"dead-head" under the trucks of the 10.15 train.
-
-He lay upon the rough boards face upwards, his limbs stretched out
-naturally, but stiff and useless-looking.
-
-The rain had soaked his garments, and he must have lain there at least
-since last midnight. Ralph was shocked and uncertain. Then an abrupt
-thought made him tremble and fear.
-
-The ball lay by the boy's side. Right above one temple was the dark
-circular outline of a depression.
-
-It flashed like lightning through Ralph's mind that the stranger had
-been struck by the ball.
-
-The theory forced itself upon him that in hiding from the pursuing
-depot watchman, the stranger had sought refuge in the factory.
-
-He might have quite naturally needed a rest after his long and
-torturing ride on truck and crossbar--he must have been in this room
-when Ralph had swung the bat that had sent the baseball hurtling
-through the window with the force of a cannon shot.
-
-"It is true--it is true!" breathed Ralph in a ghastly whisper, as the
-full consequence of his innocent act burst upon his mind.
-
-He had to hold to a post to support himself, swaying there and looking
-down at the cold, mute face, sick at heart, and his brain clouded with
-dread.
-
-It must have been a full five minutes before he pulled himself
-together, and tried to divest himself of the unnatural horror that
-palsied his energies.
-
-He finally braced his nerves, and, advancing, knelt beside the
-prostrate boy.
-
-Ralph placed his trembling hand inside the open coat, and let it rest
-over the heart. His own throbbed loud and strong with hope and relief,
-as under his finger tips there was a faint, faint fluttering.
-
-"He is alive--thank heaven for that!" cried Ralph fervently.
-
-He ran to the window. Through the broken pane he could view the
-baseball grounds and the clubhouse beyond.
-
-Will Cheever was sitting outside of the house, and at a little distance
-another member of the Criterions was exercising with a pair of Indian
-clubs.
-
-Ralph tried to lift the lower sash, but it would not budge.
-
-He ripped out of place the loose side piece, and removed the sash
-complete.
-
-"Will--boys!" he shouted loudly, "come--come quick!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX--AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
-===============================
-
-Ralph soon drew the attention of his friends, and in a few minutes Will
-Cheever and his companion had made their way into the old factory.
-
-Both looked startled as they entered the room, and serious and anxious
-as Ralph hurriedly told of his discovery and theory.
-
-"It looks as if you were right, Ralph," said Will as he looked closely
-at the silent form on the floor.
-
-"Poor fellow!" commented Will's companion. "He must have been lying
-here all alone--all through that storm, too---since yesterday
-afternoon."
-
-"He isn't dead," announced Will, but still in an awed tone. "What are
-you going to do, Ralph?"
-
-"We must get him out of here," answered Ralph. "If one of you could
-bring the cot over from the clubhouse, we will carry him there."
-
-Will sped away on the mission indicated. When he returned, they
-prepared to use the cot as a stretcher. The strange boy moved and
-moaned slightly as they lifted him up, but did not open his eyes, and
-lay perfectly motionless as they carefully carried him down the stairs,
-across the ballfield, and into the clubhouse.
-
-There was a telephone there. Ralph hurriedly called up a young
-physician, very friendly with the boys, and whose services they
-occasionally required.
-
-He arrived in the course of the next fifteen minutes. He expressed
-surprise at the wet and draggled condition of his patient, felt his
-pulse, examined his heart, and sat back with his brows knitted in
-thoughtfulness.
-
-"Who is he?" inquired the doctor.
-
-"I don't know," answered Ralph. "He is a stranger to Stanley Junction.
-From his clothes, I should judge he is some poor fellow from the
-country districts, who has seen hard work," and Ralph told about the
-first sensational appearance of the stranger at the depot the morning
-before, and the details of his accidental discovery an hour previous in
-the old factory.
-
-"Your theory is probably correct, Fairbanks," said the young physician
-gravely. "That blow on the head is undoubtedly the cause of his
-present condition, and that baseball undoubtedly struck him down.
-Lying neglected and insensible for twenty-four hours, and exposed to
-the storm, has not helped things any."
-
-"But--is his condition dangerous?" inquired Ralph in a fluttering tone.
-
-"It is decidedly serious," answered the doctor. "There appears to be a
-suspension of nerve activity, and I would say concussion of the brain.
-The case puzzles me, however, for the general functions are normal."
-
-"Can't you do something to revive him?" inquired Will.
-
-"I shall try, but I fear returning sensibility will show serious damage
-to the brain," said the doctor.
-
-He opened his pocket medicine case, and selecting a little phial,
-prepared a few drops of its contents with water, and hypodermically
-injected this into the patient's arm.
-
-In a few minutes the watchers observed a warm, healthy flush spread
-over the white face and limp hands of the recumbent boy. His muscles
-twitched. He moved, sighed, and became inert again, but seemed now
-rather in a deep, natural sleep than in a comatose condition.
-
-The doctor watched his patient silently, seemingly satisfied with the
-effects of his ministrations.
-
-After a while he took up another phial, held back one eyelid of the
-sleeper with forefinger and thumb, and let a few drops enter the eye of
-the sleeper.
-
-The patient shot up one hand as if a hot cinder had struck his eyeball.
-He rubbed the afflicted optic, gasped, squirmed, and came half-upright
-en one arm. Both eyes opened, one blinking as though smarting with
-pain.
-
-He wavered so weakly that Ralph braced an arm behind to support him.
-
-"Steady now!" said the doctor, touching his patient with a prodding
-finger to attract his attention. "Who are you, my friend?"
-
-The boy stared blankly at him as he caught the sound of his voice, and
-then at the three boys. He did not smile, and there was a peculiarly
-vacant expression on his face.
-
-Then he moved his lips as if his throat was parched and stiff, and said
-huskily:
-
-"Hungry."
-
-The doctor shrugged his shoulders, puzzled and amused. Ralph himself
-half-smiled. The demand was so distinctively human it cheered him.
-
-The patient kept looking around as if expecting food to be brought to
-him. The young physician studied him silently. Then he projected half
-a dozen quick, sharp questions. His patient did not even appear to
-hear him. He looked reproachfully about him, and again spoke:
-
-"Fried perch would be pretty good!"
-
-"He must be about half-starved, poor fellow!" observed Will. "Doctor,
-he acts all right, only desperately hungry. Maybe a good square meal
-will fix him out all right?"
-
-The doctor moved towards the door, and beckoned Ralph there.
-
-"Fairbanks," he said, "this is a serious matter--no, no, I don't mean
-the fact that the baseball did the damage," he explained hurriedly, as
-he saw Ralph's face grow pale and troubled. "That was an accident, and
-something you could not foresee. I mean that this poor fellow is, for
-the present at least, helpless as a child."
-
-"Doctor," quavered Ralph, "you don't mean his mind is gone."
-
-"I fear it is."
-
-"Oh, don't say that! don't say that!" pleaded Ralph, falling against
-the door post and covering his face with his hands.
-
-He was genuinely distressed. All the brightness of his good luck and
-prospects seemed dashed out. He could not divest his mind of a certain
-responsibility for the condition of the poor fellow on the cot, whose
-usefulness in life had been cut short by an accidental "lost ball."
-
-"Don't be overcome--it isn't like you, Fairbanks," chided the doctor
-gently. "I know you feel badly--we all do. Let us get at the
-practical end of this business without delay. We had better get the
-patient removed to the hospital, first thing."
-
-"No!" interrupted Ralph quickly, "not that, doctor--that is, anyway not
-yet."
-
-"He needs skillful attention."
-
-"He's needing some hash just now!" put in Will Cheever, approaching,
-his face, despite himself, on a grin. "Hear him!"
-
-The stranger was certainly sticking to his point. "Hash with lots of
-onions in it!" they heard him call out.
-
-"Will it hurt him to eat, doctor?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"Not a bit of it. In fact, except to feed him and watch, I don't see
-that he needs anything. You can't splint a brain shock as you can a
-broken finger, or poultice a skull depression as you would a bruise.
-There's simply something mental gone out of the boy's life that science
-cannot put in again. There is this hope, though: that when the
-physical shock has fully passed, something may develop for the better."
-
-"You mean to-day, to-morrow----"
-
-"Oh, no--weeks, maybe months."
-
-Ralph looked disheartened, but the next moment his face took upon it a
-look of resolution always adopted when he fully made up his mind to
-anything.
-
-"Very well," he said, "he must be taken to our house."
-
-With the doctor Ralph was a rare favorite, and his face showed that he
-read and appreciated the kindly spirit that prompted the young
-railroader's action. He placed his hand in a friendly way on his
-shoulder.
-
-"Fairbanks," he said, "you're a good kind, and do credit to yourself,
-but I fear you are in no shape to take such a burden on your young
-shoulders."
-
-"It is my burden," said Ralph firmly, "whose else's? Why, doctor! if
-I let that poor fellow go to the hospital, among utter strangers,
-handed down the line you don't know where--poorhouse, asylum, and
-pauper's grave maybe, it would haunt me! No, I feel I am responsible
-for his condition, and I intend to take care of him, at least until
-something better for him turns up. Help me, boys."
-
-"I'll drop in to see him again, at your house," said the doctor. "I
-don't think he will make you any trouble in the way of violence, or
-that, but you had better keep a constant eye on him."
-
-Ralph thought a good deal on the way to the cottage. He felt that he
-was doing the right thing, and knew that his mother would not demur to
-the arrangements he had formulated.
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks not only did not demur, but when she was made aware of
-the particulars, sustained Ralph in his resolution.
-
-"Poor fellow!" she said sympathetically. "The first thing he needs is
-a warm bath, and we might find some dry clothes for him, Ralph."
-
-The widow bustled about to do her share in making the unexpected guest
-comfortable. Will Cheever and his companion felt in duty bound to lend
-a helping hand to Ralph.
-
-They had put the cot in the middle of the kitchen, and quiet now, but
-with wide-open eyes, its occupant watched them as they hurriedly got
-out a tub and put some water to heat on the cook stove.
-
-"Swim," said the stranger, only once, and was content thereafter to
-watch operations silently.
-
-"He's got dandy muscles--built like a giant!" commented Will, as half
-an hour later they carried the boy into the neat, cool sitting room,
-and lodged him among cushions in an easy-chair.
-
-Meantime, Mrs. Fairbanks had not been idle. She had prepared an
-appetizing lunch. The stranger looked supremely happy as Ralph
-appeared with a tray of viands. He ate with the zest of a growing,
-healthy boy, and when he had ended sank back among the cushions and
-fell into a calm, profound sleep.
-
-"Ralph Fairbanks, you're a brick!" said Will. "He don't look much like
-the half-drowned, half-starved rat he was when you picked him up."
-
-"Knocked him down, you mean!" said Ralph, with a sigh. "Well, mother,
-we'll do what we can for him."
-
-"We will do for him just what I pray some one might do for my boy,
-should such misfortune ever become his lot," said the widow
-tremulously. "He looks like a hard-working, honest boy, I only hope he
-may come out of his daze in time. If not, we will do our duty--what we
-might think a burden may be a blessing in disguise."
-
-"You're always 'casting bread on the waters,' Mrs. Fairbanks!" declared
-Will, in his crisp, offhand way.
-
-To return after many days--light-headed, light-hearted Will Cheever!
-There are incidents in every boy's life which are the connecting links
-with all the unknown future, and for Ralph Fairbanks, although he
-little dreamed it, this was one of them.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X--THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER
-================================
-
-Will and his friend offered to attend to the broken window in the old
-factory for Ralph, and the latter was glad to accept the tendered
-service.
-
-He gave them the price of glass and putty, and a blunt case knife, told
-them they would find his rule under the window, and as they departed
-felt assured they would attend to the matter with promptness and
-dispatch.
-
-Ralph had something on his mind that he felt he could best carry out
-alone, and after their departure he left his mother quietly sewing in
-her rocking chair to watch their placidly slumbering guest.
-
-"The boy is a stranger here, of course," Ralph ruminated. "Where did
-he come from? I hope I will find something among his belongings that
-will tell."
-
-They were poor belongings, and now hung across a clothes line in the
-back yard, drying in the warm sunshine.
-
-The coat and trousers were of coarse material, clumsily patched here
-and there as if by a novice, and Ralph decided did not bear that
-certain unmistakable trace that tells of home or motherly care.
-
-In the trousers pocket Ralph found a coil of string, a blunt bladed
-pocket knife, and a hunk of linen thread with a couple of needles stuck
-in it--this was all.
-
-The coat contained not a single clew as to the identity of the
-stranger, not a hint of his regular place of residence, whence he had
-come or whither he was going.
-
-It held but one object--a letter which the boy when pursued by the
-depot guardians had shown to Ralph the morning previous, and which at
-that time with considerable astonishment Ralph had observed bore the
-superscription: "Mr. John Fairbanks."
-
-He had thought of the letter and wondered at its existence, the
-possible sender, the singular messenger, a score of times since he had
-attempted to take it from the dead-head passenger of the 10.15.
-
-Now he held it in his grasp, but Ralph handled it gingerly. The
-envelope was soaking wet, just as was the coat and the pocket he had
-taken it from. As he removed it from its resting place he observed
-that the poor ink of the superscription had run, and the letters of the
-address were faded and fast disappearing.
-
-To open it with any hope of removing its contents intact in its present
-condition was clearly impossible. Ralph held it carefully against the
-sunlight. Its envelope was thin, and he saw dark patches and blurs
-inside, indicating that the writing there had run also.
-
-"I had better let it dry before I attempt to open it," decided Ralph,
-and he placed it on a smooth board near the well in the full focus of
-the bright sunshine.
-
-A good deal hinged on that letter, he told himself. It would at all
-events settle the identity of his dead father's correspondent, again it
-would divulge who it was that had sent the letter and the messenger,
-and thus the unfortunate's friends could be found. It would take a
-little time to dry out the soggy envelope, and Ralph paced about the
-garden paths, whistling softly to himself and thinking hard over the
-queer happenings of the past twenty-four hours.
-
-As he passed the window of the little sitting room, he tiptoed the
-gravel path up to it and glanced in.
-
-His mother still sat in the rocker, but she had fallen into a slight
-doze, and her sewing lay idle in her lap. Ralph, transferring his gaze
-to the armchair where they had so comfortably bestowed the invalid,
-fairly started with astonishment.
-
-"Why, he isn't there!" breathed Ralph in some alarm, and ran around to
-the entrance by the kitchen door.
-
-At its threshold Ralph paused, enchained by the unexpected picture
-there disclosed to his view.
-
-The injured boy stood at the sink. He had found and tied about his
-waist a work apron belonging to Mrs. Fairbanks. Before him was the
-dishpan half-full of water, and he had washed and wiped neatly and
-quickly the dishes from the tray.
-
-He arranged the various articles in their respective drawers and
-shelves, stood back viewing them with satisfaction, removed the apron,
-carefully hung it up, and went to the open back door leading into the
-wood shed.
-
-Ralph's alarm for fear that his guest had wandered off or might do
-himself a mischief, gave place to pleased interest.
-
-It looked as if the strange boy had been used to some methodical
-features of domestic life, and habit was fitting him readily and
-comfortably into the groove in which he found himself.
-
-Ralph decided that he would not startle or disturb the stranger, but
-would watch to see what he did next.
-
-The boy glanced towards the wood box behind the cook stove. In the
-hurry of the past twenty-four hours Ralph had not found time to keep it
-as well filled as usual.
-
-His guest evidently observed this, went into the wood shed, seated
-himself on the chopping log, and seizing the short handled ax there,
-began chopping the sawed lengths piled near at hand with a pleased,
-hearty good will.
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks, disturbed by the sound of chopping, had awakened, and
-with some trepidation came hurrying from the sitting room, anxiously
-seeking to learn what had become of their guest.
-
-Ralph motioned her to silence, his finger on his lip, and pointed
-significantly through the open rear doorway.
-
-A pathetic sympathy crossed the widow's face and the tears came into
-her eyes. Ralph left her to keep an unobtrusive watch on their guest,
-and returning to the well, found the envelope he had left there pretty
-well dried out.
-
-He carefully removed the envelope, and placed it in his pocket. Then
-he as carefully unfolded the sheet within.
-
-An expression of dismay crossed his face. The inside screed had not
-been written in ink, but with a soft purple lead pencil. This the rain
-had affected even more than it had the envelope in which it had been
-enclosed.
-
-At first sight the missive was an indecipherable blur, but scanning it
-more closely, Ralph gained some faint hope that he might make out at
-least a part of its contents.
-
-He had a magnifying glass in his workroom in the attic, and he went
-there for it. For nearly an hour Ralph pored over the sheet of paper
-which he held in his hand.
-
-His face was a study as he came downstairs again, and sought his mother.
-
-She sat near the doorway between the kitchen and the sitting room,
-where she could keep sight of their guest.
-
-The invalid was seated on the door step of the wood shed shelling a pan
-of peas, as happy and contented a mortal as one would see in a day's
-journey.
-
-"He is a good boy," said the widow softly to Ralph, "and winsome with
-his gentle, easy ways. He seems to delight in occupation. What is it,
-Ralph?" she added, as she noted the serious, preoccupied look on her
-son's face.
-
-"It is about the letter, mother," explained Ralph. "I told you partly
-about it. It was certainly directed to father, and some one employed
-or sent this boy to deliver it."
-
-"Who was it, Ralph?" inquired Mrs. Fairbanks.
-
-"That I can not tell."
-
-"Was it not signed?"
-
-"It was once, but the upper fold and the lower fold of the sheet are a
-perfect blur. I have been able to make out a few words here and there
-in the center portion, but they tell nothing coherently."
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks looked disappointed.
-
-"That is unfortunate, Ralph," she said. "I hoped it would give some
-token of this boy's home or friends. But probably, when he does not
-return, and no answer comes to that letter, the writer will send
-another letter by mail."
-
-"The boy may have been only incidentally employed to deliver it,"
-suggested Ralph, "and not particularly known to the sender at all."
-
-"I can not imagine who would be writing to your dead father," said Mrs.
-Fairbanks thoughtfully. "It can scarcely be of much importance."
-
-"Mother," said Ralph, with an emphasis that impressed the widow, "I am
-satisfied this letter was of unusual importance--so much so that a
-special messenger was employed, and that is what puzzles me. A line in
-it was plainly 'your railroad bonds,' another as plainly refers to 'the
-mortgage,' the last word heads like 'Farewell,' and there is something
-that looks very much like: 'to get even with that old schemer, Gasper
-Farrington.'"
-
-The widow started violently.
-
-"Why, Ralph!" she exclaimed.
-
-"Yes, mother. We may never know more than this. It is all a strange
-proceeding, but if that poor fellow out yonder could tell all he knows,
-I believe it would surprise and enlighten us very much, and in a way
-greatly for our benefit."
-
-"Then we must wait with patience, and hope with courage," said Mrs.
-Fairbanks calmly.
-
-Ralph felt all that he said. He could not get the letter out of his
-mind that evening.
-
-They fitted up a little spare room off the dining room for their guest.
-He went quietly to bed when they led him there, after enjoying a good,
-supper, never speaking a word, never smiling, but with a pleased nod
-betokening that he appreciated every little kindness they showed him.
-
-The next morning Ralph Fairbanks went to work at the roundhouse.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI--ON DUTY
-===================
-
-Ralph cut across lots on his way to the roundhouse. He was not one
-whit ashamed to be seen wearing a working cap and carrying a dinner
-pail and the bundle under his arm, but cap, pail and overalls were
-distressingly new and conspicuous, and he was something like a boy in
-his first Sunday suit and wondering if it fitted right, and how the
-public took it.
-
-It was too early to meet any of his school friends, but crossing a
-street to take the tracks he was hailed volubly.
-
-Ralph did not halt. His challenger was Grif Farrington, his arm linked
-in that of a chum whom Ralph did not know, both smoking cigarettes, and
-both showing the rollicking mood of young would-be sports who wished it
-to be believed they had been making a night of it, and thinking it
-smart.
-
-"What's the uniform, Fairbanks?" cried Grif, affecting a critical
-stare--"going fishing? Is that a bait box?"
-
-"Not a bit of it. It's my dinner pail, and I'm going to work, at the
-roundhouse."
-
-"Chump!"
-
-"Oh, I guess not."
-
-"Double-distilled! Make more money going on the circuit with the club.
-Personally guarantee you ten dollars a week. Got scads of money, me
-and the old man. Sorry," commented Grif in a solemn manner, as Ralph
-continued on his way unheeding. "Poor, but knows how to bat. Pity to
-see a fellow go wrong that way, eh?" he asked his companion.
-
-Ralph laughed to himself, and braced up proudly. Between idle,
-dissolute Grif Farrington and himself he could see no room for
-comparison.
-
-Some sleepy loungers were in the dog house, and a fireman was running
-his engine to its stall. Ralph went over to the lame helper he had
-seen the day previous.
-
-"I'm to begin work here to-day, I was told," he said. "Can you start
-me in?"
-
-"I'm not the boss."
-
-"I know that, but couldn't you show me the ropes before the others
-come?"
-
-"Why, there's an empty locker for your traps," said the man. "When the
-foreman comes, he'll tell you what your duties are."
-
-"No harm putting in the time usefully, I suppose?" insinuated Ralph.
-
-"I suppose not," answered the taciturn helper. He seemed a sickly,
-spiritless creature, whom misfortune or a naturally crabbed temper had
-warped clear out of gear.
-
-Ralph stowed his dinner pail in the locker, slipped on overalls and
-jumper and an old pair of shoes, and placed the fingerless gloves he
-had prepared in a convenient pocket.
-
-The lame helper had disappeared. Ralph noticed that the place needed
-sweeping. He went to where the brooms stood, selected one, and started
-in at his voluntary task.
-
-He felt he was doing something to improve the looks of things, and
-worked with a will. He had made the greasy boards look quite spick and
-smooth, and was whistling cheerily at his work, when a gruff growl
-caused him to look up.
-
-The foreman, Tim Forgan, confronted him with a lowering, suspicious
-brow.
-
-"Who told you to do that?" he demanded sharply.
-
-"Why, nobody," answered Ralph. "I like to keep busy, that's all. No
-harm, I hope?"
-
-"Yes, there is!" snapped Forgan. Ralph surprisedly wondered why this
-man seemed determined to be at odds with him. He had not fallen in
-with very cheerful or elevating company. Forgan continued to regard
-him with an evil eye.
-
-"See here," he said roughly, "I'll have discipline here, and I'll be
-boss. I'll give you your duties, and if you step over the line, get
-out. This isn't a playroom, as you'll probably find out before you've
-been here long."
-
-Ralph thought it best to maintain silence.
-
-"You take that box and can yonder, and go to the supply and oil sheds
-and get some waste and grease. Slump will be here soon, take your
-orders from him for to-day."
-
-Ralph bowed politely and understandingly.
-
-"I'll tell you another thing," went on Forgan harshly. "Don't you get
-to knowing too much, or talking about it. I'll have no spying around
-my affairs."
-
-Ralph was astonished. He tried to catch the keynote of the foreman's
-plaint. Suspicion seemed the incentive of his anger, and yet Ralph
-could trace no reason for it.
-
-An open doorway led from one side of the roundhouse. Ralph picked up a
-heavy sheet-iron pail and a tin box with a handle. Just then the
-helper came into view.
-
-"Where do I go for oil and waste?" asked Ralph.
-
-The helper surlily pointed through the doorway. Ralph found himself in
-a bricked-in passage, slippery with oil, and leading to a narrow yard.
-On one side was a row of sheds, whose interior comprised bins for boxes
-filled with all kinds of metal fittings. On the other side were like
-sheds, full of cans, pails and barrels. From here some men were
-conveying barrow loads of pails and cans filled with oil and grease,
-and Ralph went to an open door.
-
-Inside was a grimy, greasy fellow marking something on a card tacked to
-the wall. Ralph told him who he was, got both receptacles filled, and
-went back to the roundhouse.
-
-He sat down on a bench and watched a fireman go through the finishing
-touches on his engine which put it "to sleep." The last whistle
-sounded, and in through the doorway came Ike Slump.
-
-The latter was a wiry, elfish fellow, usually very volatile and active.
-On this especial morning, however, he looked ugly, depressed and
-wicked. He went over to his locker, threw in his dinner pail, put on a
-pair of overalls, and for the first time observed Ralph.
-
-"Hello!" he ejaculated, taking a step backward, hunching his shoulders,
-showing his teeth, and lurching forward much with the pose of a prize
-fighter descending on an easy victim.
-
-"Good-morning, Ike," said Ralph pleasantly.
-
-Ike Slump indulged in a vicious snarl.
-
-"Morning nothing!" he snapped. "What you doing here?"
-
-"I'm going to work here."
-
-"Who says so?"
-
-"The foreman."
-
-"When?"
-
-"Yesterday, and ten minutes ago. In fact, I am waiting to begin under
-your directions, as he ordered."
-
-"Oh, you are!" muttered Ike darkly, and in hissing long-drawn-out
-accents. "That's your lay, is it? Well, say, do you see those?"
-
-Ike glanced keenly about him. Then advancing, he strutted up to Ralph,
-bunched one set of coarse, dirty knuckles, and rested them squarely on
-Ralph's nose.
-
-Ralph did not budge for a second or two. When he did, it was with
-infinite unconcern and the remark:
-
-"Yes, I see them, and a little soap and water wouldn't hurt them any."
-
-"Say! do you want to insult me? say! are you spoiling for a fight?
-say----"
-
-"Keep a little farther away, please," suggested Ralph, putting out one
-of those superbly-rounded, magnificently-formed arms of his, which sent
-the bullying Ike back, stiff and helpless as if he was at the end of an
-iron rod.
-
-"Say----" Ike began on his war dance again. "This is too much!" Then
-he subsided as he noticed the foreman cross the roundhouse. "No chance
-now, but to-night, after work, we'll settle this!"
-
-"Just as you like, Ike," assented Ralph accommodatingly--"only, drop it
-long enough just now to start me in at my duties, or we'll both have
-Mr. Forgan in our hair."
-
-Ike unclinched his fists, but he continued to growl and grumble to
-himself.
-
-"A nice sneak you are!" Ralph made out. "Thought you'd be smart! Gave
-away my tip, didn't you?"
-
-"See here, Ike, what do you mean?"
-
-"I mean I told you I was going to leave, and you promised to hang
-around and come on deck when I'd had my pay."
-
-"The way things turned out," said Ralph, "there was no occasion for
-that."
-
-"You bet there wasn't! You just sneaked the word to Forgan
-double-quick, he told the old man, and I got a walloping, locked up on
-bread and water yesterday, and all my plans scattered about leaving.
-You bet I'll cut the job just the same, though!" declared Ike, with a
-vicious snap of his jaws. "Only, you gave me away, and I'm going to
-pay you off for it."
-
-"Ike, you are very much mistaken."
-
-"Yah!"
-
-"I never mentioned what you told me to any one."
-
-"Cut it out! We'll settle that to-night. Now you get to work."
-
-Ralph at last understood the situation, but he saw the futility of
-attempting to convince his obstinate companion of his error.
-
-Besides, the foreman in the distance was watching him from the corner
-of one eye, and Ike thought it best to apply himself to business.
-
-"You just watch me for an hour or two," he bolted out grudgingly.
-
-Ralph did not spend a happy forenoon. Ike was sullen, grumpy and
-savage.
-
-He made his helper hold the grease pail when it was unnecessary, till
-Ralph's arms were stiff, dropping splotches of oil on his shoes. He
-let the exhaust deluge him, as if by accident, and refused to engage in
-any general conversation, nursing his wrath the meantime.
-
-He knew how to clean up an engine, although, Ralph divined, in the most
-slipshod and easiest way that would pass inspection. Ralph was
-learning something, however, and was patient under the slights Ike put
-upon him from time to time.
-
-About eleven o'clock there was a lull in active work.
-
-Mr. Ike Slump lounged on the bench, indulging in a smoke and trying to
-look important and dangerous, both at once. Then, as if casually, he
-began kneading a fat, juicy ball of waste and grease, poked it under
-the bench, and said to Ralph:
-
-"There's two switch engines coming in. You can take one of them, and
-see if you know how to handle it."
-
-"I'll try," announced Ralph.
-
-"When you come to the bell, give her a good, hard rubbing. They'll
-give you some sand at the supply shed."
-
-"Sand?" repeated Ralph vaguely.
-
-"Sure. Dump it in with the grease in the little pail, and don't fail
-to slap it on thick and plenty."
-
-Ralph said nothing. He started for the passageway with more thoughts
-than one in his mind. As he shot a quick glance back of him, he
-observed Ike leap from the bench, poke out the grease ball, palm it,
-and disappear from his range of vision.
-
-Ralph went to the supply shed and got a can full of sand. Then he
-started back the way he had come.
-
-As he did so, he observed the foreman turn into the passage in front of
-him.
-
-Ralph was due to pass by him, for the foreman was pursuing his way at a
-leisurely gait, but Ralph did nothing of the sort.
-
-He guessed considerable and anticipated more from the recent suspicious
-movements of his temporary master, and smiled slightly, allowing the
-foreman to precede him.
-
-As Tim Forgan stepped through the doorway leading into the roundhouse,
-that happened which Ralph Fairbanks had foreseen.
-
-His enemy, lying in wait there to "christen" his new work suit as he
-had threatened, let drive, never doubting but that the approaching
-footsteps were those of Ralph.
-
-With a dripping swush the ball of waste and grease cut through the air
-and took the roundhouse foreman squarely in the face.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII--IKE SLUMP'S REVENGE
-================================
-
-The roundhouse foreman staggered back with a gasp.
-
-The oil splattered over his face, neck and chest, the waste separated
-and dropped down inside his vest.
-
-Then, astonished, Forgan dashed the blinding grease from his eyes, ran
-forward, took a stare in every direction, and doubled his pace with a
-roar like a maddened bull.
-
-"You imp of Satan!" he yelled.
-
-He had detected Ike Slump, unmistakably the culprit. With agile
-springs, fairly terrified at his mistake, Ike had taken to flight.
-
-In his haste he tripped over a rail. His pursuer pounced down on him
-before he could get up, snatched him up with one hand by the collar,
-grabbed half a loose box cover with another, dragged him into the
-little office, banged the door shut with his foot, and the work of
-retribution began.
-
-The men in the dog house had been attracted by the turmoil. Now they
-stood gazing at the closed office door.
-
-A grin ran the rounds, as from within escaped sounds unmistakably
-connected with the box cover, mingled with the frantic yells of Ike
-Slump.
-
-"That kid's been spoiling for just this for some time," observed a
-gray-bearded engineer.
-
-"Has he?" echoed an extra--"well, just! He's been the bane of Forgan's
-life ever since he came here. The boss had to keep him because Ike's
-father is a crony, but he's getting real enjoyment for the privilege!"
-
-There was nothing malicious in Ralph's nature, but he felt that Ike
-Slump deserved a lesson. Ralph proceeded calmly on his way as though
-nothing had happened, carried his can of sand over to the bench, mixed
-it well in one of the small oil pails, took up the other and some
-waste, and went over to one of the two switch engines that had just
-come in.
-
-They stood on adjacent tracks, not yet run to stall. Ralph began his
-first task as a real wiper. He had watched Ike carefully, and it was
-no trick at all to follow in his mechanical groove, and much improve
-his system, besides.
-
-Ralph was busy on the bell as the door of foreman's office was thrust
-open.
-
-Ike Slump was as quickly thrust out. He was blubbering, limp, and
-smarting with pain.
-
-Forgan was red-faced and panting from his exertions.
-
-"Now then," he said, "you get to work, or get out and home to your
-father, just as you like."
-
-"He'll kill me if I do!" came from Ike.
-
-"He ought to. Hustle there, now!"
-
-Ike went to the bench, picked up the grease pail, and climbed to the
-cabin of the other switch engine.
-
-He cast an angry glance at Ralph.
-
-"Played it smart, didn't you!" he snarled.
-
-"You shouldn't complain," answered Ralph calmly.
-
-"Wait till to-night!"
-
-"I'm waiting," tranquilly rejoined Ralph, poising back to view about as
-fine a shimmer to the bell he was working on as oil and waste and elbow
-grease could produce.
-
-Meantime, Ike had blindly, savagely slapped a coat of grease on the
-bell opposite.
-
-A yell went up from his wrathful lips as he applied the waste.
-
-He nearly had a fit and if he could have found a loose missile he would
-doubtless have thrown it at Ralph.
-
-"Confound you!" he hissed. "Oh, I'll get you yet!"
-
-"I'm here," said Ralph. "What's up. You said sand was good for the
-bell. Is it?"
-
-"Say, you wait! oh, say, you wait!" foamed Ike.
-
-Both worked their way simultaneously into the cabs, the upper wiping
-done. Ralph watched his fellow-worker. The locomotives had been
-dumped, but there was still enough steam to run them to bed.
-
-"Soon as I run her in," announced Ike malevolently across the two-foot
-space between the engines, "I'm going to jump my job."
-
-Ralph said nothing. Ike had put his hand on the lever, intending
-evidently to slow back the locomotive to its stall. Ralph was expected
-to do the same with the other engine.
-
-"But I'll be laying for you at quitting time, and with the bunch, don't
-you forget it!" supplemented Ike.
-
-Ralph gave the lever a touch, the wheels started, but instantly he shut
-off steam.
-
-Glancing sideways and out through the open front of the roundhouse, his
-eyes met a sight that would have paralyzed some people, but which acted
-on his impetuous nature like a shock of electricity.
-
-With one leap he cleared the cab, in two springs he had reached the
-doorway. The startled Ike Slump saw him disappear behind the
-locomotive. His bead-like eyes glowed.
-
-Now was his chance. Leaning over between the two locomotives, he
-touched the lever Ralph had just shut off. The locomotive started
-towards its stall.
-
-Directing his own forward, it went on its diverging course at routine
-slow speed.
-
-This cleared the view from doghouse and office. At that moment the
-foreman's strident tones belched out:
-
-"Stop her! Where's the wiper?"
-
-All eyes saw that the second locomotive was not manned. Some had
-witnessed Ralph's sensational disappearance.
-
-Three or four made a run for the unguided locomotive. The foremost of
-the group sprang into the cab just as the tender struck the circular
-outer wall of the roundhouse.
-
-He halted the engine, but not until the tender had smashed a hole out
-to daylight, taking one big window upon its back, and buried the rails
-under half a ton of brick and mortar.
-
-Ike Slump descended from his locomotive serene as summer skies, as
-Forgan rushed up to the scene.
-
-"Where's the smart-Aleck that did that!" roared the foreman.
-
-He was fairly distracted with the accumulating disturbances of the hour.
-
-"Dunno. Got scared at hearing the steam hiss, I guess, and run for
-it," said Ike.
-
-Tim Forgan paced up and down the planks, a smoldering volcano of wrath.
-
-"There he is now," piped Ike, hugging himself with delight, as he
-considered that he had turned the tables on Ralph.
-
-The foreman dashed towards the entrance of the roundhouse. Sure
-enough, Ralph had come into view.
-
-Half a dozen persons were straggling after him, and some unusual
-commotion was evidently rife among them, but the infuriated roundhouse
-foreman at the moment had eyes only for the object of his rage.
-
-Ralph's face was as white as chalk, he was out of breath, one arm of
-his jacket was torn away, and from the elbow to the finger tips there
-was a long, bleeding scratch.
-
-The foreman ran up to him, and almost jerked him off his feet as he
-caught him by the arm.
-
-"You young blunderer!" he roared--"look at your work! Five hundred
-dollars damage!"
-
-Ralph seemed in an uncomprehending daze and failed to take in the
-wrathful sweep of Forgan's arm towards the dismantled wall.
-
-"I'll give you the same dose I gave that young imp, Slump!" shouted
-Forgan, losing all control of himself.
-
-He began to drag Ralph towards the office. The latter had acted as if
-about to faint! Now his senses seemed to arouse abruptly.
-
-Ralph braced back. His eyes swept the crowd about him. He caught
-sight of Ike Slump's gloating face, and beyond him the wrecked wall.
-
-"Wait!" he said faintly, and then with more firmness of tone: "Stop!
-what do you accuse me of?"
-
-"Accuse you of?" roared the foreman. "Hear him! I suppose you pretend
-not to see your work. Look at that wall, look at that engine----"
-
-"I didn't do it," declared Ralph positively, catching on for the first
-time.
-
-"Oh, I won't listen to such rot!" fumed Forgan. "You get out good and
-quick, but I'll give you something to remember it by before you do."
-
-"Stop!" again spoke Ralph, and this time it was a command. "You are
-accusing me of something I know nothing about, Mr. Forgan. Let go my
-arm."
-
-"Why, you impudent young jackanapes! I'll lick the daylight out of you
-now, just to drive some truth into you!"
-
-"Don't you dare to touch me!" cried Ralph. He was fully aroused now.
-The natural glitter had returned to his eye, and with a quick move he
-jerked free from the grasp of the foreman, powerful as it was. "I
-allow no man to punish me for what I did not do, and this is a place
-where we stand as man to man."
-
-The foreman had been surprised at Ralph's exhibition of genuine
-strength, but that manifestation had only served to increase his rage.
-
-In positive fury he posed for a savage spring at Ralph. The latter put
-both hands on the defensive. His lips were firmly compressed. He did
-not wish to imperil his position by fighting with a superior, but he
-was determined to stand on his rights.
-
-At that moment, in advance of the pressing crowd outside, big Denny
-Sloan, the yard watchman, came into view.
-
-"Drop that, Tim Forgan!" he ordered quickly. "Don't touch that boy, or
-you'll be sorry for it to your dying day!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIII--MAKING HIS WAY
-============================
-
-Big Denny confronted the roundhouse foreman, an obstructing block in
-his path. He was one of the heaviest men in the service, built like an
-ox, and immensely good-natured.
-
-Just now, however, he was also immensely excited and serious, and the
-crowd stared at him curiously, and at Forgan in an astonished way.
-
-"This is none of your business. Don't you interfere, don't you try to
-shield that miserable blunderer!" shouted the foreman.
-
-"Hold on, Tim," advised the watchman, putting out his big arm, and
-abruptly checking Forgan in a forward dash.
-
-"Do you know what he's done!" howled Forgan.
-
-"Do you?"
-
-"Do I----"
-
-"I guess you don't, Tim," said Big Denny quietly. "Just you cool down.
-This way, boys," called the watchman into the crowd at his heels.
-"Keep cool, Tim--there's no harm done, but there might have been if
-Fairbanks here wasn't quicker than lightning, and a brave young hero,
-besides!"
-
-The crowd parted, a switchman came into view. He carried in his arms,
-white and limp, a little girl about ten years of age.
-
-Hanging by the neck ribbon was her pretty summer hat, crushed and cut
-squarely in two. One temple was somewhat disfigured, and her dress was
-soiled with roadbed dust and grime.
-
-Tim Forgan looked once and his jaws dropped. He shuddered as if some
-one had dealt him a blow, and staggered where he stood, his face
-turning to a sickly gray.
-
-"Nora!" he gasped--"my little Nora! Denny--boys! she is hurt--dead!"
-
-"Neither," answered the big watchman promptly, placing a soothing hand
-on the foreman's quivering arm. "Steady, old man, now!"
-
-"Give her to me!" shouted Forgan, in a frenzy. "Nora, my little Nora!
-What has happened? what has happened?"
-
-The big fellow had one idol, one warm corner in his heart--his little
-grandchild.
-
-His rugged brow corrugated, and he was frantic beyond all reason as he
-covered the still white face with kisses, nestling the motionless child
-in his arms tenderly.
-
-"Take her into the office," directed Denny. "Give her air, lads--and
-get some cold water, some of you."
-
-He blocked the doorway with his bulky frame as the foreman and his
-charge passed through, admitting a moment later a switchman with a can
-of water, and two of the older engineers at his heels.
-
-Then he closed the door, and looked around for Ralph. The latter had
-sunk to a bench, still pale and faint-looking. The lame helper was
-ransacking his locker. Coming thence with some clean waste and a
-bottle of liniment, he snatched up a pail, went outside, got some warm
-water from a locomotive, and approached Ralph.
-
-Ralph regarded him in some wonder, but made no demur as the strange,
-silent fellow began to wash and dress his injured arm with a touch soft
-and careful as that of a woman.
-
-Big Denny continued to stand on guard at the closed door of the
-foreman's little office.
-
-The crowd from the outside was exchanging information with the
-roundhouse throng, trying to patch mutual disclosures together into
-some coherency.
-
-Ike Slump's look of malevolent gratification had faded away. He began
-to surmise that Ralph had a purpose in so summarily deserting his post,
-and that the anticipated "turning of the tables" was not destined to
-materialize.
-
-"What's the rights of things, Denny?" asked one of the engineers.
-"That was little Nora Forgan, wasn't it!"
-
-"Sure--and you know what she is to gruff old Tim, apple of his eye. If
-anything happened to her, I believe he'd go mad."
-
-"He's pretty near there now, with his tantrums!" volunteered a voice
-from the crowd.
-
-"I think this will cure him a bit," said Denny. "The little one has
-been bringing him his dinner lately, you know. A child like that has
-no business along the tracks, but he usually had her come back of the
-roundhouse, where there wasn't so much risk. This time, I suppose she
-feared she'd be late, and crossed over the busiest switches. My heart
-stood still, lads, when, ten minutes since, five hundred feet away from
-her, I saw her trip, fall, strike her head on the rails, and lay there
-stunned, squarely in the way of a dead-end freight, coming."
-
-Big Denny squirmed with real feeling in his powerful, husky voice, as
-he dabbed the perspiration from his brow.
-
-"Next thing, I saw a flash come out through the roundhouse door here.
-It was--him!"
-
-Mechanically the crowd turned. Twenty pairs of eyes rested on Ralph,
-whom Denny had pointed out.
-
-"Yes, sir--it was him, young Fairbanks! He's got the right blood in
-him, that kid. I knew his father, and he wouldn't be Jack Fairbanks'
-son if he hadn't acted just as he did!"
-
-No comment could have pleased Ralph more than that. He darted a
-grateful look at his bulky champion.
-
-"No one any good seemed to have noticed the accident except him," went
-on Denny, the eyes of his absorbed auditors again riveted intently upon
-him. "I counted the seconds in a sort of sickly horror, for it seemed
-impossible that he could make it in time."
-
-"But he did!" cried a strained voice.
-
-"He did--it was terrifying. The last ten feet he saw his only chance.
-It was like a fellow sliding for base. Flat he dived and drove. It
-must have been an awful scrape! The first wheels of the backing car
-fairly reached the little angel's long, golden curls. As it was, they
-cut the dangling hat straight in two. He grabbed her, just escaping
-the wheels, not a second too soon."
-
-With a working face the lame helper had stood listening, rooted to the
-spot like a statue.
-
-The crowd swayed towards Ralph. They were all in one uniform mood of
-admiration for his nervy exploit, only they expressed it in different
-ways.
-
-A dozen shook his hand till they nearly wrung it off; a big, bluff
-fireman, with a fist like a ham, slapped his shoulders so exuberantly
-that the contact nearly drove the breath out of his body.
-
-"As to that little heap of rubbish," observed Big Denny, with lofty
-contempt indicating the broken brick wall--"I reckon Tim Forgan won't
-let that count against the life of that child."
-
-Ralph arose to his feet.
-
-"But I didn't do it," he asseverated.
-
-"Don't you worry about trifles, kid," advised Denny.
-
-"But I didn't!" insisted Ralph.
-
-Denny looked annoyed. He wished to dismiss the subject peremptorily
-while his hero was still on the pedestal, and, human-like, he believed
-Ralph was trying to square himself at the cost of a lame explanation,
-or a lie.
-
-"That's--that's right," suddenly interposed a quavering voice.
-
-"Hello!" laughed Denny, turning to confront the sphinx-like helper,
-whose taciturnity was proverbial. "You'll be making a speech, next!"
-
-"Yes," bolted out the lame helper, very much agitated over his own
-unusual temerity.
-
-"Give it a voice, Limpy."
-
-"He didn't do it."
-
-"Didn't do what?"
-
-"Run that engine into the wall."
-
-"How do you know?"
-
-"I saw him--he started her up, but shut her off, dead, before he jumped
-for the tracks and ran outside."
-
-Ralph looked surprised, but pleased, Big Denny convinced, and the crowd
-tremendously interested.
-
-On the outskirts of the crowd Ike Slump gave ear, perked up his face in
-a grimace, and a minute later sneaked out of the place.
-
-"Saw the whole thing," declared Limpy. "Fellow in the next engine
-leaned over soon as Fairbanks left, slipped the lever, and let her
-drive."
-
-"Who was it?" demanded the watchman indignantly.
-
-"Slump, the scamp."
-
-"Where is he?"
-
-The crowd made a search, but it was unavailing--Ike Slump had "jumped
-his job" permanently, to all appearances, for his locker was empty.
-
-The fireman came out of the office.
-
-"She's all right," he announced to Denny, "but the old man's terribly
-broken up. Better go in and give him a word."
-
-"All right," said Denny--"you come, too, Fairbanks."
-
-"I'd rather not," said Ralph--"I've got work to do."
-
-"You take a rest and eat your dinner before you do anything else,"
-advised the big watchman.
-
-The noon whistle sounded just then and dispersed the crowd. Ralph went
-over to a bench and brought out his dinner pail.
-
-His arm was sore and smarting, but he was not at all seriously
-crippled, and he sat thoughtfully eating his lunch and wondering how
-the damage to the wall would be repaired.
-
-Ralph noticed the two engineers leave the office, then Big Denny. The
-latter had hold of the hand of little Nora.
-
-He led the way up to Ralph. Limpy had just taken his seat on the other
-end of the bench.
-
-"I'm going to take her home," said the watchman. "Nora, do you know
-who this young gentleman is?"
-
-The little girl looked still pale and frightened, but except for the
-torn dress and hat and a dark bruise on her forehead seemed none the
-worse for her recent perilous experience.
-
-"No, sir," she said shyly.
-
-"It's Ralph Fairbanks. He saved your life."
-
-"Oh, sir! did you? did you?" she cried, running up to Ralph. She put
-her arms around his neck and kissed him, the tears running down her
-cheeks. "When I tell mamma, she'll come down and thank you, too!" she
-continued and then passed on.
-
-Ralph was affected by the incident. His heart warmed up as he
-reflected how the tide of feeling had changed towards him in the past
-hour. Then, reaching for his lunch pail, his hand unexpectedly came in
-contact with a big, juicy square of pie. The lame helper had
-disappeared.
-
-It was a further tribute from that strange, silent man, and it told
-Ralph unmistakably that beyond that grim wall of reserve was probably
-hidden a heart of gold.
-
-The excitement and rough usage of the morning had used up Ralph
-considerably. He felt the need of fresh air, put aside his dinner
-pail, and started for the outside.
-
-Just then, the helper came across to him from the direction of the
-little office.
-
-"Wanted," he said sententiously. "Foreman wants to see you."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST
-=====================================
-
-Ralph felt the sense of a crisis strong upon him. Circumstances had
-given some stormy features to the morning's progress, but had cleared
-the air generally.
-
-He believed, all told, that he had carried off the honors quite
-creditably, and was in a measure master of the situation.
-
-When he came to the office door it was partly open, but he knocked.
-
-"Come in," spoke the foreman's voice, a good deal toned down from its
-usual accents of asperity.
-
-Tim Forgan stood over near the window, his back turned to Ralph. His
-hands, clasped behind him, fumbled nervously. He was palpably in a
-disturbed mood, and from the vague view Ralph had of his side face he
-noted it was pale and anxious-looking.
-
-"Sit down," directed the foreman. He stood in the same position for
-nearly a minute. Then very abruptly he turned, came up to Ralph,
-extended his hand as if with an effort, and said, almost brokenly:
-
-"Fairbanks, I want to thank you for what you have done for me and mine."
-
-"I am glad I did it," answered Ralph simply.
-
-The foreman sank into a chair, started to speak, arose, paced the floor
-restlessly, finally halted in front of Ralph, and looked him squarely
-in the face.
-
-"Fairbanks," he said, "I believe I have done you an injustice. Don't
-answer. Let me speak while the mood is on me. I am a proud man, and
-it's hard for me to root out my settled suspicions. I won't say they
-are all gone yet, but after what has happened it would be wrong and
-churlish for me to hold back what is on my lips. When you came here
-this morning, I was satisfied that you came here as a spy upon my
-actions."
-
-"Oh, Mr. Forgan!" explained Ralph involuntarily.
-
-"And I prepared to treat you as a spy. I have had trouble with the
-master mechanic, off and on--that is, we are rivals in the race for the
-presidency of the local labor council, and Ike Slump's father, when I
-told him about your card from the master mechanic, scented a plot at
-once."
-
-"Why, Mr. Forgan!" exclaimed Ralph in amazement, "I never saw the
-master mechanic until night before last, then only for less than two
-minutes, and my meeting with him was purely accidental."
-
-The roundhouse foreman looked Ralph through and through.
-
-"I believe you, Fairbanks," he said, at length. "You don't look like
-the lying, sneaking sort, and Denny says he'd bank his soul on you. He
-says I've got bad, crafty advisers. Maybe so, maybe so," went on
-Forgan, half to himself. "I wish I'd kept out of the labor ring. It
-makes one fancy half his friends enemies. Drop that, though. I've
-made my confession, and I believe you're square. I've sent for you to
-exonerate you from all part in the smash-up, and to tell you that I owe
-you a debt I can never pay. I'll try to square some of it, though.
-Fairbanks, you shall stay here, and I shall give you more than a chance
-to forge ahead."
-
-"I thank you, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph gratefully.
-
-The foreman strode over to the window again. Ralph studied this
-strange make-up of real force, dark suspicions and ungovernable
-impulses, but did not appear to watch him. In a covert way, with a
-sidelong glance at Ralph, the foreman opened the door of a little
-closet, took out a dark bottle, and Ralph could hear the gurgling
-dispatch of a long, deep draught.
-
-He had overheard some of the men in the dog house hinting at the boss'
-failing, that morning. Now, Ralph knew what it was, and the discovery
-depressed him.
-
-The stimulating draught seemed to restore the foreman's equilibrium,
-for in a minute or two, when he again addressed Ralph, his old
-half-dignified, half-autocratic manner had returned to him.
-
-"We shall have no more Ike Slump here, father or no father," he
-observed. "I'm going to give you a chance, Fairbanks."
-
-"Thank you, Mr. Forgan."
-
-"Keep on as wiper till I get a new helper, and I'll give you a boost
-into an extra berth quicker than any boy ever shot up the roundhouse
-ladder before. I tell you, I'll never forget what you've done for
-me--and my dear little Nora!"
-
-Ralph arose.
-
-"Mr. Forgan," he said, "I am much obliged to you, and I hope I shall
-deserve and win your good opinion. But I want to earn my way. I don't
-wish to slip over one single branch of the course that will make a
-thorough, all-around, first-class railroad man out of me, and too fast
-promotion might spoil me."
-
-The foreman understood him, but the liquor had exhilarated him, and he
-said:
-
-"All the same, I'm your friend for life, Fairbanks--and I give you my
-word, when you ask me a favor, I'll grant it."
-
-Ralph bowed and proceeded towards the door. Forgan was back at the
-closet almost immediately, Ralph wavered. He formed a quick
-resolution, and stepped back into the room just as the foreman turned,
-wiping off his lips.
-
-"Mr. Forgan," said Ralph, "you will not be offended at something I feel
-it my duty to say?"
-
-"Not a bit of it," pledged the foreman.
-
-"You said I might ask you a favor."
-
-"Just name it, Fairbanks."
-
-"I shall, but first, I want to say this: You are in a fine, responsible
-position here, and your control and your influence affect every man in
-your service."
-
-"I worked hard for the job," asserted Forgan proudly.
-
-"I know you must have done that," said Ralph, "and I also know you must
-have had good abilities to step so high over the heads of others. But
-sometimes, Mr. Forgan--you will acknowledge it yourself--your temper,
-your impulses, your suspicions get the better of you."
-
-Ralph was treading on dangerous ground. He realized it, for a certain
-quick flash came into Forgan's eyes. It was quenched, however, at an
-evident memory of the incident of the morning; and the foreman spoke,
-quite gayly:
-
-"Go ahead, I'll listen. I see your drift."
-
-"You have lots of friends, sir--try and know the real ones. And, Mr.
-Forgan, now for the favor I have to ask."
-
-The foreman's bushy brows met in a suspicious way, but he declared
-promptly:
-
-"You have only to ask."
-
-"You will grant it?"
-
-"For little Nora's sake, lad, I'd give you half I own!"
-
-"I don't want that, Mr. Forgan. The favor I have to ask is--don't
-drink."
-
-It was out, with an effort--Ralph had placed a pleading hand on the
-foreman's arm. He felt Forgan start and quiver. Would he burst into
-one of his uncontrollable fits of passion and storm and rave, and
-probably assault him?
-
-The climax delayed so long that Ralph ventured another appeal.
-
-"For little Nora's sake, Mr. Forgan!" he pleaded.
-
-"Boy, you have said enough--go! go!" spoke Forgan huskily.
-
-He almost pushed Ralph from the room. The door went shut, with Ralph
-standing outside, his breath coming quickly, for the episode had been
-one of intense strain.
-
-Ralph sighed. Had he gone too far? The sincerity of his wish for the
-foreman's good told him he had not.
-
-In the little office he could hear Forgan striding to and fro.
-Suddenly there was a halt.
-
-Then came a crash. If only for the time being, Tim Forgan had been
-influenced to a holy, beneficent decision. He had shattered the
-wretched black bottle to atoms.
-
-"Thank God!" breathed the young railroader fervently.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV--"VAN"
-=================
-
-When the one o'clock whistle sounded, Ralph started over for the engine
-stalls.
-
-"Hold on!" challenged the lame helper, suddenly appearing in his usual
-extraordinary way.
-
-"What's the trouble?" asked Ralph.
-
-"Boss says you're on the sick list."
-
-"But I'm not!" declared Ralph with a smile and mock-valiantly waving
-his injured arm.
-
-"Says you're to go home, and report in morning."
-
-"But I can't do that," demurred Ralph.
-
-"Must--orders."
-
-"It would worry my mother, she would think something serious was wrong
-with me, while I feel as well as I ever did in my life--yes, better,
-even," insisted Ralph.
-
-"Well, you're not to work, boss says--you can loaf, if you like."
-
-"That's something I don't fancy."
-
-"Then watch me, and I'll show you some things."
-
-"Good!" assented Ralph. "If they are bound to have me invalided, at
-least let me learn something in the meantime."
-
-Limpy did not talk much, but after an hour of his company Ralph voted
-him a wonder.
-
-There must be some vivid history back of the man, Ralph theorized, for
-there were sparkles of real genius here and there in his movements and
-explanations of the next two hours.
-
-He showed Ralph the true merits and economics of the wiper's avocation
-in a quick, practical way that proved Ike Slump was a novice and a
-bungler.
-
-Then the helper took Ralph under his special tuition higher up in the
-scale.
-
-Ralph was in a real transport of delighted interest as the lame helper
-taught him the first principles of preparing, running and controlling a
-locomotive.
-
-He did something more than control a throttle or move a lever--he
-explained why this and that was done, and demonstrated cause and effect
-in a clear-cut way that gave Ralph more real, sound information in two
-hours than he could have gained from the study of books in as many
-months.
-
-The foreman passed in and out of the place several times during the
-afternoon, but seemed almost studiously to avoid contact or
-conversation with Ralph.
-
-About four o'clock the helper, busy wheeling away the broken bricks
-from the hole in the wall, nudged Ralph meaningly.
-
-"Slump's old man," he said tersely.
-
-Glancing towards the office, Ralph saw a coarse-featured, disorderly
-looking man conversing with the foreman.
-
-The latter was cool, dignified and evidently laying down the law in an
-unmistakably clear manner to his visitor, who shrugged his shoulders,
-pounded his palms together, and seemed wroth and worked up over the
-situation they were discussing.
-
-Ralph knew that Slump senior ran a saloon just beyond the freight
-sheds, and was glad to see him go off alone and evidently disgruntled
-and fancied he caught an expression on Forgan's face indicating that he
-had done his duty and was glad of it.
-
-"Bad lot," commented Limpy, coming back for some more bricks.
-
-"Foreman?"
-
-"No, Slump. It was two of his poison drinks four years ago that sent
-me home one night on the wrong tracks, crippled me for life, lost me my
-run, and made a pensioned drudge of me for the rest of my years,"
-declared the helper bitterly.
-
-By five o'clock the débris had been cleared away from the break in the
-roundhouse wall, the derailed locomotive backed to place, and things
-ready for the masons to repair the damage in the morning.
-
-Ralph was walking away from a cursory inspection of the spot, when a
-whistle sounded directly outside. Then a hissing voice echoed:
-
-"Hey, Slump!"
-
-Ralph turned. A man was moving around the edge of the break in the
-wall.
-
-"I'm not Slump," announced Ralph. Then he recognized the stranger. It
-was the tramp-like individual who had come after Ike Slump's dinner
-pail two nights previous.
-
-"Oh!" he now said, drawing back in a suspicious, embarrassed manner.
-"Where's Ike?"
-
-"He has gone home, I suppose," answered Ralph.
-
-"Didn't--that is, he hasn't left his dinner pail for me, has he?"
-floundered the tramp.
-
-"No, he took it with him. At any rate, his locker is empty."
-
-"All right," muttered the fellow, edging away.
-
-Ralph remembered that heavily-weighted dinner pail of Ike Slump's with
-some suspicion. Still, Ike's explanation of furnishing the man with a
-daily lunch looked plausible.
-
-"Hold on," called Ralph after the receding form.
-
-"What is it?" inquired the tramp, wheeling about.
-
-"I'll help you out--wait a minute."
-
-Ralph hurried to his locker. Fully half of his noonday lunch had been
-left untasted. He bundled up the fragments and returned to the break
-in the wall.
-
-"Here's a bite," said Ralph.
-
-"Thank you," growled the tramp gruffly, taking the proffered lunch.
-
-A minute later Ralph was summoned to a bench placed under the windows
-at the south curve of the building.
-
-Limpy stood on the bench, looking out.
-
-"Come here," he directed. "No use!"
-
-"What do you mean?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"Look."
-
-Ralph, clambering up to the bench, had the retiring tramp in full view.
-
-The latter was piece by piece firing the lunch he had given him at
-switches and signal posts, as if he had a special spite against it.
-
-"Didn't come for food, you see?" observed the helper.
-
-"What did he come for, then?" demanded Ralph, indignant and wrought up.
-
-Limpy simply shrugged his shoulders, and went off about his duties.
-
-Ralph was not sorry when the six o'clock whistle sounded. He had gone
-through an uncommon strain, both mental and physical, during the day,
-and was tired and glad to get home.
-
-Limpy, in his smooth, quiet way, arranged it so that he left the
-roundhouse when Ralph did, and as the latter noticed that his companion
-kept watching out in all directions, he traced a certain voluntary
-guardianship in the man's intentions.
-
-But if Limpy feared that Ike Slump or his satellites were lying in
-wait, it was not along the special route Ralph took in proceeding
-homewards.
-
-He reached the little cottage with no unpleasant interruptions. His
-mother welcomed him at the gate with a bright smile. Their boy guest
-was weeding out a vegetable bed. He immediately came up to Ralph,
-extending a beautifully clean full-grown carrot he had selected from
-its bed.
-
-Ralph took it, patting the giver encouragingly on the shoulder, who
-looked satisfied, and Ralph was pleased at this indication that the boy
-knew him.
-
-"How has he been all day?" Ralph inquired of his mother.
-
-"Just as you see him now," answered the widow. "He has been busy all
-day, willing, happy as a lark. The doctor dropped in this afternoon."
-
-"What did he say?" asked Ralph.
-
-"He says there is nothing the matter with the boy excepting the shock.
-He fears no violent outbreak, or anything of that kind, and only hopes
-that gradually the cloud will leave his mind."
-
-"If kindness can help any, he will get sound and well," declared Ralph
-chivalrously. "He doesn't talk much?"
-
-"Hardly a word, but he watches, and seems to understand everything."
-
-"What is that?" asked Ralph, pausing as they passed together through
-the side door.
-
-The wood shed door was scrawled over with chalk marks Ralph had not
-seen there before.
-
-"Oh," explained Mrs. Fairbanks, "he found a piece of chalk, and seemed
-to take pleasure in writing every once in a while."
-
-"And just one word?"
-
-"Yes, Ralph--those three letters."
-
-"V-A-N," spelled out Ralph. "Mother, that must be his name--Van."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVI--FACE TO FACE
-=========================
-
-Ralph Fairbanks' second day of service at the roundhouse passed
-pleasantly, and without any incident out of the common.
-
-With the disappearance of Ike Slump a new system of order and harmony
-seemed to prevail about the place. The foreman's rugged brow was less
-frequently furrowed with care or anger over little mishaps, and Ralph
-could not help but notice a more subdued tone in his dealings with the
-men.
-
-When Ralph came home that evening, his mother told him of a visit from
-the foreman's daughter-in-law and little Nora. They had brought Mrs.
-Fairbanks a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and their praises of Ralph
-had made the widow prouder of her son than ever.
-
-That morning, Van, as they now called their guest, had insisted on
-going with Ralph to his work as far as the next corner, and it was with
-difficulty that the young railroader had induced him to return to the
-cottage.
-
-That evening, Van met him nearly two squares away, and when he reached
-the house Ralph expressed some anxiety to his mother over their guest's
-wandering proclivities.
-
-"I don't think he would go far away of his own will," said Mrs.
-Fairbanks. "You see, Ralph, he counts on your going and coming. This
-morning, after you sent him home, I found him on the roof of the house.
-He had got up there from the ladder, and was watching you till you were
-finally lost to view among the car tracks."
-
-Ike Slump did not show up the third day. A fireman told Ralph that he
-had run away from home, and that his father had been looking for him.
-Ike had been seen in the town by several persons, but always at a
-distance, and evidently keeping in hiding with some chosen cronies most
-of the time.
-
-"He's no good, and you'll hear from him in a bad way yet," was the
-railroader's prediction.
-
-When No. 6 came into the roundhouse next morning, the extra who had
-taken engineer Griscom's place for two days told Ralph that the old
-veteran would be on hand to take out the afternoon west train himself.
-
-Ralph got Limpy to help him put some fancy touches on the heaviest
-runner of the road. At noon he hurried home and back, and brought with
-him a bright little bouquet of flowers.
-
-No. 6, standing facing the turntable at two o'clock that afternoon, was
-about as handsome a piece of metal as ever crossed the rails.
-
-Old Griscom came into the roundhouse a few minutes later, his running
-traps slung over his arm, reported, and was surrounded by the dog house
-crowd.
-
-This was his first public appearance since the fire at the yards. He
-still looked singed and shaken from his rough experience, but as he saw
-Ralph he extended his hand, and gave his young favorite a twist that
-almost made Ralph wince.
-
-"On deck, eh?" he called cheerily. "Well, I call first choice when you
-get ready to fire coal."
-
-"That's a long ways ahead, Mr. Griscom!" laughed Ralph.
-
-"Forgan don't say so. Hi! what you giving me? A brand-new runner?"
-
-The veteran engineer gave a start of prodigious animation and real
-pleased surprise as his glance fell on No. 6.
-
-The headlight shone like a great dazzling brilliant, the brass work
-looked like gold. In the engineer's window stood the little bouquet,
-and the cab was as neat and clean as a housewife's kitchen.
-
-Griscom swung onto his cushion with a kind of jolly cheer, and the
-foreman, catching the echo, waved his welcome and approbation in an
-unusually pleasant way from the door of his little office.
-
-Big Denny had been a periodical visitor to the roundhouse since the
-rescue of little Nora Forgan.
-
-He had taken a strong fancy to Ralph, it seemed, and whenever he had a
-few minutes to spare would seek out the young wiper, and seemed to take
-a rare pleasure in posting him on many a bit of technical experience in
-the railroading line.
-
-He chatted with Ralph on this last occasion while the latter sat
-filling the firemen's cans with oil, and drew him out as to his home
-life, his mother and his reason for going to work.
-
-"So Farrington holds a mortgage on your home?" said Denny. "I didn't
-know that. He's pretty rich, I hear. I remember the time, though,
-when people thought your father was his partner in some of his bond
-deals."
-
-"Yes, mother supposed so, too," said Ralph.
-
-"Your father put him onto the good thing the railroad was, first of
-all. I know that much," declared Denny.
-
-"It looks as if my father lost all his holdings just before he died,"
-said Ralph.
-
-"Then Farrington got them, I'll wager that--the sly old fox!" commented
-Denny, who was generally strong in his personal convictions.
-
-"Well, some day, when I am in a position to do so, I'm going to have
-Mr. Gasper Farrington hauled into court about the matter," observed
-Ralph. "If he has anything belonging to my mother and me, we want it."
-
-"It seems to me you ought to find something among your father's papers
-shedding light on the subject?" suggested Denny.
-
-"It looks as if my father had had blind confidence in Mr. Farrington,"
-said Ralph.
-
-"Yes, the old fox has a way of winding himself around his victims,"
-declared the outspoken watchman. "I remember a fellow he wound up good
-and proper, about three years ago."
-
-"Who was that?" asked Ralph.
-
-"His name was Farwell Gibson. He got the railroad fever, sold his
-farm, came to the Junction, and he and Farrington had some deals. They
-had a big row one night, too, and Farrington threw Gibson out of his
-house, and some windows were broken. The neighbors heard Gibson accuse
-Farrington of robbing him. Next day, though, Farrington swore out a
-warrant against Gibson for forgery, and Gibson has never been seen
-since. Maybe," concluded Big Denny, "he killed him."
-
-"Oh, he wouldn't do that!"
-
-"Gasper Farrington has a heart as hard as flint," said Denny, "and
-would do anything for money."
-
-"Farwell Gibson," murmured Ralph, memorizing the name.
-
-When quitting-time came that evening, Ralph left the roundhouse alone,
-Limpy having been sent with a message to the depot.
-
-As usual, he saved distance by following the tracks where they curved,
-then at a certain point cut through the unfenced back yards of some
-small stores fronting the depot street.
-
-Beyond this was a prairie. Turning a heap of ties to take a last
-straight shoot for home, Ralph found his progress abruptly blocked.
-
-"Thought we'd get you!" announced a familiar voice, and Ike Slump
-stepped into view.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS
-======================================
-
-"What do you want?" demanded Ralph.
-
-He did not at all look as if his hour had come, but he backed to a
-commanding position against the pile of ties, as half a dozen hoodlum
-companions of Ike Slump followed their leader into sight.
-
-"Peel!" said Ike importantly, and he began to roll up his sleeves.
-
-"I'm comfortable," suggested Ralph easily. "By the way, Ike, your
-father is looking for you."
-
-"Never you mind about my affairs," retorted Ike. "It's you I've been
-waiting for, it's you I've got, and it's you I'm going to lick."
-
-"What for?" asked Ralph.
-
-"What for?" echoed Ike derisively--"hear him, fellows!"
-
-"Ho! hear him!" echoed the motley crew at Ike's heels.
-
-"I told you at the roundhouse that I'd pay you off, didn't I?" demanded
-Ike.
-
-"I think I remember."
-
-"Well, I'm going to do it."
-
-"Here? And now?"
-
-"Precisely."
-
-"You insist that I've done something to be paid off for?"
-
-"Yes. You insulted me."
-
-"How?"
-
-This was a poser. Ike was silent.
-
-"Tell you, Slump," said Ralph, setting down his dinner pail. "You're
-just spoiling to do something mean. I never did you an injury, and I
-would like to do you some good, if I could. You're in bad company.
-You had better leave it and go home to your father. If you won't take
-advice, and are bound to force me to the wall--why, I'll do my share."
-
-At Ralph's allusion to the company Ike kept, two of the biggest of his
-cohorts sprang forward.
-
-"Your turn later," said Ike. "This is my personal affair just now."
-
-"You will force things?" questioned Ralph calmly.
-
-"What! Do you mean will I let you off? Nixy! No baby act, Fairbanks!
-Peel, and put up your fists."
-
-"Very well," said Ralph. "I think I can manage you with my coat on."
-
-Ralph was not a particle in doubt as to the ultimate result of the
-"scrap." He had gone through a half-vacation course of splendid
-athletic training, and his muscles were as hard as iron. Not so
-cigarette-smoking, loose-jointed Ike Slump.
-
-"That for that sand trick!" announced Ike. "And that's for dodging
-that waste ball."
-
-So sure was Ike of landing on Ralph's nose with one fist, that he
-supplemented his first announcement with the second one as his other
-fist circled to take Ralph on the side of the head.
-
-Ralph did not dodge. He inwardly laughed at Ike's clumsy tactics.
-With one hand he warded off both blows, drew back his free fist, and
-let it drive.
-
-"Ugh!" said Ike Slump.
-
-As Ralph's knotty knuckles took him under the chin, there was a snap, a
-whirl, and Ike Slump keeled clear off his balance and sat down on the
-ground.
-
-It was done so quickly and so neatly that Ike's cohorts were too
-astonished to move.
-
-"Get up--go for him!" directed the biggest boy in the gang.
-
-"I can't!" bellowed Ike, spitting out a tooth--"he's cracked my jaw.
-He had a spike in his hand!"
-
-"Foul, eh!" scowled the big fellow, hunching towards Ralph.
-
-The young railroader with a contemptuous smile extended both free
-palms. He shut them quickly together again, however, for he saw that
-Slump's crowd did not know the meaning of either honor or fairness.
-
-So determined and ready did he look that the big fellow hesitated.
-Ralph heard him give some directions to his companions, and the crowd
-moved forward in unison.
-
-"A rush, eh?" he said. "You're a fine bunch! but--come on."
-
-Ralph's spirit was now fully aroused. He had no ambition to shine as a
-pugilist, but he would always fight for his rights.
-
-The big fellow dashed at him, calling to his companions. Ralph shot
-out his right fist as quick as lightning. The blow went home, and the
-big bully blinked, spluttered, and reeled aside with his nose flattened.
-
-Two of his companions sprang at Ralph, one on each side. Ralph caught
-one by the throat, the other by the waistband. They were hitting away
-at him, but he knew how to dodge. To and fro they wrestled, Ralph
-knocking them together whenever he could, never letting go, and using
-them as a shield against the big fellow, who, as mad as a hornet and
-with a reckless look in his eye, had resumed the attack.
-
-Suddenly the latter managed to dodge behind Ralph, put out his foot,
-tripped him, and the trio fell to the ground.
-
-Ralph held on to his first assailants, struggling to a sitting position.
-
-At that moment the big bully ran upon him. The cowardly brute raised
-his foot to kick Ralph. The latter saw he was at the rascal's mercy.
-He let go the two squirming at his side, shot out a hand, and catching
-the uplifted foot brought its owner pell-mell down upon him.
-
-The bully struck his head in falling, and was momentarily dizzied.
-Ralph flopped clear over, sat upon him, and was kept busy warding off
-the blows of the two fellows he had released.
-
-There were six others in the gang. These now made an onrush. Ralph
-tried to calculate his chances and map out the best course to pursue.
-
-Just then a new element was injected into the scene.
-
-Around the corner of the pile of ties came a new figure with cyclonic
-precipitancy.
-
-It was Van, the guest of the cottage. He must have witnessed the scene
-from a distance. He swung to a halt, his face imperturbable as ever,
-but his eyes covering every object in the ensemble.
-
-"Fight," he said simply, and swinging both arms like battering arms
-sailed into the nearest adversary.
-
-"Don't strike him!" called out Ralph instantly--"he's wrong in his
-head!"
-
-"We'll right it for him!" announced one of the crowd.
-
-The speaker swung a bag as he spoke. It seemed to contain something
-bulky, for as it just missed Van's head and bounded on the shoulders of
-one of the user's own friends, the latter went down like a lump of lead.
-
-Van never stopped. In a kind of windmill progress he struck out,
-sideways, in all directions. In two minutes' time he had cleared the
-field, every combatant was in flight, and leaning over and seizing the
-big bully squirming under Ralph, he weighted him on a dead balance for
-a second, and then sent him sliding ten feet along the ground after his
-beaten fellows.
-
-Ralph released the other two and let them run for safety, actually
-afraid that his friend Van would do them some serious injury with that
-phenomenal ox-like strength stored up in his sturdy arms.
-
-But Van was as cool as an iceberg. He was not even out of breath.
-
-"More," he said
-
-"No, no, Van!" demurred Ralph. "You've done nobly, old fellow. Let
-them go, they've had their medicine. Carry this for me," and Ralph
-thrust his dinner pail into Van's hand, more to divert his attention
-than anything else. "They've left something behind, it seems."
-
-Ralph picked up the bag he had seen used as a missile. Its weight
-aroused his curiosity, he peered into the bag.
-
-"I see!" he murmured gravely to himself.
-
-In the bottom of the bag was about thirty pounds of brass fittings.
-Ralph had seen bin after bin of their counterparts in the supply sheds
-near the roundhouse, and never in any quantity anywhere else.
-
-These, like those, were stamped, and bore the impress that they were
-railroad property.
-
-"You can come with me, Van," said Ralph, and turned back in the
-direction of the roundhouse.
-
-The foreman was just leaving the office, Ralph dropped the bag inside
-the room.
-
-"What's that, Fairbanks?" inquired Forgan, as he heard the stuff jangle.
-
-"It's some brass fittings," explained Ralph. "I am sure they belong to
-the company. I found them in the hands of a gang of hoodlums, and of
-course they were stolen."
-
-"Eh? hold on--this interests me!" and Forgan proceeded to inspect the
-contents of the bag "That's bad!" he commented with knit brows. "A
-leak like that shows something rotten on the inside! Tell me more
-about this affair, Fairbanks."
-
-Ralph fancied he now understood the mission of the tramp who was in
-such close touch with Ike Slump, and also the reason why Slump's dinner
-pail was so heavy.
-
-He did not, however, impart his suspicions to the foreman. The latter
-muttered something about the thing being important, and that he must
-look into it deeper, as Ralph stated that he had been assaulted by a
-gang of hoodlums who had left the bag of fittings behind them.
-
-"Who are they?" questioned the foreman.
-
-"I don't know their names."
-
-"Was Ike Slump among them?" shrewdly interrogated Forgan.
-
-"I don't care to say," answered Ralph.
-
-"You needn't, I can guess the rest. Only don't forget what you do know
-if somebody higher up asks about this matter. I'm responsible here,
-and a leak in the supply department has dished more than one foreman.
-Thank you, Fairbanks--thank you again," added the foreman with real
-sentiment in glance and accents.
-
-About ten o'clock the next morning Ralph was called to the foreman's
-office.
-
-He expected some further developments in the matter of the brass
-fittings, but, upon entering the room, found himself face to face with
-Ike Slump's father.
-
-The foreman was, or pretended to be, busy at his desk. Slump senior
-looked very much troubled. Ralph shrank from his repulsive face and a
-memory of his nefarious calling, but he nodded politely as Slump asked:
-
-"This is young Fairbanks?"
-
-The saloon keeper fidgeted for a minute or two. Then he said:
-
-"I don't suppose you bear any particular good will towards me or mine,
-Fairbanks, but I've had to come to you. My boy assaulted you last
-night, I understand."
-
-"Why, no," answered Ralph, with a slight smile--"he only tried to."
-
-"Well, it's just this: He's in trouble, and he's likely to go deeper
-unless he's stopped. He keeps out of my way. His mother is
-heart-broken and sick abed over his doings."
-
-"I am very sorry," said Ralph. "Can I do anything to help you, Mr.
-Slump?"
-
-"I think you can," answered Slump. "You know Ike and his associates,
-and maybe you can get track of their hang-out. I can't. Fairbanks,"
-and the man's voice broke, "it's killing my wife! It's a lot to ask of
-you, under the circumstances, but Forgan says you seem to have a knack
-of doing everything right. I want you to find my boy--I want you to
-try to prevail on him to come home. Will you?"
-
-Ralph was a good deal moved as he thought of the stricken mother. He
-had small hopes of Ike Slump--smaller than ever, as he considered the
-manner of man his father was, but he answered promptly:
-
-"I'll try, Mr. Slump."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY?
-====================================
-
-Big Denny came to where Ralph was putting the finishing touches to one
-of the fast runners of the road about ten o'clock one morning.
-
-Nobody in the world enjoyed talk and gossip like the veteran watchman,
-as Ralph well knew, and it really pleased him to have his company, for
-among the driftwood of all his desultory confidences Denny usually
-produced some point interesting or enlightening.
-
-On this especial occasion there was a zest to the old watchman's
-greeting of the young railroader that indicated he had something of
-more than ordinary interest to impart.
-
-"By the way, Fairbanks," he observed, "I saw that rich old hunks,
-Farrington, this morning. He was down here."
-
-"At the roundhouse, you mean?" inquired Ralph, with some interest.
-
-"Well, not exactly. He was over by the switch towers, met Forgan, and
-had quite a talk with him. Thought I'd post you."
-
-"Why, what about?" asked Ralph.
-
-"He'll be after you, next."
-
-"Not until the first of next month, when the interest is due, I fancy,"
-said Ralph. "I do not think Mr. Farrington has any interest in us
-outside of his semi-annual interest."
-
-"He'll be nosing around, see if he isn't!" predicted Denny oracularly.
-"I've got a tip to give you, Fairbanks. I got the point yesterday.
-There's some talk of running a switch over to Bloomdale. If they do,
-they'll have to condemn a right of way, along where you live. Word to
-the wise, eh? nuff said!" and Denny departed, with a significant wink.
-
-Ralph wondered if there was any real basis to Denny's intimation. He
-fancied it was only one of the rumors constantly floating around about
-prospective railroad improvements.
-
-That evening, however, Ralph received a suggestion that put him on his
-guard, if nothing more.
-
-He had gone down town to get some nails for Van, who was building a new
-chicken coop, when he met Grif Farrington.
-
-"Just looking for you," declared Grif. "I say, Fairbanks, the old man
-is anxious to see you."
-
-"Your uncle wants to see me?" repeated Ralph incredulously.
-
-"Right away. Asked me to find you and tell you. Business, he says,
-and important. You couldn't run up to the house now, could you?" he
-added.
-
-Ralph hesitated--he was suspicious of old Gasper Farrington, and he had
-no business with him, for it was his mother's province to attend to
-anything concerning their money dealings, and he did not feel warranted
-in interfering.
-
-On second thought, however, Ralph decided that they could not know too
-much of the plots and intentions of Farrington, and he told Grif he
-would go up to the house at once.
-
-Gasper Farrington lived in a fine old mansion, from parsimony, however,
-allowed to go to decay, so that all that was really attractive about
-the place were the grounds.
-
-Ralph found the magnate seated on the porch. He knew that something
-was up as Farrington arose with a great show of welcome, made him sit
-down in the easiest chair, and treated him as if he were the dearest
-friend the old man had in the world.
-
-"You sent for me, Mr. Farrington?" Ralph observed, between some
-flattering but meaningless remarks of his wily host.
-
-"Why, yes--yes," assented Farrington.
-
-"On business, your nephew told me."
-
-"H'm--hardly that. I'll tell you, Fairbanks, I have been greatly
-interested and pleased to notice the manly course you have taken."
-
-"Thank you, Mr. Farrington."
-
-"In fact, I have taken pains to inquire of your direct employers as to
-your capability and record, and am gratified to find them
-good--exceptionally good."
-
-Ralph wondered what was coming next.
-
-"Your father was my friend--I want to be yours. I am not without a
-certain interest and influence in the matter of the railroad, as you
-may know, and I have decided to exert myself in your behalf."
-
-"You are very kind," said Ralph.
-
-"Not at all. I recognize merit, and I--u'm! I feel a decided duty in
-the premises. The auditor of the road at Springfield holds his office
-through my recommendation. I was talking with him yesterday, and I
-have a proposition to make you. I will give you five hundred dollars
-more than the market price for your house and lot, rent you a place I
-own at Springfield for a mere nominal turn, and guarantee you a good
-office position in the auditor's department there at forty dollars a
-month to start in with."
-
-Ralph opened his eyes wide. It was certainly a tempting bait. Had any
-person but crafty old Gasper Farrington made the tender, he might have
-jumped at it.
-
-Instantly, however, he remembered what Denny had said about the new
-line, recalled the fact that Farrington had never been known to make a
-bad bargain, compared confining labor over a desk in a hot, stifling
-room with the free, glad dash of mail and express, the bracing air, the
-constant change of real railroad life, reflected that once away from
-Stanley Junction he and his mother would never be likely to learn more
-of Farrington's past doings with his dead father, and--Ralph decided.
-
-"Mr. Farrington," he said, "in regard to the cottage, that is my
-mother's sole business, and I do not think she could be induced to sell
-you a place that has been a very dear home to her. As to myself--I
-thank you for your kind intentions, but at present I have no desire to
-change my work."
-
-"Why not--why not?" cried Farrington. He had been unctuous, smirking
-and eager. Now his brow darkened, and his thin lips came together in a
-sour, vicious way.
-
-"Well, I have marked out a certain thorough course after much thought
-and advice, and do not like to depart from it."
-
-Gasper Farrington got up and paced the porch restlessly. The old
-rancor and dislike came back to his thin, shrewd face.
-
-"You'll regret it!" he mumbled.
-
-"I hope not," said Ralph, rising also.
-
-"Young man," observed Farrington, stabbing at his guest with a
-quivering finger, "I warn you that you are taking an obstinate and
-fatal course."
-
-"Warn?" echoed Ralph--"that is pretty strong language, isn't it, Mr.
-Farrington?"
-
-"And I mean it to be so!" cried Farrington, casting aside all disguise.
-"I said I had influence. I have. You can't work for the Great
-Northern in Stanley Junction, if I say not."
-
-Ralph stared at the speaker incredulously. He could not comprehend how
-Farrington could show the bad policy to put himself on record with such
-a remark, be his intentions what they might.
-
-"In fact, sir," said Ralph, "you mean to intimate that you will get me
-discharged?"
-
-"I mean just that," unblushingly admitted Farrington. "I will allow no
-pauper brood to stand in the way of my--of my----"
-
-Ralph felt the blood surge hotly to his temples. With a strong effort
-he controlled himself.
-
-"Mr. Farrington," he said quietly, though his voice trembled a trifle,
-"you have said quite enough. I want to tell you that you are a wicked,
-hypocritical old man. You have no interest in my welfare--you are
-after our little property, because you have learned that the railroad
-may soon pay a big price for it. You want us out of Stanley Junction,
-because you are afraid we may find out something about your dealings
-with my dead father. To carry your point, you threaten me--me, a poor
-boy, just starting in to win his way by hard work--you threaten to plot
-against and ruin me. Very well, Mr. Farrington, go ahead. I have too
-much reliance in the teachings of a good mother to believe that you
-will succeed."
-
-"What! what!" shouted the magnate, almost choking with rage and
-mortification at this unvarnished arraignment, "you dare to tell me
-this? In my own house!"
-
-"You invited me here," suggested Ralph.
-
-"Get out--get out!" cried Farrington, running to the door for his cane.
-
-"You will fail," spoke Ralph, going down the steps. "You won't gag me
-as you have others. As you did----"
-
-Like an inspiration a suggestion came to Ralph Fairbanks' mind at that
-moment.
-
-It seemed as if he had right before his eyes once more the mysterious,
-blurred letter that Van had brought. He recalled one of its last
-words. He had mistaken it for "Farewell." Now the light flashed in
-upon his soul. "Farwell" was the name Big Denny had spoken--"Farwell
-Gibson."
-
-"As you did Farwell Gibson," concluded Ralph, at a venture.
-
-"Who? Come back! Stay, Fairbanks, one word!"
-
-The old man's face had grown white. His eyes seemed suddenly haunted
-with dread.
-
-"That name!" he gasped, clutching at a chair for support. "What do you
-know of Farwell Gibson?"
-
-"Only," answered Ralph, "that he wrote to my father last week."
-
-"He--wrote--" choked out Farrington, "last week--to your
-father--Farwell Gibson!"
-
-The information was the capping climax. The old man uttered a groan,
-fell over, carrying the chair he grasped with him, and lay on the porch
-floor in a fit.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIX--IKE SLUMP'S FRIENDS
-================================
-
-When Ralph reached home after his exciting half-hour with Gasper
-Farrington, he was considerably wrought up.
-
-He had called for assistance at the Farrington home as soon as its
-owner went down in a fit, a servant had hurried to the porch, between
-them they got Farrington into the house and on a couch, a physician was
-telephoned for, and as soon as he saw returning signs of consciousness
-on the part of his host and discerned that his condition was not really
-serious, Ralph left the place.
-
-Van had gone to bed, and Ralph found his mother alone. They sat in the
-little parlor, conversing. Mrs. Fairbanks was very much perturbed at
-Ralph's recital of his sensational encounter with Gasper Farrington.
-
-"I fear he is an evil man, Ralph," she said, with anxiety. "He has
-power, and he will not hesitate to misuse it."
-
-"He seems to be determined to drive us out of Stanley Junction," said
-Ralph. "And I fear he may succeed."
-
-"Not while I have you to care for and your interests to protect!"
-declared Ralph, with vim. "That old man has aroused the fighting blood
-in me, mother, and I'll see this thing through, and stay right on the
-spot, if I have to peddle papers for a living. But don't you worry
-about his getting me discharged. I have made some friends in the
-railroad business, and I believe they will stick by me."
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks sighed in a worried way.
-
-"I wish you had not run counter to him to-night," she said.
-
-"I am glad," responded Ralph. "Don't you see he has shown his hand?
-Why, mother, can anything be plainer than that he realizes our presence
-here to be a constant menace to some of his interests? And as to that
-random shot about Farwell Gibson--it told. He is afraid of us and this
-Gibson. Well, it has all cleared the way to definite action."
-
-"What do you mean, Ralph?"
-
-"I mean that the letter Van brought us must have been very important.
-I believe this man, Gibson, is alive, but in hiding. He shows it by
-the roundabout, laborious way he took to send the letter, and his
-ignorance of father's death. I believe that letter hinted at his
-knowledge of wrongs Farrington has done us. If we can find this
-person, I feel positive he can impart information of vital value to our
-interests."
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks acquiesced in her son's theories, but was timorous about
-further antagonizing their enemy. It was mostly for Ralph and his
-prospects that she cared.
-
-"I have been thinking the whole matter over, mother," proceeded Ralph,
-"and I believe I see my course plain before me. As soon as I can, I am
-going to ask the foreman to give me a couple of days' leave of absence.
-Then I will get Mr. Griscom to take Van and me on his run, and return.
-Van came in on his morning run, so I conjecture he must have got on the
-train somewhere between Stanley Junction and the terminal. Is it not
-possible, going back over the course, that he may show recognition of
-some spot with which he is familiar?"
-
-"Yes, Ralph, that looks reasonable."
-
-"Once we know where he came from, and find his friends, we can trace up
-this Mr. Gibson. Don't you see, mother?"
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks did see, and commended Ralph's clear, ready wit in
-formulating the plan suggested. She did not show much enthusiasm,
-however. She was more than content with the present--a comfortable
-home, a manly, ambitious boy at her side, full of devotion to her, and
-making his way steadily to the front.
-
-Ralph was called into the foreman's office almost as soon as he reached
-the roundhouse next morning.
-
-Forgan looked serious and acted anxious.
-
-"Sit down, Fairbanks," he directed, closing the door after his visitor.
-"We're in trouble here, and I guess you will have to lift us out of it."
-
-"Can I, Mr. Forgan?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"You can help, that's sure. Those brass fittings you found were stolen
-from the railroad company."
-
-"I thought that. They had the Great Northern stamp on them."
-
-"That isn't the worst of it. Some one has been systematically rifling
-the supply bins. I suppose you know that some of these pinions and
-valves are very nearly worth their weight in silver?"
-
-"I know they must cost considerable, those of a special pattern,"
-assented Ralph.
-
-"They do. That little heap you brought in the bag represents something
-over fifty dollars to the company."
-
-Ralph was surprised at this declaration.
-
-"To an outsider they are not worth one-tenth that amount, because there
-is a penalty for selling them, even as junk, and the only people who
-handle them are stolen-goods receivers, who melt them down. Well,
-Fairbanks, I started an investigation in the supply department last
-evening. The result is astonishing."
-
-The foreman's grave manner indicated that he had some pretty
-sensational disclosures in reserve.
-
-"We find," continued Forgan, "that there has been cunning, systematic
-thievery; some one entirely familiar with the supply sheds and their
-system has removed a large amount of plunder, probably a little at a
-time. They, or he, whoever it is, did not excite suspicions by taking
-the fittings from the bins, but tapped the reserve boxes and kegs in
-the storeroom. We estimate that nearly two thousand dollars' worth of
-stuff has been stolen."
-
-Ralph was astonished at this statement.
-
-"That means trouble for me," announced the foreman, "unless I can
-remedy it. I am supposed to employ reliable men, and safeguard the
-goods in their charge. The railroad company doesn't stop to find
-excuses for shortages, they simply discharge a man who is not smart
-enough to protect his own and the company's interests."
-
-"I understand," murmured Ralph.
-
-"A new inventory is due next month. I must recover that stolen
-plunder--at least discover the thieves--to square myself before then,"
-announced Forgan. "We can't afford to dodge any corners, Fairbanks,
-and I want you to be clear and open with me. I believe that young
-rascal, Ike Slump, had a hand in the robbery, and I further believe
-that you know it to be a fact."
-
-"I do not positively know it, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph.
-
-"But you suspect it, eh? Don't shield a rogue, Fairbanks. It isn't
-fair to me and it isn't fair to the company. Ike's father told me this
-morning you promised to try and find his son for him. I think you are
-shrewd enough to do it. All right--at the same time keep in mind my
-interest in the affair, and try and get a clew from Ike Slump as to
-those stolen fittings. You can call the day off--I'll pay your time
-out of my own pocket."
-
-Ralph understood what was expected of him. He received the suggestions
-of his superior without further questioning, as if they comprised a
-regular order, went to his locker, and in a few minutes was ready for
-the street.
-
-He did not know where to find Ike Slump, but he was thoroughly
-acquainted with the town, which had its rough quarters, like all other
-railroad centers.
-
-Extending from the depot along the tracks for half a mile were small
-hotels, workingmen's boarding houses, second-hand stores, restaurants
-saloons, and all kinds of little business places.
-
-They comprised a nest where most of the drinking and all of the crime
-of the place occurred. It was not a desirable quarter, but Ralph
-realized that within its precincts he was likely to locate Ike Slump,
-if at all in Stanley Junction.
-
-Ralph put in an hour strolling in the vicinity. He kept a keen eye out
-for those of Ike's chosen chums whom he knew. He did not believe that
-Ike was likely to show himself much in the day-time. His father had
-been unable to find him, and Ike probably had some safe hide-out, and
-pickets on the lookout, besides.
-
-About eleven o'clock, coming down the tracks near the scene of the
-battle royal, Ralph discovered half a dozen boys in the rear yard of a
-blacksmith shop.
-
-Various vehicles, sheds and general yard litter enabled Ralph to
-approach them unobserved. He fancied that at least two of the crowd
-had been mixed up in the fracas which Van's valiant onslaught had
-terminated, for one had a swollen nose and another a black eye.
-
-Ralph suddenly appeared before the crowd, engrossed in their game.
-They rose up, startled. Then he was apparently recognized, for a quick
-murmur went the rounds, and they quickly hunched together with lowering
-brows and suspicious looks.
-
-"I want to have a word with you fellows," said Ralph bluntly.
-
-They were six to one, and here was a golden opportunity to avenge the
-ignominious defeat they had sustained. Ralph's off-hand bearing,
-however, his clear eye and manly tones, impressed them, and perhaps,
-too, they had a wholesome fear that his giant-fisted champion, Van,
-might be lurking in the vicinity.
-
-No one spoke, and Ralph resumed.
-
-"See here, boys, this is business. I want to find Ike Slump, and it's
-for his own good. He's likely to get into trouble if he doesn't see
-his father very soon, and it will be the police, not me, next visit.
-His mother's sick, boys, sick abed, and heart-broken over his absence.
-Come, fellows, tell me where he is."
-
-"You're pretty fresh!" spoke out one of the crowd. "What are you
-after? a bluff, or a give-away?"
-
-"If you mean I am misrepresenting Ike's danger, or that I have any
-unfriendly feeling towards him," said Ralph, "you are entirely wrong.
-I'm trying to help him, for the sake of his poor mother and others--not
-hurt him."
-
-Two or three heads went close together. There was a brief undertoned
-conference.
-
-"We don't bite," finally announced the spokesman of the crowd. "We'll
-take your message to Ike. If he wants to find you, he knows how."
-
-"All right," said Ralph, moving away--"only he may wait too long. I'll
-give you a quarter to put me in touch with him for two minutes."
-
-No one responded to the offer. A little dirty-faced urchin, who looked
-unhappy and out of place with that motley crew, looked longingly at
-Ralph. No one called him back as he moved slowly away.
-
-Ralph left the place, and had gone about two hundred yards down the
-track along a high fence, when he heard a thin, piping voice call out:
-
-"Hold on, mister, back up--I want to tell you something!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XX--THE HIDE-OUT
-========================
-
-"Where are you?" Ralph inquired, somewhat mystified.
-
-"Here I am--the wiggling stick. I'm behind it."
-
-"Oh! I see!" said Ralph--"and who are you?"
-
-"Me? Oh, nobody in particular."
-
-Ralph now discovered that his challenger was on the other side of the
-close board fence, and through a crack was moving a thin splinter of
-wood up and down to indicate his exact location. Ralph came up to the
-spot.
-
-"What do you want?" he inquired.
-
-"That quarter, mister--you know, back there with the gang, I heard you.
-Well, here I am. Pass through the coin, will you?"
-
-Ralph got a dim focus through the crack, and surmised that the speaker
-was the dirty-faced little fellow who had looked at him so longingly
-when he offered the money.
-
-"You know where Ike Slump is?" asked Ralph.
-
-"No, I don't, mister."
-
-"Well, then?"
-
-"But I can put you on."
-
-"On to what?"
-
-"Where he goes every night--where you're sure to find him after dark."
-
-"Well, tell me."
-
-"See here, mister," piped the little fellow in an uncertain voice.
-"The gang 'd kill me if they knew I was giving 'em away, but I'm just
-about starving. Because I'm little they make me do all kinds of work,
-and when there's anything to eat they forget I'm around. They stole
-some melons out of the cars last night. All I got was the rind."
-
-"Who are you, anyway?" asked Ralph.
-
-"Oh, I'm nobody. I was at the county farm, but run away and got in
-with these fellows. Wish I was back! I'd go, only they'd punish me
-and lock me up. You give me the quarter, and I'll meet you later and
-show you where Ike Slump hangs out nights."
-
-"You'll keep your promise?"
-
-"Honor bright!"
-
-"Where will you be?"
-
-"Right here, only outside the fence."
-
-"What time?"
-
-"Just at dark."
-
-"I'll do it," said Ralph, slipping a twenty-five-cent piece through the
-crack in the fence. "Remember, now. I trust you, and I'll give you as
-much more to-night if you don't play me any tricks."
-
-"Crackey! that's fine; only you keep mum on my showing you?"
-
-"I certainly will," assured Ralph.
-
-He did not feel certain that he had accomplished much. It all depended
-on the reliability of the urchin. Ralph went back to the roundhouse
-and told the foreman he could do nothing further toward locating Ike
-Slump until nightfall, and put in the afternoon at his regular duties,
-although Forgan told him he need not do so.
-
-Ralph went home at quitting-time, got his supper, explained to his
-mother that he had something to attend to for the foreman, and not to
-worry if he was not back early.
-
-He reached the rendezvous agreed on at dusk, and after a few minutes'
-waiting saw the little fellow of the morning coming down the tracks.
-
-"I'm here," announced the new arrival.
-
-"So am I, as you see," answered Ralph. "How did you get on
-to-day--let's see, what is your name?"
-
-"Teddy."
-
-"All right, Teddy. Did you get something to eat?"
-
-"Not a great deal. The fellow saw me buying some grub. I told 'em I
-found a quarter, and they made me play craps with the change--twenty
-cents."
-
-"Of course you lost."
-
-"Oh, sure--knew that before I began. They always win, them fellows.
-Say, mister, please, I'll go ahead alone, because if any of them should
-happen to see me with you it would be all-day for Teddy!"
-
-"Go ahead," directed Ralph.
-
-The boy went down the tracks. At the end of the fence he turned into a
-yard with a barn at the back. The building in front was a dilapidated
-two-story frame structure. The windows at the rear were fastened up,
-but the one doorway visible was open, and led into a dark hallway.
-
-Teddy had paused near a wagon, and looked anxious to get away.
-
-"That's the place," he said. "You go in that door and up some stairs.
-There's a big room in front where the crowd meet nights, and play
-cards, and drink and smoke. Ike Slump spends all his evenings here."
-
-"All right," said Ralph. "There's another quarter. See here, Teddy,
-if you'll come down to the roundhouse to-morrow, I'll give you a good
-dinner. I want to have a talk with you."
-
-"Well, I'll see," said the urchin, palming the coin with a chuckle and
-disappearing at once.
-
-Ralph looked the place over. Finally, from his knowledge of the street
-beyond, he located it properly in his mind. The building, was in the
-middle of what was known as Rotten Row. It was a double store front,
-one half of which was occupied by a cheap barber shop. The other half,
-Ralph remembered, was a second-hand clothing store run by a man named
-Cohen, who also did something in the pawnbroker line.
-
-Ralph had often noticed the dilapidated place, and knew that its
-denizens had a shady reputation. He realized that Cohen was just about
-the man to encourage boys to hang around and steal, and doubtless
-controlled the rooms upstairs.
-
-Ralph entered the dark rear hallway after some deliberation. When he
-reached the top of the stairs he paused and listened.
-
-Under the crack of the door some gleams of light showed. The front
-room of the upper story lay beyond, Ralph theorized. He could catch a
-low hum of voices, the click of dominoes, and there was a tobacco taint
-in the atmosphere. He ran his hand over the door, but it had no knob.
-the keyhole was plugged up, and he could not see into the room.
-
-Ralph judged from the appearance of things that Ike Slump came to the
-place by the front way, so there was no use waiting for him at the rear
-stairs. He reasoned, too, that if he went around to the front he would
-be seen by some of Ike's cohorts, and the latter would be warned and
-kept out of the way.
-
-"I wish I could get a chance into that front room," mused Ralph. "Once
-I come in range of Ike, I think I can at least say enough to get him to
-listen to me."
-
-There was one other room on the second floor and one other door. Ralph
-found a knob here. But the door was locked. It had, unlike the other
-door, a transom. The sash of this was gone, and the space stopped up
-with a loose sheet of manilla paper.
-
-Ralph lightly lifted himself to the knob on one foot. He pushed at the
-paper, and it moved out free except at two corners where it was tacked.
-It was no trick at all for Ralph to lift himself through the transom
-and drop to the floor on the other side.
-
-With some satisfaction he noticed that this room connected with the
-front apartment, the light coming in over its transom reflecting into
-the rear room so that he could make out its contents plainly.
-
-At one side stood a big hogshead nearly full of loose excelsior, used
-for packing. Near it were as many as twenty flat boxes. Ralph touched
-one with his foot. He could not budge it, and then, drawing closer, he
-looked into a box with its cover off, and saw that it was nearly full
-of brass fittings.
-
-"They're here, there's a lot of them," breathed Ralph quickly, "packed
-up for shipment. This is a find! What had I better do?"
-
-The discovery modified all Ralph's prearranged plans. He knew quite
-well that if found in this room his presence would show a *prima facie*
-evidence that he knew the storage place of the stolen plunder. Ralph
-decided to get out as quickly as he had got in, and try to come upon
-Ike from some other point of the compass, without giving the alarm to
-Cohen, or whoever really controlled the stolen goods.
-
-Before he could make a move, however, a key grated in the lock of the
-connecting room. The knob was broken off on the inside of the door
-over which he had just clambered. To reach the transom and get
-sufficient purchase to let himself over through the aperture he would
-have to have a box or chair to stand on.
-
-There was no time to select either. The door leading to the front room
-came briskly open. Ralph looked for a hiding place. None presented,
-for the boxes lay flat on the floor, and the hogshead was away from the
-side wall.
-
-Ralph thought quick and acted on an impulse. He thrust his arm down
-into the hogshead. Its light contents gave way to the touch.
-
-Leaping its rim, Ralph sank as in a snowbank, ducked down his head,
-pulled the stringy wooden fiber over it, and snuggled inside the
-hogshead, out of view.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXI--A FREE RIDE
-========================
-
-The hogshead in which Ralph had ensconced himself was made of loose,
-defective staves. He found himself facing an aperture, through which
-he could look quite readily.
-
-Two persons entered the room. One was Ike Slump. The other Ralph
-recognized as the second-hand dealer, Cohen. The latter carried a
-lamp, which he placed on a shelf. He closed the door after him, and
-sat down on a box. Ralph's range of vision was immediately impeded.
-Ike had lifted himself to the edge of the hogshead and perched there,
-his feet dangling and beating a tattoo on the staves with his heels.
-
-"Now then, Slump," were Cohen's first words, "you're bound to leave?"
-
-"Haven't I got to?" demanded Ike testily. "I'm in a nice box, I
-am--lost my job, don't dare to go home, and no money."
-
-"I gave you some."
-
-"A measly ten dollars in a week, not a fiftieth part of what I brought
-in. See here, Cohen, you haven't given me a fair deal. I've taken all
-the risk, and what have I got?"
-
-"The risk? the risk?" repeated Cohen. "My young friend, it's me who
-takes all the risk. Suppose the railroad men should drop in here and
-find the stuff? Where would I be? As to money, will anybody else you
-know touch the stuff?"
-
-"Well, I've got to get some funds, I'm going to slope the town for
-good," announced Ike. "Now, there'll be no slip up if I carry out your
-plans?"
-
-"Not a bit of it," answered Cohen. "I have no facilities here for
-handling railroad junk. Jacobs, at Dover, has. I don't dare to ship
-it by rail. He has his own melters. I furnish the horse and wagon.
-We'll load you up, and cover the boxes with vegetables. All you've got
-to do is to drive out of town and deliver the goods at Dover. You say
-your friend, the tramp, will go with you?"
-
-"Yes, but what about the team? I won't come back, you know. I'm going
-West for a spell."
-
-"Jacobs will attend to the team. See, here is a letter--give it to
-him. He'll give you the twenty-five dollars I promised you, and that's
-the end of it."
-
-"All right. What time shall we start?"
-
-"When the town is asleep, and nobody nosing around. Say one o'clock,
-sharp."
-
-"I'll be ready."
-
-The conference seemed ended. Ralph comprehended that his double
-mission would be ineffective unless he got word to Ike Slump's father
-and the roundhouse foreman within the next four hours.
-
-He lay snug and still, formulating an escape from the place as soon as
-the two plotters should withdraw.
-
-Ike slipped to the floor, took out a cigarette, lit it, threw the match
-away, and stretched his arms and yawned.
-
-"Give me a little loose change to play with the crowd, Cohen, will
-you?" he asked.
-
-Cohen reached in his pocket, but very quickly drew out his hand again
-empty, to point it excitedly at the hogshead with the sharp cry.
-
-"Fire! look there! You stupid, see what you've done!"
-
-"What have I done? Ginger--the cigarette!"
-
-Ralph quivered as he listened and looked. A swishing sound accompanied
-a brilliant flare. Ike had carelessly thrown the match with which he
-had lighted his cigarette into the midst of the dry, tindery excelsior.
-
-"Put it out! Stamp it out!" yelled Cohen.
-
-Ike grabbed a handful or two of the flaming mass, burned his fingers,
-and retreated, while Cohen made a frightened rush for a stand in one
-corner of the room holding a big pitcher.
-
-He ran at the hogshead with it. It was half-full of water. Cohen
-doused it into the hogshead just as Ralph, unable to stand the pressure
-any longer, arose upright.
-
-Ike gave a stare and a shout. Cohen jumped back with alarm in his
-face. The water had extinguished the blaze, but the episode had
-betrayed Ralph's presence to his enemy.
-
-"Who are you?" ejaculated Cohen darkly, grasping, the pitcher and again
-advancing.
-
-"Needn't ask him--I know!" snapped out Ike. "Grab him, Cohen! It's
-Ralph Fairbanks, from the roundhouse, and he's a spy!"
-
-Ralph leaned a hand on the hogshead rim to get purchase for a leap out
-of his difficulties. Ike made a spring for him and grabbed one arm,
-preventing the movement.
-
-"If he's a railroader and a spy," cried Cohen, "we're in for it!"
-
-"Don't let him go, then--oh!"
-
-Ike went spinning, for Ralph had given him a quick blow, knocking him
-aside. Cohen swung the pitcher aloft. Down it came with terrific
-force. Ralph experienced a blow on the side of the head that instantly
-shut out sense and sight. He fell over the edge of the hogshead, and
-hung there limp and lifeless.
-
-It was the first blank in his life. Its duration Ralph could only
-surmise as he opened his eyes. At first he fancied he was blind, for
-everything was pitchy black about him. He sat up with difficulty,
-putting a hand to his head where it felt sore and smarted.
-
-Ralph found a bad cut there, which had bled profusely. The blow with
-the pitcher had been cruelly heavy. He sat up, swaying to and fro, and
-soon traced out his environment.
-
-He was in a freight car, its doors and windows were closed, and it was
-rolling along at a good fast rate of speed.
-
-Ralph reasoned out his situation. His enemies had fancied he was
-seriously hurt, or wanted him out of the way until they could safely
-remove the stolen plunder. His hopes and plans were effectually balked
-if he had been long insensible, or was far on the free trip, for which
-they had booked him. They had carried him from Cohen's rooms by way of
-the back stairs, had thrown him into the empty car, and had left him to
-his fate.
-
-Ralph tried the side door of the car. To his satisfaction it shoved
-open freely. Getting his eyes used to the darkness and his mind
-clearer, as the moments sped by, he endeavored to guess his location
-and estimate the time.
-
-He was partly familiar with the road, and knew considerable as to the
-various passenger and freight trains and their schedule and route.
-Ralph concluded that he was on the regular nine o'clock freight, which
-usually hauled empties, going south. Judging from distant lights in
-houses scattered on the landscape, he estimated that it was about ten
-o'clock.
-
-He soon surmised from landmarks he passed that the train was not on the
-main line. As he neared a cattle pen he knew exactly where he was--two
-miles from Acton and about twenty-two from Stanley Junction.
-
-"They don't stop for ten miles," quickly reckoned Ralph. "There's the
-creek. I've got to get to Acton and back to the Junction before
-midnight, if I hope to accomplish anything."
-
-The train slowed somewhat on the up grade. Ralph clung to the door and
-looked ahead. It was a long train, and he was at about its middle. He
-had an idea of trying to get to the roof, run back to the caboose, and
-try and interest the conductor. On second thought, however, he
-realized that he could not expect them to stop for him. He would only
-lose time. A daring idea presented itself to his mind, and his breath
-came quick. An opportunity hovered, and he had too much reliance in
-himself to let it pass by.
-
-"I've got to get back and stop the removal of that stolen plunder," he
-kept telling himself over and over, fixing his eyes on the signals that
-indicated the bridge over the creek.
-
-Ralph posed for a spring as the locomotive struck the bridge and the
-gleaming waters came nearer and nearer. The bridge had no railing, and
-they were on the outer side; Ralph posed himself steady and true, let
-go the door, and leaped into the darkness as the car he was in reached
-the middle of the bridge.
-
-Then he dropped down like a shot, struck the cold, deep water, and went
-under.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXII--BEHIND TIME
-=========================
-
-The boy was completely at home in the water, but the present instance
-was somewhat extraordinary. The shock and chill of his daring jump,
-added to his naturally weakened condition after Cohen's stunning blow
-with the pitcher, helped to confuse him. But he never lost his
-presence of mind, and as he felt himself deprived of his usual
-buoyancy, he struck out under water for the shore.
-
-He waited on the bank long enough for the water to drip off from him,
-and getting his breath, started to regain the railroad tracks.
-
-When he came to a little station he found it closed for the night, but
-he knew that the agent must live in some one of the few houses in the
-settlement. He might locate him and induce him to come to the station
-and telegraph to Stanley Junction. With the aid of a signal lantern,
-however, Ralph was able to see the clock in the station. It was a few
-minutes after ten o'clock.
-
-"There's a train reaches the Junction at eleven twenty-five," he
-reflected. "By hustling I can catch it at Acton. I can tell more and
-do more personally in five minutes than I can in five hours by wiring."
-
-Ralph reached Acton some minutes before the West train came in. He had
-some change in his pocket, paid his fare to the Junction, and went out
-on the rear platform as they neared the destination.
-
-He left the train a mile from the depot, swinging off at a point that
-would enable him to reach the roundhouse foreman's house by a short cut.
-
-Ralph found the place closed up. There was a light in one upper room,
-however, and he had only to knock twice when Forgan came to the door in
-his shirt-sleeves.
-
-"Is it you, Fairbanks?" he said, in some surprise.
-
-"Yes, sir, and--special!"
-
-"Why, what have you been into?" exclaimed Forgan, catching a glimpse of
-Ralph's bedraggled form and disfigured head.
-
-"I have been in a freight car for one thing, and in the river for
-another," said Ralph. "There is no time to lose, Mr. Forgan, if you
-want to get back those stolen fittings."
-
-"You know where they are?"
-
-"I know where they were at eight o'clock," responded Ralph, "but I know
-they won't be there much after midnight.
-
-"Good--wait a minute," directed Forgan.
-
-He hurried back into the house and returned drawing on his coat. "I
-was just going to bed," he explained. "Now, then, Fairbanks," as he
-led the way to the street. "Tell your story--quick."
-
-Ralph recited his experience of the past four hours, and Forgan
-hastened his steps as the narration developed the necessity of sharp,
-urgent action.
-
-"Fairbanks, you are a trump!" commended Forgan, as the story was all
-told. "I'll leave you here. You get home, into dry clothes, and have
-your hurt attended to. You had better take the sick-list benefits for
-a day or two. Good-night--till I have something more definite to say
-to you."
-
-A dismissal did not suit Ralph at all. It looked like crowding him out
-of an exciting and interesting game only half-finished.
-
-"I might help you some further," he began, but Forgan interrupted him
-with the words:
-
-"You've done the real work, Fairbanks, and neither of us will care to
-muddle in with the details of arrest. I shall put the matter directly
-in the hands of the road detective, Matthewson. I am sorry for his
-father's sake if Ike Slump gets caught in the net, but he deserves it
-fully, and I can't stop to risk the interests of the railway company."
-
-Ralph went home. As he expected, his mother was waiting up for him.
-She was not the kind of a woman to faint or get hysterical at the sight
-of a little blood, but she was anxious and trembling as she helped
-Ralph to get into comfortable trim.
-
-"Don't worry, mother," said Ralph. "This is probably the end of
-trouble with the Ike Slump complication."
-
-"I always fear an enemy, Ralph," sighed the widow. "It seems as if you
-are fated to have them at every step. I keep thinking day and night
-about Gasper Farrington's unmanly threat."
-
-"Mother," said Ralph earnestly, "I am trying to do right, am I not?"
-
-"Oh, Ralph--never a boy better!"
-
-"Thank you, mother, that is sweet praise, and worth going through the
-experience that will make a man of me. Well, I am going to keep right
-on doing my duty the best way I know how. I expect ups and downs. Men
-like Farrington may succeed for a time, but in the end I believe I
-shall come out just right."
-
-Ralph found himself a trifle sore and stiff the next morning, but he
-started for work as usual. He was curious as to the outcome of the
-foreman's action the night previous. Forgan, however, did not show up
-at the roundhouse till ten o'clock. He at once called Ralph into his
-little office.
-
-"Well, Fairbanks," he said briskly, "I suppose you will be interested
-to know the outcome of last night's affair?"
-
-"Very much so," acknowledged Ralph.
-
-"The road detective and myself were at Cohen's before midnight. The
-birds had flown."
-
-"Had they moved the plunder, too?"
-
-"Yes, what you described as being in boxes was all carted away."
-
-"And Ike Slump had gone?"
-
-"Presumably. We found that two horses and a wagon belonging to Cohen
-were missing. The only person we found, outside of Cohen, was a little
-fellow asleep in an outside shed."
-
-"Was his name Teddy?" And Ralph gave a rapid description of the county
-farm waif.
-
-"That's the boy. He's in jail with Cohen, now. They want to detain
-him as a witness. In Cohen's barn, hidden under some hay, we found two
-old locomotive whistles. He claims that he did not know they were
-there. The road detective, however, says if we can fasten the least
-real suspicion on Cohen and break up his fence, we will have rooted out
-this robbery evil, for the crowd he housed and encouraged to steal has
-scattered."
-
-"Has Mr. Matthewson tried to overtake the wagon?"
-
-"Yes, he has men out in pursuit. If we can recover those fittings,
-Fairbanks, it will be a glad day for me and a lucky one for you."
-
-But with the arrest of Cohen, his release on bail, bound over to appear
-before the September grand jury, the affair seemed ended.
-
-The little fellow, Teddy, could not, or would not tell, much and was
-also released. Ike Slump's crowd melted away, and Ike Slump, and his
-tramp friend, and Cohen's two horses and wagon, and the boxed-up brass
-fittings, had vanished as completely as if the earth had opened and
-swallowed them up.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIII--BARDON, THE INSPECTOR
-====================================
-
-Matters dropped into a pleasant routine for Ralph, the two weeks
-succeeding his rather stormy introduction into active railroad life at
-the roundhouse of the Great Northern at Stanley Junction.
-
-It was like a lull after the tempest. The youthful hoodlum gang that
-had been a menace to Ralph and the railroad company had been entirely
-broken up.
-
-Tim Forgan was a changed man. He and the senior Slump had drifted
-apart, and the foreman's previous irascibility and suspicious gloom had
-departed. He was more brisk, natural and cheery, and Ralph believed
-and fervently hoped had given up the tippling habit which had at times
-made him a capricious slave to men and moods.
-
-The lame helper had become a useful, pleasant chum to Ralph. There was
-not a day that he did not teach the novice some new and practical point
-in railroad experience.
-
-Gasper Farrington Ralph had not met again.
-
-At the cottage Van led an even, happy existence, making no trouble,
-being extremely useful and industrious, and daily more and more
-endearing himself to both Ralph and Mrs. Fairbanks.
-
-With the dog house crowd Ralph had become a general favorite. He had
-won the regard of those rough and ready fellows, and his loyal adhesion
-to Griscom in the fire at the shops, his rescue of little Nora Forgan,
-and his manly, accommodating ways generally, had enforced their
-respect, and more than one dropped his oaths and coarseness when Ralph
-approached, and they tipped over the liquor bottle of one of the
-"extras" who had the temerity to ask Ralph to test its contents.
-
-Altogether, Ralph was going through a happy experience, and every day
-life and railroading seemed to develop some new charm of novelty and
-progress.
-
-It was with a proud spirit that he took home his first month's salary,
-twenty-seven dollars and some odd cents.
-
-Those odd cents, with some added, Ralph stopped near the depot to hand
-over to little Teddy.
-
-The county farm orphan had been turned loose from custody after a
-week's imprisonment, with orders to report to the police at nine
-o'clock every Monday morning.
-
-He was practically on parole, the authorities hoping that on the trial
-of Cohen he might give some evidence that would implicate the
-stolen-goods receiver, and Ralph had run across the little fellow
-drifting aimlessly about the town.
-
-Ralph had a long talk with him, then he decided to "stake" him as a
-newsboy. The depot watchman agreed to let him sell papers at the train
-exit, and Teddy had done fairly well, earning enough to pay for his
-lodging, Ralph making up the deficiency as to meals.
-
-It was a bright hour in Mrs. Fairbanks' life when, after putting
-together what money she had with Ralph's earnings, and deducting the
-interest due Gasper Farrington, they were able to count a surplus of
-nearly twelve dollars.
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks took the interest money to a bank where she had been
-notified the note was deposited, paid the amount, received the note,
-and with a lightened heart contemplated the future.
-
-Two mornings later, when Ralph entered the roundhouse, he was accosted
-by Limpy in a keen, quick way.
-
-"Primping day, Fairbanks," said the lame helper. "You want to hustle."
-
-"What are you getting at?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"Inspection."
-
-"That's new to me."
-
-"So I'll explain. The inspector is on his tour, we got the tip to-day.
-Came up on the daylight mail."
-
-"What does he inspect?"
-
-"Everything from a loose drop of oil to a boiler dent. He is so
-beloved that the dog house crowd kick loose all the litter cans soon as
-he's gone, and so particular that he inspects the locomotives with a
-magnifying glass."
-
-"Who is he?" inquired Ralph curiously.
-
-"Bardon is his name--it ought to be Badone! He's a relative of and
-trains with the division superintendent. He acted as a spy at the
-switchmen's strike, got nearly killed for his sneaking tactics, and the
-company rewarded him by giving him a gentlemanly position."
-
-Ralph readily saw that this Mr. Bardon was not a favorite with the rank
-and file of the railroad crowd.
-
-"Well, we'll have to show him what a lot of active elbow grease will do
-towards making this a model roundhouse," said Ralph cheerfully.
-
-Limpy was not at all in harmony with this idea, and showed it plainly
-by action and words. He and the others considered the roundhouse and
-its privileges essentially their personal property, and resented advice
-or censure, especially from a man whom they intensely disliked.
-
-During the afternoon various little things were done about the dog
-house that indicated the spirit of the crowd there. A pasteboard box
-nailed to the wall bore written directions to engineers and firemen to
-keep their kid gloves there. Another stated that brakemen must not
-wear turned collars. Various receptacles were labeled "For cinders,"
-"Clean your nails here," and the general layout was a palpable satire
-on the strained relations with an expected visitor who was considered a
-martinet.
-
-Ralph went carefully and conscientiously to work to brighten up things
-a bit and make them look their best, while Limpy growled and grumbled
-at him all the afternoon.
-
-About four o'clock the lame helper was enjoying a brief respite from
-work at his usual lounging place, standing on a bench and looking out
-of a window. He called Ralph so suddenly and sharply that the latter
-hurried towards him.
-
-"Quick!" uttered Limpy, face and hands working spasmodically, as they
-always did when he was excited.
-
-"What's up?" inquired Ralph, leaping to the bench beside him.
-
-"Look there!" directed the helper.
-
-He pointed to a long freight train backing down the tracks. It had
-just passed a switch.
-
-"Pivot loose, and the signal flanges exactly reversed!" pronounced
-Limpy quickly. "They think they are on track A. Say, it's sure to be
-a smash!"
-
-In a twinkling Ralph's eye took in the situation. The train was on a
-curve, and had run back all right in response to switch A, set open,
-according to the white indicator on top. But red should have shown, it
-appeared. The pivot holding the signal in unison with the operating
-bar must have become loosened, and the wind had blown the signal plate
-awry.
-
-The freight, therefore, had struck track B, which a hundred feet
-further on split off onto two sets of rails. Both had short ends,
-terminating at bumpers, and each held a single car.
-
-Track C held a gaudy, expensive car belonging to some traveling show,
-all gold and glitter, and must have cost eighteen thousand dollars.
-Track D held an old disabled box car. And into one or the other of
-these the backing freight was destined to run unless checked inside of
-the next half minute.
-
-"Give me a show!" spoke Ralph, in a hurry.
-
-He brushed Limpy aside, leaped through the window, struck the ground
-eight feet below the high sill, and made a run towards the backing
-freight.
-
-The curve prevented his seeing the engine or any one to whom he might
-signal. He doubled his pace, reached the split switch, unlocked the
-bar, half-lifted it, and stood undecided.
-
-It was not his province to interfere, he well knew, if half the cars on
-the road were reduced to kindling wood through the mistake or
-carelessness of some one else, but action was irresistible with his
-impetuous nature when the same meant timely service.
-
-If he left the switch as it now was, the freight would back down into
-the show car with terrific destructive force.
-
-It seemed a pity to spoil that new pretty model of the car builder's
-art. Ralph discerned that the box car was ready for the scrap heap,
-and decided.
-
-He pulled the switch over, not a moment too soon, jumped back, and the
-next minute the freight train struck the solitary box car, and it
-collapsed like a folding accordion.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIV--A NEW ENEMY
-=========================
-
-The box car was smashed teetotally. The car that struck it had one end
-battered in, its rear trucks rode up over the débris threatening to
-telescope or derail others, but the engineer ahead, catching the token
-of some obstruction from the shock, shut off steam quick enough to
-prevent any very serious general results.
-
-The crash had sounded far and wide. Ralph stood surveying the wreck
-and ruin in a kind of fascinated daze.
-
-Yardmen came rushing up from all directions. Soon too, the brakeman of
-the freight and its engineer were hurrying to the scene of the wreck.
-
-More leisurely, a man carrying a cane, faultlessly dressed, and
-accompanied by the depot master, crossed from the semaphore house to
-the spot.
-
-Ralph turned to look at the stranger of the twain as he heard a voice
-in the crowd say:
-
-"There's Bardon, the inspector."
-
-The engineer was vociferously disclaiming any responsibility in the
-affair, and his brakeman tranquilly listened to him as he recited that
-he had taken signals as set.
-
-The one-armed switchman who had charge of these tracks appeared on the
-scene, his signal flag stuck under his perfect arm, and looking
-flustered.
-
-Everybody was asking questions or explaining, as the depot master and
-his companion edged their way to the rails.
-
-Ralph had a full view now of the man he knew to be Bardon, the
-inspector.
-
-His first impression was a vivid one. He saw nothing in the coarse,
-sensual lips and shifty, sneering eye of the man to commend him for
-either humanity or ability.
-
-"What's the trouble here?" questioned Bardon, with the air of a person
-owning everything in sight, and calling down the humble myrmidons who
-had dared to interfere with the smooth workings of an immaculate
-railway system.
-
-"You ought to be able to see," growled the freight engineer bluntly.
-
-The inspector frowned at this free-and-easy, offhand offense to his
-dignity and importance.
-
-"I'm Bardon," he said, as if the mention of that name would suffice to
-bring the stalwart engineer to the dust.
-
-"I know you are," said the latter indifferently. "Cut off the two last
-cars," he ordered to his brakeman, turning his back on Bardon and
-starting back for his engine to pull out.
-
-"Hold on," ordered the inspector.
-
-The engineer halted with a sullen, disrespectful face.
-
-"Well?" he projected.
-
-"Who's to blame in this smash up?"
-
-"Tain't me, that's dead sure," retorted the engineer, with a careless
-shrug of his shoulders, "and we'll leave it to the yardmaster to find
-out."
-
-"*I* want to find out," spoke Bardon incisively--"I am here to do just
-this kind of thing. Can't you read a signal right?" he demanded of the
-brakeman.
-
-The latter smiled a lazy smile, lurched amusedly from side to side,
-took a chew of tobacco, and counter-questioned:
-
-"Can't you?"
-
-Mr. Bardon, inspector, was getting scant courtesy shown him all around,
-and his eyes flashed. He deigned to glance at the first switch. It
-was set wrong, he could detect that at a glance.
-
-"How's this?" he called to the one-armed switchman sharply. "You're
-responsible here."
-
-"I reckon not, cap'n," answered the man lightly. "The switch is set on
-rule. I got no signal to change it."
-
-"But the indicator's wrong?"
-
-"That's the repair gang's business--and the wind. The Great Northern
-don't own the wind, so I reckon it will have to pocket the loss
-gracefully."
-
-Bardon bit his lips.
-
-"We've saved the junkmen a job as it is," said the freight engineer.
-"The switch was set for track C. You'd have had a pretty bill if you'd
-smashed that twenty-thousand dollar show car yonder."
-
-"That's right--the switch was C open," declared the switchman.
-
-"Then who changed it?" demanded Bardon, scenting a chance yet to
-exploit his meddling, nosing qualifications.
-
-Ralph hesitated. He doubted if Bardon was the proper party to whom to
-report. He, however, simplified the situation by saying:
-
-"I did it, sir."
-
-"Eh? Why--you!" exclaimed the inspector, turning on him with a
-malevolent scowl.
-
-"Yes, sir."
-
-"What did you change it for?"
-
-The freight engineer gave a derisive guffaw.
-
-"To save the show car, of course!" he said quickly. "The company owes
-you about nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars, kid!"
-declared the engineer, giving Ralph a glance of the profoundest
-admiration.
-
-But Mr. Bardon, inspector, was not to be moved by matters of sentiment.
-He fixed a stony stare on the free-and-easy engineer, and turned upon
-Ralph, the icy, immovable disciplinarian to perfection.
-
-"What right have you to tamper with the railway company's switches?" he
-demanded.
-
-"None, perhaps," answered Ralph, "but----"
-
-"You are a switchman?"
-
-"No, sir, but I am an employe of the company."
-
-"Oh, you are?"
-
-Ralph bowed.
-
-"In what capacity?"
-
-"Wiper."
-
-"At the roundhouse?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"And you took it on yourself to----"
-
-"To choose the best horn of a dilemma, and saved the company a big lump
-of money," put in the imperturbable freight engineer. "And bully for
-you, kid! and if we had more sharp young eyes and ready wits like
-yours, there would not be so many smash-ups. That's right, Bardon?"
-
-The inspector scowled dreadfully. If the engineer had called him Mr.
-Bardon he might have coincided in the view of the case presented.
-Turning his back on the free and fearless knight of the lever as if he
-was dirt under his feet, he took out a pencil and memorandum book.
-
-"I'll look into this matter myself," he said severely. "You say you
-are a wiper, young man?"
-
-"Yes, sir," assented Ralph.
-
-"Name?"
-
-"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks."
-
-"What--eh? Oh, yes! Ralph Fairbanks."
-
-The young railroader regarded the inspector with positive astonishment
-as he uttered that sharp startling "What." He was manifestly roused
-up. Quickly, however, Bardon recovered himself, looked Ralph over with
-a decided show of interest, seemed secretly thinking of something, and
-then, fingering over the pages of his memorandum book, appeared looking
-for a notation, found it apparently, glanced again at Ralph in a
-sinister way, and said calmly:
-
-"Very well, get your time."
-
-"What is that, sir?" exclaimed Ralph, startled anew.
-
-"Laid off, pending an investigation," added Bardon.
-
-Ralph's heart beat a trifle unsteadily, but he straightened up with
-decision.
-
-"Does that mean, Mr. Bardon, that I am not to go back to work?"
-
-"You can understand what you like," snapped the inspector, seemingly
-glad to show his authority to this disrespectful crowd, and appearing
-to bear some personal spite against Ralph in particular, "only you are
-suspended until this matter is looked into."
-
-Bardon turned to resume his way with the depot master, who looked bored
-and uneasy.
-
-"Hold on!" thundered a tremendous bass voice. "That don't work."
-
-A greasy paw closed around the immaculate coat-sleeve of the inspector,
-who turned with a brow as dark as a thunder cloud.
-
-"Drop my arm--what do you mean!" breathed Bardon, with a glance at the
-husky freight engineer as if he would annihilate him.
-
-"Just this, Mr. Inspector Bardon," said the engineer, with a
-never-quailing eye and the zest of extreme satisfaction in words and
-bearing, "you can't lay anybody off."
-
-"I represent the Great Northern Railway Company," announced Bardon
-grandiloquently.
-
-"Read your rules, then," retorted the engineer, "and see how far it
-will sustain you in exceeding your duties. I tell you they won't
-uphold you, and I speak with the voice of eighty-six thousand men and
-their auxiliaries behind me--the International Brotherhood of
-Locomotive Engineers."
-
-Bardon stood nonplussed. He fidgeted and turned ghastly with vexation.
-
-"I'll see that the proper official carries out my instructions just the
-same," he said in a kind of a vicious hiss.
-
-"There's just one man to help you, then," coolly announced the
-engineer, "and that's Tim Forgan."
-
-The inspector moved hastily away.
-
-"And he won't do it!" concluded the engineer, in an chuckling
-undertone, giving Ralph a ringing slap on the shoulder.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXV--DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND
-================================
-
-Ralph went back to the roundhouse a trifle perturbed in his mind as to
-the outcome of the episode of the hour.
-
-Something instinctively told him that he was about to have trouble. He
-did not like that violent start of the inspector when he heard his
-name, and there was something sinister in the way Bardon had looked up
-some memoranda, and afterwards eyed him as a vulture might its prey.
-
-Limpy nearly had a fit when he had managed to probe out of Ralph the
-details of his arraignment by the great and potent inspector.
-
-"Lay you off for saving the company a small fortune?" raved the helper
-indignantly. "Say! you just tell that malicious scoundrel I told you
-to change the switch."
-
-"I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Ralph calmly, "and you are a
-good deal more worried about the affair than I am. I acted as common
-sense and duty dictated, and I do not fear the final outcome."
-
-Just before quitting-time Bardon came into the roundhouse. He was
-closeted with the foreman in his office until the whistle sounded, and
-as Ralph left the place both came out and began a tour of the place.
-
-"I expect something will drop in the morning!" Ralph half-jocularly
-told Limpy, as he bade him good-night.
-
-Ralph made it a rule to tell his mother everything of interest and
-importance that came up during the day. Mrs. Fairbanks was manifestly
-troubled when he had recited his encounter with Bardon.
-
-After supper Ralph went out with Van to inspect the new chicken coop he
-had just built. He was surprised and pleased at the patience,
-ingenuity and actual hard work displayed in the same, and Van seemed to
-show a deeper appreciation and understanding of Ralph's commendation
-than he had heretofore displayed.
-
-Ralph viewed him thoughtfully. He again began considering a plan to
-take Van down the road some day on the chance of locating his former
-home.
-
-At nine o'clock that evening, just as Ralph was locking up for the
-night, there came a tremendous thump at the front door.
-
-Ralph went thither, to confront Big Denny, the yard watchman.
-
-Denny was in a feverish state of excitement, was perspiring, prancing
-about with his cane, never still, and laboring under some severe mental
-agitation.
-
-"Alone, Fairbanks?" he projected, in a startling, breathless kind of a
-way.
-
-"They've all gone to bed but myself," answered Ralph.
-
-"Can I come in?"
-
-"Surely, and welcome."
-
-Denny thumped into the little parlor. He mopped his brow prodigiously,
-loosened his collar, fidgeted and fumed, and after looking cautiously
-around put his finger mysteriously to his lips with the
-hoarsely-whispered injunction:
-
-"Secret as the grave, Fairbanks!"
-
-Ralph nodded, with a smile indulging the whim or mood of his good loyal
-friend, who he knew was given to heroics.
-
-"What's the trouble?" he asked.
-
-"Bardon."
-
-"I fancied so," said Ralph.
-
-"Came right up here to see you," explained Denny. "Forgan sent me."
-
-"The foreman?" murmured Ralph, in some surprise.
-
-"Yes. You are not to report in the morning."
-
-"Does Mr. Forgan say so?"
-
-"Strictly. You are not to come near the roundhouse for a good many
-days. They've got it in for you, and Tim Forgan and I are going to
-rout 'em, horse and harness!"
-
-"Rout whom?"
-
-"Bardon and Farrington."
-
-Ralph started at this mention of his capitalist enemy.
-
-"Mr. Farrington?" he repeated.
-
-"Yes, old Farrington."
-
-"What has he got to do with it?"
-
-"Everything," declared Denny expansively--"everything! The company is
-going to lay you off."
-
-"Very well," commented Ralph quietly.
-
-"Pending an investigation of the smash up of this afternoon."
-
-"I apprehended it."
-
-"Do you know what that means?" cried Denny, growing excited--"red tape.
-Do you know what red tape means? Delay, bother, no satisfaction, tire
-you out, get you out, throw you out! They catch weasels asleep,
-though, ha! ha! when they try it on two old war-horses like Tim and me!"
-
-Big Denny hugged himself in the enjoyment of some pleasing idea not yet
-fully expressed.
-
-"Here's the program," he went on: "the inspector came to Forgan. He'd
-got hold of the smashed roundhouse wall incident, and he had hold of
-the freight smash-up to-day. Said an example must be made, system must
-be preserved, at least a report to headquarters, and an investigation."
-
-"What did Mr. Forgan say?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"Listened--solemnly, didn't say a word."
-
-"Oh!"
-
-"Until Bardon asked him bluntly to lay you off."
-
-"And then?"
-
-"Refused--point-blank. Bardon left in a huff, with a threat; Tim gave
-me my point. I followed him. Well, soon as he gets back to
-Springfield he's going to get an order over Forgan's head to lay you
-off."
-
-"Can he do it?"
-
-"He won't do it."
-
-"Why not?"
-
-"For a simple reason."
-
-"Which is?"
-
-"We block his game. Have you got pen, ink and paper in the house?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"Fetch it out."
-
-Ralph wondered a little, but realized that he was in the hands of loyal
-friends.
-
-"Now then, you write," directed Denny. "Mind you, Forgan is in this
-with me. You write."
-
-"Write what?"
-
-"Your resignation from railroad service."
-
-"Whew!" exclaimed Ralph, putting down the pen forcibly.
-
-"Looks hard, does it?" chuckled Denny.
-
-"Why--yes."
-
-"You'll do it, just the same," predicted the big watchman. "That
-resignation goes to headquarters. That ends Ralph Fairbanks, wiper,
-doesn't it?"
-
-"I suppose it does--it looks very much like it!" added Ralph vaguely.
-
-"It baffles Mr. Inspector Bardon, who drops the matter, beaten."
-
-"But I've got to work for a living," suggested Ralph, in a
-half-troubled way.
-
-"All right, we've fixed that--that's another section of the same game.
-Write out your resignation, and I'll tell you something interesting.
-Good!"
-
-With complacency and satisfaction the watchman folded up and pocketed
-the resignation that Ralph wrote and handed him with evident reluctance.
-
-"That settles the fact that Ralph Fairbanks is not a discharged
-employee!" chuckled Denny. "Now then, sign that."
-
-The watchman had produced two papers. In astonishment Ralph recognized
-one as a check drawn in his favor by the railroad company for twenty
-dollars.
-
-The other was a receipt witnessing that he had been reimbursed for
-time, damage to wearing apparel and railroad expenses the night he had
-discovered the stolen brass fittings. In brackets was the notation:
-"Special Service work."
-
-"But I only spent thirty-five cents for car fare, and the suit of
-clothes I soaked is as good as ever," declared Ralph.
-
-"You do as you're told, Fairbanks," directed Denny, with a magnanimous
-wave of his hand. "Now then, we, Tim and I and Matthewson, the road
-detective, estimate you had better keep active hands off railroading
-for about two weeks. In the meantime, Matthewson says you can take a
-run between here and Dover."
-
-"That's where the stolen stuff, and horse and wagon, and Ike Slump and
-the tramp were started for," said Ralph.
-
-"Exactly. They did not arrive. Matthewson's men have failed to
-discover the least trace of the layout after leaving Stanley Junction."
-
-"Does he expect me to?"
-
-"Who can tell--he wants you to try. Has considerable faith in your
-abilities--as we have. He gives you two weeks at ten dollars a week.
-Here's your credentials--pass on any hand car, freight train, box or
-gondola, passenger coach, smoker or parlor car, locomotive, freight,
-switch or passenger, on the Great Northern and all its branches."
-
-Ralph caught his breath short and quick. This remarkable dovetailing
-of events and prospects was rather exciting.
-
-Having got rid of his budget of intelligence, Big Denny subsided
-somewhat. He had something more on his mind, however, and he began in
-a more serious way:
-
-"And now, Fairbanks, for the real milk in the cocoanut."
-
-"You don't mean to say this isn't all?"
-
-"Scarcely. We might have taken care of you in a less complicated way,
-only that we made a certain discovery."
-
-Ralph looked interested and expectant.
-
-"It was this: Bardon, the inspector, Bardon, the ex-spy, is connected
-with Mr. Gasper Farrington."
-
-Ralph said nothing. He recalled, however, the threat of the crafty old
-capitalist. His enemy had started in to use his influence.
-
-"Yes," declared Denny, "Bardon went straight to Farrington's house.
-When he left there he went to find some old-time cronies at the
-Junction Hotel. I had a friend listening to some of his boastful talk.
-We know at this moment that Gasper Farrington offers him five hundred
-dollars to get you discharged and away from Stanley Junction."
-
-"Which he won't do!" said Ralph very positively.
-
-"Not while Tim and I are on deck," declared Denny as positively.
-"Listen, Fairbanks: before Saturday night Forgan will see the master
-mechanic, before the following Wednesday the master mechanic will see
-the division superintendent, before the following Saturday the
-president of the road will have in his possession your full and
-complete record, beginning with your heroic conduct at the fire at the
-yards, the rescue of little Nora Forgan, the discovery of the stolen
-fittings, the saving of the show car to-day, and your general good
-conduct and efficiency in the service."
-
-Ralph flushed at the hearty encomiums of this loyal old friend.
-
-"In another week," continued Denny, rolling the words over in his mouth
-and sprawling out with a sense of the keenest enjoyment, "we guarantee,
-Tim and I, a letter, something like this: 'Mr. Ralph Fairbanks: Dear
-Sir: Please come back to work.'"
-
-"I'll thank you," said Ralph, with bright, glad, shining eyes. "My old
-place again--as wiper."
-
-"Not much!" negatived Big Denny, looking bigger than ever as he rose to
-the full magnitude of his final declaration--"as switch towerman for
-the Great Northern Railway at sixty dollars a month!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVI--A ROVING COMMISSION
-=================================
-
-It was difficult for Ralph to sleep after the departure of Big Denny.
-He was still under the disturbing influence of the exciting events of
-the afternoon and evening. His mother had not been disturbed by the
-watchman's visit. Ralph finally strolled out into the garden, and sat
-down in the little summer house to rest and think.
-
-He did not exactly feel as though he were at the height of his
-ambition, but Ralph did feel exceedingly thankful and encouraged. He
-valued most the friends he had gained personally, from the lowly walks
-of life it was true, but who had been bettered and elevated by the
-contact.
-
-The pre-eminent thought now in Ralph's mind was concerning Gasper
-Farrington. Had things gone on smoothly, and had the magnate left him
-alone, Ralph might have been inclined to accept the situation. His
-mother did not care to rouse a sleeping enemy, and he would have
-respected her decision. But now that Farrington had so palpably shown
-his intentions, had declared war to the knife, bitter and vindictive,
-all the fighting instincts in Ralph's nature arose to the crisis.
-
-"I shall not take Mr. Matthewson's ten dollars a week unless I find the
-stolen plunder and really earn the money," Ralph reflected. "It is
-hardly probable I shall succeed along that line, after his expert
-assistants have failed. But in trying to locate Van's friends I shall
-probably be in the neighborhood of Dover, and I may stumble across some
-clew to Ike Slump's whereabouts."
-
-Ralph went inside the house after an hour and brought out a railroad
-map. He studied the route of the Great Northern and the location of
-Dover, and went to bed full of the plan of his projected journey.
-
-He showed his mother the check for the twenty dollars and his pass over
-the road the next morning, and explained his projects fully. They met
-with the widow's approbation.
-
-"Not that I want to get rid of Van," she said feelingly. "He has grown
-very dear to me, Ralph. Poor fellow! Perhaps it is his affliction
-that appeals to me, but I should be very lonely with him away."
-
-"I do not think he has many friends who care for him," theorized Ralph,
-"or there would have been some search, or inquiry through the
-newspapers."
-
-After breakfast Ralph went to the depot. He found his young pensioner,
-Teddy, in high feather over success in getting two hours' regular
-employment a day delivering bundles for a drygoods store. Ralph gave
-him some encouraging advice, and went to see the young doctor who had
-attended Van.
-
-He explained his intended experiment clearly, and asked the physician's
-opinion as to its practicability.
-
-"Try it by all means," advised the doctor heartily. "It can do no
-harm, and the sight of some familiar place may be the first step
-towards clearing the lad's clouded mind. A great shock robbed him of
-reason; a like event, such as strong, sudden confrontation by some
-person or place he has known for years, may restore memory instantly."
-
-Ralph was encouraged. When he went home he sat down with Van and tried
-to fix his attention.
-
-It was very difficult. His strange guest would listen and look pleased
-at his attention, but his eyes would wander irresistibly after some
-fluttering butterfly, or with a gleam of satisfaction over to the wood
-pile his careful manipulation had made as neat and symmetrical as a
-storekeeper's show case.
-
-Ralph pronounced in turn the name of every station on the main line of
-the Great Northern, but Van betokened no recognition of any of them.
-
-Ralph waited in the neighborhood of Griscom's house after the 10.15
-express came in, and intercepted the engineer on his way homeward.
-
-He showed his pass and explained his project. He wanted Griscom to
-allow himself and Van to ride on the tender to the end of his run and
-back.
-
-"That's all right, Fairbanks," said the engineer, "pass or no pass. Be
-on hand at the water tank yonder as we pull out the afternoon train.
-I'll slow up and take you on."
-
-Ralph tried to express to Van that afternoon that they were going on a
-journey. Van only looked fixedly at him, but when Mrs. Fairbanks
-handed him a parcel of lunch, he proudly stowed it under one arm, and
-when she put on him a clean collar and necktie, he showed more than
-normal animation, as though he caught a dim inkling that something out
-of the usual was on the programme.
-
-Van went placidly with Ralph. The afternoon train came along a few
-minutes after they had reached the water tank.
-
-"Now then," said Ralph, as Griscom slowed up, "be lively, Van!"
-
-His words may have conveyed no particular meaning to his companion, but
-the approaching train, the picturesque track environment and Ralph's
-energetic motions roused up Van, whose face betokened an eagerness out
-of the common as he commented:
-
-"Engine."
-
-"Yes, Van."
-
-"Ride."
-
-Ralph bundled him up into the cab, clambered back into the tender, and
-made a comfortable seat for Van on top of the coal.
-
-On that perch the lad seemed a happy monarch of all he surveyed. Ralph
-realized that the variety and excitement had a stimulating influence on
-his mind, and that even if nothing materialized in the way of
-discoveries from the trip, the general effect on Van would be at least
-beneficial.
-
-Griscom tossed a cheery word to his young passengers ever and anon.
-His fireman, a new hand, was kept busy at the shovel, and had no time
-to inspect or chum with the boys.
-
-They passed station after station. Ralph kept a close watch on Van's
-face. It was as expressionless as ever. His eyes roamed everywhere,
-and he was evidently at the pinnacle of complacent enjoyment.
-
-Outside of that, however, Van gave no indication that he saw anything
-in the landscape or the depot crowds they passed that touched a
-responsive chord of recognition in his nature.
-
-Forty miles down the road was Wilmer. It was quite a town. Southwest
-forty miles lay Dover, and west was the wild, wooded stretch known as
-"The Barrens." This was no misnomer. There were said to be less than
-twenty habitations in the desolate eighty miles of territory.
-
-The Great Northern had originally surveyed ten miles into this section
-with the intention of crossing it, as by that route it could strike a
-favorable terminal point at a great economy of distance. The
-difficulties of clearing and grading were found so unsurmountable for
-an infant road, however, that the project had been finally abandoned.
-
-They passed Wilmer. Signals called for "slow" ahead, as a freight was
-running for a siding. They had barely reached the limits of the town
-when Griscom put on a little more speed.
-
-"Whoop!" yelled Van suddenly.
-
-Ralph had shifted his seat on account of some undermining of the coal
-supply, and at just that moment for the first time was away from the
-side of his fellow passenger.
-
-Before he could clamber over the coal heap Van had arisen to his feet.
-
-"Stop, Van!" shouted Ralph.
-
-But Van's eyes were fixed on the little winding country road lining the
-railway fence at the bottom of the embankment.
-
-An antiquated gig, well loaded and attached to a sorry looking nag, and
-driven by a man well muffled up in a dilapidated linen duster, was
-plodding along the dusty thoroughfare.
-
-Upon this outfit Van's eyes appeared to be set. His hand waved
-nervously, and he seemed to forget where he was, and was not conscious
-of what he was doing.
-
-He was in the act of stepping off into nothingness, and in a quiver of
-dread Ralph yelled to the engineer:
-
-"Mr. Griscom, stop! stop!"
-
-But the engineer's hearing was occupied with the hiss of steam directly
-around him, and his attention riveted on signals ahead.
-
-Ralph made a spring. Some lumps of coal slipped under his hasty
-footing. His hand just grazed a disappearing foot.
-
-The train was going about fifteen miles an hour, and Van had recklessly
-taken a header down the embankment.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVII--RECALLED TO LIFE
-===============================
-
-Van landed half-way down the incline. His feet sank deep into the
-sandy soil, the shock threw him forward with dangerous velocity, and he
-went head over heels, slid ten feet like a rocket, and reached the
-bottom of the embankment.
-
-His head landed squarely against the lower board of the fence. Rip!
-crack! splinter! The contact burst the board into kindling wood. Van
-drove through and about five feet beyond, and lay still and inert in
-the bed of the dusty country road.
-
-Ralph believed he was killed. With a groan he leaped to the side of
-Griscom and grabbed his arm. The engineer's lightning eye followed his
-speechless indication of Van, and he pulled the machinery to a speedy
-halt that jarred every bolt and pinion.
-
-Ralph was trembling with dread and emotion. He ran back along the
-track fifty feet, and breathlessly rushed down the incline at the point
-where Van had descended.
-
-As he gained the bottom of the embankment his heart gave a great jump
-of joy. He saw Van move, struggle to a sitting posture, rub his head
-bewilderedly with one hand, and stare about him as if collecting his
-scattered senses.
-
-"Are you hurt?" involuntarily exclaimed Ralph.
-
-"Not much---- Hello! Who are you?"
-
-Ralph experienced the queerest feeling of his life. He could not
-analyze it just then. There was an indescribable change in Van that
-somehow thrilled him. For the first time since Ralph had found him in
-the old factory he spoke words connectedly and coherently.
-
-A great wave of gladness surged over Ralph's soul. He was a quick
-thinker. The presentation of the moment was clear. The young doctor
-at Stanley Junction had said that just as a shock had deprived Van of
-reason, so a second shock might restore it. Well, the second shock had
-come, it seemed, and there was Van, a new look in his eyes, a new
-expression on his face. Ralph remembered to have read of just such
-extraordinary happenings as the present. He had but one glad, glorious
-thought--Van had been recalled to life and reason, and that meant
-everything!
-
-Toot! toot! Ralph glanced at the locomotive where Griscom was
-impatiently waving his hand. The Great Northern could not check its
-schedule to suit the convenience of two dead-head passengers.
-
-"Quick, Van," said Ralph, seizing the arm of his companion--"hurry, we
-shall be left."
-
-"Left--how? where?" inquired Van, resisting, and with a vague stare.
-
-"To the locomotive. We must get back, you know. They won't wait."
-
-"What have I got to do with the locomotive?"
-
-"You just jumped from it."
-
-"Who did?"
-
-"You."
-
-"You're dreaming!" pronounced Van.
-
-"What you giving me--or I've been dreaming," he muttered, passing his
-hand over his forehead again.
-
-Ralph suddenly realized that Van regarded him as an entire stranger,
-that time and explanation alone could restore a friendly, comprehensive
-basis.
-
-He gave Griscom the go ahead signal. The engineer looked puzzled, but
-there was no time to waste, for the tracks were now signaled clear
-ahead. He put on steam and the train moved on its way, leaving Ralph
-and Van behind.
-
-The boy paid no further attention to locomotive or Ralph. He struggled
-to his feet, and looked up the country road, then down it. The gig had
-disappeared, but a cloud of dust lingered in the air over where it had
-just turned a bend.
-
-Van started forward in this direction. There was a pained, confused
-expression on his face, as if he could not quite get the right of
-things. Ralph came up to him and detained his steps by placing a hand
-on his arm.
-
-The way Van shook off his grasp showed that he had lost none of his
-natural strength.
-
-"What you want?" he asked suspiciously.
-
-"Don't you know me?"
-
-"Me? you? No."
-
-"Hold on," persisted Ralph, "don't go yet. You are Van."
-
-"That's my name, yes."
-
-"And I am Ralph--don't you remember?"
-
-"I don't."
-
-"Ralph Fairbanks."
-
-Van gave a start. He squarely faced his companion now. His blinking
-eyes told that the machinery of his brain was actively at work.
-
-"Fairbanks--Fairbanks?" he repeated. "Aha! yes--letter!"
-
-His hand shot into an inside coat pocket. He withdrew it
-disappointedly. Then his glance chancing to observe for the first
-time, it seemed, the suit he wore, apparel that belonged to Ralph, he
-stood in a painful maze, unable to figure out how he had come by it and
-what it meant.
-
-"You are looking for a letter," guessed Ralph.
-
-"Yes, I was--'John Fairbanks, Stanley Junction.' How do you know?"
-with a stare.
-
-"Because I am Ralph Fairbanks, his son. When you first showed it to
-me----"
-
-"Showed it to you?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"Where?
-
-"At Stanley Junction."
-
-"I never was there."
-
-"I think you were."
-
-"When?"
-
-"About three weeks ago. And you just left there this morning. You was
-with me on that locomotive that just went ahead, jumped off, and--you
-had better sit down and let me explain things."
-
-Van looked distressed. He was in repossession of all his faculties,
-there was no doubt of that, but there was a blank in his life he could
-never fill out of his own volition. He studied Ralph keenly for a
-minute or two, sighed desperately, sat down on a bowlder by the side of
-the road, and said:
-
-"Something's wrong, I can guess that. I had a letter to deliver, and
-it seems as if it was only a minute ago that I had it with me. Now
-it's gone, I find myself here without knowing how I came here, with you
-who are a stranger telling me strange things, and--I give it up. It's
-a riddle. What's the answer?"
-
-Ralph had a task before him. In his judgment it was best not to crowd
-things too speedily, all of a jumble.
-
-"You came to Stanley Junction with a letter about three weeks ago," he
-said. "It seemed you had dead-headed it there on the trucks from some
-point down the line."
-
-Van nodded as if he dimly recalled all this.
-
-"You hid in an old factory, or went there to take a nap. A baseball
-struck your head accidentally. We took you to our home, you have been
-there since."
-
-"That's queer, I can't remember. Yes--yes, I do, in a way," Van
-corrected himself sharply. "Was there a chicken house there--oh, such
-a fine chicken house!" he exclaimed expansively, "with fancy towers
-made out of laths, and a dandy wind vane on it?"
-
-"You built that chicken house yourself," explained Ralph.
-
-"Oh, go on!" said Van incredulously.
-
-"Well, you did."
-
-"And there was a lady there, dressed in black," muttered Van, his
-glance strained dreamily. "She was good to me. She used to sing sweet
-songs--just like a mother would. I never had a mother, to remember."
-
-Van's eyes began to fill with tears. Ralph was touched at the
-recognition of his mother's gentleness. Emotion had lightened the
-shadows in Van's mind more powerfully than suggestion or memory.
-
-Ralph felt that he had better rouse his companion from a retrospective
-mood.
-
-"You're all right now," he said briskly.
-
-"And I was knocked silly?" observed Van "I see how it was. I've been
-like a man in a long sleep. How did I come out of it, though?"
-
-"Just as you went into it--with a shock. I took you for a trip on a
-locomotive. Just as we got near here you made a sudden jump, rolled
-down the embankment, your head burst through that fence board yonder,
-and I thought you were killed."
-
-Van felt over his head. He winced at a sensitive touch at one spot,
-but said, with a light laugh:
-
-"I've got a cast-iron skull, I guess! But what made me jump from the
-locomotive? Did I have daffy fits?"
-
-"Oh, not at all."
-
-"Well, then?"
-
-"Why," said Ralph, "I think the sight of a man in a long linen duster,
-driving a one-horse gig down this road startled you or attracted your
-attention, or something of that sort."
-
-"Ginger!" interrupted Van, jumping to his feet, "I remember now! It
-was--him! And I've got to see him. He went that way. I'm off."
-
-"Hold on! hold on!" called the dismayed Ralph.
-
-But Van heard not, or heeded not. He sprinted for the bend in the
-road, Ralph hotly at his heels.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXVIII--MYSTERY
-=======================
-
-Ralph outran his competitor, then kept easy pace with him, and did not
-try to stop him. He recognized a certain obstinacy and impetuousness
-in Van that he felt he must deal with in a politic manner.
-
-He noticed, too, that Van was not in normal physical trim. The roll
-down the embankment had wrenched one foot slightly, and when they came
-to the bend to discover no gig in sight, and a series of other bends
-ahead, Van halted, breathless and tired.
-
-"Give it up!" he panted, sinking to a dead tree. "Oh, well! I can
-catch him up later. Twenty-miles tramp, though."
-
-"You seem to know who the man in the linen duster is?" ventured Ralph.
-
-"Oh, yes."
-
-"Is it important that you should see him?"
-
-"Well, I guess so!"
-
-Van was close-mouthed after that. He lay back somewhat wearily on the
-log and closed his eyes. The reaction from his tumble was succeeding
-the false energy excitement had briefly given him.
-
-"See here," said Ralph, "I suggest that you take a little snooze. It
-may do you a heap of good."
-
-"Wish that lady was here to sing one of her sweet songs!" murmured Van.
-"I just feel collapsed."
-
-"If you will stay here quietly for a few minutes," suggested Ralph, "I
-will go to that house over yonder and get some water and a bite to eat.
-That will make you feel better. We had a lunch, but it was left behind
-on the locomotive."
-
-"All right," said Van sleepily.
-
-He seemed instantly to sink into slumber. Ralph waited a few moments,
-then he went over to a house on the outskirts of the town, all the time
-keeping an eye directed towards the spot where he had left his
-companion.
-
-A woman stood in its open doorway. She had witnessed the jump from the
-locomotive, and referred to it at once.
-
-"Where's the boy who was with you?" she inquired.
-
-Ralph pointed to the spot where he had left Van.
-
-"Was he hurt much?"
-
-"I think not at all seriously. He's played out, though, and I have
-advised him to sleep a little."
-
-"That's right," nodded the woman. "Natur's the panoseeds for all sich.
-That--and hot drops. You just take him a little phial of our vegetable
-hot drops. They'll fix him up like magic."
-
-"Why, thank you, madam, I will, if you can spare them," said Ralph. "I
-was also going to ask you to put me up a bite of something to eat and
-let me have a bottle of water."
-
-"Surely I will," and the good-hearted woman, pleased with Ralph's
-engaging politeness, bustled off and soon returned with a paper parcel,
-a two-quart bottle of water and a little phial filled with a dark
-liquid.
-
-Ralph insisted on leaving her twenty-five cents, and went back to his
-friend with a parting admonition "to be sure and give him the hot drops
-soon as he woke up."
-
-Van was sleeping profoundly, and Ralph did not disturb him. He sat
-watching the slumberer steadily. Van seemed to have placid, pleasant
-dreams, for he often smiled in his sleep, and once murmured the refrain
-of one of Mrs. Fairbanks' favorite songs.
-
-An hour later Van turned over and sat up quickly. Ralph had been
-somewhat anxious, for he did not know what phase his companion's
-condition might assume at this new stage in the case. Van came
-upright, however, and dispelled vague fears--clear-eyed, smiling,
-bright as a dollar.
-
-"Hello!" he hailed--"locomotive, friend, embankment. You're Fairbanks?"
-
-"That's right," said Ralph--"you remember me, do you?"
-
-"Sure, I do. What's in the bundle? Grub? and the bottle? Water?
-Give me a swig--I'm burned up with thirst."
-
-"This first," said Ralph, producing the phial, and explaining its
-predicted potency. "Half of it--now some water, if you like."
-
-Van choked and spluttered over the hot decoction. Ralph was immensely
-gratified as he followed it up by eating a good meal of the home-made
-pie, biscuits and cheese with which the kindhearted woman at the
-nearest house had provided them.
-
-Van's affliction had lifted like a cloud blown entirely away by a
-brisk, invigorating breeze.
-
-"Rested and fed," he declared, with a sigh of luxurious contentment and
-satisfaction. "So I was crazy, eh?" he bluntly propounded.
-
-"Certainly not."
-
-"Idiotic, then?"
-
-"Hardly," dissented Ralph. "My mother has grown to think almost as
-much of you as she does of me----"
-
-"Bless her dear heart!"
-
-"You've made our home lot look like the grounds of some summer villa,"
-went on Ralph. "That don't look as though there was much the matter
-with you, does it?"
-
-"But there was. It's all over now, though. My head is clear as a
-bell. I remember nearly everything. Now I want you to tell me the
-rest."
-
-Ralph decided it was the time to do so. They would certainly be at
-cross-purposes on many perplexing points, until his companion had
-gained a clear comprehension of the entire situation.
-
-There was never a more attentive listener. Van's eyes fairly devoured
-the narrator, and when the graphic recital was concluded, his
-wonderment, suspense, surprise and anxiety all gave way to one great
-manifestation of gratitude and delight, as he warmly grasped Ralph's
-hand.
-
-"I never read, heard or dreamed of such treatment!" declared the
-warm-hearted boy. "You cared for me like a prince!"
-
-"Seeing that I had so effectually put you out of business," suggested
-Ralph, "I fancy I had some responsibility in the case."
-
-"I want to see your mother again," said Van, in a soft, quivering
-voice. "I want to tell her that she's woke up something good and happy
-and holy in me. I was a poor, friendless, homeless waif, and she kept
-me in a kind of paradise."
-
-"Well, you have woke up to more practical realities of life," suggested
-Ralph, "and now what are you going to do next?"
-
-But Van could not get away from the theme uppermost in his mind.
-
-"And you are John Fairbanks' son?" he continued musingly. "And I
-landed against you first crack out of the box! That was queer, wasn't
-it? Some people would call it fate, wouldn't they? It's luck,
-anyhow--for you sure, for me maybe. The letter didn't tell you
-anything, though. Now what should I do? Say, Fairbanks, let me think
-a little, will you?"
-
-Ralph nodded a ready acquiescence, and Van sat evidently going over the
-situation in his mind. As he looked up in an undecided way, Ralph said:
-
-"I don't see any great occasion for secrecy or reflection. You were
-sent to deliver a letter?"
-
-"Yes, that's so."
-
-"To my father. My father is dead. We open the letter, as we have a
-right to do. It satisfies us that the writer knows considerable that
-might vitally affect our interests. Very well, it seems to me that
-your duty is to take me, the representative of John Fairbanks, straight
-to the person who wrote that letter."
-
-"Yes," said Van, "that looks all clear and nice enough to you, but I
-don't know how he might take it."
-
-"You mean the writer of the letter?"
-
-"Of course."
-
-"Whose name is Farwell Gibson."
-
-"I didn't say so," declared Van evasively.
-
-"But I know it, don't I? Have you any reason for concealing his
-identity?"
-
-"Yes, sir, I have," declared Van flatly.
-
-"Why?"
-
-"I can't tell you that. See here, Fairbanks, you guess what you like,
-but until I have reported the result of my mission to--to him, I have
-no right to say another word."
-
-"All right," assented Ralph. "It will all come out clear in the end,
-only before we drop the subject I would like to make another guess."
-
-"What is it?" challenged Van.
-
-"That man in the long linen duster in the one-horse gig was Farwell
-Gibson."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIX--A RIVAL RAILROAD
-==============================
-
-There was some mystery about Farwell Gibson, Ralph decided, and the
-more he scanned what he knew of his past, his peculiar method of
-sending the letter to his father, and Van's guarded manner, the more he
-was satisfied that there was a puzzle of some kind to solve.
-
-The sun was going down and night was coming on apace. Ralph propounded
-a pertinent query.
-
-"What is your next move, Van?"
-
-"I don't mind telling you--to get after that one-horse gig."
-
-"It's home by this time, probably."
-
-"I intend to follow it."
-
-"I think I had better go with you, Van," suggested Ralph.
-
-"Why not? You don't think I am anxious to shake the best friend I ever
-had, do you? There's just this, though: Mr. Gibson is a kind of a
-hermit."
-
-"And does not like strange society? I see. Well, I shall not intrude
-upon him until you have paved the way. Let me keep with you. When you
-get near his home go on ahead and report just how matters stand. If he
-cares to see me, I shall be glad. If he don't, there's an end to it."
-
-"That's satisfactory," assented Van heartily. "I guess he will be
-willing to see you."
-
-"I hope so, Van."
-
-"And if he does, I know you will be glad he did," declared Van
-convincedly.
-
-"Do you intend to start for his place to-night?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"I think we might. I feel fresh as a lark, and it's a beautiful night.
-If we get tired we can stop for a rest, and cover the journey by
-daybreak."
-
-"By daybreak?" repeated Ralph. "Why, it's an easy four hours' jaunt."
-
-"Is it?" smiled Van. "I guess not."
-
-"Only twenty miles?"
-
-"Yes, but such twenty miles! Why, it's a jungle half the distance."
-
-"Isn't there a road?"
-
-"Not a sign of one. The gig will make it on the cut-around, and that
-means a good forty miles."
-
-"I see. Very well, Van, I am at your orders," announced Ralph.
-
-He thought it best to secure some more provisions. They went into the
-village this time, and at a little store secured what eatables they
-fancied they might need.
-
-The first mile or two of their journey was very fine traveling, for
-they kept for that distance to the regularly-traversed road the gig had
-taken.
-
-Then Van, who seemed to know his bearings, directed a course directly
-into the timber.
-
-"I don't see any particular fault to be found with this," remarked
-Ralph, after they had gone a couple of miles.
-
-"Oh, this is easy," rejoined Van. "You see, the Great Northern started
-in right here to make a survey years ago. That's why there's quite a
-road for a bit. Wait till you come to where they threw up the job. I
-say, Fairbanks, that's where they missed it."
-
-"Who? what? where?"
-
-"The Great Northern. If they had surveyed right through and made Dover
-the terminal, they could have still put through what is now the main
-line, and this route would have kept the Midland Central out of the
-field."
-
-"You seem pretty well-posted on railroad tactics," said Ralph.
-
-"I am--around these diggings. I've been in the railroad line for two
-years."
-
-"You a railroader!"
-
-"I call myself one."
-
-"You have worked on a railroad?"
-
-"Sure--for two years."
-
-"What railroad?"
-
-Van regarded Ralph quizzically.
-
-"Tell you, Fairbanks," he said, "that's straight, although the railroad
-hasn't a name yet, hasn't turned a wheel, is so far only two miles
-long, and that's all grading and no rails."
-
-"Well, you present a truly remarkable proposition," observed Ralph.
-
-"Isn't it? It's a reality, all the same. And it's the key to a
-situation worth hundreds of thousands."
-
-"You mystify me," acknowledged Ralph,--"allowing you are in earnest."
-
-"Absolutely in earnest. No joshing. I'm quite interested, too, for
-I'm one of the two men who have built the railroad so far."
-
-"Who is the other?"
-
-Van shook his head.
-
-"That's a secret, for the present. I think you'll know soon,
-though--soon as you see Mr. Gibson."
-
-Ralph had to be content with this. He comprehended that there was some
-basis to Van's railroad pretensions, and felt very curious concerning
-the same.
-
-At about eleven o'clock that night Van's predictions as to the
-difficulties in the way of progress were fully verified.
-
-They were apparently in the midst of an untrodden forest. The brush
-was jungle-like, the ground one continuous sweep of hill and dale.
-
-It took one breathless, arduous hour to cover a mile, and their clothes
-and hands were scratched and torn with thorns and brambles.
-
-"It's a little better beyond the creek," said Van. "A man could hide
-in a wilderness like this a good many years in a safe way, eh,
-Fairbanks?"
-
-"Yes, indeed," answered Ralph, and mentally wondered if his companion
-was alluding to the mysterious Farwell Gibson.
-
-They were a wearied and travel-worn pair as they lay down to rest at
-the first token of daybreak. It was at the edge of a level expansive
-sweep surmounted by a dense growth of trees.
-
-"We're nearly there," proclaimed Van.
-
-"How near?" interrogated Ralph.
-
-"You see that hill?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"That's our last climb."
-
-"I'm thankful," said Ralph.
-
-They tramped up the slope after a bit. Once over its edge Ralph,
-looking ahead, made out a low rambling log house. It was about half a
-mile away, and smoke was coming out of its chimney.
-
-"Now then," said Van with a smile, "I reckon this is about as close as
-you need come, for the present--it's a great deal closer than many
-others have come."
-
-"This is a very isolated spot," said Ralph.
-
-"That's Mr. Gibson's house yonder," continued Van. "I'll go on alone,
-see him, report, and come back and advise you."
-
-"That's business," said Ralph.
-
-"Just wander around and amuse yourself," recommended Van. "You may
-find something to interest you."
-
-Ralph grew tired of sitting alone and waiting for Van. As his recent
-companion had advised, he took a stroll. There seemed a break in the
-timber about one hundred feet to the left. Ralph proceeded in that
-direction. He paused at a ten foot avenue cut neat and clean through
-the woods, and stood lost in contemplation.
-
-Far as he could see across the hill this break in the timber continued.
-The brush had been cleared away, the ground leveled here and there,
-some rudely cut ties were set in place, and the layout showed a
-presentable and scientifically laid put and graded roadbed.
-
-"I wonder," said Ralph thoughtfully, "if this is a part of Van's
-boasted railroad? It looks all right as far as it's gone."
-
-What Ralph scanned represented a great deal of labor, that could be
-discerned at a glance. He knew enough about survey work to judge that
-a master mind had directed this embryo railroad project.
-
-Ralph was still inspecting the work when a shrill whistle signaled the
-return of Van.
-
-"It's all right," he announced as he came up to Ralph. "I've told Mr.
-Gibson everything. He will see you."
-
-"That's good," said Ralph.
-
-He followed Van to the house in the distance. As he neared it he
-observed that a man stood in the doorway.
-
-This individual was powerfully built, wore a full bushy beard, and had
-a keen, piercing eye.
-
-He scanned Ralph closely as he approached, and then, standing partly
-aside, with a not ungraceful wave of his hand welcomed Ralph to the
-hospitality of his house.
-
-"You are Mr. Gibson?" said Ralph, feeling impelled to say something.
-
-"Yes, young man, I am that person, and this is the office of the Dover
-and Springfield Short Line. Come in."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXX--THE RIGHT OF WAY
-=============================
-
-The peculiar announcement of Ralph's host was so grandiloquent, and his
-manner so lofty and important, that the young railroader smiled despite
-himself.
-
-Certainly Ralph decided the Dover & Springfield Short Line had its
-headquarters in a particularly isolated place, and its presentation of
-physical resources was limited.
-
-"I never heard of that road before," observed Ralph.
-
-"Probably not," answered his host--"you will hear of it, though, and
-others, in the near future."
-
-Ralph did not attach much importance to the prediction. He had seen at
-a glance that Gibson was an erratic individual, his hermit life had
-probably given birth to some visionary ideas, and his railroad,
-simmered down to the tangible, had undoubtedly little real foundation
-outside of his own fancies and dreams.
-
-Ralph changed his mind somewhat, however, as he crossed the threshold
-of the door, for he stood in the most remarkable apartment he had ever
-entered.
-
-This was a long, low room with a living space at one end, but the
-balance of the place had the unmistakable characteristics of a depot
-and railway office combined.
-
-In fact it was the most "railroady" place Ralph had ever seen. Its
-walls were rude and rough, its furniture primitive and even grotesque,
-but everything harmonized with the idea that this was the center of an
-actual railroad system in operation.
-
-There were benches as if for passengers. In one corner with a grated
-window was a little partitioned off space labeled "President's Office."
-Hanging from a strap were a lot of blank baggage checks, on the walls
-were all kinds of railroad timetables, and painted on a board running
-the entire width of the room were great glaring black letters on a
-white background, comprising the announcement: "Dover & Springfield
-Short Line Railroad."
-
-To complete the presentment, many sheets of heavy manilla paper formed
-one entire end of the room, and across their surface was traced in red
-and black paint a zigzag railway line.
-
-One terminal was marked "Dover," the other "Springfield." There were
-dots for minor stations, crosses for bridges and triangles for water
-tanks.
-
-Ralph readily comprehended that this was the plan of a railroad
-right-of-way crossing The Barrens north and south from end to end, and
-the big blue square in the center was intended to indicate the
-headquarters where he now stood in the presence of the actual and
-important president of the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad.
-
-Ralph must have been two full minutes taking in all this, and when he
-had concluded his inspection he turned to confront Gibson, whose face
-showed lively satisfaction over the fact that the layout had interested
-and visibly impressed his visitor.
-
-"Well," he challenged in a pleased, proud way, "how does it strike you?"
-
-"Why," said Ralph, "to tell the truth, I am somewhat astonished."
-
-"That is quite natural," responded Gibson. "The idea of the world in
-general of a railroad headquarters is plate glass, mahogany desks and
-pompous heads of departments, looking wise and spending money. The
-Short Line has no capital, so we have to go in modest at the start.
-All the same, we have system, ideas and, what is surer and better than
-all that put together, we have the Right of Way."
-
-"The Right of Way?" repeated Ralph, taking in the announcement at its
-full importance.
-
-"Yes, that means what? That under the strictest legal and full state
-authority we have a franchise, empowering us to construct and operate a
-railway from Dover to Springfield, and vesting in us the sole title to
-a hundred-foot strip of land clear across The Barrens, with additional
-depot and terminal sites.
-
-"That must be a very valuable acquisition," said Ralph.
-
-"I am not used to talking my business to outsiders," responded Gibson,
-"and you are one of the very few who have ever been allowed to enter
-this place. I admit you for strong personal reasons, and I want to
-explain to you what they are."
-
-He sat down on one of the benches and waved Ralph to the one opposite.
-His mobile face worked, as silently for a minute or two he seemed
-concentrating his ideas and choosing his words.
-
-"I am a strange man," he said finally, "probably a crank, and certainly
-not a very good man, as my record goes, but circumstances made me what
-I am."
-
-A twinge of bitterness came into the tones, and his eyes hardened.
-
-"The beginning of my life," proceeded Gibson, "was honest work as a
-farmer--the end of it is holding on with bulldog tenacity to all there
-is left of the wreck of a fortune. That's the layout here. The Short
-Line, no one knows it--no one cares--just yet. But no one can ever
-wrest it from me. Ten years ago, when the Great Northern was
-projected, your father saw that a road across here was a tactical move,
-but the investors were in a hurry to get a line through to Springfield,
-and dropped this route. Later the Midland Central cut into Dover.
-They too never guessed what a big point they might have made cutting
-through here to Springfield. Well, I got possession of the franchise.
-I had to bide my time and stay in the dark. To-day, with the Short
-Line completed, I would hold the key to the traffic situation of two
-States, could demand my own price from either railroad for it, and they
-would run up into the millions outbidding each other, for the road
-getting the Short Line completely dominates all transfer passenger and
-freight business north and south."
-
-"Why, I see that," said Ralph, roused up with keen interest. "It
-becomes a bee-line route, saving twenty or thirty miles' distance, and
-opens up a new territory."
-
-"You've struck it. Now then, what I want to lead up to is
-Farrington--Gasper Farrington. You know him?"
-
-"Yes, I know him," assented Ralph emphatically.
-
-"Between my old honest life and the dregs here his figure looms up
-prominently," resumed Gibson. "Around him has revolved much concerning
-your father and myself in the past. Around him will loom up
-considerable concerning you and myself in the future. For this reason
-I take you into my confidence--to join issues, to grasp the situation
-and to move down on the enemy. In a word: Gasper Farrington ruined my
-chances in life. In another, he robbed your father."
-
-Ralph was becoming intensely interested.
-
-"He robbed my father, you say?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"Are you sure of that, Mr. Gibson?"
-
-"I am positive of it. I have the proofs. Even without those proofs,
-my unsupported word would substantiate the charge. The more so,
-because I helped him do it."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXI--A REMARKABLE CONFESSION
-=====================================
-
-"You helped Gasper Farrington rob my father!" exclaimed Ralph.
-
-"Yes," answered Gibson unhesitatingly.
-
-Ralph wondered how he could make the admission thus boldly and
-unblushingly. Gibson, however, acted like a man who had taken a
-desperate stand with an important end to attain, and for the time being
-at least had set aside all questions of sentiment and conscience.
-
-"It will be brief," said Gibson, after a pause. "When the Great
-Northern was on its first boom and everybody gone wild to invest in its
-bonds, I caught the fever too. My wife had died and I had no children,
-and converting my land into cash I came up to Stanley Junction with
-thirty thousand dollars in my pocket. I was always stuck on
-railroading. I fancied myself a director, riding in the president's
-car and distributing free passes to my friends. In a black moment in
-my life I ran afoul of Gasper Farrington. He took me under his wing
-and encouraged my visionary ideas. At that time your father had twenty
-thousand dollars in Great Northern bonds. They were not all paid for,
-but nearly so. They were, in fact, held by a bank as trustee in what
-is known as escrow--that is, subject to his call on payment of the
-small sum still due on them. Your father had great confidence in
-Farrington. So had I. I put my capital in his hands."
-
-Gibson became so wrought up in his recital that he could not sit still.
-He got up and paced the floor.
-
-"If we had kept to a straight investment, your father and I," proceeded
-Gibson, "we would have been all right. But Farrington dazzled us with
-his stock-jobbing schemes. He actually did let us into a deal where by
-dabbling in what is called margins we increased our pile considerably.
-In about a month, however, he had us where he wanted us. That is, he
-had our affairs so mixed up and complicated that neither of us knew
-just where we stood, and didn't dare to make a move without his advice.
-For some time we had all been dabbling in Midland Central securities.
-One day, after he had got me to buy a big block of that stock, the
-market broke. I was a pauper."
-
-"Had Mr. Farrington lost too?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"He pretended that he had, but later I found that he was the very
-person who was manipulating the stocks on the sly, and trimming us. We
-had a bitter quarrel. Then he said all was fair in war and business.
-I was desperate, lad, about my money, and when he set up a plan to get
-hold of your father's bonds, I went into it. I am sorry now. I was
-crazy those days, I guess, money-mad!"
-
-The man's candor vouched for his sincerity, but Ralph looked sad and
-disturbed.
-
-"Anyway, he got your father in a tight corner, and I helped him do it.
-It was a complicated deal. I can't say that Farrington stole those
-bonds outright, but in a roundabout way they finally came into his
-possession. If the transaction was ever ripped up, I don't believe it
-would stand in law. But I don't know that positively. Your father
-lost his bonds, and I got nothing out of the transaction. But there is
-something else that I want to get at. A little later, never doubting
-Farrington's honesty, your father gave him a mortgage on his homestead.
-It was done to protect your mother--that is, feeling himself getting
-involved, your father wished to be sure that she had at least a shelter
-over her head. There was no consideration whatever in the deal. It
-was merely put temporarily in the shape of a mortgage until affairs had
-cleared somewhat, when it was to be deeded to a third party, and then
-direct to your mother."
-
-"Then Mr. Farrington never had a right to collect that interest money,"
-said Ralph.
-
-"He wasn't entitled to a cent of it. Farrington then got me into
-another deal. I had borrowed one thousand dollars from my brother. He
-got me to take security for it, as he called it. In some way he had
-got hold of the old Short Line charter here. At that time it was
-treated as a joke, and considered worthless. I didn't know it. He got
-my thousand dollars, claimed to lose it in a deal, and I was flat
-broke."
-
-"And later?" suggested Ralph, recalling in an instant what he had heard
-from Big Denny about Gibson.
-
-"Well, I got hard pressed. I saw a chance to get even with him. We
-were in a deal together. I canceled it to get a few hundred dollars,
-and signed our joint names as a firm. Later I learned that I had a
-right only to sign my own name. I went to his house. He threatened to
-have me arrested for forgery the next day, showed me the forged paper,
-as he called it, and a warrant he had sworn out. We had a fearful row.
-I beat him up good and proper, smashed some windows, and, disgusted
-with life and mankind, fled to this wilderness."
-
-It was a vivid recital, running like some romance. Gibson took breath,
-and concluded:
-
-"A man can't sit forever eating out his heart in loneliness. I knew
-that Farrington would not hesitate to send me to jail. I located here.
-One day, yonder faithful fellow, Van Sherwin, came along. He was an
-orphan outcast, I took him in. His company gave a new spur to
-existence. I got casting up accounts. I rarely ventured to the towns,
-but I sent him to a relative, who loaned me a few hundred dollars. I
-investigated the Short Line business, even paid a lawyer to look it up.
-I found I had something tangible, and that for a certain date, then two
-months ahead, provided I did some work each day except Sunday
-thenceforward on the right of way, I could hold the franchise
-indefinitely, unimpaired. Since then, Van and I have been at the
-grading work, as you see."
-
-"And why did you write to my father? inquired Ralph.
-
-"My hard, bad nature has changed since Van came here to cheer me with
-his loyal companionship," said Gibson. "I always felt I had wronged
-your father. I wrote to him, thinking him still alive, to come and see
-me. Instead, you come as his representative. Very well, this is what
-I want to say: I am willing to make the statements in writing that I
-have given to you verbally. That, you may say, is of no practical
-benefit to you. But here is something that is: My sworn statement that
-the mortgage was in reality a trust will cancel everything. That means
-something for you, doesn't it?"
-
-"It means a great deal--yes, indeed," assented Ralph.
-
-"Very well," said Gibson. "You go and use the information I have given
-you, the threat to expose Farrington, to get him to destroy that forged
-note he holds against me, so that I can come out into the daylight a
-free man to put my railroad project on foot, and I will give to you a
-sworn statement that in any court of law will compel him to surrender
-to your mother, free and clear, your home. And I won't say right now
-what I will be glad to do for the widow and son of John Fairbanks, when
-the Short Line is an assured fact and a success."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXII--FOUND
-====================
-
-It did not take Ralph long to figure out the merits and prospects of
-the proposition that Farwell Gibson had made to him.
-
-As the latter went more into details concerning his own and Mr.
-Fairbanks' dealings with Gasper Farrington, Ralph felt a certain pity
-for the hermit. He had been the weak, half-crazed tool of a wicked,
-cool headed plotter, had repented his share of the evil doings, and was
-bent on making what restitution he might.
-
-The peculiar situation of affairs, Ralph's quick-witted comprehension
-of things, above all his kindness to Van Sherwin, had completely won
-Gibson's confidence.
-
-They had many little talks together after that. They compared notes,
-suggested mutually plans for carrying out their campaign against the
-Stanley Junction magnate, legally and above board, but guarding their
-own interests warily, for they knew they had a wily, unscrupulous foe
-with whom to contend.
-
-Gibson insisted that they could do nothing but rest that day and the
-next, and when the third day drifted along he took Ralph for an
-inspection of his enterprise.
-
-There was not the least doubt but that Gibson had a valuable
-proposition and that he had legally maintained his rights in the
-premises.
-
-"Every day except Sunday within the prescribed period of the charter, I
-have done work on the road as required by law," he announced to Ralph.
-"Van's affidavit will sustain me in that. Everything is in shape to
-present the scheme to those likely to become interested. It will be no
-crooked stock deal this time, though," he declared, with vehemence.
-"It's a dead-open-and-shut arrangement, with me as sole owner--it's a
-lump sum of money, or the permanent control of the road."
-
-Van's eyes sparkled at this, and Ralph looked as if he would consider
-it a pretty fine thing to come in with the new line under friendly
-advantages, and work up, as he certainly could work up with Gibson so
-completely disposed to do all he could to forward his interests.
-
-Next morning Ralph said he had other business to attend to. It was to
-go to Dover in pursuance with his instructions from Matthewson, the
-road detective of the Great Northern.
-
-It was arranged that Van should drive him over in the gig. If Ralph
-made any important discoveries that required active attention, he was
-to remain on the scene. If not, he promised to return to
-"headquarters" on his way back to Stanley Junction.
-
-Ralph reached Dover about noon, and put in four hours' time. He
-located Jacobs, the man to whom the stolen fittings were to have gone,
-he saw the local police, and he gathered up quite a few facts of
-possible interest to Matthewson, but none indicating the present
-whereabouts of Ike Slump, his tramp friend, or the load of plunder.
-
-"Did you find out much?" Van inquired, as they started homewards about
-five o'clock.
-
-"Nothing to waste time over here," replied Ralph. "I imagine the Great
-Northern has seen the last of its two thousand dollars' worth of brass
-fittings, and Stanley Junction of Ike Slump, for a time at least."
-
-The Gibson habitation was more accessible from this end of The Barrens
-than from the point at which Ralph and Van had four days previously
-entered it.
-
-There was a road for some ten miles, and then one along a winding creek
-for half that distance. Beyond that lay the jungle.
-
-The sun was just going down when they forded the creek. The spot was
-indescribably wild and lonely. Its picturesque beauty, too, interested
-the boys, and they were not averse to a halt in mid-stream, the horse
-luxuriating in a partial bath and enjoying a cool, refreshing drink.
-
-Suddenly Ralph, who had been taking in all the lovely view about them,
-put a quick hand on Van's arm.
-
-"Right away!" he said, with strange incision--"get ashore and in the
-shelter of the brush."
-
-"Eh! what's wrong?" interrogated Van, but obediently urged up the
-horse, got to the opposite bank, and halted where the shrubbery
-interposed a dense screen.
-
-"Now--what?" he demanded.
-
-Ralph made a silencing gesture with his hand. He dropped from his
-seat, went back to the edge of the greenery, and peered keenly down
-stream.
-
-He seemed to be watching somebody or something, and was so long at it
-that Van got impatient, and leaping from the wagon approached his side.
-
-"What's up?" he asked.
-
-Ralph did not reply. Van peered past him. Down stream about five
-hundred feet a human figure stood, faced away from the ford, bent at
-work over some kind of a frame structure partly in the water.
-
-"You seem mightily interested!" observed Van.
-
-"I am," answered Ralph, and his tone was quite intense. "I expect to
-be still more so when that fellow faces about."
-
-"If he ever does. There--he has!" spoke Van.
-
-Ralph drew back from his point of observation, took a quick breath, and
-was palpably excited.
-
-"I was right," he said, half to himself. "There's work here."
-
-"Say," spoke Van, impatiently and curiously, "you're keeping me on
-nettles. What are you talking about, anyway?"
-
-"That fellow yonder. Do you know who he is?"
-
-"Of course I don't."
-
-"I do--it's Ike Slump."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXIII--IKE SLUMP'S RAFT
-================================
-
-"You don't say so!" exclaimed Van.
-
-"Yes," declared Ralph--"the missing Ike Slump is found. I would know
-him anywhere, in any guise, and at any distance, and that is he yonder."
-
-"You don't seem to have luck or anything in finding opportunities--and
-people!" observed Van dryly.
-
-"I don't know about that."
-
-"There's the boy the railroad company wants to find, isn't it?"
-
-"Well, Ike Slump alone, a vagabond fugitive, isn't so much what they
-are after," explained Ralph. "They want to recover that stolen
-plunder, and from the general appearance of Slump I don't imagine he
-has much of anything visible about him except what he probably calls
-'hard luck.'"
-
-"What are you going to do?"
-
-"Have a talk with him first, if I can."
-
-Ralph reflected for a few moments. Then he decided on a course of
-action. He suggested that Van remain where he was. Lining the shore
-himself, Ralph kept well in the shelter of the shrubbery until he was
-directly opposite the spot where the object of his interest was at work.
-
-He could not secure more than a general idea of what Ike was about
-unless he exposed himself to view. Ike seemed to be framing together a
-raft. He was very intent on his task--so much so, that when Ralph
-finally decided to show himself he was not aware of a visitor until
-Ralph stood directly at his side.
-
-"How do you do, Slump?" spoke Ralph, as carelessly as though meeting
-him on the streets of Stanley Junction in an everyday recognition.
-
-"Hi! who--smithereens! Stand back!"
-
-Ike let out a whoop of amazement. He jumped back two feet. Then he
-stared at his visitor in a strained attitude, too overcome to speak
-coherently.
-
-"Ralph Fairbanks!" he spluttered.
-
-Ralph nodded pleasantly.
-
-Ike grew more collected. He presented a wretched appearance. He was
-thin, hungry-looking, sullen of manner, and evidently dejected of
-spirit.
-
-A sudden suspicion lit up his face as he glanced furtively into the
-shrubbery beyond his visitor, as though fearing other intruders. Then
-with his old time tricky nimbleness he described a kind of a sliding
-slip, and seized a short iron bar lying on the ground.
-
-"What do you want?" he demanded, with a scowl.
-
-"I want to have a talk with you, Ike."
-
-"What about?"
-
-"Your mother."
-
-Ralph had heard back at Stanley Junction that Ike's mother had mourned
-her son's evil course as a judgment sent upon them because her husband
-sold liquor. He felt sorry for her, as Ike now shrugged his shoulders
-impatiently, and not a gleam of home-longing or affection followed the
-allusion to his mother.
-
-"Did you come specially for that?" demanded Ike. "Because if you did,
-how did you know I was here?"
-
-"I didn't--this meeting is purely accidental."
-
-"Oh!" muttered Ike incredulously.
-
-"I'll be plain, Slump," said Ralph, "for I see you don't welcome my
-company or my mission. Your father is worried to death about you, your
-mother is slowly pining away. If you have any manhood at all, you will
-go home."
-
-"What for?" flared out Ike, savagely swinging the iron rod--"to get
-walloped! Worse, to get jugged! You played me a fine trick spying
-into Cohen's and getting the gang in a box. I ought to just kill you,
-I ought!"
-
-"Well, hear what I have to say before you begin your slaughter," said
-Ralph quietly. "Out of sympathy for your mother, and because your
-father has friends among the railroad men, I think the disposition of
-the railroad company is to treat you with leniency in the matter of the
-stolen junk, if you show you are ready to do the square thing."
-
-"They can't prove a thing against me!" shouted Ike wrathfully. "Think
-I don't know how affairs stand? They can't do anything with Cohen,
-either, unless some one peaches--and no one will."
-
-"Don't be too sure of that," advised Ralph. "They can lock you up, and
-if they delve very deep, can convict you on circumstantial evidence.
-But I don't want to discuss that. It's plain business, and now is your
-time to act. Go home, give the company a chance to get back its
-property, and I'll guarantee they will deal lightly with you--this
-time."
-
-"Put my head in the jaws of the lion?" derided Ike--"not much! Say,
-Ralph Fairbanks, what do you take me for? And what do I know about
-their stolen plunder?"
-
-"You drove off from Stanley Junction that night with it."
-
-"Prove it!"
-
-"You and your tramp friend. I was at Dover to-day. Your tramp friend
-sold those two horses belonging to Cohen twenty miles further on, I
-learned."
-
-"Drat him!" snarled Ike viciously.
-
-"You wasn't with him. Did he give you the slip, and leave you in the
-lurch? It looks so. I wouldn't hold the bag for anybody, if I were
-you, Ike Slump," rallied Ralph.
-
-"See here, Fairbanks," gritted Ike between his set teeth, "you know too
-much, you do!"
-
-"Now what, in the meantime, became of the stolen brass fittings? You
-know. Tell. Give the company a square deal, and take another chance
-to drop bad company and behave yourself."
-
-"I won't go home," declared Ike, with knit, sullen brows. "You start
-on about your business, and leave me to mine."
-
-"All right," said Ralph. "I'd be a friend to you if you would let me.
-By the way, what is your business, Slump? Ah, I see--building a raft?"
-
-"What of it?"
-
-"And what for?"
-
-"Say!" cried Ike, brandishing the rod furiously and trying to
-intimidate his visitor with a furious demonstration, "what do you
-torment me for! Get out! I'm building a raft because I'm a
-persecuted, hunted being, driven like a rat into a hole. I want to
-float to safety past the towns, and go west. And I'm going to do it!"
-
-"Why not walk?" suggested Ralph.
-
-Ike flared a glance of dark suspicion at Ralph.
-
-"And why such a big raft?" pursued Ralph smoothly--"no, you don't! Now
-then, since you've forced the issue, lie still."
-
-Ike had suddenly sprung towards Ralph, swinging the iron rod. The
-latter was watching him, however. In a flash he had the bad boy
-disarmed, lying flat on the ground, and sat astride of him, pinioning
-his arms outspread at full length.
-
-Ralph gave a sharp, clear whistle. Van came rushing down the bank in
-the distance in response.
-
-Ike Slump raved like a madman. He threatened, he pleaded. He even
-took refuge in tears. All the time, Ralph Fairbanks was making up his
-mind. That partially built raft had roused his suspicions very keenly,
-had suggested a new line of action, and he determined to follow the
-promptings of his judgment.
-
-"There's a piece of rope yonder," said Ralph, as Van approached on a
-run. "Get it, and help me tie this young man hand and foot."
-
-They did the job promptly and well, Ike Slump raving worse than ever in
-the meanwhile.
-
-"Now then," directed Ralph, "help me carry him to the gig. Van, this
-is Ike Slump, of whom you have heard a little something. He is bound
-he won't further the ends of justice, and I am as fully determined that
-at least he shall not have his liberty to frustrate them. We will load
-him in the gig, take him to headquarters, and you are to ask our friend
-there as a special favor to me to keep him safely till he hears from
-me."
-
-"I won't go!" yelled the squirming Ike--"I'll have your bones for this!"
-
-"I would advise you," said Ralph to the frantic captive, "to behave
-yourself. You are going where you will have good treatment. Build up,
-and do some thinking. I shall be as friendly to you as if you hadn't
-tried to brain me."
-
-"You don't mean," said the astonished Van, "that you are going to stay
-behind?"
-
-"Yes," answered Ralph, with a significant glance at Ike. "I have an
-idea it is my clear duty to investigate why Ike Slump built that raft."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY!
-=======================
-
-In about five minutes the arrangements were completed by Ralph and Van
-for the transportation of their prisoner to "headquarters."
-
-Ike Slump, tied securely, was snugly propped up in the seat beside Van.
-Ralph waited until he saw them safely on their way, and then went
-straight back to the spot where he had discovered Ike.
-
-A cursory view of the raft had already awakened a vivid train of
-thought. Now, as he looked it over more particularly, Ralph found that
-he had grounds for suspicions of the most promising kind.
-
-"Ike must have been at work on this for several days," decided Ralph.
-"I didn't think he had so much patience and constructive ability. It's
-big enough to carry a house, and of course his making it, as he says,
-to float himself down stream to a safe distance, is sheer nonsense."
-
-Some large logs formed the basis of the raft. Over these were nailed
-boards to give its bottom depth and solidity.
-
-It was a sight of those boards that had set Ralph thinking. Such handy
-timber, he recognized, had no business this far from civilization.
-Where had they come from?
-
-"Those two are box covers," concluded Ralph, after a close inspection,
-"and they are the exact size of the boxes I saw at Cohen's back room at
-Stanley Junction. I must find out what it does mean."
-
-Then Ralph made a second discovery, and knew that he was distinctly on
-the hot trail of something of importance.
-
-Two corners of the raft were bound with heavy brass pieces used as
-ornamental clamps on passenger coaches. They were stamped inside "G.N."
-
-"Great Northern property, sure," reflected Ralph, "and of course part
-of the stolen plunder. That wagon load never went to or through Dover,
-so far as the police people have been able to find out, but I am sure
-it did come here, or near here, or what is Ike doing with those pieces?"
-
-Ralph now set about tracing Ike's living quarters. They must be
-somewhere in the immediate vicinity.
-
-He had little difficulty in following up a worn path across the grass.
-It led to a snug shakedown, under the lee of a slope roofed over with
-dry branches and grass.
-
-Here Ralph found a case of canned goods, a box of crackers and a lot of
-tobacco and cigarette papers. On a heap of dry grass lay a wagon
-cushion.
-
-Ralph circled this spot. He had to exert the ingenuity and diligence
-of an Indian trailer in an effort to follow the footsteps leading to
-and from the place in various directions. Finally he felt that his
-patience was about to be rewarded. For over two hundred feet the
-disturbed and beaten down grass showed where some object had been
-dragged over the ground, probably the boards used in the construction
-of the raft.
-
-The trail led along the winding shore of the creek and up a continuous
-slope. Then abruptly it ceased, directly at the edge of a deep,
-verdure-choked ravine.
-
-Ralph peered down. A gleam of red, like a wagon tongue, caught his
-eye. Then he made out a rounding metal rim like the tire of a wheel.
-He began to let himself down cautiously with the help of roots and
-vines. His feet finally rested on a solid box body.
-
-An irrepressible cry of satisfaction arose from the lips of the lonely
-delver in the débris at the bottom of the ravine.
-
-When Ralph clambered up again he was warm and perspiring but his eyes
-were bright with the influence of some stimulating discovery.
-
-He stood still for five minutes, as if undecided just what to do,
-glanced at the fast-setting sun, and struck out briskly in the
-direction of the road leading to Dover.
-
-It was midnight when he reached the town he had visited earlier in the
-same day. Ralph went straight to the police station of the place.
-
-For about an hour he was closeted with one of the officers there whom
-he had met earlier on his visit in the gig. They had a spirited
-confidential talk.
-
-Ralph was on railroad business now, pure and simple, for he was acting
-in accordance with Road Detective Matthewson's instructions and on the
-strength of his written authority.
-
-"I ran catch a Midland Central train west to Osego in about an hour,"
-he planned, as he left the police station and walked towards the depot.
-"There's a ten-mile cut across country on foot to Springfield, and then
-I am headed for Stanley Junction by daylight."
-
-Ralph boarded the train at Springfield at about six o'clock in the
-morning. His pass from Matthewson won him a comfortable seat in the
-chair car, and he had a sound, refreshing nap by the time the 10.15
-rolled into Stanley Junction.
-
-Griscom had this run, but Ralph did not make his presence known to his
-sturdy engineer friend. He left the train at a crossing near home, and
-was soon seated at the kitchen table doing ample justice to a meal
-hurriedly prepared for him by his delighted mother.
-
-Almost her first solicitous inquiry was for Van.
-
-"Van is well and happy, mother," Ralph Answered. "Grateful, too. And,
-mother, he remembers 'the dear lady who sung the sweet songs.'"
-
-"Ralph, do you mean," exclaimed Mrs. Fairbanks tremulously--"do you
-mean his mind has come back to him?"
-
-"Yes, mother."
-
-"Oh, God be praised!" murmured the widow, the tears of joy streaming
-down her beaming face, lifted in humble thankfulness to heaven.
-
-Then Ralph hurriedly went over the details and results of his trip with
-Van Sherwin.
-
-Later he spent half an hour at a careful toilet, and just as the town
-clock announced the noon hour Ralph walked into the law office of
-Jerome Black.
-
-Mr. Black was a well-known attorney of Stanley Junction. He was an
-austere, highly efficient man in his line, had a good general record,
-and all Ralph had against him was that he was Gasper Farrington's
-lawyer.
-
-It was upon this account that Ralph had decided to call upon him. All
-the way to the attorney's office Ralph had reflected seriously over
-what he would say and do.
-
-The lawyer nodded curtly to Ralph as he came into his presence. He
-knew the youth by sight, knew nothing against him, and because of this
-had granted him an audience, supposing Ralph wanted his help in
-securing him work, or something of that kind.
-
-But the leading lawyer of Stanley Junction was never so astonished in
-his life as now, when Ralph promptly, clearly and in a business-like
-manner outlined the object of his visit.
-
-"Mr. Black," Ralph said, "I know you are the lawyer of Mr. Gasper
-Farrington. I also know you to have the reputation of being an exact
-and honorable business man. I do not know the ethics of your
-profession, I do not know how you will treat some information I am
-about to impart to you, but I feel that you will in any case treat an
-honest working boy, looking only for his rights, fairly and squarely."
-
-"Why, thank you, Fairbanks," acknowledged Black, looking very much
-mystified at this strange preface--"but what are you driving at?"
-
-Then Ralph told him. He did not tell him all--there was no occasion to
-do so. He simply said that he could produce evidence that Gasper
-Farrington had treated his dead father in a most dishonorable manner,
-and that, further, he could produce a sworn affidavit showing that the
-mortgage on his mother's homestead was in reality only a deed of trust.
-
-The lawyer's brows knitted as Ralph told his story. He could not fail
-to be impressed at Ralph's straightforwardness. When Ralph had
-concluded he said briefly:
-
-"Fairbanks, you are an earnest, truthful boy, and I respect you for it.
-What you tell me is my client's personal business, not mine. But I see
-plainly that he must adopt some action to avoid a scandal. Your
-grounds seem well taken, and I am pleased that you came to me instead
-of making public what can do you no good, and might do Mr. Farrington
-considerable harm. What do you want?"
-
-"Simply two things--they are my right. After that let Mr. Farrington
-leave us alone, and we will not disturb him."
-
-"What are those two things?" inquired the lawyer.
-
-"The cancellation of the mortgage on my mother's home, and the alleged
-forged note upon which Mr. Farrington bases a criminal charge against
-one Farwell Gibson."
-
-"Why!" exclaimed the lawyer, very much amazed. "What has Farwell
-Gibson got to do with this matter?"
-
-"Mr. Black," replied Ralph, "I can not tell you that. You have my
-terms. Mr. Farrington is a bad man. He can make some restitution by
-giving me those two documents. That ends it, so far as we are
-concerned."
-
-"And if he does not agree to your terms?" insinuated the lawyer.
-
-"I shall go to some other lawyer at once, and expose him publicly,"
-said Ralph.
-
-Mr. Black reflected for some moments. Then he arose, took up his hat,
-and said:
-
-"Remain here till I return, Fairbanks. Mr. Farrington has been sick
-for some days----"
-
-"I should think he would be!" murmured Ralph, to himself.
-
-"But this is an important matter, and can not brook delay. I will see
-him at once."
-
-Ralph had to wait nearly an hour. When the lawyer returned he closed
-the office door and faced his visitor seriously.
-
-"Fairbanks," he said, "I have faith in your honor, or I would never
-advise my client to do as he has done. You are sure you control this
-matter sufficiently to prevent any further trouble being made for Mr.
-Farrington, or any unnecessary publicity of this affair?"
-
-"Yes," assented Ralph pointedly--"unless I ever find out that we have
-any just claim to the twenty thousand dollars in railroad bonds which
-once belonged to my father."
-
-"I fancy that is a dead issue," said the lawyer, with a dry smile.
-"Very well, there are your papers."
-
-He handed Ralph an unsealed envelope. Ralph glanced inside.
-
-Gasper Farrington had been forced to swallow a bitter dose of
-humiliation and defeat.
-
-The inclosures were the Farwell Gibson forged note, and a deed of
-release which gave to Ralph's mother her homestead, free and clear.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXXV--CONCLUSION
-========================
-
-Ralph stepped across the turntable entrance to the roundhouse at
-Stanley Junction just as the one o'clock whistles were blowing.
-
-It was like coming home again. Limpy, shining up a locomotive
-headlight, gave a croak of welcome, jumped down from the pilot, and
-slapped his greasy, blackened hand into that of his young favorite with
-genuine fervor.
-
-The engineers, firemen and extras in the dog house called out the usual
-variety of cheery chaff, but all pleasant and interested.
-
-"This is a great place to find friends!" smiled Ralph, and then hurried
-his steps, for the roundhouse foreman at that moment appeared at the
-door of his little office.
-
-"This way, Fairbanks," he hailed, quite eagerly. "Well," as he ushered
-Ralph into the grimy sanctum, "back again, I see?"
-
-"Yes, Mr. Forgan," answered Ralph, "and glad to be here."
-
-"What news?"
-
-"About the stolen plunder," began Ralph.
-
-"Of course. That's the one considerable freight on my mind, just at
-present," acknowledged the foreman, with an anxious sigh. "We show a
-mortgage on our inventory, and a big railroad system don't take kindly
-to that sort of thing, you know."
-
-"Very well, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph brightly, "you can change your
-inventory."
-
-"What! you don't mean----"
-
-"I have found the wagon load of brass fittings," answered Ralph. "They
-are in safe charge at the present time, subject to your order. Here is
-my report to the special agent, Mr. Matthewson, and I guess, Mr.
-Forgan, I'm out of a job again, for I don't see anything further in
-sight."
-
-"Fairbanks, you're a trump!" shouted the delighted foreman, slapping
-the young railroader vigorously on the shoulder. "You've saved me some
-uneasiness, I can tell you! That your report?" with a glance at a
-neatly-directed envelope Ralph had produced. "Come with me. We want
-to catch Matthewson before he gets away. He's going down to
-Springfield this afternoon--on your business, too."
-
-"On my business?" repeated Ralph. "That sounds like a good omen."
-
-"Don't you worry about omens, my young friend!" chuckled the foreman.
-"You've about won your spurs, this time. How did you run across that
-stolen stuff, when those smart, experienced specials never got a sniff
-of it?"
-
-"Quite by accident," replied Ralph. "I found Ike Slump. As near as I
-can figure it out, he and his tramp friend had a breakdown near Dover.
-The tramp appears to have got discouraged or frightened, cut away with
-Cohen's horses, sold them and decamped, leaving Ike in the lurch. Ike
-got the wagonload over into a ravine to hide it till he could raft the
-stuff to a distance, and dispose of it and disappear, too. I nipped
-his scheme just in time."
-
-Matthewson appeared as glad to see Ralph as Forgan had been. He
-expressed the liveliest satisfaction at the contents of the report
-Ralph handed to him.
-
-"I think this will be a final spoke in the wheel of Mr. Inspector
-Bardon," he said significantly. "Hope you attended to your writing and
-spelling in this report, Fairbanks?"
-
-"Why so?" inquired Ralph.
-
-"Because the president of the Great Northern is likely to see it before
-nightfall," announced Matthewson, with a grim chuckle.
-
-The foreman and Ralph returned to the roundhouse. After a while Big
-Denny came in, full of animation and welcome. Ralph learned that Mrs.
-Slump was better, but hers was a sad household. The parents had about
-given up ever redeeming their scapegrace son from his evil ways, and
-the stricken mother insisted to her husband that they would never know
-good luck again until he gave up selling strong drink.
-
-With a promise to come up to his house and see little Nora, "who so
-prettily says her prayers for you every night," Forgan told Ralph, the
-foreman allowed his friend to go home late in the afternoon.
-
-That was a quiet, happy evening at the Fairbanks homestead.
-
-It seemed to mother and son as though after a brave, patient struggle
-they had reached some sublime height, from which they could look back
-over all difficulties overcome, and forward to golden promises for the
-future.
-
-Ralph valued the friends he had made in the railroad service and also
-the experience he had gained.
-
-There had been ups and downs. There was hard work ahead. But,
-brighter than ever, shone the clear star of ambition at the top of the
-ladder of the railroad career.
-
-Ralph felt that he was in the hands of his friends, and could afford to
-await their exertions in his behalf.
-
-The next day he was returning from a stroll, turning over in his mind a
-plan to learn Matthewson's decision as to what, if anything, the
-company wanted done with Ike Slump, and to make a visit to Farwell
-Gibson with the joyful news that would make him a free man, when
-nearing home, Ralph hurried his steps at the sounds of animated
-conversation within the cottage.
-
-In the cozy little parlor sat his mother, and on a stool at her feet
-was Van. His bright, ingenuous face was aglow with happiness, and he
-was chatting away to a loving, interested listener merry as a magpie.
-
-"Hello, there, Van Sherwin!" challenged Ralph, in mock severity. "I
-can't have any prodigal son pushing me out of my place this way!"
-
-"I have two boys now," said Mrs. Fairbanks, with a proud smile, as the
-two manly young fellows joined hands in a brotherly welcome.
-
-"What brings you here?" was Ralph's first query.
-
-"Slump, mainly," answered Van.
-
-"What about him?"
-
-"Sloped, bag and baggage--and some of Mr. Gibson's baggage to boot. He
-played it pretty fine on Mr. Gibson, who allowed him more liberty than
-he deserved. Yes, Ike cut out last night, and we thought you ought to
-know about it at once."
-
-"That's right," nodded Ralph. "However, maybe it is better he should
-drop out of the affair in just that way. It will save trouble and
-complications. He may sometime see the errors of his ways, and turn
-over a new leaf."
-
-"I doubt it," dissented Van. "I think he's an all-around bad one.
-What about Mr. Gibson's business, if I may ask? He's terribly anxious."
-
-"Nothing but good news," answered Ralph heartily. "Mr. Gibson is free
-to introduce the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad to the great
-traveling public just as soon as he likes, now."
-
-"Bet you he'll have it running inside of a year!" predicted the
-exuberant Van. "Bet you in two I'm a first-class, bang-up locomotive
-engineer, and you're master mechanic of the road!"
-
-"That's a far look into the future, Van," said Ralph, with an indulgent
-smile. "Just now, I'm getting restless for work of 'most any kind--I
-wish they would put me back in the roundhouse."
-
-There was a vigorous knock at the front door of the cottage at that
-moment.
-
-Mrs. Fairbanks answered the summons. She reëntered the parlor holding
-an envelope in one hand.
-
-"A telegram," she announced.
-
-"For me?" questioned Ralph, as she extended it towards him.
-
-"For you, Ralph."
-
-It was the first telegram Ralph Fairbanks had ever received, and, his
-mind on a working strain already, he looked conscious and expectant as
-he opened it.
-
-The telegram was dated at Springfield, the headquarters of the road.
-
-It was signed: "James Blake, Master Mechanic."
-
-At a glance Ralph comprehended that the mission of his friend,
-Matthewson, had been successful.
-
-"The first step up the ladder!" he said, with shining eyes, to his
-mother and Van.
-
-The telegram read:
-
-"Ralph Fairbanks will report Monday morning at the roundhouse, Stanley
-Junction, for duty as a regularly appointed switch towerman on the
-Great Northern Railroad."
-
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | THE END
-
-
-.. pgfooter::
diff --git a/39050-rst/images/img-front.jpg b/39050-rst/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b11ba99..0000000 --- a/39050-rst/images/img-front.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39050.txt b/39050.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e10965b..0000000 --- a/39050.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8001 +0,0 @@ - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Ralph of the Roundhouse - -Author: Allen Chapman - -Release Date: March 04, 2012 [EBook #39050] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - -[Illustration: RALPH STEPPED OVER HIS RECUMBENT COMPANION AND PLACED HIS -HAND ON THE LEVER.] - - ---- - - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - OR - - BOUND TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN - - BY - - ALLEN CHAPMAN - - NEW YORK - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS - - Made in the United States of America - - ---- - - Copyright, 1906, by - THE MERSHON COMPANY - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I--THE DAYLIGHT EXPRESS - CHAPTER II--WAKING UP - CHAPTER III--A LOST BALL - CHAPTER IV--IKE SLUMP'S DINNER PAIL - CHAPTER V--OPPORTUNITY - CHAPTER VI--THE MASTER MECHANIC - CHAPTER VII--AT THE ROUNDHOUSE - CHAPTER VIII--THE OLD FACTORY - CHAPTER IX--AN UNEXPECTED GUEST - CHAPTER X--THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER - CHAPTER XI--ON DUTY - CHAPTER XII--IKE SLUMP'S REVENGE - CHAPTER XIII--MAKING HIS WAY - CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST - CHAPTER XV--"VAN" - CHAPTER XVI--FACE TO FACE - CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS - CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY? - CHAPTER XIX--IKE SLUMP'S FRIENDS - CHAPTER XX--THE HIDE-OUT - CHAPTER XXI--A FREE RIDE - CHAPTER XXII--BEHIND TIME - CHAPTER XXIII--BARDON, THE INSPECTOR - CHAPTER XXIV--A NEW ENEMY - CHAPTER XXV--DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND - CHAPTER XXVI--A ROVING COMMISSION - CHAPTER XXVII--RECALLED TO LIFE - CHAPTER XXVIII--MYSTERY - CHAPTER XXIX--A RIVAL RAILROAD - CHAPTER XXX--THE RIGHT OF WAY - CHAPTER XXXI--A REMARKABLE CONFESSION - CHAPTER XXXII--FOUND - CHAPTER XXXIII--IKE SLUMP'S RAFT - CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY! - CHAPTER XXXV--CONCLUSION - - ---- - - RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE DAYLIGHT EXPRESS - - -The Daylight Express rolled up to the depot at Stanley Junction, on -time, circling past the repair shops, freight yard and roundhouse, a -thing of life and beauty. - -Stanley Junction had become a wide-awake town of some importance since -the shops had been moved there, and when a second line took it in as a -passing point, the old inhabitants pronounced the future of the Junction -fully determined. - -Engine No. 6, with its headlight shining like a piece of pure crystal, -its metal trimmings furbished up bright and natty-looking, seemed to -understand that it was the model of the road, and sailed majestically to -a repose that had something of dignity and grandeur to it. - -The usual crowd that kept tab on arriving trains lounged on the -platform, and watched the various passengers alight. - -A brisk, bright-faced young fellow glided from their midst, cleared an -obstructing truck with a clever spring, stood ready to greet the -locomotive and express car as they parted company from the passenger -coaches, and ran thirty feet along the siding to where the freight-sheds -stood. - -He appeared to know everybody, and to be a general favorite with every -one, for the brakeman at the coach-end air brake gave him a cheery: "Hi, -there, kid!" gaunt John Griscom, the engineer, flung him a grim but -pleased nod of recognition, and the fireman, discovering him, yelled a -shrill: "All aboard, now!" - -The young fellow turned to face the latter with a whirl and struck an -attitude, as if entirely familiar with jolly Sam Cooper's warnings. - -For the latter, reaching for a row of golden pippins stowed on his oil -shelf, contributed by some bumpkin admirer down the line, seized the -biggest and poised it for a fling. - -"Here she goes, Ralph Fairbanks!" he chuckled. - -"Let her come!" cried back Ralph, and--clip! he cut the missile's career -short by the latest approved baseball tactics. - -Ralph pocketed the apple with a gay laugh, and was at the door of the -express section of the car as it slid back and the messenger's face -appeared. - -The agent had come out of his shed. He glanced over an iron chest and -some crated stuff shoved forward by the messenger, and then, running his -eye over the bills of lading handed him by the latter, said briskly: - -"You will not be needed this time, Ralph." - -"All right, Mr. More." - -"Nothing but some transfer freight and the bank delivery--that's my -special, you know. Be around for the 5.11, though." - -"Sure," nodded Ralph Fairbanks, looking pleased at the brisk dismissal, -like a boy on hand for work, but, that failing, with abundant other -resources at hand to employ and enjoy the time. - -With a cheery hail to the baggage master as he appeared on the scene, -Ralph rounded the cow-catcher, intent on a short cut across the tracks. -His appearance had been actuated by business reasons strictly, but, -business not materializing, he was quite as practical and eager on -another tack. - -Ever since vacation began, three weeks previous, Ralph had made two -trips daily to the depot, on hand to meet the arriving 10.15 and 5.11 -trains. - -This had been at the solicitation of the express agent. Stanley -Junction was not a very large receiving point, but usually there were -daily several packages to deliver. When these were not for the bank or -business houses in the near center of the town, but for individuals, the -agent employed Ralph to deliver them, allowing him to retain the ten -cents fee for charges. - -Sometimes Ralph picked up as high as fifty cents a day, the average was -about half that amount, but it was welcome pocket money. Occasionally, -too, some odd job for waiting passengers or railroad employes would come -up. It gave Ralph spending money with which to enjoy his vacation, and, -besides, he liked the work. - -Especially work around the railroad. What live boy in Stanley Junction -did not--but then Ralph, as the express agent often said, "took to -railroading like a duck to water." - -It was a natural heritage. Ralph's father had been a first-class, -all-around railroad man, and his son felt a justifiable pride in -boasting that he was one of the pioneers who had made the railroad at -Stanley Junction a possibility. - -"Home, a quick bite or two, and then for the baseball game," said Ralph -briskly, as he ran his eye across the network of rails, and beyond them -to the waving tree tops and the village green. Preparing to make a run -for it, Ralph suddenly halted. - -A grimed repair man, tapping the wheels of the coaches, just then jerked -back his hammer with a vivid: - -"Hi, you!" - -Ralph discerned that the man was not addressing him, for his eyes were -staringly fixed under the trucks. - -"Let me out!" sounded a muffled voice. - -Ralph was interested, as there struggled from the cindered roadbed an -erratic form. It was that of a boy about his own age. He judged this -from the dress and figure, although one was tattered, and the other -strained, crippled and bent. The face was a criss-cross streak of dust, -oil and cinders. - -"A stowaway!" yelled the repair man, excitedly waving his hammer. -"Schmitt! Schmitt! this way!" - -The depot officer came running around the end of the train at the call. -Ralph had eyes only for the forlorn figure that had so suddenly come -into action in the light of day. - -He could read the lad's story readily. The last run of No. 6 was of ten -miles. There was no doubt but that for this distance, if not for a -greater one, the stowaway had been a "dead-head" passenger, perilously -clinging to the brace bars, or wedged against the trucks under the -middle coach. - -The dust and grime must have half-blinded him, the roar have deafened, -for he staggered about now in an aimless, distracted way, hobbling and -wincing as he tried to get his cramped muscles into normal play. - -"What you doing?" roared the old watchman, on a run, and waving his club -threateningly. - -"I've done it!" muttered the boy dolefully. He kept hobbling about to -get his tensioned nerves unlimbered, edging away from the approaching -watchman as fast as he could. - -"Show me!" he panted, appealingly to Ralph, - -The latter understood the predicament and wish. He moved his hand very -meaningly, and the stowaway seemed to comprehend, for he glided to where -a heap of ties barricaded a dead-end track. Rubbing the blinding dirt -from his eyes, he cleared the heap, dropped on the other side, and ran -down a narrow lane bounded on one side by a brick wall and on the other -by a ten-foot picket fence. - -"Third one in a week!" growled the watchman. "Got to stop! Against the -law, and second one lost a foot!" - -Ralph moved along, crossed four tracks and a freight train blockaded, -and kept on down the straight rails. The stowaway had passed from his -mind. Now, glancing toward the fence, he saw the lad limping down the -lane. - -The stowaway saw him, and coming to a halt grasped two of the fence -bars, and peered and shouted at him. - -"Want me?" asked Ralph, approaching. He saw that the stowaway was in -bad shape, for he clung to the fence as if it rested him. He had not -yet gotten all the cricks out of his bones. - -"It was a tough job," muttered the boy. "It took grit! Say, tell me -something, will you?" - -Ralph nodded. The boy rubbed the knuckle of one hand across his coat to -wipe off the blood of an abrasion, and groped in a pocket. - -"Where is that?" he asked, bringing to light an envelope, and holding it -slantingly for Ralph's inspection. "Can you tell me?" - -"Why," said Ralph, with a start--"let me look at that!" - -"No," demurred the other cautiously. "It's near enough to read. I want -to find that person." - -"It's my name," said Ralph, quickly and with considerable wonderment. -"Give it to me." - -"I guess not!" snapped the stowaway. "I don't know who John Fairbanks -is, but I know enough to be sure you ain't him." - -"No, he was my father. Climb over the fence. I don't quite understand -this, and I want you to explain." - -The stowaway sized up the fence, wincing as he lifted one foot, and -then, with a disgusted exclamation, turned abruptly and broke into a -run. - -Ralph saw that the cause of this action was the watchman, who had come -into view through a doorway in the brick wall, and had started a new -pursuit of the boy. - -He was a husky, clumsy individual, and had counted on heading off or -creeping unawares on the fugitive, but the latter, with a start, soon -outdistanced him, and was lost to Ralph's view where the lane broadened -out into the railroad scrap yards. - -Ralph stood undecided for a minute or two, and then somewhat reluctantly -resumed his way. - -"He'll find us, if he's got that letter to deliver," he concluded. "I -wonder what it can be? From somebody who doesn't know father is dead, -it seems." - -Ralph neared home in the course of ten minutes, to save time crossing -lots to reach by its side door the plain, but comfortable looking, -neatly kept cottage that had been his shelter since childhood. - -It was going to be a busy day with him, he had planned, and he flung off -his coat with a business air of hurried preparation for a change of -toilet. - -Ten feet from the door through which he intended to bolt as usual with -all the impetuosity of a real flesh and blood boy, on the jump every -waking minute of his existence, Ralph came to an abrupt halt. - -He expected to find his mother alone, and was ready to tell her about -the stowaway episode and the letter. - -But voices echoed from the little sitting room, and the first -intelligible words his ear caught, spoken in a gruff snarl, made Ralph's -eyes flash fire, his fists clenched, and his breath came quick. - -"Very well, Widow Fairbanks," fell distinctly on Ralph's hearing, -"what's the matter with that good-for-nothing son of yours going to work -and paying the honest debts of the family?" - - - - -CHAPTER II--WAKING UP - - -Ralph recognized that strident voice at once. It belonged to Gasper -Farrington, one of the wealthiest men of Stanley Junction, and one of -the meanest. - -Whenever Ralph had met the man, and he met him often, one fact had been -vividly impressed upon his mind. Gasper Farrington had a natural -antipathy for all boys in general, and for Ralph Fairbanks in -particular. - -The Criterion Baseball Club was a feature with juvenile Stanley -Junction, yet they had many a privilege abrogated through the influence -of Farrington. He had made complaints on the most trivial pretexts, -winning universal disrespect and hatred from the younger population. - -More than once he had put himself out to annoy Ralph. In one instance -the latter had stood for the rights of the club in a lawyer-like manner. -He had beaten Farrington and the town board combined on technical legal -grounds as to the occupancy of a central ball field, and Ralph's -feelings towards the crabbed old capitalist had then settled down to -dislike, mingled with a certain silent independence that nettled -Farrington considerably. - -He had publicly dubbed Ralph "the ringleader of those baseball -hoodlums," a stricture passed up by the club with indifference. - -Ralph never set his eyes on Farrington but he was reminded of his -father. John Fairbanks had come to Stanley Junction before the Great -Northern was even thought of. He had thought of it first. A practical -railroad man, he had gone through all the grades of promotion of an -Eastern railway system, and had become a division superintendent. - -He had some money when he came to Stanley Junction. He foresaw that the -town would one day become a tactical center in railroad construction, -submitted a plan to some capitalists, and was given supervisory work -along the line. - -His minor capital investment in the enterprise was obscured by mightier -interests later on, but before he died it was generally supposed that he -held quite an amount of the bonds of the railroad, mutually with Gasper -Farrington. - -It was a surprise to his widow, and to friends generally of the -Fairbanks family, when, after Mr. Fairbanks' death, a few hundred -dollars in the bank and the homestead, with a twelve-hundred dollar -mortgage on it in favor of Gasper Farrington, were found to comprise the -total estate. - -Mrs. Fairbanks discovered letters, memoranda and receipts showing that -her deceased husband and Farrington had been mutually engaged in several -business enterprises, but they were vague and fragmentary, and, after -ascertaining from her the extent of her documentary evidence, Farrington -bluntly declared he had been a loser by her husband. - -He professed a friendship for the dead railroader, however, and in a -patronizing way offered to help the widow out of her difficulties by -taking the homestead off her hands for the amount of the mortgage, "and -making no trouble." - -Mrs. Fairbanks had promptly informed him that she had no intention of -selling out, and for two years, until the present time, had been able to -meet the quarterly interest on the mortgage when due. - -Gasper Farrington was now on one of his periodical visits on business to -the cottage, but as, right at the home threshold, and in the presence of -the gentle, loving-hearted widow, he gave utterance to the scathing -remark still burning in the listener's ears, a boy of true spirit, -Ralph's soul seemed suddenly to expand as though it would burst with -indignation and excitement. - -Many times Ralph had asked his mother concerning their actual business -relations with Gasper Farrington, but she had put him off with the -evasive remark that he was "too young to understand." - -But now he seemed to understand. The spiteful tone of the crabbed old -capitalist implied that he indulged in the present malicious outburst -because in some way he had the widow in his power. - -Ralph took an instantaneous step forward, but paused. He could trust -his mother to retain her dignity on all occasions, and he recalled her -frequent directions to him to never act on an angry impulse. - -Now he could see into the room. His mother stood by her sewing basket, -a slight flush of indignation on her face. - -Farrington squirmed against the doorway, fumbling his cane, and puffing -and purple with violent internal commotion. - -"Then what's the matter with that idle, good-for-nothing, son of yours -going to work and paying the honest debts of the family!" he stormily -repeated. - -The widow looked up. Her lips fluttered, but she said calmly: "Mr. -Farrington, Ralph is neither idle nor good-for-nothing." - -"Huh! aint! What's he good for?" - -The widow's face became momentarily glorified, the true mother love -shone in the depths of her pure, clear eyes. - -"He is the best son a mother ever had." She spoke with a tremor that -made Ralph thrill, and must have made Farrington squirm. - -"He is affectionate, obedient, considerate. And that is why I have -never burdened his young shoulders with my troubles." - -"It's high time, then!" snarled Farrington--"a big, overgrown bumpkin! -Guess he'll shoulder some responsibility soon, or some one else will, or -you'll all be without a shelter." - -Ralph felt a sinking at the heart at the vague threat. He was relieved, -however, as anxiously glancing at his mother's face he observed that she -was not a whit disturbed or frightened. - -"Mr. Farrington," she said, "Ralph has nothing to do with our business -affairs, but I wish to say this: I am satisfied that my dead husband -left means we have never been able to trace. It lies between your -conscience and yourself to say how much more you know about this than I -do. I have accepted the situation, however, and with the few dollars in -ready money he left me, and my sewing, I have managed to so far give -Ralph a fair education. He has well deserved the sacrifice. He has -been foremost in every athletic sport, a leader and of good influence -with his mates, and was the best scholar at the school, last term." - -"Oho! prize pupil in the three R's!" sneered Farrington--"Counts high, -that honor does!" - -"It is a step upwards, humble though it be," retorted Mrs. Fairbanks -proudly. "If he does as well in his academic career----" - -"In his what?" fairly bellowed Farrington. "Is the woman crazy? You -don't mean to tell me, madam, that you have any such wild idea in your -head as sending him to college?" - -"I certainly have." - -"Then you'll never make it--you'll waste your dollars, and bring him up -a pampered ingrate, and he's a sneak if he allows his old mother to dig -and slave her fingers off for his worthless pleasure!" - -A faint flush crossed the widow's face. Ralph burst the bounds. He -sprang forward, and confronted the astonished magnate so abruptly that -in the confusion of the moment, Farrington dropped his cane. - -"Mr. Farrington," said Ralph, striving hard to keep control of himself, -"my mother is not old, but I am--older than I was an hour ago, I can -tell you! old enough to understand what I never knew before, and----" - -"Hello!" sniffed Farrington, "what's this your business?" - -"I just overheard you say it was essentially my business," answered -Ralph. "I begin to think so myself. At all events, I'm going to take a -hand in my mother's affairs hereafter. If I have hitherto been blind to -the real facts, it was because I had the best mother in the world, and -never realized the big sacrifice she was making for me." - -"Bah!" - -"Mr. Farrington," continued Ralph, seeming to grow two inches taller -under the influence of some new, elevating idea suddenly finding -lodgment in his mind, "as a person fully awakened to his own general -worthlessness and idle, good-for-nothing character, and in duty bound to -pay the honest debts of the family--to quote your own words--what is -your business here?" - -"My business!" gasped Farrington, "you, you--none of your business! Mrs. -Fairbanks," he shouted, waving his cane and almost exploding with rage, -"I've said my say, and I shan't stay here to be insulted by a pert chit -of a boy. You'd better think it over! I'll give you five hundred -dollars to surrender the house and get out of Stanley Junction. Decline -that, and fail to pay me the interest due to-day, and I'll close down on -you--I'll sell you out!" - -"Can he do it?" whispered Ralph, in an anxious tone. - -"No, Ralph," said his mother. "Mr. Farrington, I believe I have thirty -days in which to pay the interest?" - -"It's due to-day." - -"I believe I have thirty days," went on the widow quietly. "It is the -first time I have been delinquent. I have even now within twenty -dollars of the amount. Before the thirty days are over you shall have -your money." - -"I'll serve you legal notice before night!" growled Farrington--"I don't -wait on promises, I don't!" - -There were hot words hovering on Ralph's lips. It would do him good, he -felt, to give the heartless old capitalist a piece of his mind. A -glance from his mother checked him. - -She was the gracious, courteous lady in every respect as she ushered her -unpleasant visitor from the house. - -Her heart was full in more ways than one as she returned to the little -sitting room. A predominating emotion filled her thoughts. She -understood Ralph's mind thoroughly, and realized that circumstances had, -as he had himself declared, "awakened him." - -She had intuitively traced in his manner and words a change from -careless, boyish impetuosity to settled, manly resolution, and was -thankful in her heart of hearts. - -"Ralph!" she called softly. - -But Ralph was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER III--A LOST BALL - - -Ralph Fairbanks had "woke up," had seen a great light, had formed a -mighty resolution all in a minute, and was off like a flash. - -As he bolted through the doorway it seemed as if wings impelled him. - -He realized what a good mother he had, and how much she had done for -him. - -Following that was one overwhelming conclusion: to prove how he -appreciated the fact. - -"Yes," he said, as he hurried along, "I'd be a sneak to let my mother -slave while I went sliding easy through life. If I've done it so far, -it was because I never guessed there wasn't something left from father's -estate to support us, and never stopped to think that there mightn't be. -She's hidden everything from me, in her kind, good way. Well, I'll pay -her back. I see the nail I'm to hit on the head, and I'll drive it home -before I'm twenty-four hours older!" - -Gasper Farrington had opened a gate on the highway of Ralph Fairbanks' -tranquil existence, and, though he never meant it, had aroused the boy's -soul to a sudden conception of duty. And Ralph had seen the path -beyond, clear and distinct. - -It seemed to him as if with one wave of his hand he had swept aside all -the fervid dreams of boyhood, formed a resolution, set his mark, and was -started in that very minute on a brand-new life. - -Ralph did not slacken his gait until he reached a square easily -identified as a much used ball grounds. - -Over in one corner was a flat, rambling structure. It had once been -somebody's home, had fallen into decay and vacancy. The club had rented -it for a nominal sum, fixed it up a bit, and this was headquarters. - -Over the door hung the purple pennant of the club, bearing in its center -a broad, large "C." In the doorway sat Ned Talcott, an ambitious -back-stop, who spent most of his time about the place, never tired of -the baseball atmosphere. - -He looked curiously at Ralph's flustered appearance, but the latter -nodded silently, passed inside, and then called out: - -"Come in here, Ned--I want to see you." - -Ned was by his side in a jiffy. An enthusiast, he fairly worshiped his -expert whole-souled captain, and counted it an honor to do anything for -him. - -"None of the crowd here, I see," remarked Ralph. "Got your uniform yet, -Ned?" - -"Why, no," answered Ned. "I've got the cloth picked out, and it's all -right. Father's away, though, and as we won't need the suits for show -till the new series begin next week, I didn't hurry." - -"We're about of a size," went on Ralph, looking his companion over. - -"And resemblance stops right there, eh?" chuckled Ned. - -"I was thinking," pursued Ralph with business-like terseness, as he -unfastened the door of his locker. "Maybe we could strike a trade? I -want to sell." - -He drew out his baseball uniform, tastily reposing in a big pasteboard -box just as he had brought it from the tailor that morning. - -"I've been thinking maybe I could strike a deal with some one to take -this off my hands," he added. - -"Eh!" ejaculated Ned, in a bewildered way. - -"Yes, you see it's brand-new, whole outfit complete, haven't even put it -on yet." - -"You'll look nobby in it when you do have it on!" - -Ralph said nothing on this score, compressing his lips a trifle. - -"It cost me eight dollars," he continued, after a moment's silence. - -"Yes, I know that's the regular price." - -"It fits you, or, with very slight alteration, can be made to. I wish -you'd try it on, Ned, and give me five dollars for it." - -"Why, I don't understand, Ralph?" faltered Ned, completely puzzled. - -Ralph winced. He realized that there would be a general commotion when -he told the rest of the club what he was now vaguely intimating to Ned -Talcott. - -Ralph did not flatter himself a particle when he comprehended that every -member of the nine was his friend, champion and admirer, and that a -general protest would go up from the ranks when he announced his -intentions. - -"Is it a bargain?" he asked, smiling quizzically at Ned's puzzled face. -"See here, I'd better out with it. I shan't need the uniform, Ned, -because I've got to resign from the club." - -"Oh, never!" vociferated Ned, starting back in dismay. "Say, now----" - -"Yes, say that again, Ralph Fairbanks!" broke in a challenging voice. - -Ralph was shaken a trifle by the unexpected interruption. His lips set -even a little firmer, however, as he turned and faced his trusty first -baseman, Will Cheever, and in his train four other members of the club. - -"It's true," said Ralph seriously, "just as it is sudden and sure. I've -got to drop athletics as a sport, fellows--for a time, anyhow--and I've -got to do it right away." - -"You're dreaming!" scoffed Cheever, bustling up in his inimitable, -push-ahead way, and pulling Ralph playfully about. "Resign? Huh! On -the last test game--with the pennant almost ours? Gag him!" - -"Why," drawled a tone of pathetic alarm, "it would be rank treachery, -you know!" - -"Hello, are you awake?" jeered Will, turning on the last speaker. - -Ralph looked at him too, and through some wayward perversity of his -nature his face grew more determined than ever. His eyes flashed -quickly, and he regarded the speaker with disfavor, but he kept silence. - -"You won't do it, you know!" blundered the newcomer, making his way -forward. "It would queer the whole kit. What have we been working for? -To get the bulge, and run the circuit. Why, I've just counted on it!" - -Grif Farrington, for that was the speaker's name, expressed the -intensest sense of personal injury as he spoke. - -He was the nephew of Gasper Farrington, although he did not resemble his -uncle in any striking particular as to form or feature. Both were of -the same genus, however, for the crabbed capitalist was universally -designated "a shark" by his neighbors. - -Grif was a fat, overgrown fellow, with big saucer eyes and flabby cheeks -and chin. "Bullhead" some of the boys had dubbed him. But they often -found that what they mistook for stupidity was in reality indolence, and -that in any deal where his own selfish concern was involved Grif managed -to come out the winner. - -As Ralph did not speak, Grif grew even more voluble. - -"I say, it would be rank treachery!" he declared. "And a shame to treat -a club so. If we lose this game we're ditched for only scrub home -games. Win it, and we are the champion visiting club all over the -county. That's what we have been working for. Are you going to spoil -it? Haven't I put up like a man when the club was behind. See here, -Ralph Fairbanks, I'll give you--I'll make it five dollars if you'll keep -in for just this afternoon's game." - -"Shut up, you chump!" warned Will Cheever, slipping between the boor and -Ralph, whose color was rising dangerously fast. - -Will pushed aside Grif's pocketbook, linked an arm in that of Ralph, and -led him from the building, winking encouragingly to his mates. - -He came back to the group in about a quarter of an hour, but alone. - -"Fixed it?" inquired half a dozen eager voices. - -"Yes, I've fixed it," said Cheever, though none too cordially. "He's -going to leave us, fellows, and it's too bad! He'll play the game this -afternoon, but that's the last." - -"What's up?" put in Grif Farrington, in his usual coarsely inquisitive -way. - -"You was nearly up--or down!" snapped Cheever tartly. "You nearly -spoiled things for us. Money isn't everything, if you have got lots of -it, and haven't the sense to know that it's an insult to offer to buy -what Ralph Fairbanks would give to his friends for nothing, or not at -all!" - -When the game was called at two o'clock, Ralph was on hand. - -He was the object of more than ordinary interest to his own and the -opposition club that afternoon. The word had gone the rounds that he -had practically resigned from service, and the fact caused great -speculation. His nearest friends detected a certain serious change in -him that puzzled them. They knew him well enough to discern that -something of unusual weight lay upon his mind. - -According to enthusiastic little Tom Travers, Ralph Fairbanks was "just -splendid!" that afternoon. Whatever Ralph had on his mind, he did not -allow it to interfere with the work on hand. - -Ralph was the heaviest batter of the club, and on this particular -occasion he conducted himself brilliantly, and the pennant was the -property of the Criterions long before the fifth inning was completed. -The club was in ecstasies, and Grif Farrington, who had money and time -for spending it, wore a grin of placid self-satisfaction on his flat, -fat face. - -"Whoop!" yelled Will Cheever, as the ninth inning went out in a blaze of -baseball glory. - -Will posed to give Ralph, bat in hand, a royal "last one." It was -Ralph's farewell to the beloved diamond field. He poised the bat and -caught the ball with a masterly stroke that had something cannon-like in -its execution. - -Crack! he sent it flying obliquely, and felt as if with that final -stroke he had driven baseball with all its lovely attributes dear out of -his life. - -Smash! the ball grazed the high brick wall around the old unused factory -to the left, struck an upper window, shattered a pane to atoms, and -disappeared. - -"Lost ball!" jeered little Tom Travers. - -No one went after it. The fence surrounding the factory bore two signs -that deterred--one was "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted," and the other -announced that it was "For Rent, by the owner, Gasper Farrington." - -Ralph made a grimace, and a mental note of later mending the breakage -for which he was responsible. - -Will Cheever caught him up as he was heading for home. - -"See here, Ralph," he remarked, "if you wasn't so abominably -close-mouthed----" - -"About what?" challenged Ralph, pleasantly serious. "Why, there's no -mystery about my resigning. I had to do it." - -"Why?" - -"I've got to go to work. My mother needs the money, and I'm old -enough." - -"What you going to work at?" inquired Will, with real interest. - -"Railroading,--if I can get it to do." - - - - -CHAPTER IV--IKE SLUMP'S DINNER PAIL - - -Ralph hurried home. His mother had gone temporarily to some neighbors, -he judged, for the house was open, and the midday lunch he had purposely -avoided was still spread on the table. - -He ate with a zest, but in a hurry. His mind was working actively, and -he hoped to accomplish results before he had an interview with his -mother, and was glad when he got away from the house again without -meeting her. - -Ralph went down to the depot. He was not in a communicative mood, and -did not exchange greetings with many friends there. When the 5.11 train -came in there were two packages to deliver. He attended to these -promptly, and was back at the express shed just as the agent was closing -up for the day. - -"All square, Fairbanks?" he inquired, as Ralph handed him the receipt -book. - -"Yes," nodded Ralph. "They paid me. I want to thank you for all the -little jobs you have thrown in my way, Mr. More. It has helped me -through wonderfully. You haven't anything permanent you could fit me -into, have you?" - -"Eh?" ejaculated the agent, with a critical stare at Ralph. "Why, no. -Looking for a regular job, Fairbanks?" - -"I've got to," answered Ralph. - -"Railroading?" - -"Any branch of it." - -"For steady?" - -"Yes, I think it's my line." - -"I think so, too," nodded the agent decisively, "You haven't made loaf -and play of what little you've done for me. There's no show here, -though. I get only forty-five dollars a month, and have to help with -the freight at that, but if you are headed for the presidency----" - -Ralph smiled. - -"Start in the right way, and that is at the bottom of the ladder. You -don't want office work?" - -"That would take me to general headquarters at Springfield," demurred -Ralph, "and I don't want to leave mother alone--just yet." - -"I see. There's nothing at the shops down at Acton, where you could go -and come home every day, except a trade, and you're not the boy to stop -at master mechanic." - -"Oh, come now! Mr. More----" - -"You can't look too far ahead," declared the agent sapiently. "Dropping -jollying, though, we narrow down to real service. There's your Starting -point, my boy, plain, sure and simple, and don't you forget it--and -don't you miss it!" - -He extended his finger down the rails. - -"The roundhouse?" said Ralph, following his indication. - -"The roundhouse, Fairbanks, the first step, and I never knew a genuine, -all-around railroad man who didn't make his start in the business in the -oil bins." - -"What is the main qualification to recommend a fellow?" asked Ralph. - -"An old suit of clothes, a tough hide, and lots of grit." - -"I think, then, I can come well indorsed," laughed Ralph. "Whom do I -see?" - -"Usually the ambitious father of a future railway president goes through -the regular application course at headquarters," explained the agent, -"but if you want quick action----" - -"I do." - -"See the foreman." - -"Who is he?" - -"Tim Forgan. If he takes you on, and you get to be a fixture, the -application route is handy later, when you think you deserve promotion." - -"Thank you," said Ralph, and walked away thoughtfully. - -He had five dollars in his pocket that Ned Talcott had given him for his -uniform, and eighty cents in loose change. This made Ralph feel quite -free and easy. He had not a single disturbing thought on his mind at -present except the broken window at the old factory, and that was easily -fixed up, he told himself. - -So, in quite an elevated frame of mind, Ralph walked down the rails. The -roundhouse was his objective point. Ralph had been there many a time -before, but only as a visitor. - -Now he was interested in a practical way, and the oil sheds, dog house, -turntable and other adjuncts of this favored center of activity -fascinated him more than ever. - -He had a nodding acquaintance with some of the firemen and engineers, -but was not fortunate enough to meet any of these on the present -occasion. - -Ralph went along the hard-beaten cinder path, worn by many feet, that -circled the one-story structure which sheltered the locomotives, and -glancing through the high-up open windows caught the railroad flavor -more and more as he viewed the stalls holding this and that puffing, -dying or stone-dead "iron horse." - -Over the sill of one of these windows there suddenly protruded a black, -greasy hand holding a square dinner pail. It came out directly over -Ralph's head, and halted him. - -Its owner sounded a low whistle and a return whistle quite as low and -suspicious echoed behind Ralph. - -"Take it, and hustle!" followed from beyond the window, and almost -mechanically Ralph Fairbanks put up his hand, the handle of the pail -slipped into his fingers, and he uttered an ejaculation. - -For the pail was as heavy as if loaded with gold, and bore him quite -doubled down before he got his equilibrium. Then it was jerked from his -grasp, and a gruff voice said: - -"Hands off! What you meddling for?" - -"Meddling?" retorted Ralph abruptly, and looked the speaker over with -suspicion. He was a ragged, unkempt man of about forty, with a swarthy, -vicious face. "I was told to take it, wasn't I?" - -"Hullo! what's up? Who are you? Oh! Fairbanks." - -The speaker was the person who had passed out the dinner pail, and who, -apparently aroused by the colloquy outside, had clambered to a bench, -and now thrust his head out of the window. He looked startled at first, -then directed a quick, meaning glance at the tramp, who disappeared as -if by magic. The boy overhead scowled darkly at Ralph, and then thought -better of it, and tried to appear friendly. - -"I give the poor beggar what's left of my dinner for carrying my pail -home, so I won't be bothered with it," he said. - -The speaker's face showed he did not at all believe that keen-witted -Ralph Fairbanks accepted this gauzy explanation, after hefting that -pail, but Ralph said nothing. - -"What's up, Fairbanks?" inquired his shock-headed interlocutor at the -window--"sort of inspecting things?" - -Ralph, preparing to pass on, nodded silently. - -"Trying to break in, eh?" - -"Is there any chance?" inquired Ralph, pausing slightly. - -Ike Slump laughed boisterously. He was a year or two older than Ralph, -but had a face prematurely developed with cunning and tobacco, and -looked twenty-five. - -"Yes," he said, "if you're anxious to get boiled, blistered, oiled and -blinded twenty times a day, be kicked from platform to pit, and paid -just about enough to buy arnica and sticking plaster!" - -"Bad as that?" interrogated Ralph dubiously. - -"For a fact!" - -"Oh, well--there's something beyond." - -"Beyond what?" - -"When you get out of the oil and cinders, and up into the sand and -steam." - -"Huh! lots of chance. I've been here six months, and I haven't had a -smell of firing yet--even second best." - -Ralph again nodded, and again started on. He did not care to have -anything to do with Ike Slump. The latter belonged to the hoodlum gang -of Stanley Junction, and whenever his crowd had met the better juvenile -element, there had always been trouble. - -Ike's ferret face worked queerly as he noted Ralph's departure. He -seemed struggling with uneasy emotions, as if one or two troublesome -thoughts bothered him. - -"Hold on, Fairbanks!" he called, edging farther over the sill. "I say, -that dinner pail----" - -"Oh, I'm not interested in your dinner pail," observed Ralph. - -"Course not--what is there to be curious about? I say, though, was you -in earnest about getting a job here?" - -"I must get work somewhere." - -"And it will be railroading?" - -"If I can make it," - -"You're the kind that wins," acknowledged Ike. "Got any coin, now?" - -"Suppose I have?" - -Ike's weazel-like eyes glowed. - -"Suppose you have? Then I can steer you up against a real investment of -the A1 class." - -Ralph looked quizzically incredulous. - -"I can," persisted Ike Slump. "You want to get in here to work, don't -you? Well, you can't make it." - -"Why can't I?" - -"Without my help--I can give you that help. You give me a dollar, and -I'll give you a tip." - -"What kind of a tip?" - -"About a vacancy." - -"Is there going to be one?" - -"There is, I can tell you when, and I can give you first chance on the -game, and deliver the goods." - -Ralph was interested. - -"If you are telling the truth," he said finally, "I'd risk half a -dollar." - -Ralph took out the coin. A sight of it settled the matter for Ike. - -He reached for it eagerly. - -"All right, I'm the vacancy. You watch around, for soon as I get my pay -to-morrow I'm going to bolt. It's confidential, though, -Fairbanks--you'll remember that?" - -"Oh, sure." - -Ike Slump was a notorious liar, but Ralph believed him in the present -instance. Anyhow, he felt he was making progress. He planned to be on -hand the next day, prepared for the expected vacancy, and incidentally -wondered what had made Ike Slump's dinner pail so tremendously heavy, -and, also, as to the identity of the trampish individual who had -disappeared with it so abruptly. - -He wandered about half a mile down the tracks where they widened out -from the main line into the freight yards, and selected a pile of ties -remote from any present activity in the neighborhood to have a quiet -think. - -He determined to see the foreman, Tim Forgan, the first thing in the -morning, and discover what the outlook was in general. If absolutely -turned down, he would await the announced resignation of Mr. Ike Slump. - -Ralph understood that a green engine wiper in the roundhouse was paid -six dollars a week to commence on if a boy, nine dollars if a man. He -picked up a torn freight ticket drifting by in the breeze, and fell to -figuring industriously, and the result was pleasant and reassuring. - -Ralph looked up, as with prodigious whistlings a single locomotive came -tearing down the rails, took the outer main track, and was lost to -sight. - -Not two minutes later a second described the same maneuver. Ralph -arose, wondering somewhat. - -Looking down the rails towards the depot, he noticed unusual activity in -the vicinity of the roundhouse. - -A good many hands were gathered at the turntable, as if some excitement -was up. Then a third engine came down the rails rapidly, and Ralph -noticed that the main "out" signal was turned to "clear tracks." - -As the third locomotive passed him, he noticed that the engineer -strained his sight ahead in a tensioned way, and the fireman piled in -the coal for the fullest pressure head of steam. - -Ralph made a start for home, reached a crossroad, and was turning down -it when a new shrill series of whistles directed his attention to -locomotive No. 4. It came down the rails in the same remarkable and -reckless manner as its recent predecessors. - -"Something's up!" decided Ralph, with an uncontrollable thrill of -interest and excitement--"I wonder what?" - - - - -CHAPTER V--OPPORTUNITY - - -The boy turned and ran back to the culvert crossing just as the fourth -locomotive whizzed past the spot. - -He waved his hand and yelled out an inquiry as to what was up, but cab -and tender flashed by in a sheet of steam and smoke. - -He recognized the engineer, however. It was gruff old John Griscom, and -in the momentary glimpse Ralph had of his hard, rugged face he looked -grimmer than ever. - -Ralph marveled at his presence here, for Griscom had the crack run of -the road, the 10.15, driven by the biggest twelve-wheeler on the line, -and was something of an industrial aristocrat. The locomotive he now -propelled was a third-class freight engine, and had no fireman on the -present occasion so far as could be seen. - -Ralph knew enough about runs, specials and extras, to at once comprehend -that something very unusual had happened, or was happening. - -Whatever it was, extreme urgency had driven out this last locomotive, -for Griscom wore his off-duty suit, and it was plain to be seen had not -had time to change it. - -Ralph's eyes blankly followed the locomotive. Then he started after it. -Five hundred feet down the rails, a detour of a gravel pit sent the -tracks rounding to a stretch, below which, in a clump of greenery, half -a dozen of the firemen and engineers of the road had their homes. - -With a jangle and a shiver the old heap of junk known as 99 came to a -stop. Then its whistle began a series of tootings so shrill and -piercing that the effect was fairly ear-splitting. - -Ralph recognized that they were telegraphic in their import. Very -often, he knew, locomotives would sound a note or two, slow up just here -to take hands down to the roundhouse, but old Griscom seemed not only -calling some one, but calling fiercely and urgently, and adding a whole -volume of alarm warnings. - -Ralph kept on down the track and doubled his pace, determined now to -overtake the locomotive and learn the cause of all this rush and -commotion. - -As he neared 99, he discerned that the veteran engineer was hustling -tremendously. Usually impassive and exact when in charge of the superb -10.15, he was now a picture of almost irritable activity. - -Having thrown off his coat, he fired in some coal, impatiently gave the -whistle a further exercise, and leaning from the cab window yelled -lustily towards the group of houses beyond the embankment. - -Just as Ralph reached the end of the tender, he saw emerging from the -shaded path down the embankment a girl of twelve. He recognized her as -the daughter of jolly Sam Cooper, the fireman. - -She was breathless and pale, and she waved her hand up to the impatient -engineer with an agitated: - -"Was you calling pa, Mr. Griscom?" - -"Was I calling him!" growled the gruff old bear--"did he think I was -piping for the birds?" - -"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he can't come, he----" - -"He's got to come! It's life and death! Couldn't he tell it, when he -saw me on this crazy old wreck, and shoving up the gauge to bursting -point. Don't wait a second--he's got to come!" - -"Oh, Mr. Griscom, he's in bed, crippled. Ran into a scythe in the -garden, and his ankle is cut terrible. Mother's worried to death, and -he won't be able to take the regular run for days and days." - -Old Griscom stormed like a pirate. He glared down the tracks towards -the roundhouse. Then he shouted ferociously: - -"Tell Evans to come, then--not a minute to lose!" - -"Mr. Evans has gone for the doctor, for pa," answered the girl. - -Griscom nearly had a fit. He flung his big arms around as if he wanted -to smash something. He glanced at his watch, and slapped his hand on -the lever with an angry yell. - -"Can't go back for an extra!" Ralph heard him shout, "and what'll I do? -Rot the road! I'll try it alone, but----" - -He gave the lever a jerk, the wheels started up. Ralph thought he -understood the situation. He sprang to the step. - -"Get out--no junketing here--life and death--Hello, Fairbanks!" - -"Mr. Griscom," spoke Ralph, "what's the trouble?" - -"Trouble--the shops at Acton are on fire, not a locomotive within ten -miles, and all the transfer freight hemmed in." - -Ralph felt a thrill of interest and excitement. - -"Is that so?" he breathed. "I see--they need help?" - -"I guess so, and quick. Out of the way!" - -The old engineer hustled about the cab, set the machinery whizzing at -top-notch speed, and seized the fire shovel. - -"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, catching on by a sort of inspiration, "let -me--let me do that." - -"Eh--what----" - -Ralph drew the shovel from his unresisting hands. - -"You can't do both," he insisted--"you can't drive and fire. Just tell -me what to do." - -"Can you shovel coal?" - -"I can try." - -"Here, not that way--" as Ralph opened the furnace door in a clumsy -manner. "That's it, more--hustle, kid! That'll do. No talking, now." - -Griscom sprang to the cushion. For two minutes he was absorbed, looking -ahead, timing himself, reading the gauge, in a fume and sweat, like a -trained greyhound eager to strike the home stretch. - -Suddenly he ran his head and shoulders far past the window sill, and -uttered one of his characteristic alarm yells. - -"Rot the road!" he shouted. "No flags!" - -He reached over for the tool box, and slammed up its cover. He pawed -over a dozen or more soiled flags of different colors, snatched up two, -shook out their white folds, and then, as the speeding engine nearly -jumped the track at a switch, flopped back the lever. - -"Set them," he ordered. - -In his absorbed excitement he seemed to forget the dangerous mission he -was setting, for a novice, Ralph did not ask a question. He threw in -some coal, then taking the flags in one hand, he crept out through the -forward window. - -It was his first experience in that line. The swishing wind, the -teeter-like swaying of the engine, the driving hail of cinders, all -combined to daunt and confuse him, but he clung to the engine rail, -gained the pilot, set one flag in its socket, then with a stooping swing -the other, and felt his way back to the cab, flushed with satisfaction, -but glad to feel a safe footing once more. - -Griscom glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, with a growl that -might mean approbation or anything else. - -"Fire her up," he ordered. - -Ralph had little leisure during the twenty miles run that followed--he -did not know till afterwards that they covered it in exactly thirty -minutes, a remarkable record for old 99. - -As they whirled by stations he noticed a crowd at each. As they rounded -the last timbered curve to the south his glance took in a startling -sight just ahead of them. - -On a lower level stood the car shops. He could see the site in the near -distance like a person looking down from an observation tower. - -The setting sun made the west a glow of red. Against it were set the -shop yards in a yellow dazzle of flame. - -A broad sheet of fire ran in and out from building to building, fanned -by the fierce breeze. On twenty different tracks, winding about among -the structures, were as many freight trains. - -This was a general transfer point to a belt line tapping to the south. -Two of the engines from Stanley Junction were now rushing towards the -outer trains which the flames had not yet reached, to haul them out of -the way of the fire. No. 99 whizzed towards this network of rails, hot -on the heels of the third locomotive. - -The general scene beggared description. Crowds were rushing from the -residence settlement near by, an imperfect fire apparatus was at work, -and railroad hands were loading trucks with platform freight and carting -it to the nearest unexposed space. - -Ralph was panting and in a reek from his unusual exertions, but not a -bit tired. Griscom directed a critical glance at him, caught the -excited and determined sparkle in his eye, and said in a tone of -satisfaction: - -"You'll do--if you can stand it out." - -"Don't get anybody else, if I will do," said Ralph quickly. "I like -it." - -Griscom slowed up, shouted to a switchman ahead, using his hand for a -speaking trumpet, to set the rails for action. He took advantage of the -temporary stop to rake and sift the furnace, put things in trim in -expert fireman-like order, and turned to Ralph. - -"Now then," he said, "your work's plain--just keep her buzzing." - -A yard hand jumped to the pilot with a wave of his arm. Down a long -reach of tracks they ran, coupled to some twenty grain cars, backed, set -the switch for a safe siding, and came steaming forward for new action. - -Little old 99 seemed at times ready to drop to pieces, but she stood the -test bravely, braced, tugged and scolded terribly in every loose point -and knuckle, but within thirty minutes had conveyed over a hundred cars -out of any possible range of the fire. - -Ralph, at a momentary cessation of operations, wiped the grime and -perspiration from his baked face, to take a scan of the fire-swept area. - -A railroad official had come up to the engine, hailed Griscom, and -pointed directly into the heart of the flames to where, hemmed in a -narrow runway between the walls of two smoking buildings, were four -freight cars. - -"They'll be gone in five minutes," he observed. - -"I can reach them in two," announced Griscom tersely, setting his hand -to the lever. "Get a good man to couple--our share won't miss. Let her -go!" - -A brakeman, winding a coat around his head like a hood, and keeping one -end open, sprang to the cowcatcher, link and bar ready. - -Ralph shuddered as they ran into the mouth of the lane. It was choked -with smoke, burning cinders fell in showers on and under the cab. - -"Shove in the coal--shove in the coal!" roared Griscom, eyes ahead, -lever under a tensioned control. "Good for you!" he shouted to the -nervy brakeman as there was a bump and a snap. "Reverse. We've made -it!" - -A sweep of flame wreathed the pilot. The air was suffocating. Ralph -staggered at his work. As the locomotive reversed and drew quickly out -of that dangerous vortex of flame, the boy noticed that the last of the -four cars was blazing at the roof. - -"Just in time," he heard old Griscom chuckle. "Hot? Whew!" - -He set the wheels whirling on the fast backward spin, and stuck his head -out of the window to shout encouragingly to the huddled, smoking hero on -the pilot. - -They were passing a brick building, almost grazing its windows, just -then. Of a sudden a curl of smoke from one of these was succeeded by a -bursting roar, a leap of flame, and Ralph saw the old engineer enveloped -in a blazing cloud. - -An explosion had blown out the sash directly in his face. The glass, -shivered to a million tiny pieces, came against him like a sheet of -hail. - -Ralph saw him waver and sprang to his side. The engineer's face was cut -in a dozen places, and he had closed his eyes. - -"Mr. Griscom," cried Ralph, "are you hurt much?" - -"Keep her going," muttered the old hero hoarsely, straightening up, -"only, only--tell me." - -"You can't see?" breathed Ralph. - -"Do as I tell you," came the grim order. - -"Switch," said Ralph, in strained, subdued tones as they passed out of -the fire belt, ran forward, uncoupled, and sent the four cars down a -safe siding, the brakeman and a crowd running after it to extinguish the -burning roof of one of the freights. - -Ralph saw Griscom strain his sight and blink, and shift the locomotive -down a V, then to the next rails leading in among the burning buildings. - -He brought the panting little worker to a pause, asked Ralph to draw a -cup of water, brushed his face with his hand, and breathed heavily. - -"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you are badly hurt! You can't do anything -more, for there's only one car left on the last track, right in the nest -of the fire. Let me get somebody to help you where you can be attended -to." - -He placed a hand pleadingly on the engineer's arm. Old Griscom shook it -off in his gruff giant way. - -"What's that?" he asked. - -He turned his face towards the fire. Ralph looked too, in sudden -askance. A crowd surged towards two buildings, nearly consumed, between -which lay a single car. The firemen who had been playing a hose just -there dropped it, running for their lives. - -"Get back!" yelled one of them, as he passed the engine, "or you're gone -up. That's a powder car! We just found it out, and it's all ablaze!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI--THE MASTER MECHANIC - - -A man appearing to be a railway official shouted up an order to the -haggard engineer as he rushed by. - -"Get out of this--there's twenty tons of powder in that car!" - -Griscom dashed his hand across his eyes. He seemed to clear them -partially, and strained his gaze ahead and took in the meaning of the -scene, if not all its vivid outlines, and muttered: - -"If that stuff goes off, the whole yards are doomed." - -Ralph hung on the engineer's words and hovered at his elbow. - -"We had better get out of this, Mr. Griscom," he suggested. - -The engineer made a rough, impatient gesture with his arm, and then -pulled his young helper to the window. - -"Look sharp!" he ordered, - -"Yes, Mr. Griscom." - -"My--my eyes are pretty bad. When the smoke lifts--what's beyond the -car yonder?" - -"I can't make out exactly, but I think a clear track." - -"How's the furnace?" - -"Rushing." - -"All right. Now then, you jump off. I'm going to let her go." - -Ralph stared hard at the grim old veteran. He could see he was on the -verge of physical collapse, and he wondered if his mind was not -tottering too; his pertinacity had something weird and astonishing in -it. - -"Jump!" ordered Griscom, giving the lever a pull. - -Ralph did not budge. As he clearly read his companion's purpose, he -made up his mind to stick. - -The prospect was something awful, and yet, after the previous -experiences of that exciting half-hour, he had somehow become inured to -danger, and reckless of its risks. The excitement and wild, hustling -activity bore a certain stimulating fascination. - -With a leap 99 bounded forward at the magic touch of the old king of the -lever. It plunged headlong into a whirling vortex of smoke. - -A groaning yell went up from the fugitive crowds in the distance, as the -intrepid occupants, of the cab disappeared like lost spirits. - -Only for the shelter of the cab roof, they would have been deluged with -burning sparks. - -A tongue of flame took Griscom across the side of his face, and he -uttered an angry yell--it seemed to madden him that he could not see -clearly. Then as they struck the car they were making for with a heavy -thump, the shock and a spasm of weakness drove Griscom from the cushion, -and he slipped to the floor of the cab. - -Ralph's mind grasped the situation in all its details. He knew the -engineer's purpose, and he felt that it was incumbent on him to carry it -out if he could do so. He stepped over his recumbent companion, and -placed his hand on the lever. - -He could not now see ten feet ahead. They were in the very vortex of -the fire. Suddenly they shot into the clear, cool air, bracing as a -shower bath. - -The cab roof was smoking, the cab floor was paved with burning cinders, -and some oil waste was blazing back among the coal at the edge of the -tender. - -Ahead, the top and sides of the powder car were sheeted with flames, -which the swift forward movement drove back in shroud-like form. - -On the end of the car facing, the grim, black warning: "Powder! Danger!" -stared squarely and menacingly into the eye of the pilot front. - -Griscom struggled to his feet. He fell against Ralph. The latter -thought he was delirious, for his lips were moving, and his tortured -face working spasmodically. Finally he said weakly: "Put my hands on -the gearing. We're out of it?" - -"Yes, but the car is blazing." - -"What's ahead?" - -"Dead tracks for nearly a thousand feet." - -"And the dump pit beyond?" - -"It looks so," said Ralph, leaning from the window and glancing ahead -anxiously. "Yes, it's rusted rails clear up to what looks like a slough -hole, and no buildings beyond." - -He held his breath as Griscom pulled the momentum up another notch. This -last effort palsied the engineer, his fingers relaxed, and he slipped -again to the floor, nerveless but writhing. - -"Keep her going--full speed for five hundred feet," he panted. "Then -stop her." - -"Yes," breathed Ralph quickly. "Stop her--how," he projected, knowing -in a way, but wanting to be sure, for the sense of crisis was strong on -him, and the present was no time to make mistakes. Griscom's directions -came quick and clear, and Ralph obeyed every indication with promptness. - -Ninety-nine with its deadly pilot of destruction plunged ahead. Ralph -estimated distance. He threw himself upon the lever, and reversed. - -The wheels shivered to a sliding halt. He ran back rapidly five hundred -feet, slowed down, and half hung out of the window, white as a sheet and -limp as a rag. - -A glance towards the burning shops had shown the firemen back at their -work; the powder-car menace removed. Ralph, too, saw little crowds -rounding the shops, and making towards them. - -Then he fixed his eyes on the lone-speeding powder car. - -It had been thrown at full-tilt impetus, and drove away and ahead, a -living firebrand, reached the end of the rusted rails, ran off the -roadbed, tilted, careened, took a sliding header, and disappeared from -view. - -Even at the distance of a thousand feet Ralph could hear a prodigious -splash. A cascade of water shot up, and then a steamy smoke, and then -there lifted, torrent-like, house-high above the pit, a Vesuvius of -water, dirt, splinters and twisted pieces of iron. A reverberating -crash and the end had come! - -Griscom struggled to his feet. On his face there was a grimace meant -for a smile, and he chuckled: - -"We made it!" - -He managed with Ralph's help to get into the engineer's seat. - -"Mr. Griscom," said Ralph, "you're in bad shape. We can't get back the -way we came, but if you could walk as far as the offices we might find a -doctor." - -"That's so, kid," nodded the old engineer, a little wearily. "I've got -to get this junk and glassware out of my eyes if I run the 10.15 -to-morrow." - -Soon the advance stragglers of the curious crowd from the shops drew -near. One little group was headed by a man of rather more imposing -appearance than the section men in his train. - -He was a big-faced individual who looked of uncertain temper, yet there -were force and power in his bearing. - -"Hello, there--that you, Griscom?" he sang out. - -The engineer blinked his troubled eyes, and nodded curtly. - -"It's what's left of me, Mr. Blake," he observed grimly. - -Ralph caught the name and recognized the speaker--he was the master -mechanic of the road. - -"They're going to get the fire under control, I guess," continued Blake. -"They wouldn't, though, if you hadn't got that car out of the way. Why, -you're hurt, man!" exclaimed the official, really concerned as he caught -a closer glimpse of the face of the engineer. - -"Oh, a little scratch." - -Ralph broke in. He hurriedly explained what had happened to the -engineer's eyes, while the nervy Griscom tried to make little of it. - -"Bring a truck out here," cried the master mechanic. "Why, man! you -can't stand up! This is serious." - -In about five minutes they had rolled a freight truck to the locomotive, -and in ten more Griscom was under charge of one of the road surgeons, -hastily summoned to a room in the yard office, where the sufferer was -taken. - -It took an hour to mend up the old veteran. It was lucky, the surgeon -told him, that soot and putty had mixed with the glass in the explosion -dose, or the patient would have been blinded for life. - -Griscom could see quite comfortably when he was turned over to the -master mechanic again, although his forehead was bandaged, and his -cheeks dotted here and there with little criss-cross patches of -sticking-plaster. - -Ralph, waiting outside, had been forced to tell the story of the daring -dash through the flames more than once to inquisitive railroad men. He -quite obliterated himself in the recital. - -The firemen had gained control of the flames, the exigency locomotives -had all been sent back to the city. The master mechanic stood -conversing with Griscom for a few moments after the latter left the -surgeon's hands, and then approached Ralph with him. It was dusk now. - -"We'll catch the 8.12, kid," announced Griscom. "That's him, Mr. -Blake," he added, pointing Ralph out to his companion. "He did it, and -I only helped him, and he's an all-around corker, I can tell you!" - -Griscom slapped Ralph on the shoulder emphatically. The master mechanic -looked at the youth grimly, yet with a glance not lacking real interest. - -"From the Junction?" he said. - -"Yes, sir." - -"What's the name?" - -"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks." - -"Oh," said the master mechanic quickly, as if he recognized the name. -"We'll remember you, Fairbanks. If I can do anything for you----" - -"You can, sir." The words were out of Ralph's mouth before he intended -it. "I want to learn railroading." - -"Learn!" chuckled Griscom--"why! the way you worked that lever----" - -"Which you needn't dwell on," interrupted the master mechanic, a harsh -disciplinarian on principle. "He had no right in your locomotive, I -suppose you know, and rules say you are liable for a lay off." - -Griscom kept on chuckling. - -"We'll forget that, though. Where do you want to start, Fairbanks?" - -"Right at the bottom, sir," answered Ralph modestly. - -"In the roundhouse?" - -"Yes, sir." - -The master mechanic drew a card from his pocket, wrote a few lines, and -handed it to Ralph. - -"Give that to Tim Forgan," he said simply. - -To Ralph, just then, he was the greatest man in the world--he who could -in ten words command the position that seemed to mean for him the -entrance into the grandest realm of industry, ambition and opulence. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--AT THE ROUNDHOUSE - - -Ralph Fairbanks came out of the little cottage next morning after -breakfast feeling bright as a dollar and happy as a lark. - -He realized that a new epoch had begun in his young existence, and he -stood fairly on the threshold of a fascinating experience. - -Yesterday seemed like a variegated dream, and To-Day full of -expectation, novelty and promise. - -His mother's anxiety the evening previous had given way to pride and -subdued affection, when he had appeared about ten o'clock after seeing -the engineer home, and had told her in detail the story of the most -eventful day of his life. - -If Mrs. Fairbanks felt a natural disappointment in seeing Ralph forego -the advantages of a finished education, she did not express it, for she -knew that the best ambitions of his soul had been aroused, and that his -loyal boyish nature had chosen a noble course. - -Ralph went down to the depot and bought a Springfield morning paper. It -contained a full account of the fire at the yards. It detailed the -destruction of the powder car, and Griscom came in for full meed of -praise. Ralph was not referred to, except as "the veteran engineer's -heroic helper." - -It did not take long, however, for Ralph to discover that word of mouth -had run ahead of telegraphic haste. - -He was hailed by a dozen acquaintances, including the depot master, the -watchman, express messenger and others, who made him flush and thrill -with pleasure as he guessed that old Griscom had managed to spread the -real news wholesale. - -"You're booked, sure!" declared More, giving his young favorite a hearty -slap on the shoulder. - -"Why, I imagine so myself," answered Ralph brightly, but thinking only -of the master mechanic's card in his pocket. - -"You're due for an interview with the president, you are," declared the -enthusiastic More. "Why, you two saved the company half a million. And -the pluck of it! Don't you be modest, kid. Hint for a good round -reward and a soft-snap life position." - -"All right," nodded Ralph gayly. "Only, I'll start at it where you told -me yesterday." - -"Eh?" - -"Yes--at the roundhouse." - -"Hold on, Fairbanks--circumstances alter cases----" - -"Not in this instance. Good-bye. I expect to be in working togs before -night, Mr. More." - -Ralph went down the tracks, leaving the agent staring studiously after -him. - -He had often been inside the roundhouse, but with genuine interest stood -looking about him for some minutes after stepping beyond the broad -entrance of that dome-like structure. - -Not much was doing at that especial hour of the morning. Three "dead" -locomotives stood in their stalls, all furbished up for later -employment. - -A lame helper was going over one, just arrived, with an oiled rag. - -In the little apartment known as the "dog house," a dozen men chatted, -snoozed, or were playing checkers--firemen, engineers and brakemen, -waiting for their run, or off duty and killing time. - -Ralph finally made for a box-like compartment built in one section of -the place. A man was sweeping it out. - -"Can you tell me where I will find the foreman?" he asked. - -"Oh, the boss?" - -"Yes, sir--Mr. Forgan." - -"You mean Tim. He's in the dog house, I guess. Was, last I saw of -him." - -Ralph went to the dog house. At a rough board nailed to the wall, and -answering for a desk, a big-shouldered, gruff-looking man of about fifty -was scanning the daily running sheet. - -Two of the loungers, firemen, knew Ralph slightly, and nodded to him. He -went up to one of them. - -"Is that Mr. Forgan?" he inquired in a low tone. - -"That's him," nodded the fireman--"and in his precious best temper this -morning, too!" - -Ralph approached the fierce-visaged master of his fate. - -"Mr. Forgan," he said. - -The foreman looked around at him, and scowled. - -"Well?" he growled out. - -"Could I see you for a moment," suggested Ralph, a trifle flustered at -the rude reception. - -"Take a good look. I'm here, ain't I?" - -Some of the idle listeners chuckled at this, and Ralph felt a trifle -embarrassed, and flushed up. - -"Yes, sir, and so am I," he said quietly--"on business. I wish to apply -for a position." - -"Oh, you do?" retorted the big foreman, running his eye contemptuously -over Ralph's neat dress. "Sort of floor-walker for visitors, or -brushing up the engineers' plug hats?" - -"I could do that, too," asserted Ralph, good-naturedly. - -"Well, you won't do much of anything here," retorted the foreman, "for -there's no job open, at present. If there was, we've had quite enough -of kids." - -Ralph wondered if this included Ike Slump. He had been surprised at not -finding that individual on duty. - -The foreman now unceremoniously turned his back on him. Ralph -hesitated, then torched Forgan on the arm. - -"Excuse me, sir," he said courteously, "but I was told to give you -this." - -Ralph extended the card given to him the evening previous by the master -mechanic. - -The foreman took it with a jerk, and read it with a frown. Ralph was -somewhat astonished as he traced the effect upon him of the simple note, -requesting, as he knew, that a place be made for him in the roundhouse. - -The innocent little screed put the foreman in a violent ferment. His -face grew angry and red, his throat throbbed, and his heavy jaw knotted -up in a pugnacious way. He turned and glared with positive dislike and -suspicion at Ralph, and the latter, quick to read faces, wondered why. - -Then the foreman re-read the card, as if to gain time to get control of -himself, and was so long silent that Ralph finally asked: - -"Is it all right, sir?" - -"Yes, it is!" snapped the foreman, turning on him like a mad bull. "I -suppose Blake knows his business; I've been sent all the pikers on the -line. Probably know what kind of material I want myself, though. Come -again to-morrow." - -"Ready for work?" asked Ralph, pressing his point. - -"Yes," came the surly reply. - -"What time, if you please, sir?" - -"Seven." - -"Thank you." - -The foreman turned from him with an angry grunt, and Ralph started to -leave. - -One of the firemen he knew winked at him, another made an animated -grimace at the surly boss. Ralph heard a third remark, in a low tone. - -"What a liking he's taken to him! He'll have a fierce run for his -money." - -"Yes, it'll be a full course of sprouts. You won't have a path of -flowers, kid." - -"I shan't come here to raise flowers," answered Ralph quietly. - -He trod the air as he left the roundhouse. The gruff, uncivil manner of -the foreman had not daunted him a whit. He had met all kinds of men in -his brief business experience, and he believed that honest, -conscientious endeavor could not fail to win both success and good will -in time. - -Ralph went back to his friend More, at the express shed, and told his -story. - -"You're booked, sure enough," admitted the agent, though a little -glumly. "I'd have struck higher." - -"It suits me, Mr. More," declared Ralph. "And now, I want your good -services of advice as to what I am expected to do, and what clothes I -need." - -Ralph left his friend, thoroughly posted as to his probable duties at -the roundhouse. The agent advised him to purchase a cheap pair of -jumpers, and wear old rough shoes and a thin pair of gloves the first -day or two. - -Ralph visited a dry-goods store, fitted himself out, and started for -home. - -He was absorbed in thinking and planning, and turning a corner thus -engrossed almost ran into a pedestrian. - -As he drew back and aside, a hand was suddenly thrust out and seized his -arm in a vise-like grip. - -"No, you don't!" sounded a strident voice. "I've got you at last, have -I?" - -In astonishment Ralph looked up, to recognize his self-announced captor. -It was Gasper Farrington. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE OLD FACTORY - - -Ralph pulled loose from the grasp of the crabbed old capitalist, fairly -indignant at the sudden onslaught. - -"Don't you run! don't you run!" cried Farrington, swinging his cane -threateningly. - -"And don't you dare to strike!" warned Ralph, with a glitter in his eye. -"I'd like to know, sir, what right you have stopping me on the public -street in this manner?" - -"It will be a warrant matter, if you aint careful!" retorted Farrington. - -"I can't imagine how." - -"Oh, can't you?" gibed Farrington, his plain animosity for Ralph showing -in his malicious old face. "Well, I'll show you." - -"I shall be glad to have you do so." - -"Do you see that building?" - -Farrington pointed across the baseball grounds at the edge of which they -stood, indicating the old unused factory. - -A light broke on Ralph's mind. - -"I own that building," announced Farrington, swelling up with -importance--"it's my property." - -"So I've heard." - -"A window was broken there and you broke it!" - -"I did," admitted Ralph. - -"Oho! you shamefacedly acknowledge it, do you? Malicious mischief, -young man--that's the phase of the law you're up against!" - -"It was an accident," said Ralph--"pure and simple." - -"Well, you'll stand for it." - -"I intend to. I made a note of it in my mind at the time, Mr. -Farrington, and if you had not said a word to me about it I should have -done the right thing." - -"What do you call the right thing?" - -"Replacing the light of glass, of course," was Ralph's reply. - -"Glad to see you've got some sense of decency about you. All right. -It'll cost you just a dollar and twenty-five cents. Hand over the -money, and I'll have my man fix it." - -Ralph laughed outright. - -"Hardly, Mr. Farrington," he said. "I can buy a pane of glass for -thirty-five cents, and put it in for nothing. I will take this bundle -home and attend to it at once." - -Farrington looked mad and disappointed at being outwitted in his attempt -to make three hundred per cent. However, if Ralph made good he could -find no fault with the proposition. He mumbled darkly and Ralph passed -on. Then a temptation he could not resist came to the boy, and turning -he remarked: - -"You'll be glad to know, perhaps, Mr. Farrington, that I have obtained -steady work." - -"Why should I be glad?" - -"Because you advised it, and because it will enable us to pay you your -interest promptly." - -"Humph!" Then with an eager expression of face Farrington asked: "What -are you going to work at?" - -"Railroading." - -"Very good--of course at the general offices at Springfield?" - -"Of course not. I start in at the roundhouse here, to-morrow." - -It was amazing how sour the magnate's face suddenly grew. Once more -Ralph wondered why this man was so anxious to get them out of Stanley -Junction. - -Ralph proceeded homewards. It warmed his heart to see how thoroughly -his mother entered into all his hopes and projects. She was soon busy -in her quick, sure way, sewing on more strongly the buttons of jumper -and overalls, and promised to have a neat light cap and working gloves -ready for him by nightfall. - -Ralph explained to her about the broken window, got a rule from his -father's old tool chest, and went over to the vacant factory. - -It was surrounded by a high fence, but at one place in seeking lost -balls members of the Criterion Club had partially removed a gate. Ralph -passed among the debris littering the yard, and went around the place -until he found a door with a broken lock. - -He gained the inside and went up a rickety stairs. Swinging open a door -at their top, Ralph found himself in the compartment with the broken -window. - -The air was close and unwholesome, despite the orifice the baseball had -made. A broken skylight topped the center of the room, and a rain of -the previous night had dripped down unimpeded and soaked the flooring. - -"The ball must be here somewhere," mused Ralph. "There it is, but----" - -As he spied the ball about the center of the room, Ralph discerned -something else that sent a quick wave of concern across his nerves. - -He stood silent and spellbound. - -Upon the floor was a human being, so grimly stark and white, that death -was instantly suggested to Ralph's mind. - -His eyes, becoming accustomed to the half-veiled light filtered through -the dirt-crusted panes of the skylight, made out that the figure on the -floor was that of a boy. - -As he riveted his glance, Ralph further discovered that it was the same -boy he had met at the depot the morning previous--the mysterious -"dead-head" under the trucks of the 10.15 train. - -He lay upon the rough boards face upwards, his limbs stretched out -naturally, but stiff and useless-looking. - -The rain had soaked his garments, and he must have lain there at least -since last midnight. Ralph was shocked and uncertain. Then an abrupt -thought made him tremble and fear. - -The ball lay by the boy's side. Right above one temple was the dark -circular outline of a depression. - -It flashed like lightning through Ralph's mind that the stranger had -been struck by the ball. - -The theory forced itself upon him that in hiding from the pursuing depot -watchman, the stranger had sought refuge in the factory. - -He might have quite naturally needed a rest after his long and torturing -ride on truck and crossbar--he must have been in this room when Ralph -had swung the bat that had sent the baseball hurtling through the window -with the force of a cannon shot. - -"It is true--it is true!" breathed Ralph in a ghastly whisper, as the -full consequence of his innocent act burst upon his mind. - -He had to hold to a post to support himself, swaying there and looking -down at the cold, mute face, sick at heart, and his brain clouded with -dread. - -It must have been a full five minutes before he pulled himself together, -and tried to divest himself of the unnatural horror that palsied his -energies. - -He finally braced his nerves, and, advancing, knelt beside the prostrate -boy. - -Ralph placed his trembling hand inside the open coat, and let it rest -over the heart. His own throbbed loud and strong with hope and relief, -as under his finger tips there was a faint, faint fluttering. - -"He is alive--thank heaven for that!" cried Ralph fervently. - -He ran to the window. Through the broken pane he could view the -baseball grounds and the clubhouse beyond. - -Will Cheever was sitting outside of the house, and at a little distance -another member of the Criterions was exercising with a pair of Indian -clubs. - -Ralph tried to lift the lower sash, but it would not budge. - -He ripped out of place the loose side piece, and removed the sash -complete. - -"Will--boys!" he shouted loudly, "come--come quick!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX--AN UNEXPECTED GUEST - - -Ralph soon drew the attention of his friends, and in a few minutes Will -Cheever and his companion had made their way into the old factory. - -Both looked startled as they entered the room, and serious and anxious -as Ralph hurriedly told of his discovery and theory. - -"It looks as if you were right, Ralph," said Will as he looked closely -at the silent form on the floor. - -"Poor fellow!" commented Will's companion. "He must have been lying -here all alone--all through that storm, too---since yesterday -afternoon." - -"He isn't dead," announced Will, but still in an awed tone. "What are -you going to do, Ralph?" - -"We must get him out of here," answered Ralph. "If one of you could -bring the cot over from the clubhouse, we will carry him there." - -Will sped away on the mission indicated. When he returned, they -prepared to use the cot as a stretcher. The strange boy moved and -moaned slightly as they lifted him up, but did not open his eyes, and -lay perfectly motionless as they carefully carried him down the stairs, -across the ballfield, and into the clubhouse. - -There was a telephone there. Ralph hurriedly called up a young -physician, very friendly with the boys, and whose services they -occasionally required. - -He arrived in the course of the next fifteen minutes. He expressed -surprise at the wet and draggled condition of his patient, felt his -pulse, examined his heart, and sat back with his brows knitted in -thoughtfulness. - -"Who is he?" inquired the doctor. - -"I don't know," answered Ralph. "He is a stranger to Stanley Junction. -From his clothes, I should judge he is some poor fellow from the country -districts, who has seen hard work," and Ralph told about the first -sensational appearance of the stranger at the depot the morning before, -and the details of his accidental discovery an hour previous in the old -factory. - -"Your theory is probably correct, Fairbanks," said the young physician -gravely. "That blow on the head is undoubtedly the cause of his present -condition, and that baseball undoubtedly struck him down. Lying -neglected and insensible for twenty-four hours, and exposed to the -storm, has not helped things any." - -"But--is his condition dangerous?" inquired Ralph in a fluttering tone. - -"It is decidedly serious," answered the doctor. "There appears to be a -suspension of nerve activity, and I would say concussion of the brain. -The case puzzles me, however, for the general functions are normal." - -"Can't you do something to revive him?" inquired Will. - -"I shall try, but I fear returning sensibility will show serious damage -to the brain," said the doctor. - -He opened his pocket medicine case, and selecting a little phial, -prepared a few drops of its contents with water, and hypodermically -injected this into the patient's arm. - -In a few minutes the watchers observed a warm, healthy flush spread over -the white face and limp hands of the recumbent boy. His muscles -twitched. He moved, sighed, and became inert again, but seemed now -rather in a deep, natural sleep than in a comatose condition. - -The doctor watched his patient silently, seemingly satisfied with the -effects of his ministrations. - -After a while he took up another phial, held back one eyelid of the -sleeper with forefinger and thumb, and let a few drops enter the eye of -the sleeper. - -The patient shot up one hand as if a hot cinder had struck his eyeball. -He rubbed the afflicted optic, gasped, squirmed, and came half-upright -en one arm. Both eyes opened, one blinking as though smarting with -pain. - -He wavered so weakly that Ralph braced an arm behind to support him. - -"Steady now!" said the doctor, touching his patient with a prodding -finger to attract his attention. "Who are you, my friend?" - -The boy stared blankly at him as he caught the sound of his voice, and -then at the three boys. He did not smile, and there was a peculiarly -vacant expression on his face. - -Then he moved his lips as if his throat was parched and stiff, and said -huskily: - -"Hungry." - -The doctor shrugged his shoulders, puzzled and amused. Ralph himself -half-smiled. The demand was so distinctively human it cheered him. - -The patient kept looking around as if expecting food to be brought to -him. The young physician studied him silently. Then he projected half -a dozen quick, sharp questions. His patient did not even appear to hear -him. He looked reproachfully about him, and again spoke: - -"Fried perch would be pretty good!" - -"He must be about half-starved, poor fellow!" observed Will. "Doctor, -he acts all right, only desperately hungry. Maybe a good square meal -will fix him out all right?" - -The doctor moved towards the door, and beckoned Ralph there. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "this is a serious matter--no, no, I don't mean -the fact that the baseball did the damage," he explained hurriedly, as -he saw Ralph's face grow pale and troubled. "That was an accident, and -something you could not foresee. I mean that this poor fellow is, for -the present at least, helpless as a child." - -"Doctor," quavered Ralph, "you don't mean his mind is gone." - -"I fear it is." - -"Oh, don't say that! don't say that!" pleaded Ralph, falling against the -door post and covering his face with his hands. - -He was genuinely distressed. All the brightness of his good luck and -prospects seemed dashed out. He could not divest his mind of a certain -responsibility for the condition of the poor fellow on the cot, whose -usefulness in life had been cut short by an accidental "lost ball." - -"Don't be overcome--it isn't like you, Fairbanks," chided the doctor -gently. "I know you feel badly--we all do. Let us get at the practical -end of this business without delay. We had better get the patient -removed to the hospital, first thing." - -"No!" interrupted Ralph quickly, "not that, doctor--that is, anyway not -yet." - -"He needs skillful attention." - -"He's needing some hash just now!" put in Will Cheever, approaching, his -face, despite himself, on a grin. "Hear him!" - -The stranger was certainly sticking to his point. "Hash with lots of -onions in it!" they heard him call out. - -"Will it hurt him to eat, doctor?" inquired Ralph. - -"Not a bit of it. In fact, except to feed him and watch, I don't see -that he needs anything. You can't splint a brain shock as you can a -broken finger, or poultice a skull depression as you would a bruise. -There's simply something mental gone out of the boy's life that science -cannot put in again. There is this hope, though: that when the physical -shock has fully passed, something may develop for the better." - -"You mean to-day, to-morrow----" - -"Oh, no--weeks, maybe months." - -Ralph looked disheartened, but the next moment his face took upon it a -look of resolution always adopted when he fully made up his mind to -anything. - -"Very well," he said, "he must be taken to our house." - -With the doctor Ralph was a rare favorite, and his face showed that he -read and appreciated the kindly spirit that prompted the young -railroader's action. He placed his hand in a friendly way on his -shoulder. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "you're a good kind, and do credit to yourself, -but I fear you are in no shape to take such a burden on your young -shoulders." - -"It is my burden," said Ralph firmly, "whose else's? Why, doctor! if I -let that poor fellow go to the hospital, among utter strangers, handed -down the line you don't know where--poorhouse, asylum, and pauper's -grave maybe, it would haunt me! No, I feel I am responsible for his -condition, and I intend to take care of him, at least until something -better for him turns up. Help me, boys." - -"I'll drop in to see him again, at your house," said the doctor. "I -don't think he will make you any trouble in the way of violence, or -that, but you had better keep a constant eye on him." - -Ralph thought a good deal on the way to the cottage. He felt that he -was doing the right thing, and knew that his mother would not demur to -the arrangements he had formulated. - -Mrs. Fairbanks not only did not demur, but when she was made aware of -the particulars, sustained Ralph in his resolution. - -"Poor fellow!" she said sympathetically. "The first thing he needs is a -warm bath, and we might find some dry clothes for him, Ralph." - -The widow bustled about to do her share in making the unexpected guest -comfortable. Will Cheever and his companion felt in duty bound to lend -a helping hand to Ralph. - -They had put the cot in the middle of the kitchen, and quiet now, but -with wide-open eyes, its occupant watched them as they hurriedly got out -a tub and put some water to heat on the cook stove. - -"Swim," said the stranger, only once, and was content thereafter to -watch operations silently. - -"He's got dandy muscles--built like a giant!" commented Will, as half an -hour later they carried the boy into the neat, cool sitting room, and -lodged him among cushions in an easy-chair. - -Meantime, Mrs. Fairbanks had not been idle. She had prepared an -appetizing lunch. The stranger looked supremely happy as Ralph appeared -with a tray of viands. He ate with the zest of a growing, healthy boy, -and when he had ended sank back among the cushions and fell into a calm, -profound sleep. - -"Ralph Fairbanks, you're a brick!" said Will. "He don't look much like -the half-drowned, half-starved rat he was when you picked him up." - -"Knocked him down, you mean!" said Ralph, with a sigh. "Well, mother, -we'll do what we can for him." - -"We will do for him just what I pray some one might do for my boy, -should such misfortune ever become his lot," said the widow tremulously. -"He looks like a hard-working, honest boy, I only hope he may come out -of his daze in time. If not, we will do our duty--what we might think a -burden may be a blessing in disguise." - -"You're always 'casting bread on the waters,' Mrs. Fairbanks!" declared -Will, in his crisp, offhand way. - -To return after many days--light-headed, light-hearted Will Cheever! -There are incidents in every boy's life which are the connecting links -with all the unknown future, and for Ralph Fairbanks, although he little -dreamed it, this was one of them. - - - - -CHAPTER X--THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER - - -Will and his friend offered to attend to the broken window in the old -factory for Ralph, and the latter was glad to accept the tendered -service. - -He gave them the price of glass and putty, and a blunt case knife, told -them they would find his rule under the window, and as they departed -felt assured they would attend to the matter with promptness and -dispatch. - -Ralph had something on his mind that he felt he could best carry out -alone, and after their departure he left his mother quietly sewing in -her rocking chair to watch their placidly slumbering guest. - -"The boy is a stranger here, of course," Ralph ruminated. "Where did he -come from? I hope I will find something among his belongings that will -tell." - -They were poor belongings, and now hung across a clothes line in the -back yard, drying in the warm sunshine. - -The coat and trousers were of coarse material, clumsily patched here and -there as if by a novice, and Ralph decided did not bear that certain -unmistakable trace that tells of home or motherly care. - -In the trousers pocket Ralph found a coil of string, a blunt bladed -pocket knife, and a hunk of linen thread with a couple of needles stuck -in it--this was all. - -The coat contained not a single clew as to the identity of the stranger, -not a hint of his regular place of residence, whence he had come or -whither he was going. - -It held but one object--a letter which the boy when pursued by the depot -guardians had shown to Ralph the morning previous, and which at that -time with considerable astonishment Ralph had observed bore the -superscription: "Mr. John Fairbanks." - -He had thought of the letter and wondered at its existence, the possible -sender, the singular messenger, a score of times since he had attempted -to take it from the dead-head passenger of the 10.15. - -Now he held it in his grasp, but Ralph handled it gingerly. The -envelope was soaking wet, just as was the coat and the pocket he had -taken it from. As he removed it from its resting place he observed that -the poor ink of the superscription had run, and the letters of the -address were faded and fast disappearing. - -To open it with any hope of removing its contents intact in its present -condition was clearly impossible. Ralph held it carefully against the -sunlight. Its envelope was thin, and he saw dark patches and blurs -inside, indicating that the writing there had run also. - -"I had better let it dry before I attempt to open it," decided Ralph, -and he placed it on a smooth board near the well in the full focus of -the bright sunshine. - -A good deal hinged on that letter, he told himself. It would at all -events settle the identity of his dead father's correspondent, again it -would divulge who it was that had sent the letter and the messenger, and -thus the unfortunate's friends could be found. It would take a little -time to dry out the soggy envelope, and Ralph paced about the garden -paths, whistling softly to himself and thinking hard over the queer -happenings of the past twenty-four hours. - -As he passed the window of the little sitting room, he tiptoed the -gravel path up to it and glanced in. - -His mother still sat in the rocker, but she had fallen into a slight -doze, and her sewing lay idle in her lap. Ralph, transferring his gaze -to the armchair where they had so comfortably bestowed the invalid, -fairly started with astonishment. - -"Why, he isn't there!" breathed Ralph in some alarm, and ran around to -the entrance by the kitchen door. - -At its threshold Ralph paused, enchained by the unexpected picture there -disclosed to his view. - -The injured boy stood at the sink. He had found and tied about his -waist a work apron belonging to Mrs. Fairbanks. Before him was the -dishpan half-full of water, and he had washed and wiped neatly and -quickly the dishes from the tray. - -He arranged the various articles in their respective drawers and -shelves, stood back viewing them with satisfaction, removed the apron, -carefully hung it up, and went to the open back door leading into the -wood shed. - -Ralph's alarm for fear that his guest had wandered off or might do -himself a mischief, gave place to pleased interest. - -It looked as if the strange boy had been used to some methodical -features of domestic life, and habit was fitting him readily and -comfortably into the groove in which he found himself. - -Ralph decided that he would not startle or disturb the stranger, but -would watch to see what he did next. - -The boy glanced towards the wood box behind the cook stove. In the -hurry of the past twenty-four hours Ralph had not found time to keep it -as well filled as usual. - -His guest evidently observed this, went into the wood shed, seated -himself on the chopping log, and seizing the short handled ax there, -began chopping the sawed lengths piled near at hand with a pleased, -hearty good will. - -Mrs. Fairbanks, disturbed by the sound of chopping, had awakened, and -with some trepidation came hurrying from the sitting room, anxiously -seeking to learn what had become of their guest. - -Ralph motioned her to silence, his finger on his lip, and pointed -significantly through the open rear doorway. - -A pathetic sympathy crossed the widow's face and the tears came into her -eyes. Ralph left her to keep an unobtrusive watch on their guest, and -returning to the well, found the envelope he had left there pretty well -dried out. - -He carefully removed the envelope, and placed it in his pocket. Then he -as carefully unfolded the sheet within. - -An expression of dismay crossed his face. The inside screed had not -been written in ink, but with a soft purple lead pencil. This the rain -had affected even more than it had the envelope in which it had been -enclosed. - -At first sight the missive was an indecipherable blur, but scanning it -more closely, Ralph gained some faint hope that he might make out at -least a part of its contents. - -He had a magnifying glass in his workroom in the attic, and he went -there for it. For nearly an hour Ralph pored over the sheet of paper -which he held in his hand. - -His face was a study as he came downstairs again, and sought his mother. - -She sat near the doorway between the kitchen and the sitting room, where -she could keep sight of their guest. - -The invalid was seated on the door step of the wood shed shelling a pan -of peas, as happy and contented a mortal as one would see in a day's -journey. - -"He is a good boy," said the widow softly to Ralph, "and winsome with -his gentle, easy ways. He seems to delight in occupation. What is it, -Ralph?" she added, as she noted the serious, preoccupied look on her -son's face. - -"It is about the letter, mother," explained Ralph. "I told you partly -about it. It was certainly directed to father, and some one employed or -sent this boy to deliver it." - -"Who was it, Ralph?" inquired Mrs. Fairbanks. - -"That I can not tell." - -"Was it not signed?" - -"It was once, but the upper fold and the lower fold of the sheet are a -perfect blur. I have been able to make out a few words here and there -in the center portion, but they tell nothing coherently." - -Mrs. Fairbanks looked disappointed. - -"That is unfortunate, Ralph," she said. "I hoped it would give some -token of this boy's home or friends. But probably, when he does not -return, and no answer comes to that letter, the writer will send another -letter by mail." - -"The boy may have been only incidentally employed to deliver it," -suggested Ralph, "and not particularly known to the sender at all." - -"I can not imagine who would be writing to your dead father," said Mrs. -Fairbanks thoughtfully. "It can scarcely be of much importance." - -"Mother," said Ralph, with an emphasis that impressed the widow, "I am -satisfied this letter was of unusual importance--so much so that a -special messenger was employed, and that is what puzzles me. A line in -it was plainly 'your railroad bonds,' another as plainly refers to 'the -mortgage,' the last word heads like 'Farewell,' and there is something -that looks very much like: 'to get even with that old schemer, Gasper -Farrington.'" - -The widow started violently. - -"Why, Ralph!" she exclaimed. - -"Yes, mother. We may never know more than this. It is all a strange -proceeding, but if that poor fellow out yonder could tell all he knows, -I believe it would surprise and enlighten us very much, and in a way -greatly for our benefit." - -"Then we must wait with patience, and hope with courage," said Mrs. -Fairbanks calmly. - -Ralph felt all that he said. He could not get the letter out of his -mind that evening. - -They fitted up a little spare room off the dining room for their guest. -He went quietly to bed when they led him there, after enjoying a good, -supper, never speaking a word, never smiling, but with a pleased nod -betokening that he appreciated every little kindness they showed him. - -The next morning Ralph Fairbanks went to work at the roundhouse. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--ON DUTY - - -Ralph cut across lots on his way to the roundhouse. He was not one whit -ashamed to be seen wearing a working cap and carrying a dinner pail and -the bundle under his arm, but cap, pail and overalls were distressingly -new and conspicuous, and he was something like a boy in his first Sunday -suit and wondering if it fitted right, and how the public took it. - -It was too early to meet any of his school friends, but crossing a -street to take the tracks he was hailed volubly. - -Ralph did not halt. His challenger was Grif Farrington, his arm linked -in that of a chum whom Ralph did not know, both smoking cigarettes, and -both showing the rollicking mood of young would-be sports who wished it -to be believed they had been making a night of it, and thinking it -smart. - -"What's the uniform, Fairbanks?" cried Grif, affecting a critical -stare--"going fishing? Is that a bait box?" - -"Not a bit of it. It's my dinner pail, and I'm going to work, at the -roundhouse." - -"Chump!" - -"Oh, I guess not." - -"Double-distilled! Make more money going on the circuit with the club. -Personally guarantee you ten dollars a week. Got scads of money, me and -the old man. Sorry," commented Grif in a solemn manner, as Ralph -continued on his way unheeding. "Poor, but knows how to bat. Pity to -see a fellow go wrong that way, eh?" he asked his companion. - -Ralph laughed to himself, and braced up proudly. Between idle, -dissolute Grif Farrington and himself he could see no room for -comparison. - -Some sleepy loungers were in the dog house, and a fireman was running -his engine to its stall. Ralph went over to the lame helper he had seen -the day previous. - -"I'm to begin work here to-day, I was told," he said. "Can you start me -in?" - -"I'm not the boss." - -"I know that, but couldn't you show me the ropes before the others -come?" - -"Why, there's an empty locker for your traps," said the man. "When the -foreman comes, he'll tell you what your duties are." - -"No harm putting in the time usefully, I suppose?" insinuated Ralph. - -"I suppose not," answered the taciturn helper. He seemed a sickly, -spiritless creature, whom misfortune or a naturally crabbed temper had -warped clear out of gear. - -Ralph stowed his dinner pail in the locker, slipped on overalls and -jumper and an old pair of shoes, and placed the fingerless gloves he had -prepared in a convenient pocket. - -The lame helper had disappeared. Ralph noticed that the place needed -sweeping. He went to where the brooms stood, selected one, and started -in at his voluntary task. - -He felt he was doing something to improve the looks of things, and -worked with a will. He had made the greasy boards look quite spick and -smooth, and was whistling cheerily at his work, when a gruff growl -caused him to look up. - -The foreman, Tim Forgan, confronted him with a lowering, suspicious -brow. - -"Who told you to do that?" he demanded sharply. - -"Why, nobody," answered Ralph. "I like to keep busy, that's all. No -harm, I hope?" - -"Yes, there is!" snapped Forgan. Ralph surprisedly wondered why this -man seemed determined to be at odds with him. He had not fallen in with -very cheerful or elevating company. Forgan continued to regard him with -an evil eye. - -"See here," he said roughly, "I'll have discipline here, and I'll be -boss. I'll give you your duties, and if you step over the line, get -out. This isn't a playroom, as you'll probably find out before you've -been here long." - -Ralph thought it best to maintain silence. - -"You take that box and can yonder, and go to the supply and oil sheds -and get some waste and grease. Slump will be here soon, take your -orders from him for to-day." - -Ralph bowed politely and understandingly. - -"I'll tell you another thing," went on Forgan harshly. "Don't you get -to knowing too much, or talking about it. I'll have no spying around my -affairs." - -Ralph was astonished. He tried to catch the keynote of the foreman's -plaint. Suspicion seemed the incentive of his anger, and yet Ralph -could trace no reason for it. - -An open doorway led from one side of the roundhouse. Ralph picked up a -heavy sheet-iron pail and a tin box with a handle. Just then the helper -came into view. - -"Where do I go for oil and waste?" asked Ralph. - -The helper surlily pointed through the doorway. Ralph found himself in -a bricked-in passage, slippery with oil, and leading to a narrow yard. -On one side was a row of sheds, whose interior comprised bins for boxes -filled with all kinds of metal fittings. On the other side were like -sheds, full of cans, pails and barrels. From here some men were -conveying barrow loads of pails and cans filled with oil and grease, and -Ralph went to an open door. - -Inside was a grimy, greasy fellow marking something on a card tacked to -the wall. Ralph told him who he was, got both receptacles filled, and -went back to the roundhouse. - -He sat down on a bench and watched a fireman go through the finishing -touches on his engine which put it "to sleep." The last whistle -sounded, and in through the doorway came Ike Slump. - -The latter was a wiry, elfish fellow, usually very volatile and active. -On this especial morning, however, he looked ugly, depressed and wicked. -He went over to his locker, threw in his dinner pail, put on a pair of -overalls, and for the first time observed Ralph. - -"Hello!" he ejaculated, taking a step backward, hunching his shoulders, -showing his teeth, and lurching forward much with the pose of a prize -fighter descending on an easy victim. - -"Good-morning, Ike," said Ralph pleasantly. - -Ike Slump indulged in a vicious snarl. - -"Morning nothing!" he snapped. "What you doing here?" - -"I'm going to work here." - -"Who says so?" - -"The foreman." - -"When?" - -"Yesterday, and ten minutes ago. In fact, I am waiting to begin under -your directions, as he ordered." - -"Oh, you are!" muttered Ike darkly, and in hissing long-drawn-out -accents. "That's your lay, is it? Well, say, do you see those?" - -Ike glanced keenly about him. Then advancing, he strutted up to Ralph, -bunched one set of coarse, dirty knuckles, and rested them squarely on -Ralph's nose. - -Ralph did not budge for a second or two. When he did, it was with -infinite unconcern and the remark: - -"Yes, I see them, and a little soap and water wouldn't hurt them any." - -"Say! do you want to insult me? say! are you spoiling for a fight? -say----" - -"Keep a little farther away, please," suggested Ralph, putting out one -of those superbly-rounded, magnificently-formed arms of his, which sent -the bullying Ike back, stiff and helpless as if he was at the end of an -iron rod. - -"Say----" Ike began on his war dance again. "This is too much!" Then -he subsided as he noticed the foreman cross the roundhouse. "No chance -now, but to-night, after work, we'll settle this!" - -"Just as you like, Ike," assented Ralph accommodatingly--"only, drop it -long enough just now to start me in at my duties, or we'll both have Mr. -Forgan in our hair." - -Ike unclinched his fists, but he continued to growl and grumble to -himself. - -"A nice sneak you are!" Ralph made out. "Thought you'd be smart! Gave -away my tip, didn't you?" - -"See here, Ike, what do you mean?" - -"I mean I told you I was going to leave, and you promised to hang around -and come on deck when I'd had my pay." - -"The way things turned out," said Ralph, "there was no occasion for -that." - -"You bet there wasn't! You just sneaked the word to Forgan -double-quick, he told the old man, and I got a walloping, locked up on -bread and water yesterday, and all my plans scattered about leaving. You -bet I'll cut the job just the same, though!" declared Ike, with a -vicious snap of his jaws. "Only, you gave me away, and I'm going to pay -you off for it." - -"Ike, you are very much mistaken." - -"Yah!" - -"I never mentioned what you told me to any one." - -"Cut it out! We'll settle that to-night. Now you get to work." - -Ralph at last understood the situation, but he saw the futility of -attempting to convince his obstinate companion of his error. - -Besides, the foreman in the distance was watching him from the corner of -one eye, and Ike thought it best to apply himself to business. - -"You just watch me for an hour or two," he bolted out grudgingly. - -Ralph did not spend a happy forenoon. Ike was sullen, grumpy and -savage. - -He made his helper hold the grease pail when it was unnecessary, till -Ralph's arms were stiff, dropping splotches of oil on his shoes. He let -the exhaust deluge him, as if by accident, and refused to engage in any -general conversation, nursing his wrath the meantime. - -He knew how to clean up an engine, although, Ralph divined, in the most -slipshod and easiest way that would pass inspection. Ralph was learning -something, however, and was patient under the slights Ike put upon him -from time to time. - -About eleven o'clock there was a lull in active work. - -Mr. Ike Slump lounged on the bench, indulging in a smoke and trying to -look important and dangerous, both at once. Then, as if casually, he -began kneading a fat, juicy ball of waste and grease, poked it under the -bench, and said to Ralph: - -"There's two switch engines coming in. You can take one of them, and -see if you know how to handle it." - -"I'll try," announced Ralph. - -"When you come to the bell, give her a good, hard rubbing. They'll give -you some sand at the supply shed." - -"Sand?" repeated Ralph vaguely. - -"Sure. Dump it in with the grease in the little pail, and don't fail to -slap it on thick and plenty." - -Ralph said nothing. He started for the passageway with more thoughts -than one in his mind. As he shot a quick glance back of him, he -observed Ike leap from the bench, poke out the grease ball, palm it, and -disappear from his range of vision. - -Ralph went to the supply shed and got a can full of sand. Then he -started back the way he had come. - -As he did so, he observed the foreman turn into the passage in front of -him. - -Ralph was due to pass by him, for the foreman was pursuing his way at a -leisurely gait, but Ralph did nothing of the sort. - -He guessed considerable and anticipated more from the recent suspicious -movements of his temporary master, and smiled slightly, allowing the -foreman to precede him. - -As Tim Forgan stepped through the doorway leading into the roundhouse, -that happened which Ralph Fairbanks had foreseen. - -His enemy, lying in wait there to "christen" his new work suit as he had -threatened, let drive, never doubting but that the approaching footsteps -were those of Ralph. - -With a dripping swush the ball of waste and grease cut through the air -and took the roundhouse foreman squarely in the face. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--IKE SLUMP'S REVENGE - - -The roundhouse foreman staggered back with a gasp. - -The oil splattered over his face, neck and chest, the waste separated -and dropped down inside his vest. - -Then, astonished, Forgan dashed the blinding grease from his eyes, ran -forward, took a stare in every direction, and doubled his pace with a -roar like a maddened bull. - -"You imp of Satan!" he yelled. - -He had detected Ike Slump, unmistakably the culprit. With agile -springs, fairly terrified at his mistake, Ike had taken to flight. - -In his haste he tripped over a rail. His pursuer pounced down on him -before he could get up, snatched him up with one hand by the collar, -grabbed half a loose box cover with another, dragged him into the little -office, banged the door shut with his foot, and the work of retribution -began. - -The men in the dog house had been attracted by the turmoil. Now they -stood gazing at the closed office door. - -A grin ran the rounds, as from within escaped sounds unmistakably -connected with the box cover, mingled with the frantic yells of Ike -Slump. - -"That kid's been spoiling for just this for some time," observed a -gray-bearded engineer. - -"Has he?" echoed an extra--"well, just! He's been the bane of Forgan's -life ever since he came here. The boss had to keep him because Ike's -father is a crony, but he's getting real enjoyment for the privilege!" - -There was nothing malicious in Ralph's nature, but he felt that Ike -Slump deserved a lesson. Ralph proceeded calmly on his way as though -nothing had happened, carried his can of sand over to the bench, mixed -it well in one of the small oil pails, took up the other and some waste, -and went over to one of the two switch engines that had just come in. - -They stood on adjacent tracks, not yet run to stall. Ralph began his -first task as a real wiper. He had watched Ike carefully, and it was no -trick at all to follow in his mechanical groove, and much improve his -system, besides. - -Ralph was busy on the bell as the door of foreman's office was thrust -open. - -Ike Slump was as quickly thrust out. He was blubbering, limp, and -smarting with pain. - -Forgan was red-faced and panting from his exertions. - -"Now then," he said, "you get to work, or get out and home to your -father, just as you like." - -"He'll kill me if I do!" came from Ike. - -"He ought to. Hustle there, now!" - -Ike went to the bench, picked up the grease pail, and climbed to the -cabin of the other switch engine. - -He cast an angry glance at Ralph. - -"Played it smart, didn't you!" he snarled. - -"You shouldn't complain," answered Ralph calmly. - -"Wait till to-night!" - -"I'm waiting," tranquilly rejoined Ralph, poising back to view about as -fine a shimmer to the bell he was working on as oil and waste and elbow -grease could produce. - -Meantime, Ike had blindly, savagely slapped a coat of grease on the bell -opposite. - -A yell went up from his wrathful lips as he applied the waste. - -He nearly had a fit and if he could have found a loose missile he would -doubtless have thrown it at Ralph. - -"Confound you!" he hissed. "Oh, I'll get you yet!" - -"I'm here," said Ralph. "What's up. You said sand was good for the -bell. Is it?" - -"Say, you wait! oh, say, you wait!" foamed Ike. - -Both worked their way simultaneously into the cabs, the upper wiping -done. Ralph watched his fellow-worker. The locomotives had been -dumped, but there was still enough steam to run them to bed. - -"Soon as I run her in," announced Ike malevolently across the two-foot -space between the engines, "I'm going to jump my job." - -Ralph said nothing. Ike had put his hand on the lever, intending -evidently to slow back the locomotive to its stall. Ralph was expected -to do the same with the other engine. - -"But I'll be laying for you at quitting time, and with the bunch, don't -you forget it!" supplemented Ike. - -Ralph gave the lever a touch, the wheels started, but instantly he shut -off steam. - -Glancing sideways and out through the open front of the roundhouse, his -eyes met a sight that would have paralyzed some people, but which acted -on his impetuous nature like a shock of electricity. - -With one leap he cleared the cab, in two springs he had reached the -doorway. The startled Ike Slump saw him disappear behind the -locomotive. His bead-like eyes glowed. - -Now was his chance. Leaning over between the two locomotives, he -touched the lever Ralph had just shut off. The locomotive started -towards its stall. - -Directing his own forward, it went on its diverging course at routine -slow speed. - -This cleared the view from doghouse and office. At that moment the -foreman's strident tones belched out: - -"Stop her! Where's the wiper?" - -All eyes saw that the second locomotive was not manned. Some had -witnessed Ralph's sensational disappearance. - -Three or four made a run for the unguided locomotive. The foremost of -the group sprang into the cab just as the tender struck the circular -outer wall of the roundhouse. - -He halted the engine, but not until the tender had smashed a hole out to -daylight, taking one big window upon its back, and buried the rails -under half a ton of brick and mortar. - -Ike Slump descended from his locomotive serene as summer skies, as -Forgan rushed up to the scene. - -"Where's the smart-Aleck that did that!" roared the foreman. - -He was fairly distracted with the accumulating disturbances of the hour. - -"Dunno. Got scared at hearing the steam hiss, I guess, and run for it," -said Ike. - -Tim Forgan paced up and down the planks, a smoldering volcano of wrath. - -"There he is now," piped Ike, hugging himself with delight, as he -considered that he had turned the tables on Ralph. - -The foreman dashed towards the entrance of the roundhouse. Sure enough, -Ralph had come into view. - -Half a dozen persons were straggling after him, and some unusual -commotion was evidently rife among them, but the infuriated roundhouse -foreman at the moment had eyes only for the object of his rage. - -Ralph's face was as white as chalk, he was out of breath, one arm of his -jacket was torn away, and from the elbow to the finger tips there was a -long, bleeding scratch. - -The foreman ran up to him, and almost jerked him off his feet as he -caught him by the arm. - -"You young blunderer!" he roared--"look at your work! Five hundred -dollars damage!" - -Ralph seemed in an uncomprehending daze and failed to take in the -wrathful sweep of Forgan's arm towards the dismantled wall. - -"I'll give you the same dose I gave that young imp, Slump!" shouted -Forgan, losing all control of himself. - -He began to drag Ralph towards the office. The latter had acted as if -about to faint! Now his senses seemed to arouse abruptly. - -Ralph braced back. His eyes swept the crowd about him. He caught sight -of Ike Slump's gloating face, and beyond him the wrecked wall. - -"Wait!" he said faintly, and then with more firmness of tone: "Stop! -what do you accuse me of?" - -"Accuse you of?" roared the foreman. "Hear him! I suppose you pretend -not to see your work. Look at that wall, look at that engine----" - -"I didn't do it," declared Ralph positively, catching on for the first -time. - -"Oh, I won't listen to such rot!" fumed Forgan. "You get out good and -quick, but I'll give you something to remember it by before you do." - -"Stop!" again spoke Ralph, and this time it was a command. "You are -accusing me of something I know nothing about, Mr. Forgan. Let go my -arm." - -"Why, you impudent young jackanapes! I'll lick the daylight out of you -now, just to drive some truth into you!" - -"Don't you dare to touch me!" cried Ralph. He was fully aroused now. -The natural glitter had returned to his eye, and with a quick move he -jerked free from the grasp of the foreman, powerful as it was. "I allow -no man to punish me for what I did not do, and this is a place where we -stand as man to man." - -The foreman had been surprised at Ralph's exhibition of genuine -strength, but that manifestation had only served to increase his rage. - -In positive fury he posed for a savage spring at Ralph. The latter put -both hands on the defensive. His lips were firmly compressed. He did -not wish to imperil his position by fighting with a superior, but he was -determined to stand on his rights. - -At that moment, in advance of the pressing crowd outside, big Denny -Sloan, the yard watchman, came into view. - -"Drop that, Tim Forgan!" he ordered quickly. "Don't touch that boy, or -you'll be sorry for it to your dying day!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--MAKING HIS WAY - - -Big Denny confronted the roundhouse foreman, an obstructing block in his -path. He was one of the heaviest men in the service, built like an ox, -and immensely good-natured. - -Just now, however, he was also immensely excited and serious, and the -crowd stared at him curiously, and at Forgan in an astonished way. - -"This is none of your business. Don't you interfere, don't you try to -shield that miserable blunderer!" shouted the foreman. - -"Hold on, Tim," advised the watchman, putting out his big arm, and -abruptly checking Forgan in a forward dash. - -"Do you know what he's done!" howled Forgan. - -"Do you?" - -"Do I----" - -"I guess you don't, Tim," said Big Denny quietly. "Just you cool down. -This way, boys," called the watchman into the crowd at his heels. "Keep -cool, Tim--there's no harm done, but there might have been if Fairbanks -here wasn't quicker than lightning, and a brave young hero, besides!" - -The crowd parted, a switchman came into view. He carried in his arms, -white and limp, a little girl about ten years of age. - -Hanging by the neck ribbon was her pretty summer hat, crushed and cut -squarely in two. One temple was somewhat disfigured, and her dress was -soiled with roadbed dust and grime. - -Tim Forgan looked once and his jaws dropped. He shuddered as if some -one had dealt him a blow, and staggered where he stood, his face turning -to a sickly gray. - -"Nora!" he gasped--"my little Nora! Denny--boys! she is hurt--dead!" - -"Neither," answered the big watchman promptly, placing a soothing hand -on the foreman's quivering arm. "Steady, old man, now!" - -"Give her to me!" shouted Forgan, in a frenzy. "Nora, my little Nora! -What has happened? what has happened?" - -The big fellow had one idol, one warm corner in his heart--his little -grandchild. - -His rugged brow corrugated, and he was frantic beyond all reason as he -covered the still white face with kisses, nestling the motionless child -in his arms tenderly. - -"Take her into the office," directed Denny. "Give her air, lads--and -get some cold water, some of you." - -He blocked the doorway with his bulky frame as the foreman and his -charge passed through, admitting a moment later a switchman with a can -of water, and two of the older engineers at his heels. - -Then he closed the door, and looked around for Ralph. The latter had -sunk to a bench, still pale and faint-looking. The lame helper was -ransacking his locker. Coming thence with some clean waste and a bottle -of liniment, he snatched up a pail, went outside, got some warm water -from a locomotive, and approached Ralph. - -Ralph regarded him in some wonder, but made no demur as the strange, -silent fellow began to wash and dress his injured arm with a touch soft -and careful as that of a woman. - -Big Denny continued to stand on guard at the closed door of the -foreman's little office. - -The crowd from the outside was exchanging information with the -roundhouse throng, trying to patch mutual disclosures together into some -coherency. - -Ike Slump's look of malevolent gratification had faded away. He began -to surmise that Ralph had a purpose in so summarily deserting his post, -and that the anticipated "turning of the tables" was not destined to -materialize. - -"What's the rights of things, Denny?" asked one of the engineers. "That -was little Nora Forgan, wasn't it!" - -"Sure--and you know what she is to gruff old Tim, apple of his eye. If -anything happened to her, I believe he'd go mad." - -"He's pretty near there now, with his tantrums!" volunteered a voice -from the crowd. - -"I think this will cure him a bit," said Denny. "The little one has -been bringing him his dinner lately, you know. A child like that has no -business along the tracks, but he usually had her come back of the -roundhouse, where there wasn't so much risk. This time, I suppose she -feared she'd be late, and crossed over the busiest switches. My heart -stood still, lads, when, ten minutes since, five hundred feet away from -her, I saw her trip, fall, strike her head on the rails, and lay there -stunned, squarely in the way of a dead-end freight, coming." - -Big Denny squirmed with real feeling in his powerful, husky voice, as he -dabbed the perspiration from his brow. - -"Next thing, I saw a flash come out through the roundhouse door here. It -was--him!" - -Mechanically the crowd turned. Twenty pairs of eyes rested on Ralph, -whom Denny had pointed out. - -"Yes, sir--it was him, young Fairbanks! He's got the right blood in -him, that kid. I knew his father, and he wouldn't be Jack Fairbanks' -son if he hadn't acted just as he did!" - -No comment could have pleased Ralph more than that. He darted a -grateful look at his bulky champion. - -"No one any good seemed to have noticed the accident except him," went -on Denny, the eyes of his absorbed auditors again riveted intently upon -him. "I counted the seconds in a sort of sickly horror, for it seemed -impossible that he could make it in time." - -"But he did!" cried a strained voice. - -"He did--it was terrifying. The last ten feet he saw his only chance. -It was like a fellow sliding for base. Flat he dived and drove. It -must have been an awful scrape! The first wheels of the backing car -fairly reached the little angel's long, golden curls. As it was, they -cut the dangling hat straight in two. He grabbed her, just escaping the -wheels, not a second too soon." - -With a working face the lame helper had stood listening, rooted to the -spot like a statue. - -The crowd swayed towards Ralph. They were all in one uniform mood of -admiration for his nervy exploit, only they expressed it in different -ways. - -A dozen shook his hand till they nearly wrung it off; a big, bluff -fireman, with a fist like a ham, slapped his shoulders so exuberantly -that the contact nearly drove the breath out of his body. - -"As to that little heap of rubbish," observed Big Denny, with lofty -contempt indicating the broken brick wall--"I reckon Tim Forgan won't -let that count against the life of that child." - -Ralph arose to his feet. - -"But I didn't do it," he asseverated. - -"Don't you worry about trifles, kid," advised Denny. - -"But I didn't!" insisted Ralph. - -Denny looked annoyed. He wished to dismiss the subject peremptorily -while his hero was still on the pedestal, and, human-like, he believed -Ralph was trying to square himself at the cost of a lame explanation, or -a lie. - -"That's--that's right," suddenly interposed a quavering voice. - -"Hello!" laughed Denny, turning to confront the sphinx-like helper, -whose taciturnity was proverbial. "You'll be making a speech, next!" - -"Yes," bolted out the lame helper, very much agitated over his own -unusual temerity. - -"Give it a voice, Limpy." - -"He didn't do it." - -"Didn't do what?" - -"Run that engine into the wall." - -"How do you know?" - -"I saw him--he started her up, but shut her off, dead, before he jumped -for the tracks and ran outside." - -Ralph looked surprised, but pleased, Big Denny convinced, and the crowd -tremendously interested. - -On the outskirts of the crowd Ike Slump gave ear, perked up his face in -a grimace, and a minute later sneaked out of the place. - -"Saw the whole thing," declared Limpy. "Fellow in the next engine -leaned over soon as Fairbanks left, slipped the lever, and let her -drive." - -"Who was it?" demanded the watchman indignantly. - -"Slump, the scamp." - -"Where is he?" - -The crowd made a search, but it was unavailing--Ike Slump had "jumped -his job" permanently, to all appearances, for his locker was empty. - -The fireman came out of the office. - -"She's all right," he announced to Denny, "but the old man's terribly -broken up. Better go in and give him a word." - -"All right," said Denny--"you come, too, Fairbanks." - -"I'd rather not," said Ralph--"I've got work to do." - -"You take a rest and eat your dinner before you do anything else," -advised the big watchman. - -The noon whistle sounded just then and dispersed the crowd. Ralph went -over to a bench and brought out his dinner pail. - -His arm was sore and smarting, but he was not at all seriously crippled, -and he sat thoughtfully eating his lunch and wondering how the damage to -the wall would be repaired. - -Ralph noticed the two engineers leave the office, then Big Denny. The -latter had hold of the hand of little Nora. - -He led the way up to Ralph. Limpy had just taken his seat on the other -end of the bench. - -"I'm going to take her home," said the watchman. "Nora, do you know who -this young gentleman is?" - -The little girl looked still pale and frightened, but except for the -torn dress and hat and a dark bruise on her forehead seemed none the -worse for her recent perilous experience. - -"No, sir," she said shyly. - -"It's Ralph Fairbanks. He saved your life." - -"Oh, sir! did you? did you?" she cried, running up to Ralph. She put -her arms around his neck and kissed him, the tears running down her -cheeks. "When I tell mamma, she'll come down and thank you, too!" she -continued and then passed on. - -Ralph was affected by the incident. His heart warmed up as he reflected -how the tide of feeling had changed towards him in the past hour. Then, -reaching for his lunch pail, his hand unexpectedly came in contact with -a big, juicy square of pie. The lame helper had disappeared. - -It was a further tribute from that strange, silent man, and it told -Ralph unmistakably that beyond that grim wall of reserve was probably -hidden a heart of gold. - -The excitement and rough usage of the morning had used up Ralph -considerably. He felt the need of fresh air, put aside his dinner pail, -and started for the outside. - -Just then, the helper came across to him from the direction of the -little office. - -"Wanted," he said sententiously. "Foreman wants to see you." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST - - -Ralph felt the sense of a crisis strong upon him. Circumstances had -given some stormy features to the morning's progress, but had cleared -the air generally. - -He believed, all told, that he had carried off the honors quite -creditably, and was in a measure master of the situation. - -When he came to the office door it was partly open, but he knocked. - -"Come in," spoke the foreman's voice, a good deal toned down from its -usual accents of asperity. - -Tim Forgan stood over near the window, his back turned to Ralph. His -hands, clasped behind him, fumbled nervously. He was palpably in a -disturbed mood, and from the vague view Ralph had of his side face he -noted it was pale and anxious-looking. - -"Sit down," directed the foreman. He stood in the same position for -nearly a minute. Then very abruptly he turned, came up to Ralph, -extended his hand as if with an effort, and said, almost brokenly: - -"Fairbanks, I want to thank you for what you have done for me and mine." - -"I am glad I did it," answered Ralph simply. - -The foreman sank into a chair, started to speak, arose, paced the floor -restlessly, finally halted in front of Ralph, and looked him squarely in -the face. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "I believe I have done you an injustice. Don't -answer. Let me speak while the mood is on me. I am a proud man, and -it's hard for me to root out my settled suspicions. I won't say they -are all gone yet, but after what has happened it would be wrong and -churlish for me to hold back what is on my lips. When you came here -this morning, I was satisfied that you came here as a spy upon my -actions." - -"Oh, Mr. Forgan!" explained Ralph involuntarily. - -"And I prepared to treat you as a spy. I have had trouble with the -master mechanic, off and on--that is, we are rivals in the race for the -presidency of the local labor council, and Ike Slump's father, when I -told him about your card from the master mechanic, scented a plot at -once." - -"Why, Mr. Forgan!" exclaimed Ralph in amazement, "I never saw the master -mechanic until night before last, then only for less than two minutes, -and my meeting with him was purely accidental." - -The roundhouse foreman looked Ralph through and through. - -"I believe you, Fairbanks," he said, at length. "You don't look like -the lying, sneaking sort, and Denny says he'd bank his soul on you. He -says I've got bad, crafty advisers. Maybe so, maybe so," went on -Forgan, half to himself. "I wish I'd kept out of the labor ring. It -makes one fancy half his friends enemies. Drop that, though. I've made -my confession, and I believe you're square. I've sent for you to -exonerate you from all part in the smash-up, and to tell you that I owe -you a debt I can never pay. I'll try to square some of it, though. -Fairbanks, you shall stay here, and I shall give you more than a chance -to forge ahead." - -"I thank you, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph gratefully. - -The foreman strode over to the window again. Ralph studied this strange -make-up of real force, dark suspicions and ungovernable impulses, but -did not appear to watch him. In a covert way, with a sidelong glance at -Ralph, the foreman opened the door of a little closet, took out a dark -bottle, and Ralph could hear the gurgling dispatch of a long, deep -draught. - -He had overheard some of the men in the dog house hinting at the boss' -failing, that morning. Now, Ralph knew what it was, and the discovery -depressed him. - -The stimulating draught seemed to restore the foreman's equilibrium, for -in a minute or two, when he again addressed Ralph, his old -half-dignified, half-autocratic manner had returned to him. - -"We shall have no more Ike Slump here, father or no father," he -observed. "I'm going to give you a chance, Fairbanks." - -"Thank you, Mr. Forgan." - -"Keep on as wiper till I get a new helper, and I'll give you a boost -into an extra berth quicker than any boy ever shot up the roundhouse -ladder before. I tell you, I'll never forget what you've done for -me--and my dear little Nora!" - -Ralph arose. - -"Mr. Forgan," he said, "I am much obliged to you, and I hope I shall -deserve and win your good opinion. But I want to earn my way. I don't -wish to slip over one single branch of the course that will make a -thorough, all-around, first-class railroad man out of me, and too fast -promotion might spoil me." - -The foreman understood him, but the liquor had exhilarated him, and he -said: - -"All the same, I'm your friend for life, Fairbanks--and I give you my -word, when you ask me a favor, I'll grant it." - -Ralph bowed and proceeded towards the door. Forgan was back at the -closet almost immediately, Ralph wavered. He formed a quick resolution, -and stepped back into the room just as the foreman turned, wiping off -his lips. - -"Mr. Forgan," said Ralph, "you will not be offended at something I feel -it my duty to say?" - -"Not a bit of it," pledged the foreman. - -"You said I might ask you a favor." - -"Just name it, Fairbanks." - -"I shall, but first, I want to say this: You are in a fine, responsible -position here, and your control and your influence affect every man in -your service." - -"I worked hard for the job," asserted Forgan proudly. - -"I know you must have done that," said Ralph, "and I also know you must -have had good abilities to step so high over the heads of others. But -sometimes, Mr. Forgan--you will acknowledge it yourself--your temper, -your impulses, your suspicions get the better of you." - -Ralph was treading on dangerous ground. He realized it, for a certain -quick flash came into Forgan's eyes. It was quenched, however, at an -evident memory of the incident of the morning; and the foreman spoke, -quite gayly: - -"Go ahead, I'll listen. I see your drift." - -"You have lots of friends, sir--try and know the real ones. And, Mr. -Forgan, now for the favor I have to ask." - -The foreman's bushy brows met in a suspicious way, but he declared -promptly: - -"You have only to ask." - -"You will grant it?" - -"For little Nora's sake, lad, I'd give you half I own!" - -"I don't want that, Mr. Forgan. The favor I have to ask is--don't -drink." - -It was out, with an effort--Ralph had placed a pleading hand on the -foreman's arm. He felt Forgan start and quiver. Would he burst into -one of his uncontrollable fits of passion and storm and rave, and -probably assault him? - -The climax delayed so long that Ralph ventured another appeal. - -"For little Nora's sake, Mr. Forgan!" he pleaded. - -"Boy, you have said enough--go! go!" spoke Forgan huskily. - -He almost pushed Ralph from the room. The door went shut, with Ralph -standing outside, his breath coming quickly, for the episode had been -one of intense strain. - -Ralph sighed. Had he gone too far? The sincerity of his wish for the -foreman's good told him he had not. - -In the little office he could hear Forgan striding to and fro. Suddenly -there was a halt. - -Then came a crash. If only for the time being, Tim Forgan had been -influenced to a holy, beneficent decision. He had shattered the -wretched black bottle to atoms. - -"Thank God!" breathed the young railroader fervently. - - - - -CHAPTER XV--"VAN" - - -When the one o'clock whistle sounded, Ralph started over for the engine -stalls. - -"Hold on!" challenged the lame helper, suddenly appearing in his usual -extraordinary way. - -"What's the trouble?" asked Ralph. - -"Boss says you're on the sick list." - -"But I'm not!" declared Ralph with a smile and mock-valiantly waving his -injured arm. - -"Says you're to go home, and report in morning." - -"But I can't do that," demurred Ralph. - -"Must--orders." - -"It would worry my mother, she would think something serious was wrong -with me, while I feel as well as I ever did in my life--yes, better, -even," insisted Ralph. - -"Well, you're not to work, boss says--you can loaf, if you like." - -"That's something I don't fancy." - -"Then watch me, and I'll show you some things." - -"Good!" assented Ralph. "If they are bound to have me invalided, at -least let me learn something in the meantime." - -Limpy did not talk much, but after an hour of his company Ralph voted -him a wonder. - -There must be some vivid history back of the man, Ralph theorized, for -there were sparkles of real genius here and there in his movements and -explanations of the next two hours. - -He showed Ralph the true merits and economics of the wiper's avocation -in a quick, practical way that proved Ike Slump was a novice and a -bungler. - -Then the helper took Ralph under his special tuition higher up in the -scale. - -Ralph was in a real transport of delighted interest as the lame helper -taught him the first principles of preparing, running and controlling a -locomotive. - -He did something more than control a throttle or move a lever--he -explained why this and that was done, and demonstrated cause and effect -in a clear-cut way that gave Ralph more real, sound information in two -hours than he could have gained from the study of books in as many -months. - -The foreman passed in and out of the place several times during the -afternoon, but seemed almost studiously to avoid contact or conversation -with Ralph. - -About four o'clock the helper, busy wheeling away the broken bricks from -the hole in the wall, nudged Ralph meaningly. - -"Slump's old man," he said tersely. - -Glancing towards the office, Ralph saw a coarse-featured, disorderly -looking man conversing with the foreman. - -The latter was cool, dignified and evidently laying down the law in an -unmistakably clear manner to his visitor, who shrugged his shoulders, -pounded his palms together, and seemed wroth and worked up over the -situation they were discussing. - -Ralph knew that Slump senior ran a saloon just beyond the freight sheds, -and was glad to see him go off alone and evidently disgruntled and -fancied he caught an expression on Forgan's face indicating that he had -done his duty and was glad of it. - -"Bad lot," commented Limpy, coming back for some more bricks. - -"Foreman?" - -"No, Slump. It was two of his poison drinks four years ago that sent me -home one night on the wrong tracks, crippled me for life, lost me my -run, and made a pensioned drudge of me for the rest of my years," -declared the helper bitterly. - -By five o'clock the debris had been cleared away from the break in the -roundhouse wall, the derailed locomotive backed to place, and things -ready for the masons to repair the damage in the morning. - -Ralph was walking away from a cursory inspection of the spot, when a -whistle sounded directly outside. Then a hissing voice echoed: - -"Hey, Slump!" - -Ralph turned. A man was moving around the edge of the break in the -wall. - -"I'm not Slump," announced Ralph. Then he recognized the stranger. It -was the tramp-like individual who had come after Ike Slump's dinner pail -two nights previous. - -"Oh!" he now said, drawing back in a suspicious, embarrassed manner. -"Where's Ike?" - -"He has gone home, I suppose," answered Ralph. - -"Didn't--that is, he hasn't left his dinner pail for me, has he?" -floundered the tramp. - -"No, he took it with him. At any rate, his locker is empty." - -"All right," muttered the fellow, edging away. - -Ralph remembered that heavily-weighted dinner pail of Ike Slump's with -some suspicion. Still, Ike's explanation of furnishing the man with a -daily lunch looked plausible. - -"Hold on," called Ralph after the receding form. - -"What is it?" inquired the tramp, wheeling about. - -"I'll help you out--wait a minute." - -Ralph hurried to his locker. Fully half of his noonday lunch had been -left untasted. He bundled up the fragments and returned to the break in -the wall. - -"Here's a bite," said Ralph. - -"Thank you," growled the tramp gruffly, taking the proffered lunch. - -A minute later Ralph was summoned to a bench placed under the windows at -the south curve of the building. - -Limpy stood on the bench, looking out. - -"Come here," he directed. "No use!" - -"What do you mean?" inquired Ralph. - -"Look." - -Ralph, clambering up to the bench, had the retiring tramp in full view. - -The latter was piece by piece firing the lunch he had given him at -switches and signal posts, as if he had a special spite against it. - -"Didn't come for food, you see?" observed the helper. - -"What did he come for, then?" demanded Ralph, indignant and wrought up. - -Limpy simply shrugged his shoulders, and went off about his duties. - -Ralph was not sorry when the six o'clock whistle sounded. He had gone -through an uncommon strain, both mental and physical, during the day, -and was tired and glad to get home. - -Limpy, in his smooth, quiet way, arranged it so that he left the -roundhouse when Ralph did, and as the latter noticed that his companion -kept watching out in all directions, he traced a certain voluntary -guardianship in the man's intentions. - -But if Limpy feared that Ike Slump or his satellites were lying in wait, -it was not along the special route Ralph took in proceeding homewards. - -He reached the little cottage with no unpleasant interruptions. His -mother welcomed him at the gate with a bright smile. Their boy guest -was weeding out a vegetable bed. He immediately came up to Ralph, -extending a beautifully clean full-grown carrot he had selected from its -bed. - -Ralph took it, patting the giver encouragingly on the shoulder, who -looked satisfied, and Ralph was pleased at this indication that the boy -knew him. - -"How has he been all day?" Ralph inquired of his mother. - -"Just as you see him now," answered the widow. "He has been busy all -day, willing, happy as a lark. The doctor dropped in this afternoon." - -"What did he say?" asked Ralph. - -"He says there is nothing the matter with the boy excepting the shock. -He fears no violent outbreak, or anything of that kind, and only hopes -that gradually the cloud will leave his mind." - -"If kindness can help any, he will get sound and well," declared Ralph -chivalrously. "He doesn't talk much?" - -"Hardly a word, but he watches, and seems to understand everything." - -"What is that?" asked Ralph, pausing as they passed together through the -side door. - -The wood shed door was scrawled over with chalk marks Ralph had not seen -there before. - -"Oh," explained Mrs. Fairbanks, "he found a piece of chalk, and seemed -to take pleasure in writing every once in a while." - -"And just one word?" - -"Yes, Ralph--those three letters." - -"V-A-N," spelled out Ralph. "Mother, that must be his name--Van." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--FACE TO FACE - - -Ralph Fairbanks' second day of service at the roundhouse passed -pleasantly, and without any incident out of the common. - -With the disappearance of Ike Slump a new system of order and harmony -seemed to prevail about the place. The foreman's rugged brow was less -frequently furrowed with care or anger over little mishaps, and Ralph -could not help but notice a more subdued tone in his dealings with the -men. - -When Ralph came home that evening, his mother told him of a visit from -the foreman's daughter-in-law and little Nora. They had brought Mrs. -Fairbanks a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and their praises of Ralph had -made the widow prouder of her son than ever. - -That morning, Van, as they now called their guest, had insisted on going -with Ralph to his work as far as the next corner, and it was with -difficulty that the young railroader had induced him to return to the -cottage. - -That evening, Van met him nearly two squares away, and when he reached -the house Ralph expressed some anxiety to his mother over their guest's -wandering proclivities. - -"I don't think he would go far away of his own will," said Mrs. -Fairbanks. "You see, Ralph, he counts on your going and coming. This -morning, after you sent him home, I found him on the roof of the house. -He had got up there from the ladder, and was watching you till you were -finally lost to view among the car tracks." - -Ike Slump did not show up the third day. A fireman told Ralph that he -had run away from home, and that his father had been looking for him. -Ike had been seen in the town by several persons, but always at a -distance, and evidently keeping in hiding with some chosen cronies most -of the time. - -"He's no good, and you'll hear from him in a bad way yet," was the -railroader's prediction. - -When No. 6 came into the roundhouse next morning, the extra who had -taken engineer Griscom's place for two days told Ralph that the old -veteran would be on hand to take out the afternoon west train himself. - -Ralph got Limpy to help him put some fancy touches on the heaviest -runner of the road. At noon he hurried home and back, and brought with -him a bright little bouquet of flowers. - -No. 6, standing facing the turntable at two o'clock that afternoon, was -about as handsome a piece of metal as ever crossed the rails. - -Old Griscom came into the roundhouse a few minutes later, his running -traps slung over his arm, reported, and was surrounded by the dog house -crowd. - -This was his first public appearance since the fire at the yards. He -still looked singed and shaken from his rough experience, but as he saw -Ralph he extended his hand, and gave his young favorite a twist that -almost made Ralph wince. - -"On deck, eh?" he called cheerily. "Well, I call first choice when you -get ready to fire coal." - -"That's a long ways ahead, Mr. Griscom!" laughed Ralph. - -"Forgan don't say so. Hi! what you giving me? A brand-new runner?" - -The veteran engineer gave a start of prodigious animation and real -pleased surprise as his glance fell on No. 6. - -The headlight shone like a great dazzling brilliant, the brass work -looked like gold. In the engineer's window stood the little bouquet, -and the cab was as neat and clean as a housewife's kitchen. - -Griscom swung onto his cushion with a kind of jolly cheer, and the -foreman, catching the echo, waved his welcome and approbation in an -unusually pleasant way from the door of his little office. - -Big Denny had been a periodical visitor to the roundhouse since the -rescue of little Nora Forgan. - -He had taken a strong fancy to Ralph, it seemed, and whenever he had a -few minutes to spare would seek out the young wiper, and seemed to take -a rare pleasure in posting him on many a bit of technical experience in -the railroading line. - -He chatted with Ralph on this last occasion while the latter sat filling -the firemen's cans with oil, and drew him out as to his home life, his -mother and his reason for going to work. - -"So Farrington holds a mortgage on your home?" said Denny. "I didn't -know that. He's pretty rich, I hear. I remember the time, though, when -people thought your father was his partner in some of his bond deals." - -"Yes, mother supposed so, too," said Ralph. - -"Your father put him onto the good thing the railroad was, first of all. -I know that much," declared Denny. - -"It looks as if my father lost all his holdings just before he died," -said Ralph. - -"Then Farrington got them, I'll wager that--the sly old fox!" commented -Denny, who was generally strong in his personal convictions. - -"Well, some day, when I am in a position to do so, I'm going to have Mr. -Gasper Farrington hauled into court about the matter," observed Ralph. -"If he has anything belonging to my mother and me, we want it." - -"It seems to me you ought to find something among your father's papers -shedding light on the subject?" suggested Denny. - -"It looks as if my father had had blind confidence in Mr. Farrington," -said Ralph. - -"Yes, the old fox has a way of winding himself around his victims," -declared the outspoken watchman. "I remember a fellow he wound up good -and proper, about three years ago." - -"Who was that?" asked Ralph. - -"His name was Farwell Gibson. He got the railroad fever, sold his farm, -came to the Junction, and he and Farrington had some deals. They had a -big row one night, too, and Farrington threw Gibson out of his house, -and some windows were broken. The neighbors heard Gibson accuse -Farrington of robbing him. Next day, though, Farrington swore out a -warrant against Gibson for forgery, and Gibson has never been seen -since. Maybe," concluded Big Denny, "he killed him." - -"Oh, he wouldn't do that!" - -"Gasper Farrington has a heart as hard as flint," said Denny, "and would -do anything for money." - -"Farwell Gibson," murmured Ralph, memorizing the name. - -When quitting-time came that evening, Ralph left the roundhouse alone, -Limpy having been sent with a message to the depot. - -As usual, he saved distance by following the tracks where they curved, -then at a certain point cut through the unfenced back yards of some -small stores fronting the depot street. - -Beyond this was a prairie. Turning a heap of ties to take a last -straight shoot for home, Ralph found his progress abruptly blocked. - -"Thought we'd get you!" announced a familiar voice, and Ike Slump -stepped into view. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS - - -"What do you want?" demanded Ralph. - -He did not at all look as if his hour had come, but he backed to a -commanding position against the pile of ties, as half a dozen hoodlum -companions of Ike Slump followed their leader into sight. - -"Peel!" said Ike importantly, and he began to roll up his sleeves. - -"I'm comfortable," suggested Ralph easily. "By the way, Ike, your -father is looking for you." - -"Never you mind about my affairs," retorted Ike. "It's you I've been -waiting for, it's you I've got, and it's you I'm going to lick." - -"What for?" asked Ralph. - -"What for?" echoed Ike derisively--"hear him, fellows!" - -"Ho! hear him!" echoed the motley crew at Ike's heels. - -"I told you at the roundhouse that I'd pay you off, didn't I?" demanded -Ike. - -"I think I remember." - -"Well, I'm going to do it." - -"Here? And now?" - -"Precisely." - -"You insist that I've done something to be paid off for?" - -"Yes. You insulted me." - -"How?" - -This was a poser. Ike was silent. - -"Tell you, Slump," said Ralph, setting down his dinner pail. "You're -just spoiling to do something mean. I never did you an injury, and I -would like to do you some good, if I could. You're in bad company. You -had better leave it and go home to your father. If you won't take -advice, and are bound to force me to the wall--why, I'll do my share." - -At Ralph's allusion to the company Ike kept, two of the biggest of his -cohorts sprang forward. - -"Your turn later," said Ike. "This is my personal affair just now." - -"You will force things?" questioned Ralph calmly. - -"What! Do you mean will I let you off? Nixy! No baby act, Fairbanks! -Peel, and put up your fists." - -"Very well," said Ralph. "I think I can manage you with my coat on." - -Ralph was not a particle in doubt as to the ultimate result of the -"scrap." He had gone through a half-vacation course of splendid -athletic training, and his muscles were as hard as iron. Not so -cigarette-smoking, loose-jointed Ike Slump. - -"That for that sand trick!" announced Ike. "And that's for dodging that -waste ball." - -So sure was Ike of landing on Ralph's nose with one fist, that he -supplemented his first announcement with the second one as his other -fist circled to take Ralph on the side of the head. - -Ralph did not dodge. He inwardly laughed at Ike's clumsy tactics. With -one hand he warded off both blows, drew back his free fist, and let it -drive. - -"Ugh!" said Ike Slump. - -As Ralph's knotty knuckles took him under the chin, there was a snap, a -whirl, and Ike Slump keeled clear off his balance and sat down on the -ground. - -It was done so quickly and so neatly that Ike's cohorts were too -astonished to move. - -"Get up--go for him!" directed the biggest boy in the gang. - -"I can't!" bellowed Ike, spitting out a tooth--"he's cracked my jaw. He -had a spike in his hand!" - -"Foul, eh!" scowled the big fellow, hunching towards Ralph. - -The young railroader with a contemptuous smile extended both free palms. -He shut them quickly together again, however, for he saw that Slump's -crowd did not know the meaning of either honor or fairness. - -So determined and ready did he look that the big fellow hesitated. Ralph -heard him give some directions to his companions, and the crowd moved -forward in unison. - -"A rush, eh?" he said. "You're a fine bunch! but--come on." - -Ralph's spirit was now fully aroused. He had no ambition to shine as a -pugilist, but he would always fight for his rights. - -The big fellow dashed at him, calling to his companions. Ralph shot out -his right fist as quick as lightning. The blow went home, and the big -bully blinked, spluttered, and reeled aside with his nose flattened. - -Two of his companions sprang at Ralph, one on each side. Ralph caught -one by the throat, the other by the waistband. They were hitting away -at him, but he knew how to dodge. To and fro they wrestled, Ralph -knocking them together whenever he could, never letting go, and using -them as a shield against the big fellow, who, as mad as a hornet and -with a reckless look in his eye, had resumed the attack. - -Suddenly the latter managed to dodge behind Ralph, put out his foot, -tripped him, and the trio fell to the ground. - -Ralph held on to his first assailants, struggling to a sitting position. - -At that moment the big bully ran upon him. The cowardly brute raised -his foot to kick Ralph. The latter saw he was at the rascal's mercy. He -let go the two squirming at his side, shot out a hand, and catching the -uplifted foot brought its owner pell-mell down upon him. - -The bully struck his head in falling, and was momentarily dizzied. Ralph -flopped clear over, sat upon him, and was kept busy warding off the -blows of the two fellows he had released. - -There were six others in the gang. These now made an onrush. Ralph -tried to calculate his chances and map out the best course to pursue. - -Just then a new element was injected into the scene. - -Around the corner of the pile of ties came a new figure with cyclonic -precipitancy. - -It was Van, the guest of the cottage. He must have witnessed the scene -from a distance. He swung to a halt, his face imperturbable as ever, -but his eyes covering every object in the ensemble. - -"Fight," he said simply, and swinging both arms like battering arms -sailed into the nearest adversary. - -"Don't strike him!" called out Ralph instantly--"he's wrong in his -head!" - -"We'll right it for him!" announced one of the crowd. - -The speaker swung a bag as he spoke. It seemed to contain something -bulky, for as it just missed Van's head and bounded on the shoulders of -one of the user's own friends, the latter went down like a lump of lead. - -Van never stopped. In a kind of windmill progress he struck out, -sideways, in all directions. In two minutes' time he had cleared the -field, every combatant was in flight, and leaning over and seizing the -big bully squirming under Ralph, he weighted him on a dead balance for a -second, and then sent him sliding ten feet along the ground after his -beaten fellows. - -Ralph released the other two and let them run for safety, actually -afraid that his friend Van would do them some serious injury with that -phenomenal ox-like strength stored up in his sturdy arms. - -But Van was as cool as an iceberg. He was not even out of breath. - -"More," he said - -"No, no, Van!" demurred Ralph. "You've done nobly, old fellow. Let -them go, they've had their medicine. Carry this for me," and Ralph -thrust his dinner pail into Van's hand, more to divert his attention -than anything else. "They've left something behind, it seems." - -Ralph picked up the bag he had seen used as a missile. Its weight -aroused his curiosity, he peered into the bag. - -"I see!" he murmured gravely to himself. - -In the bottom of the bag was about thirty pounds of brass fittings. -Ralph had seen bin after bin of their counterparts in the supply sheds -near the roundhouse, and never in any quantity anywhere else. - -These, like those, were stamped, and bore the impress that they were -railroad property. - -"You can come with me, Van," said Ralph, and turned back in the -direction of the roundhouse. - -The foreman was just leaving the office, Ralph dropped the bag inside -the room. - -"What's that, Fairbanks?" inquired Forgan, as he heard the stuff jangle. - -"It's some brass fittings," explained Ralph. "I am sure they belong to -the company. I found them in the hands of a gang of hoodlums, and of -course they were stolen." - -"Eh? hold on--this interests me!" and Forgan proceeded to inspect the -contents of the bag "That's bad!" he commented with knit brows. "A leak -like that shows something rotten on the inside! Tell me more about this -affair, Fairbanks." - -Ralph fancied he now understood the mission of the tramp who was in such -close touch with Ike Slump, and also the reason why Slump's dinner pail -was so heavy. - -He did not, however, impart his suspicions to the foreman. The latter -muttered something about the thing being important, and that he must -look into it deeper, as Ralph stated that he had been assaulted by a -gang of hoodlums who had left the bag of fittings behind them. - -"Who are they?" questioned the foreman. - -"I don't know their names." - -"Was Ike Slump among them?" shrewdly interrogated Forgan. - -"I don't care to say," answered Ralph. - -"You needn't, I can guess the rest. Only don't forget what you do know -if somebody higher up asks about this matter. I'm responsible here, and -a leak in the supply department has dished more than one foreman. Thank -you, Fairbanks--thank you again," added the foreman with real sentiment -in glance and accents. - -About ten o'clock the next morning Ralph was called to the foreman's -office. - -He expected some further developments in the matter of the brass -fittings, but, upon entering the room, found himself face to face with -Ike Slump's father. - -The foreman was, or pretended to be, busy at his desk. Slump senior -looked very much troubled. Ralph shrank from his repulsive face and a -memory of his nefarious calling, but he nodded politely as Slump asked: - -"This is young Fairbanks?" - -The saloon keeper fidgeted for a minute or two. Then he said: - -"I don't suppose you bear any particular good will towards me or mine, -Fairbanks, but I've had to come to you. My boy assaulted you last -night, I understand." - -"Why, no," answered Ralph, with a slight smile--"he only tried to." - -"Well, it's just this: He's in trouble, and he's likely to go deeper -unless he's stopped. He keeps out of my way. His mother is -heart-broken and sick abed over his doings." - -"I am very sorry," said Ralph. "Can I do anything to help you, Mr. -Slump?" - -"I think you can," answered Slump. "You know Ike and his associates, -and maybe you can get track of their hang-out. I can't. Fairbanks," -and the man's voice broke, "it's killing my wife! It's a lot to ask of -you, under the circumstances, but Forgan says you seem to have a knack -of doing everything right. I want you to find my boy--I want you to try -to prevail on him to come home. Will you?" - -Ralph was a good deal moved as he thought of the stricken mother. He -had small hopes of Ike Slump--smaller than ever, as he considered the -manner of man his father was, but he answered promptly: - -"I'll try, Mr. Slump." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--A NAME TO CONJURE BY? - - -Big Denny came to where Ralph was putting the finishing touches to one -of the fast runners of the road about ten o'clock one morning. - -Nobody in the world enjoyed talk and gossip like the veteran watchman, -as Ralph well knew, and it really pleased him to have his company, for -among the driftwood of all his desultory confidences Denny usually -produced some point interesting or enlightening. - -On this especial occasion there was a zest to the old watchman's -greeting of the young railroader that indicated he had something of more -than ordinary interest to impart. - -"By the way, Fairbanks," he observed, "I saw that rich old hunks, -Farrington, this morning. He was down here." - -"At the roundhouse, you mean?" inquired Ralph, with some interest. - -"Well, not exactly. He was over by the switch towers, met Forgan, and -had quite a talk with him. Thought I'd post you." - -"Why, what about?" asked Ralph. - -"He'll be after you, next." - -"Not until the first of next month, when the interest is due, I fancy," -said Ralph. "I do not think Mr. Farrington has any interest in us -outside of his semi-annual interest." - -"He'll be nosing around, see if he isn't!" predicted Denny oracularly. -"I've got a tip to give you, Fairbanks. I got the point yesterday. -There's some talk of running a switch over to Bloomdale. If they do, -they'll have to condemn a right of way, along where you live. Word to -the wise, eh? nuff said!" and Denny departed, with a significant wink. - -Ralph wondered if there was any real basis to Denny's intimation. He -fancied it was only one of the rumors constantly floating around about -prospective railroad improvements. - -That evening, however, Ralph received a suggestion that put him on his -guard, if nothing more. - -He had gone down town to get some nails for Van, who was building a new -chicken coop, when he met Grif Farrington. - -"Just looking for you," declared Grif. "I say, Fairbanks, the old man -is anxious to see you." - -"Your uncle wants to see me?" repeated Ralph incredulously. - -"Right away. Asked me to find you and tell you. Business, he says, and -important. You couldn't run up to the house now, could you?" he added. - -Ralph hesitated--he was suspicious of old Gasper Farrington, and he had -no business with him, for it was his mother's province to attend to -anything concerning their money dealings, and he did not feel warranted -in interfering. - -On second thought, however, Ralph decided that they could not know too -much of the plots and intentions of Farrington, and he told Grif he -would go up to the house at once. - -Gasper Farrington lived in a fine old mansion, from parsimony, however, -allowed to go to decay, so that all that was really attractive about the -place were the grounds. - -Ralph found the magnate seated on the porch. He knew that something was -up as Farrington arose with a great show of welcome, made him sit down -in the easiest chair, and treated him as if he were the dearest friend -the old man had in the world. - -"You sent for me, Mr. Farrington?" Ralph observed, between some -flattering but meaningless remarks of his wily host. - -"Why, yes--yes," assented Farrington. - -"On business, your nephew told me." - -"H'm--hardly that. I'll tell you, Fairbanks, I have been greatly -interested and pleased to notice the manly course you have taken." - -"Thank you, Mr. Farrington." - -"In fact, I have taken pains to inquire of your direct employers as to -your capability and record, and am gratified to find them -good--exceptionally good." - -Ralph wondered what was coming next. - -"Your father was my friend--I want to be yours. I am not without a -certain interest and influence in the matter of the railroad, as you may -know, and I have decided to exert myself in your behalf." - -"You are very kind," said Ralph. - -"Not at all. I recognize merit, and I--u'm! I feel a decided duty in -the premises. The auditor of the road at Springfield holds his office -through my recommendation. I was talking with him yesterday, and I have -a proposition to make you. I will give you five hundred dollars more -than the market price for your house and lot, rent you a place I own at -Springfield for a mere nominal turn, and guarantee you a good office -position in the auditor's department there at forty dollars a month to -start in with." - -Ralph opened his eyes wide. It was certainly a tempting bait. Had any -person but crafty old Gasper Farrington made the tender, he might have -jumped at it. - -Instantly, however, he remembered what Denny had said about the new -line, recalled the fact that Farrington had never been known to make a -bad bargain, compared confining labor over a desk in a hot, stifling -room with the free, glad dash of mail and express, the bracing air, the -constant change of real railroad life, reflected that once away from -Stanley Junction he and his mother would never be likely to learn more -of Farrington's past doings with his dead father, and--Ralph decided. - -"Mr. Farrington," he said, "in regard to the cottage, that is my -mother's sole business, and I do not think she could be induced to sell -you a place that has been a very dear home to her. As to myself--I -thank you for your kind intentions, but at present I have no desire to -change my work." - -"Why not--why not?" cried Farrington. He had been unctuous, smirking -and eager. Now his brow darkened, and his thin lips came together in a -sour, vicious way. - -"Well, I have marked out a certain thorough course after much thought -and advice, and do not like to depart from it." - -Gasper Farrington got up and paced the porch restlessly. The old rancor -and dislike came back to his thin, shrewd face. - -"You'll regret it!" he mumbled. - -"I hope not," said Ralph, rising also. - -"Young man," observed Farrington, stabbing at his guest with a quivering -finger, "I warn you that you are taking an obstinate and fatal course." - -"Warn?" echoed Ralph--"that is pretty strong language, isn't it, Mr. -Farrington?" - -"And I mean it to be so!" cried Farrington, casting aside all disguise. -"I said I had influence. I have. You can't work for the Great Northern -in Stanley Junction, if I say not." - -Ralph stared at the speaker incredulously. He could not comprehend how -Farrington could show the bad policy to put himself on record with such -a remark, be his intentions what they might. - -"In fact, sir," said Ralph, "you mean to intimate that you will get me -discharged?" - -"I mean just that," unblushingly admitted Farrington. "I will allow no -pauper brood to stand in the way of my--of my----" - -Ralph felt the blood surge hotly to his temples. With a strong effort -he controlled himself. - -"Mr. Farrington," he said quietly, though his voice trembled a trifle, -"you have said quite enough. I want to tell you that you are a wicked, -hypocritical old man. You have no interest in my welfare--you are after -our little property, because you have learned that the railroad may soon -pay a big price for it. You want us out of Stanley Junction, because -you are afraid we may find out something about your dealings with my -dead father. To carry your point, you threaten me--me, a poor boy, just -starting in to win his way by hard work--you threaten to plot against -and ruin me. Very well, Mr. Farrington, go ahead. I have too much -reliance in the teachings of a good mother to believe that you will -succeed." - -"What! what!" shouted the magnate, almost choking with rage and -mortification at this unvarnished arraignment, "you dare to tell me -this? In my own house!" - -"You invited me here," suggested Ralph. - -"Get out--get out!" cried Farrington, running to the door for his cane. - -"You will fail," spoke Ralph, going down the steps. "You won't gag me -as you have others. As you did----" - -Like an inspiration a suggestion came to Ralph Fairbanks' mind at that -moment. - -It seemed as if he had right before his eyes once more the mysterious, -blurred letter that Van had brought. He recalled one of its last words. -He had mistaken it for "Farewell." Now the light flashed in upon his -soul. "Farwell" was the name Big Denny had spoken--"Farwell Gibson." - -"As you did Farwell Gibson," concluded Ralph, at a venture. - -"Who? Come back! Stay, Fairbanks, one word!" - -The old man's face had grown white. His eyes seemed suddenly haunted -with dread. - -"That name!" he gasped, clutching at a chair for support. "What do you -know of Farwell Gibson?" - -"Only," answered Ralph, "that he wrote to my father last week." - -"He--wrote--" choked out Farrington, "last week--to your father--Farwell -Gibson!" - -The information was the capping climax. The old man uttered a groan, -fell over, carrying the chair he grasped with him, and lay on the porch -floor in a fit. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--IKE SLUMP'S FRIENDS - - -When Ralph reached home after his exciting half-hour with Gasper -Farrington, he was considerably wrought up. - -He had called for assistance at the Farrington home as soon as its owner -went down in a fit, a servant had hurried to the porch, between them -they got Farrington into the house and on a couch, a physician was -telephoned for, and as soon as he saw returning signs of consciousness -on the part of his host and discerned that his condition was not really -serious, Ralph left the place. - -Van had gone to bed, and Ralph found his mother alone. They sat in the -little parlor, conversing. Mrs. Fairbanks was very much perturbed at -Ralph's recital of his sensational encounter with Gasper Farrington. - -"I fear he is an evil man, Ralph," she said, with anxiety. "He has -power, and he will not hesitate to misuse it." - -"He seems to be determined to drive us out of Stanley Junction," said -Ralph. "And I fear he may succeed." - -"Not while I have you to care for and your interests to protect!" -declared Ralph, with vim. "That old man has aroused the fighting blood -in me, mother, and I'll see this thing through, and stay right on the -spot, if I have to peddle papers for a living. But don't you worry -about his getting me discharged. I have made some friends in the -railroad business, and I believe they will stick by me." - -Mrs. Fairbanks sighed in a worried way. - -"I wish you had not run counter to him to-night," she said. - -"I am glad," responded Ralph. "Don't you see he has shown his hand? -Why, mother, can anything be plainer than that he realizes our presence -here to be a constant menace to some of his interests? And as to that -random shot about Farwell Gibson--it told. He is afraid of us and this -Gibson. Well, it has all cleared the way to definite action." - -"What do you mean, Ralph?" - -"I mean that the letter Van brought us must have been very important. I -believe this man, Gibson, is alive, but in hiding. He shows it by the -roundabout, laborious way he took to send the letter, and his ignorance -of father's death. I believe that letter hinted at his knowledge of -wrongs Farrington has done us. If we can find this person, I feel -positive he can impart information of vital value to our interests." - -Mrs. Fairbanks acquiesced in her son's theories, but was timorous about -further antagonizing their enemy. It was mostly for Ralph and his -prospects that she cared. - -"I have been thinking the whole matter over, mother," proceeded Ralph, -"and I believe I see my course plain before me. As soon as I can, I am -going to ask the foreman to give me a couple of days' leave of absence. -Then I will get Mr. Griscom to take Van and me on his run, and return. -Van came in on his morning run, so I conjecture he must have got on the -train somewhere between Stanley Junction and the terminal. Is it not -possible, going back over the course, that he may show recognition of -some spot with which he is familiar?" - -"Yes, Ralph, that looks reasonable." - -"Once we know where he came from, and find his friends, we can trace up -this Mr. Gibson. Don't you see, mother?" - -Mrs. Fairbanks did see, and commended Ralph's clear, ready wit in -formulating the plan suggested. She did not show much enthusiasm, -however. She was more than content with the present--a comfortable -home, a manly, ambitious boy at her side, full of devotion to her, and -making his way steadily to the front. - -Ralph was called into the foreman's office almost as soon as he reached -the roundhouse next morning. - -Forgan looked serious and acted anxious. - -"Sit down, Fairbanks," he directed, closing the door after his visitor. -"We're in trouble here, and I guess you will have to lift us out of it." - -"Can I, Mr. Forgan?" inquired Ralph. - -"You can help, that's sure. Those brass fittings you found were stolen -from the railroad company." - -"I thought that. They had the Great Northern stamp on them." - -"That isn't the worst of it. Some one has been systematically rifling -the supply bins. I suppose you know that some of these pinions and -valves are very nearly worth their weight in silver?" - -"I know they must cost considerable, those of a special pattern," -assented Ralph. - -"They do. That little heap you brought in the bag represents something -over fifty dollars to the company." - -Ralph was surprised at this declaration. - -"To an outsider they are not worth one-tenth that amount, because there -is a penalty for selling them, even as junk, and the only people who -handle them are stolen-goods receivers, who melt them down. Well, -Fairbanks, I started an investigation in the supply department last -evening. The result is astonishing." - -The foreman's grave manner indicated that he had some pretty sensational -disclosures in reserve. - -"We find," continued Forgan, "that there has been cunning, systematic -thievery; some one entirely familiar with the supply sheds and their -system has removed a large amount of plunder, probably a little at a -time. They, or he, whoever it is, did not excite suspicions by taking -the fittings from the bins, but tapped the reserve boxes and kegs in the -storeroom. We estimate that nearly two thousand dollars' worth of stuff -has been stolen." - -Ralph was astonished at this statement. - -"That means trouble for me," announced the foreman, "unless I can remedy -it. I am supposed to employ reliable men, and safeguard the goods in -their charge. The railroad company doesn't stop to find excuses for -shortages, they simply discharge a man who is not smart enough to -protect his own and the company's interests." - -"I understand," murmured Ralph. - -"A new inventory is due next month. I must recover that stolen -plunder--at least discover the thieves--to square myself before then," -announced Forgan. "We can't afford to dodge any corners, Fairbanks, and -I want you to be clear and open with me. I believe that young rascal, -Ike Slump, had a hand in the robbery, and I further believe that you -know it to be a fact." - -"I do not positively know it, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph. - -"But you suspect it, eh? Don't shield a rogue, Fairbanks. It isn't -fair to me and it isn't fair to the company. Ike's father told me this -morning you promised to try and find his son for him. I think you are -shrewd enough to do it. All right--at the same time keep in mind my -interest in the affair, and try and get a clew from Ike Slump as to -those stolen fittings. You can call the day off--I'll pay your time out -of my own pocket." - -Ralph understood what was expected of him. He received the suggestions -of his superior without further questioning, as if they comprised a -regular order, went to his locker, and in a few minutes was ready for -the street. - -He did not know where to find Ike Slump, but he was thoroughly -acquainted with the town, which had its rough quarters, like all other -railroad centers. - -Extending from the depot along the tracks for half a mile were small -hotels, workingmen's boarding houses, second-hand stores, restaurants -saloons, and all kinds of little business places. - -They comprised a nest where most of the drinking and all of the crime of -the place occurred. It was not a desirable quarter, but Ralph realized -that within its precincts he was likely to locate Ike Slump, if at all -in Stanley Junction. - -Ralph put in an hour strolling in the vicinity. He kept a keen eye out -for those of Ike's chosen chums whom he knew. He did not believe that -Ike was likely to show himself much in the day-time. His father had -been unable to find him, and Ike probably had some safe hide-out, and -pickets on the lookout, besides. - -About eleven o'clock, coming down the tracks near the scene of the -battle royal, Ralph discovered half a dozen boys in the rear yard of a -blacksmith shop. - -Various vehicles, sheds and general yard litter enabled Ralph to -approach them unobserved. He fancied that at least two of the crowd had -been mixed up in the fracas which Van's valiant onslaught had -terminated, for one had a swollen nose and another a black eye. - -Ralph suddenly appeared before the crowd, engrossed in their game. They -rose up, startled. Then he was apparently recognized, for a quick -murmur went the rounds, and they quickly hunched together with lowering -brows and suspicious looks. - -"I want to have a word with you fellows," said Ralph bluntly. - -They were six to one, and here was a golden opportunity to avenge the -ignominious defeat they had sustained. Ralph's off-hand bearing, -however, his clear eye and manly tones, impressed them, and perhaps, -too, they had a wholesome fear that his giant-fisted champion, Van, -might be lurking in the vicinity. - -No one spoke, and Ralph resumed. - -"See here, boys, this is business. I want to find Ike Slump, and it's -for his own good. He's likely to get into trouble if he doesn't see his -father very soon, and it will be the police, not me, next visit. His -mother's sick, boys, sick abed, and heart-broken over his absence. Come, -fellows, tell me where he is." - -"You're pretty fresh!" spoke out one of the crowd. "What are you after? -a bluff, or a give-away?" - -"If you mean I am misrepresenting Ike's danger, or that I have any -unfriendly feeling towards him," said Ralph, "you are entirely wrong. -I'm trying to help him, for the sake of his poor mother and others--not -hurt him." - -Two or three heads went close together. There was a brief undertoned -conference. - -"We don't bite," finally announced the spokesman of the crowd. "We'll -take your message to Ike. If he wants to find you, he knows how." - -"All right," said Ralph, moving away--"only he may wait too long. I'll -give you a quarter to put me in touch with him for two minutes." - -No one responded to the offer. A little dirty-faced urchin, who looked -unhappy and out of place with that motley crew, looked longingly at -Ralph. No one called him back as he moved slowly away. - -Ralph left the place, and had gone about two hundred yards down the -track along a high fence, when he heard a thin, piping voice call out: - -"Hold on, mister, back up--I want to tell you something!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX--THE HIDE-OUT - - -"Where are you?" Ralph inquired, somewhat mystified. - -"Here I am--the wiggling stick. I'm behind it." - -"Oh! I see!" said Ralph--"and who are you?" - -"Me? Oh, nobody in particular." - -Ralph now discovered that his challenger was on the other side of the -close board fence, and through a crack was moving a thin splinter of -wood up and down to indicate his exact location. Ralph came up to the -spot. - -"What do you want?" he inquired. - -"That quarter, mister--you know, back there with the gang, I heard you. -Well, here I am. Pass through the coin, will you?" - -Ralph got a dim focus through the crack, and surmised that the speaker -was the dirty-faced little fellow who had looked at him so longingly -when he offered the money. - -"You know where Ike Slump is?" asked Ralph. - -"No, I don't, mister." - -"Well, then?" - -"But I can put you on." - -"On to what?" - -"Where he goes every night--where you're sure to find him after dark." - -"Well, tell me." - -"See here, mister," piped the little fellow in an uncertain voice. "The -gang 'd kill me if they knew I was giving 'em away, but I'm just about -starving. Because I'm little they make me do all kinds of work, and -when there's anything to eat they forget I'm around. They stole some -melons out of the cars last night. All I got was the rind." - -"Who are you, anyway?" asked Ralph. - -"Oh, I'm nobody. I was at the county farm, but run away and got in with -these fellows. Wish I was back! I'd go, only they'd punish me and lock -me up. You give me the quarter, and I'll meet you later and show you -where Ike Slump hangs out nights." - -"You'll keep your promise?" - -"Honor bright!" - -"Where will you be?" - -"Right here, only outside the fence." - -"What time?" - -"Just at dark." - -"I'll do it," said Ralph, slipping a twenty-five-cent piece through the -crack in the fence. "Remember, now. I trust you, and I'll give you as -much more to-night if you don't play me any tricks." - -"Crackey! that's fine; only you keep mum on my showing you?" - -"I certainly will," assured Ralph. - -He did not feel certain that he had accomplished much. It all depended -on the reliability of the urchin. Ralph went back to the roundhouse and -told the foreman he could do nothing further toward locating Ike Slump -until nightfall, and put in the afternoon at his regular duties, -although Forgan told him he need not do so. - -Ralph went home at quitting-time, got his supper, explained to his -mother that he had something to attend to for the foreman, and not to -worry if he was not back early. - -He reached the rendezvous agreed on at dusk, and after a few minutes' -waiting saw the little fellow of the morning coming down the tracks. - -"I'm here," announced the new arrival. - -"So am I, as you see," answered Ralph. "How did you get on -to-day--let's see, what is your name?" - -"Teddy." - -"All right, Teddy. Did you get something to eat?" - -"Not a great deal. The fellow saw me buying some grub. I told 'em I -found a quarter, and they made me play craps with the change--twenty -cents." - -"Of course you lost." - -"Oh, sure--knew that before I began. They always win, them fellows. -Say, mister, please, I'll go ahead alone, because if any of them should -happen to see me with you it would be all-day for Teddy!" - -"Go ahead," directed Ralph. - -The boy went down the tracks. At the end of the fence he turned into a -yard with a barn at the back. The building in front was a dilapidated -two-story frame structure. The windows at the rear were fastened up, -but the one doorway visible was open, and led into a dark hallway. - -Teddy had paused near a wagon, and looked anxious to get away. - -"That's the place," he said. "You go in that door and up some stairs. -There's a big room in front where the crowd meet nights, and play cards, -and drink and smoke. Ike Slump spends all his evenings here." - -"All right," said Ralph. "There's another quarter. See here, Teddy, if -you'll come down to the roundhouse to-morrow, I'll give you a good -dinner. I want to have a talk with you." - -"Well, I'll see," said the urchin, palming the coin with a chuckle and -disappearing at once. - -Ralph looked the place over. Finally, from his knowledge of the street -beyond, he located it properly in his mind. The building, was in the -middle of what was known as Rotten Row. It was a double store front, -one half of which was occupied by a cheap barber shop. The other half, -Ralph remembered, was a second-hand clothing store run by a man named -Cohen, who also did something in the pawnbroker line. - -Ralph had often noticed the dilapidated place, and knew that its -denizens had a shady reputation. He realized that Cohen was just about -the man to encourage boys to hang around and steal, and doubtless -controlled the rooms upstairs. - -Ralph entered the dark rear hallway after some deliberation. When he -reached the top of the stairs he paused and listened. - -Under the crack of the door some gleams of light showed. The front room -of the upper story lay beyond, Ralph theorized. He could catch a low -hum of voices, the click of dominoes, and there was a tobacco taint in -the atmosphere. He ran his hand over the door, but it had no knob. the -keyhole was plugged up, and he could not see into the room. - -Ralph judged from the appearance of things that Ike Slump came to the -place by the front way, so there was no use waiting for him at the rear -stairs. He reasoned, too, that if he went around to the front he would -be seen by some of Ike's cohorts, and the latter would be warned and -kept out of the way. - -"I wish I could get a chance into that front room," mused Ralph. "Once -I come in range of Ike, I think I can at least say enough to get him to -listen to me." - -There was one other room on the second floor and one other door. Ralph -found a knob here. But the door was locked. It had, unlike the other -door, a transom. The sash of this was gone, and the space stopped up -with a loose sheet of manilla paper. - -Ralph lightly lifted himself to the knob on one foot. He pushed at the -paper, and it moved out free except at two corners where it was tacked. -It was no trick at all for Ralph to lift himself through the transom and -drop to the floor on the other side. - -With some satisfaction he noticed that this room connected with the -front apartment, the light coming in over its transom reflecting into -the rear room so that he could make out its contents plainly. - -At one side stood a big hogshead nearly full of loose excelsior, used -for packing. Near it were as many as twenty flat boxes. Ralph touched -one with his foot. He could not budge it, and then, drawing closer, he -looked into a box with its cover off, and saw that it was nearly full of -brass fittings. - -"They're here, there's a lot of them," breathed Ralph quickly, "packed -up for shipment. This is a find! What had I better do?" - -The discovery modified all Ralph's prearranged plans. He knew quite -well that if found in this room his presence would show a _prima facie_ -evidence that he knew the storage place of the stolen plunder. Ralph -decided to get out as quickly as he had got in, and try to come upon Ike -from some other point of the compass, without giving the alarm to Cohen, -or whoever really controlled the stolen goods. - -Before he could make a move, however, a key grated in the lock of the -connecting room. The knob was broken off on the inside of the door over -which he had just clambered. To reach the transom and get sufficient -purchase to let himself over through the aperture he would have to have -a box or chair to stand on. - -There was no time to select either. The door leading to the front room -came briskly open. Ralph looked for a hiding place. None presented, -for the boxes lay flat on the floor, and the hogshead was away from the -side wall. - -Ralph thought quick and acted on an impulse. He thrust his arm down -into the hogshead. Its light contents gave way to the touch. - -Leaping its rim, Ralph sank as in a snowbank, ducked down his head, -pulled the stringy wooden fiber over it, and snuggled inside the -hogshead, out of view. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--A FREE RIDE - - -The hogshead in which Ralph had ensconced himself was made of loose, -defective staves. He found himself facing an aperture, through which he -could look quite readily. - -Two persons entered the room. One was Ike Slump. The other Ralph -recognized as the second-hand dealer, Cohen. The latter carried a lamp, -which he placed on a shelf. He closed the door after him, and sat down -on a box. Ralph's range of vision was immediately impeded. Ike had -lifted himself to the edge of the hogshead and perched there, his feet -dangling and beating a tattoo on the staves with his heels. - -"Now then, Slump," were Cohen's first words, "you're bound to leave?" - -"Haven't I got to?" demanded Ike testily. "I'm in a nice box, I -am--lost my job, don't dare to go home, and no money." - -"I gave you some." - -"A measly ten dollars in a week, not a fiftieth part of what I brought -in. See here, Cohen, you haven't given me a fair deal. I've taken all -the risk, and what have I got?" - -"The risk? the risk?" repeated Cohen. "My young friend, it's me who -takes all the risk. Suppose the railroad men should drop in here and -find the stuff? Where would I be? As to money, will anybody else you -know touch the stuff?" - -"Well, I've got to get some funds, I'm going to slope the town for -good," announced Ike. "Now, there'll be no slip up if I carry out your -plans?" - -"Not a bit of it," answered Cohen. "I have no facilities here for -handling railroad junk. Jacobs, at Dover, has. I don't dare to ship it -by rail. He has his own melters. I furnish the horse and wagon. We'll -load you up, and cover the boxes with vegetables. All you've got to do -is to drive out of town and deliver the goods at Dover. You say your -friend, the tramp, will go with you?" - -"Yes, but what about the team? I won't come back, you know. I'm going -West for a spell." - -"Jacobs will attend to the team. See, here is a letter--give it to him. -He'll give you the twenty-five dollars I promised you, and that's the -end of it." - -"All right. What time shall we start?" - -"When the town is asleep, and nobody nosing around. Say one o'clock, -sharp." - -"I'll be ready." - -The conference seemed ended. Ralph comprehended that his double mission -would be ineffective unless he got word to Ike Slump's father and the -roundhouse foreman within the next four hours. - -He lay snug and still, formulating an escape from the place as soon as -the two plotters should withdraw. - -Ike slipped to the floor, took out a cigarette, lit it, threw the match -away, and stretched his arms and yawned. - -"Give me a little loose change to play with the crowd, Cohen, will you?" -he asked. - -Cohen reached in his pocket, but very quickly drew out his hand again -empty, to point it excitedly at the hogshead with the sharp cry. - -"Fire! look there! You stupid, see what you've done!" - -"What have I done? Ginger--the cigarette!" - -Ralph quivered as he listened and looked. A swishing sound accompanied -a brilliant flare. Ike had carelessly thrown the match with which he -had lighted his cigarette into the midst of the dry, tindery excelsior. - -"Put it out! Stamp it out!" yelled Cohen. - -Ike grabbed a handful or two of the flaming mass, burned his fingers, -and retreated, while Cohen made a frightened rush for a stand in one -corner of the room holding a big pitcher. - -He ran at the hogshead with it. It was half-full of water. Cohen -doused it into the hogshead just as Ralph, unable to stand the pressure -any longer, arose upright. - -Ike gave a stare and a shout. Cohen jumped back with alarm in his face. -The water had extinguished the blaze, but the episode had betrayed -Ralph's presence to his enemy. - -"Who are you?" ejaculated Cohen darkly, grasping, the pitcher and again -advancing. - -"Needn't ask him--I know!" snapped out Ike. "Grab him, Cohen! It's -Ralph Fairbanks, from the roundhouse, and he's a spy!" - -Ralph leaned a hand on the hogshead rim to get purchase for a leap out -of his difficulties. Ike made a spring for him and grabbed one arm, -preventing the movement. - -"If he's a railroader and a spy," cried Cohen, "we're in for it!" - -"Don't let him go, then--oh!" - -Ike went spinning, for Ralph had given him a quick blow, knocking him -aside. Cohen swung the pitcher aloft. Down it came with terrific -force. Ralph experienced a blow on the side of the head that instantly -shut out sense and sight. He fell over the edge of the hogshead, and -hung there limp and lifeless. - -It was the first blank in his life. Its duration Ralph could only -surmise as he opened his eyes. At first he fancied he was blind, for -everything was pitchy black about him. He sat up with difficulty, -putting a hand to his head where it felt sore and smarted. - -Ralph found a bad cut there, which had bled profusely. The blow with -the pitcher had been cruelly heavy. He sat up, swaying to and fro, and -soon traced out his environment. - -He was in a freight car, its doors and windows were closed, and it was -rolling along at a good fast rate of speed. - -Ralph reasoned out his situation. His enemies had fancied he was -seriously hurt, or wanted him out of the way until they could safely -remove the stolen plunder. His hopes and plans were effectually balked -if he had been long insensible, or was far on the free trip, for which -they had booked him. They had carried him from Cohen's rooms by way of -the back stairs, had thrown him into the empty car, and had left him to -his fate. - -Ralph tried the side door of the car. To his satisfaction it shoved -open freely. Getting his eyes used to the darkness and his mind -clearer, as the moments sped by, he endeavored to guess his location and -estimate the time. - -He was partly familiar with the road, and knew considerable as to the -various passenger and freight trains and their schedule and route. Ralph -concluded that he was on the regular nine o'clock freight, which usually -hauled empties, going south. Judging from distant lights in houses -scattered on the landscape, he estimated that it was about ten o'clock. - -He soon surmised from landmarks he passed that the train was not on the -main line. As he neared a cattle pen he knew exactly where he was--two -miles from Acton and about twenty-two from Stanley Junction. - -"They don't stop for ten miles," quickly reckoned Ralph. "There's the -creek. I've got to get to Acton and back to the Junction before -midnight, if I hope to accomplish anything." - -The train slowed somewhat on the up grade. Ralph clung to the door and -looked ahead. It was a long train, and he was at about its middle. He -had an idea of trying to get to the roof, run back to the caboose, and -try and interest the conductor. On second thought, however, he realized -that he could not expect them to stop for him. He would only lose time. -A daring idea presented itself to his mind, and his breath came quick. -An opportunity hovered, and he had too much reliance in himself to let -it pass by. - -"I've got to get back and stop the removal of that stolen plunder," he -kept telling himself over and over, fixing his eyes on the signals that -indicated the bridge over the creek. - -Ralph posed for a spring as the locomotive struck the bridge and the -gleaming waters came nearer and nearer. The bridge had no railing, and -they were on the outer side; Ralph posed himself steady and true, let go -the door, and leaped into the darkness as the car he was in reached the -middle of the bridge. - -Then he dropped down like a shot, struck the cold, deep water, and went -under. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--BEHIND TIME - - -The boy was completely at home in the water, but the present instance -was somewhat extraordinary. The shock and chill of his daring jump, -added to his naturally weakened condition after Cohen's stunning blow -with the pitcher, helped to confuse him. But he never lost his presence -of mind, and as he felt himself deprived of his usual buoyancy, he -struck out under water for the shore. - -He waited on the bank long enough for the water to drip off from him, -and getting his breath, started to regain the railroad tracks. - -When he came to a little station he found it closed for the night, but -he knew that the agent must live in some one of the few houses in the -settlement. He might locate him and induce him to come to the station -and telegraph to Stanley Junction. With the aid of a signal lantern, -however, Ralph was able to see the clock in the station. It was a few -minutes after ten o'clock. - -"There's a train reaches the Junction at eleven twenty-five," he -reflected. "By hustling I can catch it at Acton. I can tell more and -do more personally in five minutes than I can in five hours by wiring." - -Ralph reached Acton some minutes before the West train came in. He had -some change in his pocket, paid his fare to the Junction, and went out -on the rear platform as they neared the destination. - -He left the train a mile from the depot, swinging off at a point that -would enable him to reach the roundhouse foreman's house by a short cut. - -Ralph found the place closed up. There was a light in one upper room, -however, and he had only to knock twice when Forgan came to the door in -his shirt-sleeves. - -"Is it you, Fairbanks?" he said, in some surprise. - -"Yes, sir, and--special!" - -"Why, what have you been into?" exclaimed Forgan, catching a glimpse of -Ralph's bedraggled form and disfigured head. - -"I have been in a freight car for one thing, and in the river for -another," said Ralph. "There is no time to lose, Mr. Forgan, if you -want to get back those stolen fittings." - -"You know where they are?" - -"I know where they were at eight o'clock," responded Ralph, "but I know -they won't be there much after midnight. - -"Good--wait a minute," directed Forgan. - -He hurried back into the house and returned drawing on his coat. "I was -just going to bed," he explained. "Now, then, Fairbanks," as he led the -way to the street. "Tell your story--quick." - -Ralph recited his experience of the past four hours, and Forgan hastened -his steps as the narration developed the necessity of sharp, urgent -action. - -"Fairbanks, you are a trump!" commended Forgan, as the story was all -told. "I'll leave you here. You get home, into dry clothes, and have -your hurt attended to. You had better take the sick-list benefits for a -day or two. Good-night--till I have something more definite to say to -you." - -A dismissal did not suit Ralph at all. It looked like crowding him out -of an exciting and interesting game only half-finished. - -"I might help you some further," he began, but Forgan interrupted him -with the words: - -"You've done the real work, Fairbanks, and neither of us will care to -muddle in with the details of arrest. I shall put the matter directly -in the hands of the road detective, Matthewson. I am sorry for his -father's sake if Ike Slump gets caught in the net, but he deserves it -fully, and I can't stop to risk the interests of the railway company." - -Ralph went home. As he expected, his mother was waiting up for him. She -was not the kind of a woman to faint or get hysterical at the sight of a -little blood, but she was anxious and trembling as she helped Ralph to -get into comfortable trim. - -"Don't worry, mother," said Ralph. "This is probably the end of trouble -with the Ike Slump complication." - -"I always fear an enemy, Ralph," sighed the widow. "It seems as if you -are fated to have them at every step. I keep thinking day and night -about Gasper Farrington's unmanly threat." - -"Mother," said Ralph earnestly, "I am trying to do right, am I not?" - -"Oh, Ralph--never a boy better!" - -"Thank you, mother, that is sweet praise, and worth going through the -experience that will make a man of me. Well, I am going to keep right -on doing my duty the best way I know how. I expect ups and downs. Men -like Farrington may succeed for a time, but in the end I believe I shall -come out just right." - -Ralph found himself a trifle sore and stiff the next morning, but he -started for work as usual. He was curious as to the outcome of the -foreman's action the night previous. Forgan, however, did not show up -at the roundhouse till ten o'clock. He at once called Ralph into his -little office. - -"Well, Fairbanks," he said briskly, "I suppose you will be interested to -know the outcome of last night's affair?" - -"Very much so," acknowledged Ralph. - -"The road detective and myself were at Cohen's before midnight. The -birds had flown." - -"Had they moved the plunder, too?" - -"Yes, what you described as being in boxes was all carted away." - -"And Ike Slump had gone?" - -"Presumably. We found that two horses and a wagon belonging to Cohen -were missing. The only person we found, outside of Cohen, was a little -fellow asleep in an outside shed." - -"Was his name Teddy?" And Ralph gave a rapid description of the county -farm waif. - -"That's the boy. He's in jail with Cohen, now. They want to detain him -as a witness. In Cohen's barn, hidden under some hay, we found two old -locomotive whistles. He claims that he did not know they were there. -The road detective, however, says if we can fasten the least real -suspicion on Cohen and break up his fence, we will have rooted out this -robbery evil, for the crowd he housed and encouraged to steal has -scattered." - -"Has Mr. Matthewson tried to overtake the wagon?" - -"Yes, he has men out in pursuit. If we can recover those fittings, -Fairbanks, it will be a glad day for me and a lucky one for you." - -But with the arrest of Cohen, his release on bail, bound over to appear -before the September grand jury, the affair seemed ended. - -The little fellow, Teddy, could not, or would not tell, much and was -also released. Ike Slump's crowd melted away, and Ike Slump, and his -tramp friend, and Cohen's two horses and wagon, and the boxed-up brass -fittings, had vanished as completely as if the earth had opened and -swallowed them up. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--BARDON, THE INSPECTOR - - -Matters dropped into a pleasant routine for Ralph, the two weeks -succeeding his rather stormy introduction into active railroad life at -the roundhouse of the Great Northern at Stanley Junction. - -It was like a lull after the tempest. The youthful hoodlum gang that -had been a menace to Ralph and the railroad company had been entirely -broken up. - -Tim Forgan was a changed man. He and the senior Slump had drifted -apart, and the foreman's previous irascibility and suspicious gloom had -departed. He was more brisk, natural and cheery, and Ralph believed and -fervently hoped had given up the tippling habit which had at times made -him a capricious slave to men and moods. - -The lame helper had become a useful, pleasant chum to Ralph. There was -not a day that he did not teach the novice some new and practical point -in railroad experience. - -Gasper Farrington Ralph had not met again. - -At the cottage Van led an even, happy existence, making no trouble, -being extremely useful and industrious, and daily more and more -endearing himself to both Ralph and Mrs. Fairbanks. - -With the dog house crowd Ralph had become a general favorite. He had -won the regard of those rough and ready fellows, and his loyal adhesion -to Griscom in the fire at the shops, his rescue of little Nora Forgan, -and his manly, accommodating ways generally, had enforced their respect, -and more than one dropped his oaths and coarseness when Ralph -approached, and they tipped over the liquor bottle of one of the -"extras" who had the temerity to ask Ralph to test its contents. - -Altogether, Ralph was going through a happy experience, and every day -life and railroading seemed to develop some new charm of novelty and -progress. - -It was with a proud spirit that he took home his first month's salary, -twenty-seven dollars and some odd cents. - -Those odd cents, with some added, Ralph stopped near the depot to hand -over to little Teddy. - -The county farm orphan had been turned loose from custody after a week's -imprisonment, with orders to report to the police at nine o'clock every -Monday morning. - -He was practically on parole, the authorities hoping that on the trial -of Cohen he might give some evidence that would implicate the -stolen-goods receiver, and Ralph had run across the little fellow -drifting aimlessly about the town. - -Ralph had a long talk with him, then he decided to "stake" him as a -newsboy. The depot watchman agreed to let him sell papers at the train -exit, and Teddy had done fairly well, earning enough to pay for his -lodging, Ralph making up the deficiency as to meals. - -It was a bright hour in Mrs. Fairbanks' life when, after putting -together what money she had with Ralph's earnings, and deducting the -interest due Gasper Farrington, they were able to count a surplus of -nearly twelve dollars. - -Mrs. Fairbanks took the interest money to a bank where she had been -notified the note was deposited, paid the amount, received the note, and -with a lightened heart contemplated the future. - -Two mornings later, when Ralph entered the roundhouse, he was accosted -by Limpy in a keen, quick way. - -"Primping day, Fairbanks," said the lame helper. "You want to hustle." - -"What are you getting at?" inquired Ralph. - -"Inspection." - -"That's new to me." - -"So I'll explain. The inspector is on his tour, we got the tip to-day. -Came up on the daylight mail." - -"What does he inspect?" - -"Everything from a loose drop of oil to a boiler dent. He is so beloved -that the dog house crowd kick loose all the litter cans soon as he's -gone, and so particular that he inspects the locomotives with a -magnifying glass." - -"Who is he?" inquired Ralph curiously. - -"Bardon is his name--it ought to be Badone! He's a relative of and -trains with the division superintendent. He acted as a spy at the -switchmen's strike, got nearly killed for his sneaking tactics, and the -company rewarded him by giving him a gentlemanly position." - -Ralph readily saw that this Mr. Bardon was not a favorite with the rank -and file of the railroad crowd. - -"Well, we'll have to show him what a lot of active elbow grease will do -towards making this a model roundhouse," said Ralph cheerfully. - -Limpy was not at all in harmony with this idea, and showed it plainly by -action and words. He and the others considered the roundhouse and its -privileges essentially their personal property, and resented advice or -censure, especially from a man whom they intensely disliked. - -During the afternoon various little things were done about the dog house -that indicated the spirit of the crowd there. A pasteboard box nailed -to the wall bore written directions to engineers and firemen to keep -their kid gloves there. Another stated that brakemen must not wear -turned collars. Various receptacles were labeled "For cinders," "Clean -your nails here," and the general layout was a palpable satire on the -strained relations with an expected visitor who was considered a -martinet. - -Ralph went carefully and conscientiously to work to brighten up things a -bit and make them look their best, while Limpy growled and grumbled at -him all the afternoon. - -About four o'clock the lame helper was enjoying a brief respite from -work at his usual lounging place, standing on a bench and looking out of -a window. He called Ralph so suddenly and sharply that the latter -hurried towards him. - -"Quick!" uttered Limpy, face and hands working spasmodically, as they -always did when he was excited. - -"What's up?" inquired Ralph, leaping to the bench beside him. - -"Look there!" directed the helper. - -He pointed to a long freight train backing down the tracks. It had just -passed a switch. - -"Pivot loose, and the signal flanges exactly reversed!" pronounced Limpy -quickly. "They think they are on track A. Say, it's sure to be a -smash!" - -In a twinkling Ralph's eye took in the situation. The train was on a -curve, and had run back all right in response to switch A, set open, -according to the white indicator on top. But red should have shown, it -appeared. The pivot holding the signal in unison with the operating bar -must have become loosened, and the wind had blown the signal plate awry. - -The freight, therefore, had struck track B, which a hundred feet further -on split off onto two sets of rails. Both had short ends, terminating -at bumpers, and each held a single car. - -Track C held a gaudy, expensive car belonging to some traveling show, -all gold and glitter, and must have cost eighteen thousand dollars. -Track D held an old disabled box car. And into one or the other of -these the backing freight was destined to run unless checked inside of -the next half minute. - -"Give me a show!" spoke Ralph, in a hurry. - -He brushed Limpy aside, leaped through the window, struck the ground -eight feet below the high sill, and made a run towards the backing -freight. - -The curve prevented his seeing the engine or any one to whom he might -signal. He doubled his pace, reached the split switch, unlocked the -bar, half-lifted it, and stood undecided. - -It was not his province to interfere, he well knew, if half the cars on -the road were reduced to kindling wood through the mistake or -carelessness of some one else, but action was irresistible with his -impetuous nature when the same meant timely service. - -If he left the switch as it now was, the freight would back down into -the show car with terrific destructive force. - -It seemed a pity to spoil that new pretty model of the car builder's -art. Ralph discerned that the box car was ready for the scrap heap, and -decided. - -He pulled the switch over, not a moment too soon, jumped back, and the -next minute the freight train struck the solitary box car, and it -collapsed like a folding accordion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--A NEW ENEMY - - -The box car was smashed teetotally. The car that struck it had one end -battered in, its rear trucks rode up over the debris threatening to -telescope or derail others, but the engineer ahead, catching the token -of some obstruction from the shock, shut off steam quick enough to -prevent any very serious general results. - -The crash had sounded far and wide. Ralph stood surveying the wreck and -ruin in a kind of fascinated daze. - -Yardmen came rushing up from all directions. Soon too, the brakeman of -the freight and its engineer were hurrying to the scene of the wreck. - -More leisurely, a man carrying a cane, faultlessly dressed, and -accompanied by the depot master, crossed from the semaphore house to the -spot. - -Ralph turned to look at the stranger of the twain as he heard a voice in -the crowd say: - -"There's Bardon, the inspector." - -The engineer was vociferously disclaiming any responsibility in the -affair, and his brakeman tranquilly listened to him as he recited that -he had taken signals as set. - -The one-armed switchman who had charge of these tracks appeared on the -scene, his signal flag stuck under his perfect arm, and looking -flustered. - -Everybody was asking questions or explaining, as the depot master and -his companion edged their way to the rails. - -Ralph had a full view now of the man he knew to be Bardon, the -inspector. - -His first impression was a vivid one. He saw nothing in the coarse, -sensual lips and shifty, sneering eye of the man to commend him for -either humanity or ability. - -"What's the trouble here?" questioned Bardon, with the air of a person -owning everything in sight, and calling down the humble myrmidons who -had dared to interfere with the smooth workings of an immaculate railway -system. - -"You ought to be able to see," growled the freight engineer bluntly. - -The inspector frowned at this free-and-easy, offhand offense to his -dignity and importance. - -"I'm Bardon," he said, as if the mention of that name would suffice to -bring the stalwart engineer to the dust. - -"I know you are," said the latter indifferently. "Cut off the two last -cars," he ordered to his brakeman, turning his back on Bardon and -starting back for his engine to pull out. - -"Hold on," ordered the inspector. - -The engineer halted with a sullen, disrespectful face. - -"Well?" he projected. - -"Who's to blame in this smash up?" - -"Tain't me, that's dead sure," retorted the engineer, with a careless -shrug of his shoulders, "and we'll leave it to the yardmaster to find -out." - -"_I_ want to find out," spoke Bardon incisively--"I am here to do just -this kind of thing. Can't you read a signal right?" he demanded of the -brakeman. - -The latter smiled a lazy smile, lurched amusedly from side to side, took -a chew of tobacco, and counter-questioned: - -"Can't you?" - -Mr. Bardon, inspector, was getting scant courtesy shown him all around, -and his eyes flashed. He deigned to glance at the first switch. It was -set wrong, he could detect that at a glance. - -"How's this?" he called to the one-armed switchman sharply. "You're -responsible here." - -"I reckon not, cap'n," answered the man lightly. "The switch is set on -rule. I got no signal to change it." - -"But the indicator's wrong?" - -"That's the repair gang's business--and the wind. The Great Northern -don't own the wind, so I reckon it will have to pocket the loss -gracefully." - -Bardon bit his lips. - -"We've saved the junkmen a job as it is," said the freight engineer. -"The switch was set for track C. You'd have had a pretty bill if you'd -smashed that twenty-thousand dollar show car yonder." - -"That's right--the switch was C open," declared the switchman. - -"Then who changed it?" demanded Bardon, scenting a chance yet to exploit -his meddling, nosing qualifications. - -Ralph hesitated. He doubted if Bardon was the proper party to whom to -report. He, however, simplified the situation by saying: - -"I did it, sir." - -"Eh? Why--you!" exclaimed the inspector, turning on him with a -malevolent scowl. - -"Yes, sir." - -"What did you change it for?" - -The freight engineer gave a derisive guffaw. - -"To save the show car, of course!" he said quickly. "The company owes -you about nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars, kid!" -declared the engineer, giving Ralph a glance of the profoundest -admiration. - -But Mr. Bardon, inspector, was not to be moved by matters of sentiment. -He fixed a stony stare on the free-and-easy engineer, and turned upon -Ralph, the icy, immovable disciplinarian to perfection. - -"What right have you to tamper with the railway company's switches?" he -demanded. - -"None, perhaps," answered Ralph, "but----" - -"You are a switchman?" - -"No, sir, but I am an employe of the company." - -"Oh, you are?" - -Ralph bowed. - -"In what capacity?" - -"Wiper." - -"At the roundhouse?" - -"Yes." - -"And you took it on yourself to----" - -"To choose the best horn of a dilemma, and saved the company a big lump -of money," put in the imperturbable freight engineer. "And bully for -you, kid! and if we had more sharp young eyes and ready wits like yours, -there would not be so many smash-ups. That's right, Bardon?" - -The inspector scowled dreadfully. If the engineer had called him Mr. -Bardon he might have coincided in the view of the case presented. -Turning his back on the free and fearless knight of the lever as if he -was dirt under his feet, he took out a pencil and memorandum book. - -"I'll look into this matter myself," he said severely. "You say you are -a wiper, young man?" - -"Yes, sir," assented Ralph. - -"Name?" - -"Fairbanks--Ralph Fairbanks." - -"What--eh? Oh, yes! Ralph Fairbanks." - -The young railroader regarded the inspector with positive astonishment -as he uttered that sharp startling "What." He was manifestly roused up. -Quickly, however, Bardon recovered himself, looked Ralph over with a -decided show of interest, seemed secretly thinking of something, and -then, fingering over the pages of his memorandum book, appeared looking -for a notation, found it apparently, glanced again at Ralph in a -sinister way, and said calmly: - -"Very well, get your time." - -"What is that, sir?" exclaimed Ralph, startled anew. - -"Laid off, pending an investigation," added Bardon. - -Ralph's heart beat a trifle unsteadily, but he straightened up with -decision. - -"Does that mean, Mr. Bardon, that I am not to go back to work?" - -"You can understand what you like," snapped the inspector, seemingly -glad to show his authority to this disrespectful crowd, and appearing to -bear some personal spite against Ralph in particular, "only you are -suspended until this matter is looked into." - -Bardon turned to resume his way with the depot master, who looked bored -and uneasy. - -"Hold on!" thundered a tremendous bass voice. "That don't work." - -A greasy paw closed around the immaculate coat-sleeve of the inspector, -who turned with a brow as dark as a thunder cloud. - -"Drop my arm--what do you mean!" breathed Bardon, with a glance at the -husky freight engineer as if he would annihilate him. - -"Just this, Mr. Inspector Bardon," said the engineer, with a -never-quailing eye and the zest of extreme satisfaction in words and -bearing, "you can't lay anybody off." - -"I represent the Great Northern Railway Company," announced Bardon -grandiloquently. - -"Read your rules, then," retorted the engineer, "and see how far it will -sustain you in exceeding your duties. I tell you they won't uphold you, -and I speak with the voice of eighty-six thousand men and their -auxiliaries behind me--the International Brotherhood of Locomotive -Engineers." - -Bardon stood nonplussed. He fidgeted and turned ghastly with vexation. - -"I'll see that the proper official carries out my instructions just the -same," he said in a kind of a vicious hiss. - -"There's just one man to help you, then," coolly announced the engineer, -"and that's Tim Forgan." - -The inspector moved hastily away. - -"And he won't do it!" concluded the engineer, in an chuckling undertone, -giving Ralph a ringing slap on the shoulder. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND - - -Ralph went back to the roundhouse a trifle perturbed in his mind as to -the outcome of the episode of the hour. - -Something instinctively told him that he was about to have trouble. He -did not like that violent start of the inspector when he heard his name, -and there was something sinister in the way Bardon had looked up some -memoranda, and afterwards eyed him as a vulture might its prey. - -Limpy nearly had a fit when he had managed to probe out of Ralph the -details of his arraignment by the great and potent inspector. - -"Lay you off for saving the company a small fortune?" raved the helper -indignantly. "Say! you just tell that malicious scoundrel I told you to -change the switch." - -"I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Ralph calmly, "and you are a -good deal more worried about the affair than I am. I acted as common -sense and duty dictated, and I do not fear the final outcome." - -Just before quitting-time Bardon came into the roundhouse. He was -closeted with the foreman in his office until the whistle sounded, and -as Ralph left the place both came out and began a tour of the place. - -"I expect something will drop in the morning!" Ralph half-jocularly told -Limpy, as he bade him good-night. - -Ralph made it a rule to tell his mother everything of interest and -importance that came up during the day. Mrs. Fairbanks was manifestly -troubled when he had recited his encounter with Bardon. - -After supper Ralph went out with Van to inspect the new chicken coop he -had just built. He was surprised and pleased at the patience, ingenuity -and actual hard work displayed in the same, and Van seemed to show a -deeper appreciation and understanding of Ralph's commendation than he -had heretofore displayed. - -Ralph viewed him thoughtfully. He again began considering a plan to -take Van down the road some day on the chance of locating his former -home. - -At nine o'clock that evening, just as Ralph was locking up for the -night, there came a tremendous thump at the front door. - -Ralph went thither, to confront Big Denny, the yard watchman. - -Denny was in a feverish state of excitement, was perspiring, prancing -about with his cane, never still, and laboring under some severe mental -agitation. - -"Alone, Fairbanks?" he projected, in a startling, breathless kind of a -way. - -"They've all gone to bed but myself," answered Ralph. - -"Can I come in?" - -"Surely, and welcome." - -Denny thumped into the little parlor. He mopped his brow prodigiously, -loosened his collar, fidgeted and fumed, and after looking cautiously -around put his finger mysteriously to his lips with the -hoarsely-whispered injunction: - -"Secret as the grave, Fairbanks!" - -Ralph nodded, with a smile indulging the whim or mood of his good loyal -friend, who he knew was given to heroics. - -"What's the trouble?" he asked. - -"Bardon." - -"I fancied so," said Ralph. - -"Came right up here to see you," explained Denny. "Forgan sent me." - -"The foreman?" murmured Ralph, in some surprise. - -"Yes. You are not to report in the morning." - -"Does Mr. Forgan say so?" - -"Strictly. You are not to come near the roundhouse for a good many -days. They've got it in for you, and Tim Forgan and I are going to rout -'em, horse and harness!" - -"Rout whom?" - -"Bardon and Farrington." - -Ralph started at this mention of his capitalist enemy. - -"Mr. Farrington?" he repeated. - -"Yes, old Farrington." - -"What has he got to do with it?" - -"Everything," declared Denny expansively--"everything! The company is -going to lay you off." - -"Very well," commented Ralph quietly. - -"Pending an investigation of the smash up of this afternoon." - -"I apprehended it." - -"Do you know what that means?" cried Denny, growing excited--"red tape. -Do you know what red tape means? Delay, bother, no satisfaction, tire -you out, get you out, throw you out! They catch weasels asleep, though, -ha! ha! when they try it on two old war-horses like Tim and me!" - -Big Denny hugged himself in the enjoyment of some pleasing idea not yet -fully expressed. - -"Here's the program," he went on: "the inspector came to Forgan. He'd -got hold of the smashed roundhouse wall incident, and he had hold of the -freight smash-up to-day. Said an example must be made, system must be -preserved, at least a report to headquarters, and an investigation." - -"What did Mr. Forgan say?" inquired Ralph. - -"Listened--solemnly, didn't say a word." - -"Oh!" - -"Until Bardon asked him bluntly to lay you off." - -"And then?" - -"Refused--point-blank. Bardon left in a huff, with a threat; Tim gave -me my point. I followed him. Well, soon as he gets back to Springfield -he's going to get an order over Forgan's head to lay you off." - -"Can he do it?" - -"He won't do it." - -"Why not?" - -"For a simple reason." - -"Which is?" - -"We block his game. Have you got pen, ink and paper in the house?" - -"Yes." - -"Fetch it out." - -Ralph wondered a little, but realized that he was in the hands of loyal -friends. - -"Now then, you write," directed Denny. "Mind you, Forgan is in this -with me. You write." - -"Write what?" - -"Your resignation from railroad service." - -"Whew!" exclaimed Ralph, putting down the pen forcibly. - -"Looks hard, does it?" chuckled Denny. - -"Why--yes." - -"You'll do it, just the same," predicted the big watchman. "That -resignation goes to headquarters. That ends Ralph Fairbanks, wiper, -doesn't it?" - -"I suppose it does--it looks very much like it!" added Ralph vaguely. - -"It baffles Mr. Inspector Bardon, who drops the matter, beaten." - -"But I've got to work for a living," suggested Ralph, in a half-troubled -way. - -"All right, we've fixed that--that's another section of the same game. -Write out your resignation, and I'll tell you something interesting. -Good!" - -With complacency and satisfaction the watchman folded up and pocketed -the resignation that Ralph wrote and handed him with evident reluctance. - -"That settles the fact that Ralph Fairbanks is not a discharged -employee!" chuckled Denny. "Now then, sign that." - -The watchman had produced two papers. In astonishment Ralph recognized -one as a check drawn in his favor by the railroad company for twenty -dollars. - -The other was a receipt witnessing that he had been reimbursed for time, -damage to wearing apparel and railroad expenses the night he had -discovered the stolen brass fittings. In brackets was the notation: -"Special Service work." - -"But I only spent thirty-five cents for car fare, and the suit of -clothes I soaked is as good as ever," declared Ralph. - -"You do as you're told, Fairbanks," directed Denny, with a magnanimous -wave of his hand. "Now then, we, Tim and I and Matthewson, the road -detective, estimate you had better keep active hands off railroading for -about two weeks. In the meantime, Matthewson says you can take a run -between here and Dover." - -"That's where the stolen stuff, and horse and wagon, and Ike Slump and -the tramp were started for," said Ralph. - -"Exactly. They did not arrive. Matthewson's men have failed to -discover the least trace of the layout after leaving Stanley Junction." - -"Does he expect me to?" - -"Who can tell--he wants you to try. Has considerable faith in your -abilities--as we have. He gives you two weeks at ten dollars a week. -Here's your credentials--pass on any hand car, freight train, box or -gondola, passenger coach, smoker or parlor car, locomotive, freight, -switch or passenger, on the Great Northern and all its branches." - -Ralph caught his breath short and quick. This remarkable dovetailing of -events and prospects was rather exciting. - -Having got rid of his budget of intelligence, Big Denny subsided -somewhat. He had something more on his mind, however, and he began in a -more serious way: - -"And now, Fairbanks, for the real milk in the cocoanut." - -"You don't mean to say this isn't all?" - -"Scarcely. We might have taken care of you in a less complicated way, -only that we made a certain discovery." - -Ralph looked interested and expectant. - -"It was this: Bardon, the inspector, Bardon, the ex-spy, is connected -with Mr. Gasper Farrington." - -Ralph said nothing. He recalled, however, the threat of the crafty old -capitalist. His enemy had started in to use his influence. - -"Yes," declared Denny, "Bardon went straight to Farrington's house. When -he left there he went to find some old-time cronies at the Junction -Hotel. I had a friend listening to some of his boastful talk. We know -at this moment that Gasper Farrington offers him five hundred dollars to -get you discharged and away from Stanley Junction." - -"Which he won't do!" said Ralph very positively. - -"Not while Tim and I are on deck," declared Denny as positively. -"Listen, Fairbanks: before Saturday night Forgan will see the master -mechanic, before the following Wednesday the master mechanic will see -the division superintendent, before the following Saturday the president -of the road will have in his possession your full and complete record, -beginning with your heroic conduct at the fire at the yards, the rescue -of little Nora Forgan, the discovery of the stolen fittings, the saving -of the show car to-day, and your general good conduct and efficiency in -the service." - -Ralph flushed at the hearty encomiums of this loyal old friend. - -"In another week," continued Denny, rolling the words over in his mouth -and sprawling out with a sense of the keenest enjoyment, "we guarantee, -Tim and I, a letter, something like this: 'Mr. Ralph Fairbanks: Dear -Sir: Please come back to work.'" - -"I'll thank you," said Ralph, with bright, glad, shining eyes. "My old -place again--as wiper." - -"Not much!" negatived Big Denny, looking bigger than ever as he rose to -the full magnitude of his final declaration--"as switch towerman for the -Great Northern Railway at sixty dollars a month!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI--A ROVING COMMISSION - - -It was difficult for Ralph to sleep after the departure of Big Denny. He -was still under the disturbing influence of the exciting events of the -afternoon and evening. His mother had not been disturbed by the -watchman's visit. Ralph finally strolled out into the garden, and sat -down in the little summer house to rest and think. - -He did not exactly feel as though he were at the height of his ambition, -but Ralph did feel exceedingly thankful and encouraged. He valued most -the friends he had gained personally, from the lowly walks of life it -was true, but who had been bettered and elevated by the contact. - -The pre-eminent thought now in Ralph's mind was concerning Gasper -Farrington. Had things gone on smoothly, and had the magnate left him -alone, Ralph might have been inclined to accept the situation. His -mother did not care to rouse a sleeping enemy, and he would have -respected her decision. But now that Farrington had so palpably shown -his intentions, had declared war to the knife, bitter and vindictive, -all the fighting instincts in Ralph's nature arose to the crisis. - -"I shall not take Mr. Matthewson's ten dollars a week unless I find the -stolen plunder and really earn the money," Ralph reflected. "It is -hardly probable I shall succeed along that line, after his expert -assistants have failed. But in trying to locate Van's friends I shall -probably be in the neighborhood of Dover, and I may stumble across some -clew to Ike Slump's whereabouts." - -Ralph went inside the house after an hour and brought out a railroad -map. He studied the route of the Great Northern and the location of -Dover, and went to bed full of the plan of his projected journey. - -He showed his mother the check for the twenty dollars and his pass over -the road the next morning, and explained his projects fully. They met -with the widow's approbation. - -"Not that I want to get rid of Van," she said feelingly. "He has grown -very dear to me, Ralph. Poor fellow! Perhaps it is his affliction that -appeals to me, but I should be very lonely with him away." - -"I do not think he has many friends who care for him," theorized Ralph, -"or there would have been some search, or inquiry through the -newspapers." - -After breakfast Ralph went to the depot. He found his young pensioner, -Teddy, in high feather over success in getting two hours' regular -employment a day delivering bundles for a drygoods store. Ralph gave -him some encouraging advice, and went to see the young doctor who had -attended Van. - -He explained his intended experiment clearly, and asked the physician's -opinion as to its practicability. - -"Try it by all means," advised the doctor heartily. "It can do no harm, -and the sight of some familiar place may be the first step towards -clearing the lad's clouded mind. A great shock robbed him of reason; a -like event, such as strong, sudden confrontation by some person or place -he has known for years, may restore memory instantly." - -Ralph was encouraged. When he went home he sat down with Van and tried -to fix his attention. - -It was very difficult. His strange guest would listen and look pleased -at his attention, but his eyes would wander irresistibly after some -fluttering butterfly, or with a gleam of satisfaction over to the wood -pile his careful manipulation had made as neat and symmetrical as a -storekeeper's show case. - -Ralph pronounced in turn the name of every station on the main line of -the Great Northern, but Van betokened no recognition of any of them. - -Ralph waited in the neighborhood of Griscom's house after the 10.15 -express came in, and intercepted the engineer on his way homeward. - -He showed his pass and explained his project. He wanted Griscom to -allow himself and Van to ride on the tender to the end of his run and -back. - -"That's all right, Fairbanks," said the engineer, "pass or no pass. Be -on hand at the water tank yonder as we pull out the afternoon train. -I'll slow up and take you on." - -Ralph tried to express to Van that afternoon that they were going on a -journey. Van only looked fixedly at him, but when Mrs. Fairbanks handed -him a parcel of lunch, he proudly stowed it under one arm, and when she -put on him a clean collar and necktie, he showed more than normal -animation, as though he caught a dim inkling that something out of the -usual was on the programme. - -Van went placidly with Ralph. The afternoon train came along a few -minutes after they had reached the water tank. - -"Now then," said Ralph, as Griscom slowed up, "be lively, Van!" - -His words may have conveyed no particular meaning to his companion, but -the approaching train, the picturesque track environment and Ralph's -energetic motions roused up Van, whose face betokened an eagerness out -of the common as he commented: - -"Engine." - -"Yes, Van." - -"Ride." - -Ralph bundled him up into the cab, clambered back into the tender, and -made a comfortable seat for Van on top of the coal. - -On that perch the lad seemed a happy monarch of all he surveyed. Ralph -realized that the variety and excitement had a stimulating influence on -his mind, and that even if nothing materialized in the way of -discoveries from the trip, the general effect on Van would be at least -beneficial. - -Griscom tossed a cheery word to his young passengers ever and anon. His -fireman, a new hand, was kept busy at the shovel, and had no time to -inspect or chum with the boys. - -They passed station after station. Ralph kept a close watch on Van's -face. It was as expressionless as ever. His eyes roamed everywhere, -and he was evidently at the pinnacle of complacent enjoyment. - -Outside of that, however, Van gave no indication that he saw anything in -the landscape or the depot crowds they passed that touched a responsive -chord of recognition in his nature. - -Forty miles down the road was Wilmer. It was quite a town. Southwest -forty miles lay Dover, and west was the wild, wooded stretch known as -"The Barrens." This was no misnomer. There were said to be less than -twenty habitations in the desolate eighty miles of territory. - -The Great Northern had originally surveyed ten miles into this section -with the intention of crossing it, as by that route it could strike a -favorable terminal point at a great economy of distance. The -difficulties of clearing and grading were found so unsurmountable for an -infant road, however, that the project had been finally abandoned. - -They passed Wilmer. Signals called for "slow" ahead, as a freight was -running for a siding. They had barely reached the limits of the town -when Griscom put on a little more speed. - -"Whoop!" yelled Van suddenly. - -Ralph had shifted his seat on account of some undermining of the coal -supply, and at just that moment for the first time was away from the -side of his fellow passenger. - -Before he could clamber over the coal heap Van had arisen to his feet. - -"Stop, Van!" shouted Ralph. - -But Van's eyes were fixed on the little winding country road lining the -railway fence at the bottom of the embankment. - -An antiquated gig, well loaded and attached to a sorry looking nag, and -driven by a man well muffled up in a dilapidated linen duster, was -plodding along the dusty thoroughfare. - -Upon this outfit Van's eyes appeared to be set. His hand waved -nervously, and he seemed to forget where he was, and was not conscious -of what he was doing. - -He was in the act of stepping off into nothingness, and in a quiver of -dread Ralph yelled to the engineer: - -"Mr. Griscom, stop! stop!" - -But the engineer's hearing was occupied with the hiss of steam directly -around him, and his attention riveted on signals ahead. - -Ralph made a spring. Some lumps of coal slipped under his hasty -footing. His hand just grazed a disappearing foot. - -The train was going about fifteen miles an hour, and Van had recklessly -taken a header down the embankment. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII--RECALLED TO LIFE - - -Van landed half-way down the incline. His feet sank deep into the sandy -soil, the shock threw him forward with dangerous velocity, and he went -head over heels, slid ten feet like a rocket, and reached the bottom of -the embankment. - -His head landed squarely against the lower board of the fence. Rip! -crack! splinter! The contact burst the board into kindling wood. Van -drove through and about five feet beyond, and lay still and inert in the -bed of the dusty country road. - -Ralph believed he was killed. With a groan he leaped to the side of -Griscom and grabbed his arm. The engineer's lightning eye followed his -speechless indication of Van, and he pulled the machinery to a speedy -halt that jarred every bolt and pinion. - -Ralph was trembling with dread and emotion. He ran back along the track -fifty feet, and breathlessly rushed down the incline at the point where -Van had descended. - -As he gained the bottom of the embankment his heart gave a great jump of -joy. He saw Van move, struggle to a sitting posture, rub his head -bewilderedly with one hand, and stare about him as if collecting his -scattered senses. - -"Are you hurt?" involuntarily exclaimed Ralph. - -"Not much---- Hello! Who are you?" - -Ralph experienced the queerest feeling of his life. He could not -analyze it just then. There was an indescribable change in Van that -somehow thrilled him. For the first time since Ralph had found him in -the old factory he spoke words connectedly and coherently. - -A great wave of gladness surged over Ralph's soul. He was a quick -thinker. The presentation of the moment was clear. The young doctor at -Stanley Junction had said that just as a shock had deprived Van of -reason, so a second shock might restore it. Well, the second shock had -come, it seemed, and there was Van, a new look in his eyes, a new -expression on his face. Ralph remembered to have read of just such -extraordinary happenings as the present. He had but one glad, glorious -thought--Van had been recalled to life and reason, and that meant -everything! - -Toot! toot! Ralph glanced at the locomotive where Griscom was -impatiently waving his hand. The Great Northern could not check its -schedule to suit the convenience of two dead-head passengers. - -"Quick, Van," said Ralph, seizing the arm of his companion--"hurry, we -shall be left." - -"Left--how? where?" inquired Van, resisting, and with a vague stare. - -"To the locomotive. We must get back, you know. They won't wait." - -"What have I got to do with the locomotive?" - -"You just jumped from it." - -"Who did?" - -"You." - -"You're dreaming!" pronounced Van. - -"What you giving me--or I've been dreaming," he muttered, passing his -hand over his forehead again. - -Ralph suddenly realized that Van regarded him as an entire stranger, -that time and explanation alone could restore a friendly, comprehensive -basis. - -He gave Griscom the go ahead signal. The engineer looked puzzled, but -there was no time to waste, for the tracks were now signaled clear -ahead. He put on steam and the train moved on its way, leaving Ralph -and Van behind. - -The boy paid no further attention to locomotive or Ralph. He struggled -to his feet, and looked up the country road, then down it. The gig had -disappeared, but a cloud of dust lingered in the air over where it had -just turned a bend. - -Van started forward in this direction. There was a pained, confused -expression on his face, as if he could not quite get the right of -things. Ralph came up to him and detained his steps by placing a hand -on his arm. - -The way Van shook off his grasp showed that he had lost none of his -natural strength. - -"What you want?" he asked suspiciously. - -"Don't you know me?" - -"Me? you? No." - -"Hold on," persisted Ralph, "don't go yet. You are Van." - -"That's my name, yes." - -"And I am Ralph--don't you remember?" - -"I don't." - -"Ralph Fairbanks." - -Van gave a start. He squarely faced his companion now. His blinking -eyes told that the machinery of his brain was actively at work. - -"Fairbanks--Fairbanks?" he repeated. "Aha! yes--letter!" - -His hand shot into an inside coat pocket. He withdrew it -disappointedly. Then his glance chancing to observe for the first time, -it seemed, the suit he wore, apparel that belonged to Ralph, he stood in -a painful maze, unable to figure out how he had come by it and what it -meant. - -"You are looking for a letter," guessed Ralph. - -"Yes, I was--'John Fairbanks, Stanley Junction.' How do you know?" with -a stare. - -"Because I am Ralph Fairbanks, his son. When you first showed it to -me----" - -"Showed it to you?" - -"Yes." - -"Where? - -"At Stanley Junction." - -"I never was there." - -"I think you were." - -"When?" - -"About three weeks ago. And you just left there this morning. You was -with me on that locomotive that just went ahead, jumped off, and--you -had better sit down and let me explain things." - -Van looked distressed. He was in repossession of all his faculties, -there was no doubt of that, but there was a blank in his life he could -never fill out of his own volition. He studied Ralph keenly for a -minute or two, sighed desperately, sat down on a bowlder by the side of -the road, and said: - -"Something's wrong, I can guess that. I had a letter to deliver, and it -seems as if it was only a minute ago that I had it with me. Now it's -gone, I find myself here without knowing how I came here, with you who -are a stranger telling me strange things, and--I give it up. It's a -riddle. What's the answer?" - -Ralph had a task before him. In his judgment it was best not to crowd -things too speedily, all of a jumble. - -"You came to Stanley Junction with a letter about three weeks ago," he -said. "It seemed you had dead-headed it there on the trucks from some -point down the line." - -Van nodded as if he dimly recalled all this. - -"You hid in an old factory, or went there to take a nap. A baseball -struck your head accidentally. We took you to our home, you have been -there since." - -"That's queer, I can't remember. Yes--yes, I do, in a way," Van -corrected himself sharply. "Was there a chicken house there--oh, such a -fine chicken house!" he exclaimed expansively, "with fancy towers made -out of laths, and a dandy wind vane on it?" - -"You built that chicken house yourself," explained Ralph. - -"Oh, go on!" said Van incredulously. - -"Well, you did." - -"And there was a lady there, dressed in black," muttered Van, his glance -strained dreamily. "She was good to me. She used to sing sweet -songs--just like a mother would. I never had a mother, to remember." - -Van's eyes began to fill with tears. Ralph was touched at the -recognition of his mother's gentleness. Emotion had lightened the -shadows in Van's mind more powerfully than suggestion or memory. - -Ralph felt that he had better rouse his companion from a retrospective -mood. - -"You're all right now," he said briskly. - -"And I was knocked silly?" observed Van "I see how it was. I've been -like a man in a long sleep. How did I come out of it, though?" - -"Just as you went into it--with a shock. I took you for a trip on a -locomotive. Just as we got near here you made a sudden jump, rolled -down the embankment, your head burst through that fence board yonder, -and I thought you were killed." - -Van felt over his head. He winced at a sensitive touch at one spot, but -said, with a light laugh: - -"I've got a cast-iron skull, I guess! But what made me jump from the -locomotive? Did I have daffy fits?" - -"Oh, not at all." - -"Well, then?" - -"Why," said Ralph, "I think the sight of a man in a long linen duster, -driving a one-horse gig down this road startled you or attracted your -attention, or something of that sort." - -"Ginger!" interrupted Van, jumping to his feet, "I remember now! It -was--him! And I've got to see him. He went that way. I'm off." - -"Hold on! hold on!" called the dismayed Ralph. - -But Van heard not, or heeded not. He sprinted for the bend in the road, -Ralph hotly at his heels. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII--MYSTERY - - -Ralph outran his competitor, then kept easy pace with him, and did not -try to stop him. He recognized a certain obstinacy and impetuousness in -Van that he felt he must deal with in a politic manner. - -He noticed, too, that Van was not in normal physical trim. The roll -down the embankment had wrenched one foot slightly, and when they came -to the bend to discover no gig in sight, and a series of other bends -ahead, Van halted, breathless and tired. - -"Give it up!" he panted, sinking to a dead tree. "Oh, well! I can -catch him up later. Twenty-miles tramp, though." - -"You seem to know who the man in the linen duster is?" ventured Ralph. - -"Oh, yes." - -"Is it important that you should see him?" - -"Well, I guess so!" - -Van was close-mouthed after that. He lay back somewhat wearily on the -log and closed his eyes. The reaction from his tumble was succeeding -the false energy excitement had briefly given him. - -"See here," said Ralph, "I suggest that you take a little snooze. It -may do you a heap of good." - -"Wish that lady was here to sing one of her sweet songs!" murmured Van. -"I just feel collapsed." - -"If you will stay here quietly for a few minutes," suggested Ralph, "I -will go to that house over yonder and get some water and a bite to eat. -That will make you feel better. We had a lunch, but it was left behind -on the locomotive." - -"All right," said Van sleepily. - -He seemed instantly to sink into slumber. Ralph waited a few moments, -then he went over to a house on the outskirts of the town, all the time -keeping an eye directed towards the spot where he had left his -companion. - -A woman stood in its open doorway. She had witnessed the jump from the -locomotive, and referred to it at once. - -"Where's the boy who was with you?" she inquired. - -Ralph pointed to the spot where he had left Van. - -"Was he hurt much?" - -"I think not at all seriously. He's played out, though, and I have -advised him to sleep a little." - -"That's right," nodded the woman. "Natur's the panoseeds for all sich. -That--and hot drops. You just take him a little phial of our vegetable -hot drops. They'll fix him up like magic." - -"Why, thank you, madam, I will, if you can spare them," said Ralph. "I -was also going to ask you to put me up a bite of something to eat and -let me have a bottle of water." - -"Surely I will," and the good-hearted woman, pleased with Ralph's -engaging politeness, bustled off and soon returned with a paper parcel, -a two-quart bottle of water and a little phial filled with a dark -liquid. - -Ralph insisted on leaving her twenty-five cents, and went back to his -friend with a parting admonition "to be sure and give him the hot drops -soon as he woke up." - -Van was sleeping profoundly, and Ralph did not disturb him. He sat -watching the slumberer steadily. Van seemed to have placid, pleasant -dreams, for he often smiled in his sleep, and once murmured the refrain -of one of Mrs. Fairbanks' favorite songs. - -An hour later Van turned over and sat up quickly. Ralph had been -somewhat anxious, for he did not know what phase his companion's -condition might assume at this new stage in the case. Van came upright, -however, and dispelled vague fears--clear-eyed, smiling, bright as a -dollar. - -"Hello!" he hailed--"locomotive, friend, embankment. You're Fairbanks?" - -"That's right," said Ralph--"you remember me, do you?" - -"Sure, I do. What's in the bundle? Grub? and the bottle? Water? Give -me a swig--I'm burned up with thirst." - -"This first," said Ralph, producing the phial, and explaining its -predicted potency. "Half of it--now some water, if you like." - -Van choked and spluttered over the hot decoction. Ralph was immensely -gratified as he followed it up by eating a good meal of the home-made -pie, biscuits and cheese with which the kindhearted woman at the nearest -house had provided them. - -Van's affliction had lifted like a cloud blown entirely away by a brisk, -invigorating breeze. - -"Rested and fed," he declared, with a sigh of luxurious contentment and -satisfaction. "So I was crazy, eh?" he bluntly propounded. - -"Certainly not." - -"Idiotic, then?" - -"Hardly," dissented Ralph. "My mother has grown to think almost as much -of you as she does of me----" - -"Bless her dear heart!" - -"You've made our home lot look like the grounds of some summer villa," -went on Ralph. "That don't look as though there was much the matter -with you, does it?" - -"But there was. It's all over now, though. My head is clear as a bell. -I remember nearly everything. Now I want you to tell me the rest." - -Ralph decided it was the time to do so. They would certainly be at -cross-purposes on many perplexing points, until his companion had gained -a clear comprehension of the entire situation. - -There was never a more attentive listener. Van's eyes fairly devoured -the narrator, and when the graphic recital was concluded, his -wonderment, suspense, surprise and anxiety all gave way to one great -manifestation of gratitude and delight, as he warmly grasped Ralph's -hand. - -"I never read, heard or dreamed of such treatment!" declared the -warm-hearted boy. "You cared for me like a prince!" - -"Seeing that I had so effectually put you out of business," suggested -Ralph, "I fancy I had some responsibility in the case." - -"I want to see your mother again," said Van, in a soft, quivering voice. -"I want to tell her that she's woke up something good and happy and holy -in me. I was a poor, friendless, homeless waif, and she kept me in a -kind of paradise." - -"Well, you have woke up to more practical realities of life," suggested -Ralph, "and now what are you going to do next?" - -But Van could not get away from the theme uppermost in his mind. - -"And you are John Fairbanks' son?" he continued musingly. "And I landed -against you first crack out of the box! That was queer, wasn't it? -Some people would call it fate, wouldn't they? It's luck, anyhow--for -you sure, for me maybe. The letter didn't tell you anything, though. -Now what should I do? Say, Fairbanks, let me think a little, will you?" - -Ralph nodded a ready acquiescence, and Van sat evidently going over the -situation in his mind. As he looked up in an undecided way, Ralph said: - -"I don't see any great occasion for secrecy or reflection. You were -sent to deliver a letter?" - -"Yes, that's so." - -"To my father. My father is dead. We open the letter, as we have a -right to do. It satisfies us that the writer knows considerable that -might vitally affect our interests. Very well, it seems to me that your -duty is to take me, the representative of John Fairbanks, straight to -the person who wrote that letter." - -"Yes," said Van, "that looks all clear and nice enough to you, but I -don't know how he might take it." - -"You mean the writer of the letter?" - -"Of course." - -"Whose name is Farwell Gibson." - -"I didn't say so," declared Van evasively. - -"But I know it, don't I? Have you any reason for concealing his -identity?" - -"Yes, sir, I have," declared Van flatly. - -"Why?" - -"I can't tell you that. See here, Fairbanks, you guess what you like, -but until I have reported the result of my mission to--to him, I have no -right to say another word." - -"All right," assented Ralph. "It will all come out clear in the end, -only before we drop the subject I would like to make another guess." - -"What is it?" challenged Van. - -"That man in the long linen duster in the one-horse gig was Farwell -Gibson." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX--A RIVAL RAILROAD - - -There was some mystery about Farwell Gibson, Ralph decided, and the more -he scanned what he knew of his past, his peculiar method of sending the -letter to his father, and Van's guarded manner, the more he was -satisfied that there was a puzzle of some kind to solve. - -The sun was going down and night was coming on apace. Ralph propounded -a pertinent query. - -"What is your next move, Van?" - -"I don't mind telling you--to get after that one-horse gig." - -"It's home by this time, probably." - -"I intend to follow it." - -"I think I had better go with you, Van," suggested Ralph. - -"Why not? You don't think I am anxious to shake the best friend I ever -had, do you? There's just this, though: Mr. Gibson is a kind of a -hermit." - -"And does not like strange society? I see. Well, I shall not intrude -upon him until you have paved the way. Let me keep with you. When you -get near his home go on ahead and report just how matters stand. If he -cares to see me, I shall be glad. If he don't, there's an end to it." - -"That's satisfactory," assented Van heartily. "I guess he will be -willing to see you." - -"I hope so, Van." - -"And if he does, I know you will be glad he did," declared Van -convincedly. - -"Do you intend to start for his place to-night?" inquired Ralph. - -"I think we might. I feel fresh as a lark, and it's a beautiful night. -If we get tired we can stop for a rest, and cover the journey by -daybreak." - -"By daybreak?" repeated Ralph. "Why, it's an easy four hours' jaunt." - -"Is it?" smiled Van. "I guess not." - -"Only twenty miles?" - -"Yes, but such twenty miles! Why, it's a jungle half the distance." - -"Isn't there a road?" - -"Not a sign of one. The gig will make it on the cut-around, and that -means a good forty miles." - -"I see. Very well, Van, I am at your orders," announced Ralph. - -He thought it best to secure some more provisions. They went into the -village this time, and at a little store secured what eatables they -fancied they might need. - -The first mile or two of their journey was very fine traveling, for they -kept for that distance to the regularly-traversed road the gig had -taken. - -Then Van, who seemed to know his bearings, directed a course directly -into the timber. - -"I don't see any particular fault to be found with this," remarked -Ralph, after they had gone a couple of miles. - -"Oh, this is easy," rejoined Van. "You see, the Great Northern started -in right here to make a survey years ago. That's why there's quite a -road for a bit. Wait till you come to where they threw up the job. I -say, Fairbanks, that's where they missed it." - -"Who? what? where?" - -"The Great Northern. If they had surveyed right through and made Dover -the terminal, they could have still put through what is now the main -line, and this route would have kept the Midland Central out of the -field." - -"You seem pretty well-posted on railroad tactics," said Ralph. - -"I am--around these diggings. I've been in the railroad line for two -years." - -"You a railroader!" - -"I call myself one." - -"You have worked on a railroad?" - -"Sure--for two years." - -"What railroad?" - -Van regarded Ralph quizzically. - -"Tell you, Fairbanks," he said, "that's straight, although the railroad -hasn't a name yet, hasn't turned a wheel, is so far only two miles long, -and that's all grading and no rails." - -"Well, you present a truly remarkable proposition," observed Ralph. - -"Isn't it? It's a reality, all the same. And it's the key to a -situation worth hundreds of thousands." - -"You mystify me," acknowledged Ralph,--"allowing you are in earnest." - -"Absolutely in earnest. No joshing. I'm quite interested, too, for I'm -one of the two men who have built the railroad so far." - -"Who is the other?" - -Van shook his head. - -"That's a secret, for the present. I think you'll know soon, -though--soon as you see Mr. Gibson." - -Ralph had to be content with this. He comprehended that there was some -basis to Van's railroad pretensions, and felt very curious concerning -the same. - -At about eleven o'clock that night Van's predictions as to the -difficulties in the way of progress were fully verified. - -They were apparently in the midst of an untrodden forest. The brush was -jungle-like, the ground one continuous sweep of hill and dale. - -It took one breathless, arduous hour to cover a mile, and their clothes -and hands were scratched and torn with thorns and brambles. - -"It's a little better beyond the creek," said Van. "A man could hide in -a wilderness like this a good many years in a safe way, eh, Fairbanks?" - -"Yes, indeed," answered Ralph, and mentally wondered if his companion -was alluding to the mysterious Farwell Gibson. - -They were a wearied and travel-worn pair as they lay down to rest at the -first token of daybreak. It was at the edge of a level expansive sweep -surmounted by a dense growth of trees. - -"We're nearly there," proclaimed Van. - -"How near?" interrogated Ralph. - -"You see that hill?" - -"Yes." - -"That's our last climb." - -"I'm thankful," said Ralph. - -They tramped up the slope after a bit. Once over its edge Ralph, -looking ahead, made out a low rambling log house. It was about half a -mile away, and smoke was coming out of its chimney. - -"Now then," said Van with a smile, "I reckon this is about as close as -you need come, for the present--it's a great deal closer than many -others have come." - -"This is a very isolated spot," said Ralph. - -"That's Mr. Gibson's house yonder," continued Van. "I'll go on alone, -see him, report, and come back and advise you." - -"That's business," said Ralph. - -"Just wander around and amuse yourself," recommended Van. "You may find -something to interest you." - -Ralph grew tired of sitting alone and waiting for Van. As his recent -companion had advised, he took a stroll. There seemed a break in the -timber about one hundred feet to the left. Ralph proceeded in that -direction. He paused at a ten foot avenue cut neat and clean through -the woods, and stood lost in contemplation. - -Far as he could see across the hill this break in the timber continued. -The brush had been cleared away, the ground leveled here and there, some -rudely cut ties were set in place, and the layout showed a presentable -and scientifically laid put and graded roadbed. - -"I wonder," said Ralph thoughtfully, "if this is a part of Van's boasted -railroad? It looks all right as far as it's gone." - -What Ralph scanned represented a great deal of labor, that could be -discerned at a glance. He knew enough about survey work to judge that a -master mind had directed this embryo railroad project. - -Ralph was still inspecting the work when a shrill whistle signaled the -return of Van. - -"It's all right," he announced as he came up to Ralph. "I've told Mr. -Gibson everything. He will see you." - -"That's good," said Ralph. - -He followed Van to the house in the distance. As he neared it he -observed that a man stood in the doorway. - -This individual was powerfully built, wore a full bushy beard, and had a -keen, piercing eye. - -He scanned Ralph closely as he approached, and then, standing partly -aside, with a not ungraceful wave of his hand welcomed Ralph to the -hospitality of his house. - -"You are Mr. Gibson?" said Ralph, feeling impelled to say something. - -"Yes, young man, I am that person, and this is the office of the Dover -and Springfield Short Line. Come in." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX--THE RIGHT OF WAY - - -The peculiar announcement of Ralph's host was so grandiloquent, and his -manner so lofty and important, that the young railroader smiled despite -himself. - -Certainly Ralph decided the Dover & Springfield Short Line had its -headquarters in a particularly isolated place, and its presentation of -physical resources was limited. - -"I never heard of that road before," observed Ralph. - -"Probably not," answered his host--"you will hear of it, though, and -others, in the near future." - -Ralph did not attach much importance to the prediction. He had seen at -a glance that Gibson was an erratic individual, his hermit life had -probably given birth to some visionary ideas, and his railroad, simmered -down to the tangible, had undoubtedly little real foundation outside of -his own fancies and dreams. - -Ralph changed his mind somewhat, however, as he crossed the threshold of -the door, for he stood in the most remarkable apartment he had ever -entered. - -This was a long, low room with a living space at one end, but the -balance of the place had the unmistakable characteristics of a depot and -railway office combined. - -In fact it was the most "railroady" place Ralph had ever seen. Its -walls were rude and rough, its furniture primitive and even grotesque, -but everything harmonized with the idea that this was the center of an -actual railroad system in operation. - -There were benches as if for passengers. In one corner with a grated -window was a little partitioned off space labeled "President's Office." -Hanging from a strap were a lot of blank baggage checks, on the walls -were all kinds of railroad timetables, and painted on a board running -the entire width of the room were great glaring black letters on a white -background, comprising the announcement: "Dover & Springfield Short Line -Railroad." - -To complete the presentment, many sheets of heavy manilla paper formed -one entire end of the room, and across their surface was traced in red -and black paint a zigzag railway line. - -One terminal was marked "Dover," the other "Springfield." There were -dots for minor stations, crosses for bridges and triangles for water -tanks. - -Ralph readily comprehended that this was the plan of a railroad -right-of-way crossing The Barrens north and south from end to end, and -the big blue square in the center was intended to indicate the -headquarters where he now stood in the presence of the actual and -important president of the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad. - -Ralph must have been two full minutes taking in all this, and when he -had concluded his inspection he turned to confront Gibson, whose face -showed lively satisfaction over the fact that the layout had interested -and visibly impressed his visitor. - -"Well," he challenged in a pleased, proud way, "how does it strike you?" - -"Why," said Ralph, "to tell the truth, I am somewhat astonished." - -"That is quite natural," responded Gibson. "The idea of the world in -general of a railroad headquarters is plate glass, mahogany desks and -pompous heads of departments, looking wise and spending money. The -Short Line has no capital, so we have to go in modest at the start. All -the same, we have system, ideas and, what is surer and better than all -that put together, we have the Right of Way." - -"The Right of Way?" repeated Ralph, taking in the announcement at its -full importance. - -"Yes, that means what? That under the strictest legal and full state -authority we have a franchise, empowering us to construct and operate a -railway from Dover to Springfield, and vesting in us the sole title to a -hundred-foot strip of land clear across The Barrens, with additional -depot and terminal sites. - -"That must be a very valuable acquisition," said Ralph. - -"I am not used to talking my business to outsiders," responded Gibson, -"and you are one of the very few who have ever been allowed to enter -this place. I admit you for strong personal reasons, and I want to -explain to you what they are." - -He sat down on one of the benches and waved Ralph to the one opposite. -His mobile face worked, as silently for a minute or two he seemed -concentrating his ideas and choosing his words. - -"I am a strange man," he said finally, "probably a crank, and certainly -not a very good man, as my record goes, but circumstances made me what I -am." - -A twinge of bitterness came into the tones, and his eyes hardened. - -"The beginning of my life," proceeded Gibson, "was honest work as a -farmer--the end of it is holding on with bulldog tenacity to all there -is left of the wreck of a fortune. That's the layout here. The Short -Line, no one knows it--no one cares--just yet. But no one can ever -wrest it from me. Ten years ago, when the Great Northern was projected, -your father saw that a road across here was a tactical move, but the -investors were in a hurry to get a line through to Springfield, and -dropped this route. Later the Midland Central cut into Dover. They too -never guessed what a big point they might have made cutting through here -to Springfield. Well, I got possession of the franchise. I had to bide -my time and stay in the dark. To-day, with the Short Line completed, I -would hold the key to the traffic situation of two States, could demand -my own price from either railroad for it, and they would run up into the -millions outbidding each other, for the road getting the Short Line -completely dominates all transfer passenger and freight business north -and south." - -"Why, I see that," said Ralph, roused up with keen interest. "It -becomes a bee-line route, saving twenty or thirty miles' distance, and -opens up a new territory." - -"You've struck it. Now then, what I want to lead up to is -Farrington--Gasper Farrington. You know him?" - -"Yes, I know him," assented Ralph emphatically. - -"Between my old honest life and the dregs here his figure looms up -prominently," resumed Gibson. "Around him has revolved much concerning -your father and myself in the past. Around him will loom up -considerable concerning you and myself in the future. For this reason I -take you into my confidence--to join issues, to grasp the situation and -to move down on the enemy. In a word: Gasper Farrington ruined my -chances in life. In another, he robbed your father." - -Ralph was becoming intensely interested. - -"He robbed my father, you say?" - -"Yes." - -"Are you sure of that, Mr. Gibson?" - -"I am positive of it. I have the proofs. Even without those proofs, my -unsupported word would substantiate the charge. The more so, because I -helped him do it." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI--A REMARKABLE CONFESSION - - -"You helped Gasper Farrington rob my father!" exclaimed Ralph. - -"Yes," answered Gibson unhesitatingly. - -Ralph wondered how he could make the admission thus boldly and -unblushingly. Gibson, however, acted like a man who had taken a -desperate stand with an important end to attain, and for the time being -at least had set aside all questions of sentiment and conscience. - -"It will be brief," said Gibson, after a pause. "When the Great -Northern was on its first boom and everybody gone wild to invest in its -bonds, I caught the fever too. My wife had died and I had no children, -and converting my land into cash I came up to Stanley Junction with -thirty thousand dollars in my pocket. I was always stuck on -railroading. I fancied myself a director, riding in the president's car -and distributing free passes to my friends. In a black moment in my -life I ran afoul of Gasper Farrington. He took me under his wing and -encouraged my visionary ideas. At that time your father had twenty -thousand dollars in Great Northern bonds. They were not all paid for, -but nearly so. They were, in fact, held by a bank as trustee in what is -known as escrow--that is, subject to his call on payment of the small -sum still due on them. Your father had great confidence in Farrington. -So had I. I put my capital in his hands." - -Gibson became so wrought up in his recital that he could not sit still. -He got up and paced the floor. - -"If we had kept to a straight investment, your father and I," proceeded -Gibson, "we would have been all right. But Farrington dazzled us with -his stock-jobbing schemes. He actually did let us into a deal where by -dabbling in what is called margins we increased our pile considerably. -In about a month, however, he had us where he wanted us. That is, he -had our affairs so mixed up and complicated that neither of us knew just -where we stood, and didn't dare to make a move without his advice. For -some time we had all been dabbling in Midland Central securities. One -day, after he had got me to buy a big block of that stock, the market -broke. I was a pauper." - -"Had Mr. Farrington lost too?" inquired Ralph. - -"He pretended that he had, but later I found that he was the very person -who was manipulating the stocks on the sly, and trimming us. We had a -bitter quarrel. Then he said all was fair in war and business. I was -desperate, lad, about my money, and when he set up a plan to get hold of -your father's bonds, I went into it. I am sorry now. I was crazy those -days, I guess, money-mad!" - -The man's candor vouched for his sincerity, but Ralph looked sad and -disturbed. - -"Anyway, he got your father in a tight corner, and I helped him do it. -It was a complicated deal. I can't say that Farrington stole those -bonds outright, but in a roundabout way they finally came into his -possession. If the transaction was ever ripped up, I don't believe it -would stand in law. But I don't know that positively. Your father lost -his bonds, and I got nothing out of the transaction. But there is -something else that I want to get at. A little later, never doubting -Farrington's honesty, your father gave him a mortgage on his homestead. -It was done to protect your mother--that is, feeling himself getting -involved, your father wished to be sure that she had at least a shelter -over her head. There was no consideration whatever in the deal. It was -merely put temporarily in the shape of a mortgage until affairs had -cleared somewhat, when it was to be deeded to a third party, and then -direct to your mother." - -"Then Mr. Farrington never had a right to collect that interest money," -said Ralph. - -"He wasn't entitled to a cent of it. Farrington then got me into -another deal. I had borrowed one thousand dollars from my brother. He -got me to take security for it, as he called it. In some way he had got -hold of the old Short Line charter here. At that time it was treated as -a joke, and considered worthless. I didn't know it. He got my thousand -dollars, claimed to lose it in a deal, and I was flat broke." - -"And later?" suggested Ralph, recalling in an instant what he had heard -from Big Denny about Gibson. - -"Well, I got hard pressed. I saw a chance to get even with him. We -were in a deal together. I canceled it to get a few hundred dollars, -and signed our joint names as a firm. Later I learned that I had a -right only to sign my own name. I went to his house. He threatened to -have me arrested for forgery the next day, showed me the forged paper, -as he called it, and a warrant he had sworn out. We had a fearful row. -I beat him up good and proper, smashed some windows, and, disgusted with -life and mankind, fled to this wilderness." - -It was a vivid recital, running like some romance. Gibson took breath, -and concluded: - -"A man can't sit forever eating out his heart in loneliness. I knew -that Farrington would not hesitate to send me to jail. I located here. -One day, yonder faithful fellow, Van Sherwin, came along. He was an -orphan outcast, I took him in. His company gave a new spur to -existence. I got casting up accounts. I rarely ventured to the towns, -but I sent him to a relative, who loaned me a few hundred dollars. I -investigated the Short Line business, even paid a lawyer to look it up. -I found I had something tangible, and that for a certain date, then two -months ahead, provided I did some work each day except Sunday -thenceforward on the right of way, I could hold the franchise -indefinitely, unimpaired. Since then, Van and I have been at the -grading work, as you see." - -"And why did you write to my father? inquired Ralph. - -"My hard, bad nature has changed since Van came here to cheer me with -his loyal companionship," said Gibson. "I always felt I had wronged -your father. I wrote to him, thinking him still alive, to come and see -me. Instead, you come as his representative. Very well, this is what I -want to say: I am willing to make the statements in writing that I have -given to you verbally. That, you may say, is of no practical benefit to -you. But here is something that is: My sworn statement that the -mortgage was in reality a trust will cancel everything. That means -something for you, doesn't it?" - -"It means a great deal--yes, indeed," assented Ralph. - -"Very well," said Gibson. "You go and use the information I have given -you, the threat to expose Farrington, to get him to destroy that forged -note he holds against me, so that I can come out into the daylight a -free man to put my railroad project on foot, and I will give to you a -sworn statement that in any court of law will compel him to surrender to -your mother, free and clear, your home. And I won't say right now what -I will be glad to do for the widow and son of John Fairbanks, when the -Short Line is an assured fact and a success." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII--FOUND - - -It did not take Ralph long to figure out the merits and prospects of the -proposition that Farwell Gibson had made to him. - -As the latter went more into details concerning his own and Mr. -Fairbanks' dealings with Gasper Farrington, Ralph felt a certain pity -for the hermit. He had been the weak, half-crazed tool of a wicked, -cool headed plotter, had repented his share of the evil doings, and was -bent on making what restitution he might. - -The peculiar situation of affairs, Ralph's quick-witted comprehension of -things, above all his kindness to Van Sherwin, had completely won -Gibson's confidence. - -They had many little talks together after that. They compared notes, -suggested mutually plans for carrying out their campaign against the -Stanley Junction magnate, legally and above board, but guarding their -own interests warily, for they knew they had a wily, unscrupulous foe -with whom to contend. - -Gibson insisted that they could do nothing but rest that day and the -next, and when the third day drifted along he took Ralph for an -inspection of his enterprise. - -There was not the least doubt but that Gibson had a valuable proposition -and that he had legally maintained his rights in the premises. - -"Every day except Sunday within the prescribed period of the charter, I -have done work on the road as required by law," he announced to Ralph. -"Van's affidavit will sustain me in that. Everything is in shape to -present the scheme to those likely to become interested. It will be no -crooked stock deal this time, though," he declared, with vehemence. -"It's a dead-open-and-shut arrangement, with me as sole owner--it's a -lump sum of money, or the permanent control of the road." - -Van's eyes sparkled at this, and Ralph looked as if he would consider it -a pretty fine thing to come in with the new line under friendly -advantages, and work up, as he certainly could work up with Gibson so -completely disposed to do all he could to forward his interests. - -Next morning Ralph said he had other business to attend to. It was to -go to Dover in pursuance with his instructions from Matthewson, the road -detective of the Great Northern. - -It was arranged that Van should drive him over in the gig. If Ralph -made any important discoveries that required active attention, he was to -remain on the scene. If not, he promised to return to "headquarters" on -his way back to Stanley Junction. - -Ralph reached Dover about noon, and put in four hours' time. He located -Jacobs, the man to whom the stolen fittings were to have gone, he saw -the local police, and he gathered up quite a few facts of possible -interest to Matthewson, but none indicating the present whereabouts of -Ike Slump, his tramp friend, or the load of plunder. - -"Did you find out much?" Van inquired, as they started homewards about -five o'clock. - -"Nothing to waste time over here," replied Ralph. "I imagine the Great -Northern has seen the last of its two thousand dollars' worth of brass -fittings, and Stanley Junction of Ike Slump, for a time at least." - -The Gibson habitation was more accessible from this end of The Barrens -than from the point at which Ralph and Van had four days previously -entered it. - -There was a road for some ten miles, and then one along a winding creek -for half that distance. Beyond that lay the jungle. - -The sun was just going down when they forded the creek. The spot was -indescribably wild and lonely. Its picturesque beauty, too, interested -the boys, and they were not averse to a halt in mid-stream, the horse -luxuriating in a partial bath and enjoying a cool, refreshing drink. - -Suddenly Ralph, who had been taking in all the lovely view about them, -put a quick hand on Van's arm. - -"Right away!" he said, with strange incision--"get ashore and in the -shelter of the brush." - -"Eh! what's wrong?" interrogated Van, but obediently urged up the horse, -got to the opposite bank, and halted where the shrubbery interposed a -dense screen. - -"Now--what?" he demanded. - -Ralph made a silencing gesture with his hand. He dropped from his seat, -went back to the edge of the greenery, and peered keenly down stream. - -He seemed to be watching somebody or something, and was so long at it -that Van got impatient, and leaping from the wagon approached his side. - -"What's up?" he asked. - -Ralph did not reply. Van peered past him. Down stream about five -hundred feet a human figure stood, faced away from the ford, bent at -work over some kind of a frame structure partly in the water. - -"You seem mightily interested!" observed Van. - -"I am," answered Ralph, and his tone was quite intense. "I expect to be -still more so when that fellow faces about." - -"If he ever does. There--he has!" spoke Van. - -Ralph drew back from his point of observation, took a quick breath, and -was palpably excited. - -"I was right," he said, half to himself. "There's work here." - -"Say," spoke Van, impatiently and curiously, "you're keeping me on -nettles. What are you talking about, anyway?" - -"That fellow yonder. Do you know who he is?" - -"Of course I don't." - -"I do--it's Ike Slump." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII--IKE SLUMP'S RAFT - - -"You don't say so!" exclaimed Van. - -"Yes," declared Ralph--"the missing Ike Slump is found. I would know -him anywhere, in any guise, and at any distance, and that is he yonder." - -"You don't seem to have luck or anything in finding opportunities--and -people!" observed Van dryly. - -"I don't know about that." - -"There's the boy the railroad company wants to find, isn't it?" - -"Well, Ike Slump alone, a vagabond fugitive, isn't so much what they are -after," explained Ralph. "They want to recover that stolen plunder, and -from the general appearance of Slump I don't imagine he has much of -anything visible about him except what he probably calls 'hard luck.'" - -"What are you going to do?" - -"Have a talk with him first, if I can." - -Ralph reflected for a few moments. Then he decided on a course of -action. He suggested that Van remain where he was. Lining the shore -himself, Ralph kept well in the shelter of the shrubbery until he was -directly opposite the spot where the object of his interest was at work. - -He could not secure more than a general idea of what Ike was about -unless he exposed himself to view. Ike seemed to be framing together a -raft. He was very intent on his task--so much so, that when Ralph -finally decided to show himself he was not aware of a visitor until -Ralph stood directly at his side. - -"How do you do, Slump?" spoke Ralph, as carelessly as though meeting him -on the streets of Stanley Junction in an everyday recognition. - -"Hi! who--smithereens! Stand back!" - -Ike let out a whoop of amazement. He jumped back two feet. Then he -stared at his visitor in a strained attitude, too overcome to speak -coherently. - -"Ralph Fairbanks!" he spluttered. - -Ralph nodded pleasantly. - -Ike grew more collected. He presented a wretched appearance. He was -thin, hungry-looking, sullen of manner, and evidently dejected of -spirit. - -A sudden suspicion lit up his face as he glanced furtively into the -shrubbery beyond his visitor, as though fearing other intruders. Then -with his old time tricky nimbleness he described a kind of a sliding -slip, and seized a short iron bar lying on the ground. - -"What do you want?" he demanded, with a scowl. - -"I want to have a talk with you, Ike." - -"What about?" - -"Your mother." - -Ralph had heard back at Stanley Junction that Ike's mother had mourned -her son's evil course as a judgment sent upon them because her husband -sold liquor. He felt sorry for her, as Ike now shrugged his shoulders -impatiently, and not a gleam of home-longing or affection followed the -allusion to his mother. - -"Did you come specially for that?" demanded Ike. "Because if you did, -how did you know I was here?" - -"I didn't--this meeting is purely accidental." - -"Oh!" muttered Ike incredulously. - -"I'll be plain, Slump," said Ralph, "for I see you don't welcome my -company or my mission. Your father is worried to death about you, your -mother is slowly pining away. If you have any manhood at all, you will -go home." - -"What for?" flared out Ike, savagely swinging the iron rod--"to get -walloped! Worse, to get jugged! You played me a fine trick spying into -Cohen's and getting the gang in a box. I ought to just kill you, I -ought!" - -"Well, hear what I have to say before you begin your slaughter," said -Ralph quietly. "Out of sympathy for your mother, and because your -father has friends among the railroad men, I think the disposition of -the railroad company is to treat you with leniency in the matter of the -stolen junk, if you show you are ready to do the square thing." - -"They can't prove a thing against me!" shouted Ike wrathfully. "Think I -don't know how affairs stand? They can't do anything with Cohen, -either, unless some one peaches--and no one will." - -"Don't be too sure of that," advised Ralph. "They can lock you up, and -if they delve very deep, can convict you on circumstantial evidence. But -I don't want to discuss that. It's plain business, and now is your time -to act. Go home, give the company a chance to get back its property, -and I'll guarantee they will deal lightly with you--this time." - -"Put my head in the jaws of the lion?" derided Ike--"not much! Say, -Ralph Fairbanks, what do you take me for? And what do I know about -their stolen plunder?" - -"You drove off from Stanley Junction that night with it." - -"Prove it!" - -"You and your tramp friend. I was at Dover to-day. Your tramp friend -sold those two horses belonging to Cohen twenty miles further on, I -learned." - -"Drat him!" snarled Ike viciously. - -"You wasn't with him. Did he give you the slip, and leave you in the -lurch? It looks so. I wouldn't hold the bag for anybody, if I were -you, Ike Slump," rallied Ralph. - -"See here, Fairbanks," gritted Ike between his set teeth, "you know too -much, you do!" - -"Now what, in the meantime, became of the stolen brass fittings? You -know. Tell. Give the company a square deal, and take another chance to -drop bad company and behave yourself." - -"I won't go home," declared Ike, with knit, sullen brows. "You start on -about your business, and leave me to mine." - -"All right," said Ralph. "I'd be a friend to you if you would let me. -By the way, what is your business, Slump? Ah, I see--building a raft?" - -"What of it?" - -"And what for?" - -"Say!" cried Ike, brandishing the rod furiously and trying to intimidate -his visitor with a furious demonstration, "what do you torment me for! -Get out! I'm building a raft because I'm a persecuted, hunted being, -driven like a rat into a hole. I want to float to safety past the -towns, and go west. And I'm going to do it!" - -"Why not walk?" suggested Ralph. - -Ike flared a glance of dark suspicion at Ralph. - -"And why such a big raft?" pursued Ralph smoothly--"no, you don't! Now -then, since you've forced the issue, lie still." - -Ike had suddenly sprung towards Ralph, swinging the iron rod. The -latter was watching him, however. In a flash he had the bad boy -disarmed, lying flat on the ground, and sat astride of him, pinioning -his arms outspread at full length. - -Ralph gave a sharp, clear whistle. Van came rushing down the bank in -the distance in response. - -Ike Slump raved like a madman. He threatened, he pleaded. He even took -refuge in tears. All the time, Ralph Fairbanks was making up his mind. -That partially built raft had roused his suspicions very keenly, had -suggested a new line of action, and he determined to follow the -promptings of his judgment. - -"There's a piece of rope yonder," said Ralph, as Van approached on a -run. "Get it, and help me tie this young man hand and foot." - -They did the job promptly and well, Ike Slump raving worse than ever in -the meanwhile. - -"Now then," directed Ralph, "help me carry him to the gig. Van, this is -Ike Slump, of whom you have heard a little something. He is bound he -won't further the ends of justice, and I am as fully determined that at -least he shall not have his liberty to frustrate them. We will load him -in the gig, take him to headquarters, and you are to ask our friend -there as a special favor to me to keep him safely till he hears from -me." - -"I won't go!" yelled the squirming Ike--"I'll have your bones for this!" - -"I would advise you," said Ralph to the frantic captive, "to behave -yourself. You are going where you will have good treatment. Build up, -and do some thinking. I shall be as friendly to you as if you hadn't -tried to brain me." - -"You don't mean," said the astonished Van, "that you are going to stay -behind?" - -"Yes," answered Ralph, with a significant glance at Ike. "I have an -idea it is my clear duty to investigate why Ike Slump built that raft." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV--VICTORY! - - -In about five minutes the arrangements were completed by Ralph and Van -for the transportation of their prisoner to "headquarters." - -Ike Slump, tied securely, was snugly propped up in the seat beside Van. -Ralph waited until he saw them safely on their way, and then went -straight back to the spot where he had discovered Ike. - -A cursory view of the raft had already awakened a vivid train of -thought. Now, as he looked it over more particularly, Ralph found that -he had grounds for suspicions of the most promising kind. - -"Ike must have been at work on this for several days," decided Ralph. "I -didn't think he had so much patience and constructive ability. It's big -enough to carry a house, and of course his making it, as he says, to -float himself down stream to a safe distance, is sheer nonsense." - -Some large logs formed the basis of the raft. Over these were nailed -boards to give its bottom depth and solidity. - -It was a sight of those boards that had set Ralph thinking. Such handy -timber, he recognized, had no business this far from civilization. Where -had they come from? - -"Those two are box covers," concluded Ralph, after a close inspection, -"and they are the exact size of the boxes I saw at Cohen's back room at -Stanley Junction. I must find out what it does mean." - -Then Ralph made a second discovery, and knew that he was distinctly on -the hot trail of something of importance. - -Two corners of the raft were bound with heavy brass pieces used as -ornamental clamps on passenger coaches. They were stamped inside "G.N." - -"Great Northern property, sure," reflected Ralph, "and of course part of -the stolen plunder. That wagon load never went to or through Dover, so -far as the police people have been able to find out, but I am sure it -did come here, or near here, or what is Ike doing with those pieces?" - -Ralph now set about tracing Ike's living quarters. They must be -somewhere in the immediate vicinity. - -He had little difficulty in following up a worn path across the grass. -It led to a snug shakedown, under the lee of a slope roofed over with -dry branches and grass. - -Here Ralph found a case of canned goods, a box of crackers and a lot of -tobacco and cigarette papers. On a heap of dry grass lay a wagon -cushion. - -Ralph circled this spot. He had to exert the ingenuity and diligence of -an Indian trailer in an effort to follow the footsteps leading to and -from the place in various directions. Finally he felt that his patience -was about to be rewarded. For over two hundred feet the disturbed and -beaten down grass showed where some object had been dragged over the -ground, probably the boards used in the construction of the raft. - -The trail led along the winding shore of the creek and up a continuous -slope. Then abruptly it ceased, directly at the edge of a deep, -verdure-choked ravine. - -Ralph peered down. A gleam of red, like a wagon tongue, caught his eye. -Then he made out a rounding metal rim like the tire of a wheel. He began -to let himself down cautiously with the help of roots and vines. His -feet finally rested on a solid box body. - -An irrepressible cry of satisfaction arose from the lips of the lonely -delver in the debris at the bottom of the ravine. - -When Ralph clambered up again he was warm and perspiring but his eyes -were bright with the influence of some stimulating discovery. - -He stood still for five minutes, as if undecided just what to do, -glanced at the fast-setting sun, and struck out briskly in the direction -of the road leading to Dover. - -It was midnight when he reached the town he had visited earlier in the -same day. Ralph went straight to the police station of the place. - -For about an hour he was closeted with one of the officers there whom he -had met earlier on his visit in the gig. They had a spirited -confidential talk. - -Ralph was on railroad business now, pure and simple, for he was acting -in accordance with Road Detective Matthewson's instructions and on the -strength of his written authority. - -"I ran catch a Midland Central train west to Osego in about an hour," he -planned, as he left the police station and walked towards the depot. -"There's a ten-mile cut across country on foot to Springfield, and then -I am headed for Stanley Junction by daylight." - -Ralph boarded the train at Springfield at about six o'clock in the -morning. His pass from Matthewson won him a comfortable seat in the -chair car, and he had a sound, refreshing nap by the time the 10.15 -rolled into Stanley Junction. - -Griscom had this run, but Ralph did not make his presence known to his -sturdy engineer friend. He left the train at a crossing near home, and -was soon seated at the kitchen table doing ample justice to a meal -hurriedly prepared for him by his delighted mother. - -Almost her first solicitous inquiry was for Van. - -"Van is well and happy, mother," Ralph Answered. "Grateful, too. And, -mother, he remembers 'the dear lady who sung the sweet songs.'" - -"Ralph, do you mean," exclaimed Mrs. Fairbanks tremulously--"do you mean -his mind has come back to him?" - -"Yes, mother." - -"Oh, God be praised!" murmured the widow, the tears of joy streaming -down her beaming face, lifted in humble thankfulness to heaven. - -Then Ralph hurriedly went over the details and results of his trip with -Van Sherwin. - -Later he spent half an hour at a careful toilet, and just as the town -clock announced the noon hour Ralph walked into the law office of Jerome -Black. - -Mr. Black was a well-known attorney of Stanley Junction. He was an -austere, highly efficient man in his line, had a good general record, -and all Ralph had against him was that he was Gasper Farrington's -lawyer. - -It was upon this account that Ralph had decided to call upon him. All -the way to the attorney's office Ralph had reflected seriously over what -he would say and do. - -The lawyer nodded curtly to Ralph as he came into his presence. He knew -the youth by sight, knew nothing against him, and because of this had -granted him an audience, supposing Ralph wanted his help in securing him -work, or something of that kind. - -But the leading lawyer of Stanley Junction was never so astonished in -his life as now, when Ralph promptly, clearly and in a business-like -manner outlined the object of his visit. - -"Mr. Black," Ralph said, "I know you are the lawyer of Mr. Gasper -Farrington. I also know you to have the reputation of being an exact -and honorable business man. I do not know the ethics of your -profession, I do not know how you will treat some information I am about -to impart to you, but I feel that you will in any case treat an honest -working boy, looking only for his rights, fairly and squarely." - -"Why, thank you, Fairbanks," acknowledged Black, looking very much -mystified at this strange preface--"but what are you driving at?" - -Then Ralph told him. He did not tell him all--there was no occasion to -do so. He simply said that he could produce evidence that Gasper -Farrington had treated his dead father in a most dishonorable manner, -and that, further, he could produce a sworn affidavit showing that the -mortgage on his mother's homestead was in reality only a deed of trust. - -The lawyer's brows knitted as Ralph told his story. He could not fail -to be impressed at Ralph's straightforwardness. When Ralph had -concluded he said briefly: - -"Fairbanks, you are an earnest, truthful boy, and I respect you for it. -What you tell me is my client's personal business, not mine. But I see -plainly that he must adopt some action to avoid a scandal. Your grounds -seem well taken, and I am pleased that you came to me instead of making -public what can do you no good, and might do Mr. Farrington considerable -harm. What do you want?" - -"Simply two things--they are my right. After that let Mr. Farrington -leave us alone, and we will not disturb him." - -"What are those two things?" inquired the lawyer. - -"The cancellation of the mortgage on my mother's home, and the alleged -forged note upon which Mr. Farrington bases a criminal charge against -one Farwell Gibson." - -"Why!" exclaimed the lawyer, very much amazed. "What has Farwell Gibson -got to do with this matter?" - -"Mr. Black," replied Ralph, "I can not tell you that. You have my -terms. Mr. Farrington is a bad man. He can make some restitution by -giving me those two documents. That ends it, so far as we are -concerned." - -"And if he does not agree to your terms?" insinuated the lawyer. - -"I shall go to some other lawyer at once, and expose him publicly," said -Ralph. - -Mr. Black reflected for some moments. Then he arose, took up his hat, -and said: - -"Remain here till I return, Fairbanks. Mr. Farrington has been sick for -some days----" - -"I should think he would be!" murmured Ralph, to himself. - -"But this is an important matter, and can not brook delay. I will see -him at once." - -Ralph had to wait nearly an hour. When the lawyer returned he closed -the office door and faced his visitor seriously. - -"Fairbanks," he said, "I have faith in your honor, or I would never -advise my client to do as he has done. You are sure you control this -matter sufficiently to prevent any further trouble being made for Mr. -Farrington, or any unnecessary publicity of this affair?" - -"Yes," assented Ralph pointedly--"unless I ever find out that we have -any just claim to the twenty thousand dollars in railroad bonds which -once belonged to my father." - -"I fancy that is a dead issue," said the lawyer, with a dry smile. "Very -well, there are your papers." - -He handed Ralph an unsealed envelope. Ralph glanced inside. - -Gasper Farrington had been forced to swallow a bitter dose of -humiliation and defeat. - -The inclosures were the Farwell Gibson forged note, and a deed of -release which gave to Ralph's mother her homestead, free and clear. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV--CONCLUSION - - -Ralph stepped across the turntable entrance to the roundhouse at Stanley -Junction just as the one o'clock whistles were blowing. - -It was like coming home again. Limpy, shining up a locomotive -headlight, gave a croak of welcome, jumped down from the pilot, and -slapped his greasy, blackened hand into that of his young favorite with -genuine fervor. - -The engineers, firemen and extras in the dog house called out the usual -variety of cheery chaff, but all pleasant and interested. - -"This is a great place to find friends!" smiled Ralph, and then hurried -his steps, for the roundhouse foreman at that moment appeared at the -door of his little office. - -"This way, Fairbanks," he hailed, quite eagerly. "Well," as he ushered -Ralph into the grimy sanctum, "back again, I see?" - -"Yes, Mr. Forgan," answered Ralph, "and glad to be here." - -"What news?" - -"About the stolen plunder," began Ralph. - -"Of course. That's the one considerable freight on my mind, just at -present," acknowledged the foreman, with an anxious sigh. "We show a -mortgage on our inventory, and a big railroad system don't take kindly -to that sort of thing, you know." - -"Very well, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph brightly, "you can change your -inventory." - -"What! you don't mean----" - -"I have found the wagon load of brass fittings," answered Ralph. "They -are in safe charge at the present time, subject to your order. Here is -my report to the special agent, Mr. Matthewson, and I guess, Mr. Forgan, -I'm out of a job again, for I don't see anything further in sight." - -"Fairbanks, you're a trump!" shouted the delighted foreman, slapping the -young railroader vigorously on the shoulder. "You've saved me some -uneasiness, I can tell you! That your report?" with a glance at a -neatly-directed envelope Ralph had produced. "Come with me. We want to -catch Matthewson before he gets away. He's going down to Springfield -this afternoon--on your business, too." - -"On my business?" repeated Ralph. "That sounds like a good omen." - -"Don't you worry about omens, my young friend!" chuckled the foreman. -"You've about won your spurs, this time. How did you run across that -stolen stuff, when those smart, experienced specials never got a sniff -of it?" - -"Quite by accident," replied Ralph. "I found Ike Slump. As near as I -can figure it out, he and his tramp friend had a breakdown near Dover. -The tramp appears to have got discouraged or frightened, cut away with -Cohen's horses, sold them and decamped, leaving Ike in the lurch. Ike -got the wagonload over into a ravine to hide it till he could raft the -stuff to a distance, and dispose of it and disappear, too. I nipped his -scheme just in time." - -Matthewson appeared as glad to see Ralph as Forgan had been. He -expressed the liveliest satisfaction at the contents of the report Ralph -handed to him. - -"I think this will be a final spoke in the wheel of Mr. Inspector -Bardon," he said significantly. "Hope you attended to your writing and -spelling in this report, Fairbanks?" - -"Why so?" inquired Ralph. - -"Because the president of the Great Northern is likely to see it before -nightfall," announced Matthewson, with a grim chuckle. - -The foreman and Ralph returned to the roundhouse. After a while Big -Denny came in, full of animation and welcome. Ralph learned that Mrs. -Slump was better, but hers was a sad household. The parents had about -given up ever redeeming their scapegrace son from his evil ways, and the -stricken mother insisted to her husband that they would never know good -luck again until he gave up selling strong drink. - -With a promise to come up to his house and see little Nora, "who so -prettily says her prayers for you every night," Forgan told Ralph, the -foreman allowed his friend to go home late in the afternoon. - -That was a quiet, happy evening at the Fairbanks homestead. - -It seemed to mother and son as though after a brave, patient struggle -they had reached some sublime height, from which they could look back -over all difficulties overcome, and forward to golden promises for the -future. - -Ralph valued the friends he had made in the railroad service and also -the experience he had gained. - -There had been ups and downs. There was hard work ahead. But, brighter -than ever, shone the clear star of ambition at the top of the ladder of -the railroad career. - -Ralph felt that he was in the hands of his friends, and could afford to -await their exertions in his behalf. - -The next day he was returning from a stroll, turning over in his mind a -plan to learn Matthewson's decision as to what, if anything, the company -wanted done with Ike Slump, and to make a visit to Farwell Gibson with -the joyful news that would make him a free man, when nearing home, Ralph -hurried his steps at the sounds of animated conversation within the -cottage. - -In the cozy little parlor sat his mother, and on a stool at her feet was -Van. His bright, ingenuous face was aglow with happiness, and he was -chatting away to a loving, interested listener merry as a magpie. - -"Hello, there, Van Sherwin!" challenged Ralph, in mock severity. "I -can't have any prodigal son pushing me out of my place this way!" - -"I have two boys now," said Mrs. Fairbanks, with a proud smile, as the -two manly young fellows joined hands in a brotherly welcome. - -"What brings you here?" was Ralph's first query. - -"Slump, mainly," answered Van. - -"What about him?" - -"Sloped, bag and baggage--and some of Mr. Gibson's baggage to boot. He -played it pretty fine on Mr. Gibson, who allowed him more liberty than -he deserved. Yes, Ike cut out last night, and we thought you ought to -know about it at once." - -"That's right," nodded Ralph. "However, maybe it is better he should -drop out of the affair in just that way. It will save trouble and -complications. He may sometime see the errors of his ways, and turn -over a new leaf." - -"I doubt it," dissented Van. "I think he's an all-around bad one. What -about Mr. Gibson's business, if I may ask? He's terribly anxious." - -"Nothing but good news," answered Ralph heartily. "Mr. Gibson is free -to introduce the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad to the great -traveling public just as soon as he likes, now." - -"Bet you he'll have it running inside of a year!" predicted the -exuberant Van. "Bet you in two I'm a first-class, bang-up locomotive -engineer, and you're master mechanic of the road!" - -"That's a far look into the future, Van," said Ralph, with an indulgent -smile. "Just now, I'm getting restless for work of 'most any kind--I -wish they would put me back in the roundhouse." - -There was a vigorous knock at the front door of the cottage at that -moment. - -Mrs. Fairbanks answered the summons. She reentered the parlor holding -an envelope in one hand. - -"A telegram," she announced. - -"For me?" questioned Ralph, as she extended it towards him. - -"For you, Ralph." - -It was the first telegram Ralph Fairbanks had ever received, and, his -mind on a working strain already, he looked conscious and expectant as -he opened it. - -The telegram was dated at Springfield, the headquarters of the road. - -It was signed: "James Blake, Master Mechanic." - -At a glance Ralph comprehended that the mission of his friend, -Matthewson, had been successful. - -"The first step up the ladder!" he said, with shining eyes, to his -mother and Van. - -The telegram read: - -"Ralph Fairbanks will report Monday morning at the roundhouse, Stanley -Junction, for duty as a regularly appointed switch towerman on the Great -Northern Railroad." - - THE END - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39050 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may -use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative -works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and -printed and given away - you may do practically _anything_ with public -domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, -especially commercial redistribution. - - - -The Full Project Gutenberg License - - -_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ - -To protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or -any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License available with this file or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works - - -*1.A.* By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the -terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all -copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in your possession. If -you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -*1.B.* "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things -that you can do with most Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works even -without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph -1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -*1.C.* The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of -Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works. Nearly all the individual works -in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you -from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating -derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project -Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the -Project Gutenberg(tm) mission of promoting free access to electronic -works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg(tm) works in compliance with -the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg(tm) name -associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this -agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full -Project Gutenberg(tm) License when you share it without charge with -others. - -*1.D.* The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg(tm) work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -*1.E.* Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -*1.E.1.* The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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 http://www.gutenberg.org - -*1.E.2.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating -that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can -be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying -any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a -work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on -the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs -1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -*1.E.3.* If an individual Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic work is -posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and -distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and -any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg(tm) License for all works posted -with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of -this work. - -*1.E.4.* Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project -Gutenberg(tm) License terms from this work, or any files containing a -part of this work or any other work associated with Project -Gutenberg(tm). - -*1.E.5.* Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) License. - -*1.E.6.* You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg(tm) work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg(tm) web site -(http://www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or -expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a -means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include -the full Project Gutenberg(tm) License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -*1.E.7.* Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg(tm) works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -*1.E.8.* You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works -provided that - - - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg(tm) works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - - - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg(tm) - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) - works. - - - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - - - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) works. - - -*1.E.9.* If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg(tm) trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3. below. - -*1.F.* - -*1.F.1.* Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection. -Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, and the -medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but -not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription -errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a -defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -*1.F.2.* LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg(tm) trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg(tm) electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. -YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, -BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN -PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND -ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR -ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES -EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. - -*1.F.3.* LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -*1.F.4.* Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -*1.F.5.* Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -*1.F.6.* INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg(tm) -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg(tm) work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg(tm) - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg(tm)'s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg(tm) collection will remain -freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and -permanent future for Project Gutenberg(tm) and future generations. To -learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and -how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the -Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org . - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state -of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue -Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is -64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf . Contributions to the -Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the -full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. -S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page -at http://www.pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - - -Project Gutenberg(tm) depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where -we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any -statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside -the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways -including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, -please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic -works. - - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg(tm) -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg(tm) eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg(tm) eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless -a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg(tm), -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/39050.zip b/39050.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 037e1aa..0000000 --- a/39050.zip +++ /dev/null |
