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The latter stood watching the industrious Darry with owl-like solemnity. Finally the latter handed a duplicate receipt and a copy of the entry to Stuart. "Will you officially attest to the correctness of these, Mr.--Ah, Mr. Agent?" propounded Stuart. "Sure," answered Bart with an off-handed alacrity that was distressin...
"Ah, Mr.--Representative, would you kindly inform me for what purpose you want these transcripts?" "They form the basis of a criminal prosecution," announced young Stuart in a tone positively sepulchral. "So?" murmured the young express agent smoothly. "In that case, let me suggest that you also take a copy of this doc...
Stuart adjusted his eyeglass and superciliously regarded the document. Then he turned and gasped: "What--what is this?" he spluttered. "A receipt for the delivery of the basis of your criminal prosecution," said Bart simply. "Mrs. Colonel Harrington's trunk is safe and sound on its way to its destination." "Hurrah!" ir...
CHAPTER XXII BART STIRLING, AUCTIONEER It was "busy times" at the little express office at Pleasantville. Bart had made home and lunch in half the noon hour, and entered upon a renewal of his duties with a brisk hail to his subordinates and assistants, Darry and Bob Haven.
On that especial day the services of both had been required. They had arranged to give their full time, and Bart noted that never were there more industrious and enthusiastic colleagues. There was the sound of active hammering as Bart entered the office, which Darry suspended long enough to remark: "How's that for the ...
A dozen rough benches filled in half the space. Its other half, also railed off, held a heap of packages, bundles, boxes, barrels, a mass of heterogeneous plunder, packed up neatly, and convenient for handling. Beside it was a raised platform, and this in turn held a rough board table on which lay a home-made gavel, an...
The various small offices in the division had sent in their uncalled for express matter, and this was now grouped under the present roof. Mr. Haven, an ex-editor, had written up a good "puff" for a local paper, inserted gratis an exciting comment and anticipation in reference to the impending sale, and Darry and Bob ha...
Bart received a letter from Mr. Leslie the next day, requiring a circumstantial report of the stolen trunk. He answered this and received a prompt reply, directing him thereafter to always report such happenings at once, but his zeal and shrewdness were heartily commended, and a check for twenty-five dollars for extra ...
Bart had replied to this letter, wondering what mystery could possibly connect this homeless vagabond and the great ruling magnate of Pleasantville. "Now then, my friends," said Bart briskly, as he saw to it that everything was in order for the sale, "the motto for the hour is quick action and cash on delivery!" About ...
At three o'clock prompt, as advertised, Bart ascended the little platform and took up the gavel. Just then he nodded at a newcomer who entered the doorway and quietly took a seat. It was Mr. Baker. Bart was more pleased than surprised to see him. He had anticipated his arrival the last two days. Bart tapped the table t...
Then he looked again at the doorway, and this time with vivid interest. He saw Lem Wacker shuffle into view, glance keenly around, fix his eye on Baker, and steal into the room and sit down directly behind that mysterious individual. CHAPTER XXIII "GOING, GOING, GONE!"
Bart made a first-class auctioneer--everybody said so after the sale was over, and the pleased grins and the good-natured attention of his audience assured the young novice of this as he concluded the introductory speech. He had prepared a simple, witty preface to actual business, telling many truths of people who had ...
"Shipped to William Brothers, Ross Junction," announced Bart, reading the tag, "not found. Come, gentlemen! what am I bid for lot 1129?" "What's in it?" inquired a big farmer sitting near the front. "You will have to guess that," answered Bart pleasantly. "Ah! some kind of liquid, I should imagine," and he shook the bo...
"The charges are eighty-five," explained Bart--"can't start it any lower." A blear-eyed, unsteady individual, whom Bart recognized as a member of the Sharp Corner contingent, advanced to the table. He was thirsty-looking and eager as he poked at the box and tried to peer into it. "A demijohn!" he muttered, his mouth wa...
"Eighty-five--eighty-five!" repeated Bart. "Ninety," said the farmer. "Dollar!" mumbled the thirsty-looking man. "Do I hear any more?" challenged Bart, gavel suspended, "once, twice, and sold to--cash."
The inebriate paid his money, chuckled and took the box to one side, hugging it like a pet child, reached over and picked up the hatchet from inside the railing, and pried open the corner of the box. A gleesome roar of merriment interrupted Bart as he called out the second lot. The inebriate stood disgustedly looking d...
Another roar went up from the crowd as she eagerly inspected her purchase. It turned out to be a man's silk hat. She looked spiteful enough to throw it out of the window, but her husband, laughing at her, doffed his worn straw, coolly put on the elaborate headgear, and became thenceforward a target for the quips of the...
One fuming, perspiring man, looking too fat to ever get cool, found the prize he had drawn was a moth-eaten fur overcoat. Peter Grimm, notoriously the stingiest man in Pleasantville, who raised the sourest apples in the town and spent most of his time watching the boys and picking up what fruit rolled outside of the fe...
Suddenly a sharp click echoed out, followed by a frightful yell. Grimm sprang to his feet, jumping quickly about and swinging one arm wildly through the air, the parcel dangling from it like a bulldog hanging on to a coat tail. "Murder!" he screamed. "Take it off! take it off!" Bart had to step down to the rescue. Pete...
The pile of unclaimed stuff diminished rapidly. The various purchases were productive of all kinds of fun. Tom Partridge, the colored porter at the hotel, got a case of face powder, and an exquisite traveling man for a lace house drew a pair of rubber boots that would fit a giant. One man disclosed his purchase to be a...
Some, however, were more fortunate. Bart encouraged and hurried the bidding on a large crate, the contents of which he easily guessed, as did also Tim Hager, the crippled son of a poor widow. Tim got it for two dollars and twenty-five cents, and it turned out to hold a first-class sewing machine. "Your attention for a ...
"Good! let's have a sample," demanded Stebbings. "Can I examine? Ah, thanks." The crowd passed from hand to hand a small well-wrapped package. "Watch!" hoarsely whispered someone. "Feels like it!" said a second.
Stebbings bid the lot up to four dollars and got it. There was more fun as he unrolled the numerous wrappings of the package to disclose a small metal disc used in a threshing machine. One purchaser got a gold pen, another a very pretty stick pin. Lem Wacker had not engaged in the general commotion. He had retained his...
Finally, however, Wacker put up his forefinger as Bart was bidding off a thin wooden box about four inches square. "Sender: Novelty Jewelry Company, no address," read Bart, "shipped to James Barclay, Millville--not found. This is a promising-looking package. Gentlemen, what am I bid?" Lem Wacker seemed to have some spa...
"Number 529," announced Bart a few minutes later--"the last package, gentlemen!" The crowd was dispersing, Darry was counting up the heap of bank notes and coin in the cash box, Bob was gloating and wild with delight as uncovering his purchase he brought to light a new bicycle. The package Bart tendered was thin and fl...
"Hoo! S--s--say!" Bart experienced something of a shock. The familiar cry of the ex-roustabout, Mr. Baker, rang out sharp and sudden. Glancing at him, Bart saw that he had arisen to his feet.
His face was bloodless and twitching, his whole frame a-quake. His eyes were snapping wildly. He was like a man who could hardly speak or stand, and fairly on the verge of a fit. A wavering finger he pointed at the young auctioneer, and gasped out. "One dollar--two--three!" CHAPTER XXIV
MR. BAKER'S BID The attitude, actions and announcement of the mysterious Mr. Baker filled Bart Stirling with profound surprise and wonderment. The young express agent well knew the erratic temperment of his singular friend, but Baker had been so placid and natural up to the present moment, and this excitable outburst w...
Lem Wacker had also arisen to his feet. Bart noticed him intently studying Baker, sidling up to him and sinking to the bench directly next to him. There was a suspiciousness in the action that enhanced Bart's interest and curiosity, but he preserved his composure. "Three dollars, did you say?" he inquired, in an insinu...
"I am bid--" "Four." Bart looked fixedly at Lem Wacker, for it was he who had spoken. Darry Haven dropped the cover of the cash box, and also stared at Wacker. There was something suggestive in the sensation of the moment. Lem Wacker's face was as bold as brass. He was dressed pretty well and looked prosperous, and the...
Baker did not even look at the rival bidder. His very soul seemed centered on the package in Bart's hand. "Five," he uttered with an effort--"six, seven!" "Eight," said Wacker calmly, striking a cigarette between his lips. "Ten."
"Twelve." Baker was silent. A frightful spasm crossed his face. He swayed from side to side. Then, grasping at the bench rails to steady himself, he came up to the platform. "Stirling!" he panted hoarsely, "I have no more money, but I must--must have that package! Lend me--" "Whatever you wish," answered Bart promptly....
"Fifteen dollars!" said Baker. Lem Wacker jumped to his feet, excited. He shot a hand into a pocket, drew it out again holding a pocketbook, ran over its contents, and shouted! "Sixteen dollars!" "Twenty!" cried Baker.
"I am offered twenty dollars," said Bart, outwardly cool as a cucumber, inwardly greatly perturbed over the incident in hand, and hastening to close it in favor of a friend. "Twenty dollars once, twenty dollars twice--" "Stop!" yelled Lem Wacker. "Do you bid more?" asked Bart. "I--I do!"
"How much?" "Double--treble--if I have to!" retorted Wacker. "Only I want you to wait until I can get the cash. I have only sixteen dollars with me--I can get a hundred and sixty in two minutes, I--" "Terms strictly cash," said Bart simply. "Going, going, at twenty dollars--" "Hold on! Don't you dare!" raved Wacker, sw...
"Twenty dollars--gone!" sung out Bart in the same business tone, "and sold to--cash." With a sigh of relief and weakness Baker swayed sideways to a bench, first extending to Darry Haven with a shaking hand a little roll of bills. "Charge me with the balance," said Bart quickly to his assistant, in a low tone. "You've n...
Lem Wacker was getting abusive. He pranced about like a mad bull. A heavy hand dropped suddenly on his collar, McCarthy, the watchman, gave him a shove towards the door. "No talk of that kind allowed here," he remarked grimly. "Get out, or I'll fire you out!" As Wacker disappeared through the doorway, Bart leaned from ...
"Here is your package, Mr. Baker," he said. "What is the trouble--are you ill?" Baker struggled to his feet. He was in a pitiable state of agitation and nervousness. "No! no!" he panted, "you keep the package--for a time. Till--till I explain. I've got it! I've got it at last!" he quavered in an exultant tone. "Air--I'...
Bart started to follow him. Just then, however, one of the recent bidders came up to ask some question about a purchase which required that Bart consult the record book. When he had disposed of the matter, Bart hurried to the outside. Baker was nowhere in sight. CHAPTER XXV A NIGHT MESSAGE
The crowd had melted away, Bob Haven was totally engrossed with the magnificent prize he had drawn, and Darry was busily engaged in closing up the records of the sale. Bart was thoroughly mystified at the strange conduct of Baker, and very much disappointed at not finding him, now that he sought the mysterious man. McC...
There was the usual grist of store packages, which Darry attended to, and several special envelopes. These Bart placed in the safe along with the proceeds of the day derived from the sale, barely glancing over the duplicate receipt he had signed for the messenger. He noticed that two of the specials were for the local ...
"You can go home, then," directed Bart. "Pretty tired, eh? A big day's work, this." "Say, Bart," spoke up Darry, as he dallied at the door, "who was the fellow that bought that last package?" "A friend of mine, Darry," answered Bart seriously. "And I am worried about him. He is the man I told you about who helped me sa...
"He had the idea he could bulldoze me," said Bart bluntly, "and found he couldn't. What bothers me is, why were both of them so anxious to get this package?" Bart took it out of his pocket as he spoke, nodded good night to Darry, and sat down on a bench, turning the parcel over and over in his hand. "A.A. Adams," he re...
Bart visited all of Baker's old familiar haunts in the freight yards, but found no trace of him. Then he called at the Sharp Corner. Its proprietor claimed that Lem Wacker had not been there since noon. Bart spoke to two of the yards night watchmen. He described Baker, and requested them to speak to him if they ran acr...
"Anything wrong?" he inquired, as Bart folded up the letter and placed it in his pocket. "Not with me, anyway," replied Bart with a smile. "There is something wrong at Cardysville, a hundred miles or so down the main line," he went on. "And how does that interest you, Bart?" "Why, it seems I have got to go down there o...
"To-day?" "The sooner the better, that letter says. It is from the inspector. It is quite flattering to me, for he starts out with complimenting the excellent business system this office has always sustained." "H'm!" chuckled Darry--"any mention of your valued extra help?" "No, but that may come along, for you have got...
"Is that so?" said Darry. "Well, I guess I can arrange." "You see," explained Bart, "the letter is a sort of confidential one. Reading between the lines, I assume that a certain Peter Pope, now express agent at Cardysville, and evidently recently appointed, is a relative of one of the officials of the company. Anyway, ...
"Why, Bart," exclaimed Darry, "they have promoted you!" "I don't see it, Darry." "That's traveling auditor's work. Besides, a delicate and confidential mission for an official. Wake up! you've struck a higher rung on the ladder, and I'll wager they'll boost you fast." "Nonsense, Darry, I happen to be handy and accommod...
All the same, Bart felt very much pleased over this unexpected communication. He blessed his lucky stars that he had such a bright and dependable substitute at hand as Darry Haven. The latter soon made his school and home arrangements, and Bart left affairs in his hands about ten o'clock, catching the train west after ...
As he drew near to the express shed, Bart noticed an old armchair out on its platform. A very stout man in his shirt sleeves sat in this, smoking a pipe. He got up and waddled around restlessly. Bart noticed that he approached the door of the express office on tiptoe. He acted scared, for, bending his ear to listen, he...
"Hello!" jerked out the Cardysville express agent. "Sort of startled me." "Are you Mr. Pope?" inquired Bart. "Yes, that's me," assented the other. "Stranger here? looking for me?" "I am," answered Bart. "My name is Stirling. I work at the express office at Pleasantville."
"Oh, yes, I've heard of you," said Peter Pope. "The express inspector wrote me about you. He said you was a young kid, sort of green in the business, who might drop in on me to get some points on the business." "Quite so," nodded Bart with a side smile, "catching on," as the phrase goes, and at once falling in with the...
"Sure. Come in--no, that is, I'll bring out a chair. I keep only one record. I've got this business simplified down to a lead pencil and a scratch book, see?" Bart did "see," and knew that the express inspector had "seen," also. He wondered why Pope did not take him into the office. He marveled still more as, watching ...
"Matter!" gasped Pope, his eyes rolling, as he backed away from the doorway, "say, that place is haunted!" "What place?" "The express room. I've been worried for an hour. It's nigh tuckered me out." "What has?" inquired Bart
"Groans, hisses, rustlings. I thought a while back that someone was hiding in among the express stuff, and trying to scare me. 'Taint so, though. I went among it, and there's no place for anybody to hide." "Oh, pshaw!" said Bart reassuringly, "you are only nervous, Mr. Pope. It's some live freight, likely. Can I take a...
"I haven't," declared Peter Pope, "but every business man has his rivals, of course. I've heard that those city chaps have an eye on any fellow that makes a record like I'm making here. They don't want to see him get ahead. They must guess that I'm in line for a big promotion, and that might worry them into playing som...
Bart went over to a heap of express matter, come in just that morning. There were several small crates, a box or two, and a very large trunk. Bart centered his attention on this latter. He stooped down as his quick eye observed a row of holes at one end, just under the hauling strap. "Quiet, for a minute," he whispered...
"Gracious!" gasped Peter Pope. Bart himself was a trifle startled. As the trunk cover lifted, a man stepped out. CHAPTER XXVI
ON THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS "Air--and water!" panted the mysterious occupant of the trunk. Bart looked him over in some wonder. He was a short, wiry man, and arrayed in a close-fitting costume resembling that of the circus athlete on duty. The man was drenched with perspiration and so nearly exhausted with his suffocating ...
He was weak, too. As he stepped over the side of the trunk he staggered feebly. Then, making out an open window and a pail of drinking water on a bench near it, he made a swift dive in that direction. First the man stuck his head out of the window and drew in great draughts of pure, fresh air. Then he seized the tin cu...
As he spoke he went back to the trunk. He took out a long gossamer rain coat that had been used as a pillow. This he proceeded to put on. It came to his feet. He buttoned it up, drew a jaunty crush cap from one of its pockets, and grinned pleasantly into the face of the petrified Peter Pope. "See here!" blurted out the...
He glanced into the trunk. Its bottom seemed covered with some coarse burlap. Professor Rigoletto threw shut the cover. "Aha!" he said suddenly, bending his ear as a strain of distant circus music floated on the air. "Show on, I'll be late. I'll call later--" "No, you don't!" interrupted Pope, recovering from his frigh...
"Deadhead--beat the express company. You're one trunk--and excess weight." "I don't dispute it. What, then?" "Pay," promptly and definitely announced the agent. "Can't. Haven't a cent. That's why I had to get a friend to ship me this way. But he said he'd wire ahead to my partner with the circus, who would call for me ...
"You don't leave here until those charges are paid. You want to be rapid, too," declared Pope, "or I'll see if the railroad company don't want to collect fare, as well." "Want to keep me here, eh?" murmured the Professor thoughtfully. "Well, I'm agreeable, only you'll have to feed and bed me. If I'm live stock, I deman...
"Oh," smiled Bart, "I guess you had better trust him to find his friend and come back with the money." "I'll hold the trunk, anyway," observed Pope. "What have you got in it? Some old worthless togs, I suppose." "Mistake--about a thousand dollars in value," coolly retorted the Professor. "Yes, you have! I thought so. S...
"Careful, my friend!" spoke the deadhead sharply. "There's nothing there that you will care to see." "Isn't there? I'll investigate, just the same," declared Pope, throwing back the trunk cover and delving in the heap of burlap. "Murder! Help!" Peter Pope uttered a fearful yell. He backed from the trunk suddenly, A sin...
"Prt! prt! Caesar, so--so!" spoke Professor Rigoletto in a peculiar, purring tone, approaching the serpent. He coaxed and forced the big snake back into its warm coverings, and shut down the trunk cover and clasped it. Bart, highly edified at the unique incident, followed him outside. "I'm the Cingalese snake-charmer,"...
"Sure, I will," answered the Professor with alacrity, "and I promise you that I will bring or send you the express charges by the time the show is over." Professor Rigoletto dragged the trunk to the platform. It was not a heavy burden, now. Bart good-humoredly assisted him in getting it balanced properly on his shoulde...
He let Peter Pope imagine that he was the originator of every idea that he, Bart himself, suggested. He very deftly introduced the system in vogue at the Pleasantville express office. In fact, at the end of two hours Bart had accomplished all he had been sent to do. He had got Pope's records into sensible shape, had op...
The latter ascertained the express charges on the trunk, paid them, and handed both Bart and Pope a free ticket to the evening's entertainment. Bart took a stroll by himself, got his supper at a neat little restaurant, and met Pope as agreed at the door of the main show tent at seven o'clock. They were given good seats...
As they walked up and down the platform, a horse and wagon drove up to the little express shed. Pope went over to it. Bart accompanied him. The driver of the wagon was a brisk, smart-looking farmery individual. Pope knew him, and nodded to him in a friendly fashion. "Come after something?" inquired the agent "I don't r...
He indicated six boxes lying in his wagon, covered with gauze. "Bother!" said Pope, a little crossly. "That's no midnight job. Why don't you come in the daytime, Mr. Simms? You just caught me here by chance, at this outlandish hour." "Particular shipment," explained Simms, "and I've got to catch the trains just right. ...
"You see," continued the farmer, "if they handle them carefully at Pleasantville, and see that they catch the early express to the city from there, someone will be waiting to take them in charge at the terminus. I'd be awful glad to tip the messenger handsomely to have someone at Pleasantville, where they transfer the ...
"Thank you, thank you," said the farmer heartily. As the train whistled in the distance, he came up to Bart and slipped a bank note in his hand. Bart demurred, but it was no use. He found himself two dollars richer for his accommodating proposition. As the train drew up, Peter Pope rapped at the door of the express car...
When Bart got home he was more than tired out. But he had done well and in the end got full praise for his work. A day passed, and Bart failed to find Baker. He hunted everywhere and kept up the search until he knew not where to look further. Bart went home. He had scarcely reached his bedroom when there was a vigorous...
"A telegram, Bart," said his mother, at the bottom of the stairs. She had receipted for it. Bart tore it open wonderingly, glancing first at the signature, and marveling at its unusual length. It was signed by Robert Leslie, superintendent of the express company, at the city end of the line. This is what it said: "Spec...
Bart read the telegram over twice, taking in its important details, with a serious face. "Fifteen thousand dollars!" he repeated. "It has saved me some worry that I did not discover the amount before. As to the delivery, that is easy. I've got over two hours yet. I see what it is. Martin & Company probably want to thro...
"Hello!" he forcibly ejaculated, as it flashed by him, the corner street lamp irradiating its interior brightly--"there's queer company for you!" The remark was warranted. The occupants of the vehicle were Colonel Jeptha Harrington and Lem Wacker. CHAPTER XXVII LATE VISITORS
The little express office was dark and lonely-looking when Bart again reached it. Bart unlocked the office door, shot the inside bolt carefully after him, lighted the lantern, placed it on the desk, and opened the safe. As he selected the big brown envelope marked "Martin & Company," and bearing the express company's s...
He took out a revolver. Mr. Leslie himself had advised him to always have one handy in the express office. Bart had never touched the weapon before. It had been loaned him by Mr. Haven, and Darry had brought it to the office. Bart slipped it now into a side pocket. He noticed in detail the entry on the messenger's slip...
Bart was now ready to sally forth on his peculiar errand, and had fully decided in his mind the persons he would get to act as his witnesses. "What is that!" he questioned, suddenly and sharply. He could hear a springy vehicle bound over the near tracks, and then its wheels cut the loose cindered road leading up to the...
Bart stood stock-still, wondering and guessing. Footsteps sounded on the platform. There came a thundering thump as of a heavy cane on the office door. "Who is there?" demanded Bart. "Colonel Harrington. I've got to see you." "Come in," Bart said, unbolting the door.
Colonel Harrington was red of face and fussy of manner. He threw the door shut with his foot, and sank to a bench, breathing heavily. "Was there something you wanted to say to me, Colonel Harrington?" inquired Bart. "Yes there was!" snapped out the rich man of Pleasantville. "Anxious to see you! Just drove up to your h...
"It wasn't enough," stumbled on the colonel. "I am now going to make it a thousand." "Why, what for, Colonel Harrington?" demanded Bart in surprise. "Because you can earn it." "How?"
"Shall I be blunt and plain?" "It is always the best way." "Very well, then," resumed the colonel desperately. "A certain unclaimed express package was sold here to-day, marked A.A. Adams. You've got it." "How do you know that?"
"Oh, you know it and I want it. Hand it over, and here"--the colonel made a dive for his pocketbook--"here's your thousand dollars." Bart made a signal of remonstrance with his hand, his face grave and decided. "Stop right there, Colonel Harrington," he said forcibly. "Are you aware that you are offering a bribe to a b...
"Until you do, I obey official instructions," announced Bart. "Please do not degrade yourself and embarrass me, Colonel Harrington, by saying anything further on this score. I will not sell my honor, nor swerve a hair's breadth from a line of duty plain and clear. The package you refer to was legally purchased by the h...
"Say!" shot out the colonel eagerly, his eye brightening, "if I bring an order from that same person, will you give up the package?" Bart hesitated. "You know where he is, then?" he inquired suspiciously. "I--I might find him," stammered the military man.
"I do not think I would," said Bart. "Bring him here personally, and I will hand it over to him--in your presence, if he says so." The colonel groaned again. It was plainly to be seen that he was in an intense inward frenzy. "Stirling, you've got to give me that package!" he cried, springing to his feet and lifting his...
"Be careful, Colonel Harrington! you are pretty near committing a criminal offense." "You're in the plot--you know all about it! Give up that package, or--or--" "Colonel Harrington," said Bart calmly, but every word ringing out as clear as the tone of a bell, "I am no ruffian, and I hate violence, but if you lift that ...
Just then the door behind him was forcibly thrust open, its edge hitting him violently. Then someone pounced upon him. The attack was sudden and effective. A piece of rope was looped deftly about Bart's arms, holding him helpless, secured behind, and as he was pushed roughly against the desk. Lem Wacker's evil face lee...
"Wacker! Wacker!" gasped Colonel Harrington in affright, "don't--don't hurt him. This is dreadful--" "Shut up!" ordered Lem Wacker recklessly, "you want something and don't know how to get it. I do--and will." He snatched at Bart's tightly-buttoned coat and tore it loose, groped inside and drew out a package. "I've got...
Bart writhed, choked on the loose strangling filaments of cotton, but could not utter a word. "Give me that package!" cried the colonel. "Stop! where are you going?" Lem Wacker had bolted. The colonel stared in marveling astonishment as his cohort sprang through the open doorway. Bart had managed to wad the cotton in h...
CHAPTER XXVIII THIRTY SECONDS OF TWELVE It was an exciting moment. Bart was intently worked up, but he kept his head level. Everything hung on the action of the next two minutes. Whatever price the rich Colonel Harrington was paying Lem Wacker for his coöperation, it was not enough to blind that individual to a realiza...
The latter stood shaking like an aspen, his face the color of chalk. Apparently he took in and believed every word that Bart had spoken. "I'm in a fix--a terrible fix!" he groaned. "This is dreadful--dreadful!" "Mend it, then!" cried Bart. "Quick! if you have one spark of sense or manhood in you. There's a knife--cut t...
"Stay here," called out the young express agent sharply. "I hold you responsible for this office till I return!" He dashed outside like a rocket, scanned the whole roadway expanse, and darted for the freight yards with the speed of the wind. The electric arc lights were sparsely scattered, but there was sufficient illu...
Bart ran as he had never run before. The train cleared the tracks as he reached the spot where Wacker had disappeared. At that moment above the jangling, clumping activity of the yards there arose on the night air one frightful, piercing shriek. Bart halted with a nameless shock, for the utterance was distinctly human ...
Bart ran towards these. Wacker could not have so suddenly disappeared in any other direction. He crossed between bumpers, and glanced eagerly all around. There was no hiding-place nearer than the repair shops, and they were five hundred feet distant. Wacker could not possibly have reached their precincts in the limited...
Its source could not be far distant. Bart ran along the side of the stationary freights. "It is Wacker, sure," he breathed, "for that is the same sound made by the little alarm clock he bought at the sale this afternoon." The last vibrating tintinnabulations of the clock died away as Bart discovered his enemy. Lem Wack...
"Caught." Lem Wacker was clinging to the upright brake rod, and swaying there. His face was bloodless and he was writhing with pain. One foot was clamped tight, a crushed, jellied mass between two bumpers. It seemed that his foot must have slipped just as the forward freights were switched down. This had caused that fr...