 THE YOUNG RAILROADERS, TAILS OF ADVENTURE AND INGINUITY, by Francis Lovell-Coombs. THE YOUNG RAILROADERS, by F. Lovell-Coombs. CHAPTER I. ONE KIND OF WIRELESS. When, after school that afternoon, Alex Ward waved a good-bye to his father, the Bickston station agent for the Middle Western, and set off up the track on the spring's first fishing, he had little thought of exciting experiences ahead of him. Likewise, when two hours later a sudden heavy shower found him in the woods three miles from home, and with but three small fish. It was only with feelings of disappointment that he wound up his line and ran for the shelter of an old log cabin a hundred yards back from the stream. Scarcely had Alex reached the doorway of the deserted house when he was startled by a chorus of excited voices from the rear. He turned quickly to a window, and with a cry sprang back out of sight. Emerging from the woods, excitedly talking and gesticulating, was a party of foreigners who had been working on the track near Bickston, and in their midst, his hands bound behind him was Hennessy, their foreman. For a moment Alex stood rooted to the spot. What did it mean? Suddenly, realizing his own possible danger, he caught up his rod and fish and sprang for the door. On the threshold he sharply halted. In the open he would be seen at once and pursued. He turned and cast a quick glance round the room, the latter to the loft. He darted for it, scrambled up, and drew himself through the opening just as the excited foreigners poured in through the door below. For some moments afraid to move, Alex lay on his back, listening to the hubbub beneath him, and wondering in terror what the trackman intended doing with their prisoner. Then, gathering courage at their continued ignorance of his presence, he cautiously moved back to the opening and peered down. The men were gathered in the center of the room, all talking at once, but he could not see the foreman. As he leaned farther forward, heavy footfalls sounded about the end of the house, and Big Tony, a huge Italian who had recently been discharged from the gang, appeared in the doorway. We put him in the barn. He announced in broken English, for the rest of the gang were Poles. To Marceau he watched him. And now listen, continued the big trackman fiercely, as the rest gathered about him. I didn't tell everything. Besides decent man Hennessy he say cut at a wage, and send for others take your job. He tell it to Big a boss, you know work a good, so to Big a boss he know pay you for all that last month. The ignorantly crudgelous Poles uttered a shout of rage. Several cried, Kill him, kill him! Alex in the loft drew back in terror. No, they're better away than that, said Tony. The men to take your job, come to night on the number twenty. I have a plan. You all know the old track that turn off along the river to the old brickyard. Well, a hundred yards from the main line, the old track she washed away. We will turn the old switch. Number twenty she run on the old track, and swoosh into the river. Run number twenty into the river. Alex almost cried aloud, and he knew the plan would succeed. That, as Big Tony said, a hundred yards from the main line track the old brickyard siding embankment was washed out so that the rails almost hung in the air. Dene we all say, went on Big Tony, we always say Hennessy, he do it. We say we caught a him. See? Again Alex glanced down, and with hope he saw that some of the poles were hesitating. But Tony quickly added, And no one else be killed but at a strike break. No other people's on the number twenty, these a day at night. And the trainmen, they all have plenty of time to jump. Only the men watch, steal your job. He repeated craftily. And with a sinking heart Alex saw that the rest of the easily excitable foreigners had been won. Again he moved back out of sight. Something must be done, if he could only reach the barn and free the foreman. But of course the first thing to do was to make his own escape from the house. He rose on his elbow and glanced about. At the far end of the loft a glimmer of light through a crack seemed to indicate a door. Cautiously Alex rose to his knees and began creeping forward to investigate. When half way, a loud creak of the boards brought him to a halt with his heart in his mouth. But the loud conversation below continued, and heartily thanking the drumming rain on the roof overhead, Alex moved on and finally reached his goal. As he had hoped, it was a small door. Feeling cautiously about he found it to be secured by a hook. When he sought to raise the catch, however, it resisted. Evidently it had not been lifted for many years and had rusted to the staple. Carefully Alex threw his weight upward against it. It still refused to move. He pushed harder and suddenly it gave with a piercing screech. Instantly the talking below ceased and Alex stood rigid, scarcely breathing. Then a voice exclaimed, Up to stare! Quick footsteps crossed the floor towards the ladder, and in a panic of fear Alex threw himself bodily against the door in a mad endeavor to force it. But it still held, and with a thrill of despair he dropped flat to the floor and saw the foreigner's head come above the opening. There however the man paused and turned to gaze about, listening. For a brief space, while only the rain on the roof broke the silence, the foreigner apparently looked directly at the boy on the floor, and Alex's heart seemed literally to stand still. But at last, after what appeared an interminable time, the man again turned and withdrew, and with a sigh of relief Alex heard him say to those below, Only to win, that's all! Waiting until the buzz of conversation had been fully resumed, Alex rose once more to his knees and began a cautious examination of the door. The cause of its refusal to open was soon apparent. The old hinges had given, allowing it to sag and catch against a raised nail head in the cell. Promptly Alex stood upright, grasped one of the cross-pieces, carefully lifted, and in another moment the door swung silently outward. With a glance Alex saw that the way was clear and quickly lowering himself by his hands dropped. Here the rain once more helped him. On the wet, soggy ground he alighted with scarcely a sound. Momentarily however, though he now breathed easily for the first time since he had entered the house, he stood listening. The excited talking inside went on uninterruptedly, and moving to the corner he peered about in the direction of the barn. Leaning in the doorway, smoking, and most fortunately with his back towards the house, was the Italian Tommaso. Beyond doubt the foreman was inside. At the rear of the barn and some hundred feet from where Alex stood was a small cow stable. Alex determined to make an effort to reach it, and see if from there he could not get unseen into the barn itself. The Italian continued to smoke peacefully, and with his eyes constantly on him, Alex stepped forth and set off across the clearing on tiptoe. The guard puffed on, and he neared the stable. Then suddenly the man moved and made as though to turn, but with a bound Alex shot forward on the run, made the remaining distance and was out of view. The rear door of the stable was open. On tiptoe Alex made his way inside. The door leading into the barn also was a jar. With bated breath pausing after each step, Alex went forward, reached it, and peered within. Yes, the foreman was there, a dim figure sitting on the floor a few feet from him. But the outer doorway in which stood the man on guard also was only a few feet away, and at once Alex saw that the problem of reaching the foreman without being discovered was to be a difficult one. Trusting to the now-gathering gloom of the twilight, however, Alex determined to make a try. Opening his knife and holding it in his teeth, he sank to the floor and began slowly worming his way forward flat on his stomach. It was a nerve-trying ordeal. A dozen times he was sure the crackling straw had betrayed him. But pluckly he kept on, inch by inch, and finally was almost within touch of the unsuspecting prisoner. Then very softly he hissed. Sharply, as he had feared, the foreman twisted about. But at the moment, by great good luck, the foreigner at the door turned to knock his pipe against the door-post, and hurriedly Alex whispered, Don't move, Mr. Hannisy. It's Alex Ward. I was in the old house, and saw them bring you up. And, Mr. Hannisy, they planned to, Tony told them they were a strike-breaker supporter to take their places. In spite of himself, the foreman uttered a low exclamation. At once the man in the door turned. But with quick presence of mind, the prisoner changed the exclamation to a loud cough, and after a moment, while Alex lay holding his breath, the Italian turned his attention again to his pipe. Now I'm going to cut your cords. Alex went on softly. Be careful not to let your arms seem to be ... The foreman nodded. Announced Alex, as the twine dropped from the prisoner's wrists. Good! whispered the foreman over his shoulder. But you get out first. All right! responded Alex, and immediately began moving backwards, feet first, as he had come. Their escape was to be made more easy, however. At the moment from the house came a call. The man in the doorway stepped out to reply, and in an instant seeing the opportunity, both Alex and the foreman were on their feet, and had darted out into the stable. Now for a sprint, said the foreman. Or, say, suppose I hide here in the stable, suggested Alex. They don't know of my being here. Then as soon as the way is clear, I can get off in the opposite direction, and one of us would be sure to get away. Good idea, agreed the foreman. All right, you! There came a loud cry from the barn, and instantly he was off, and Alex, darting back, crept low under a stall-box. As he did so, the Italian rushed by and out, and uttered a second cry as he discovered the fleeing foreman. From the house came an answer, then a chorus of shouts that told the rest of the gang had joined in the chase. Alex lay still, until the last sound of pursuit had died away. Then slipped forth, glanced sharply about, and dashed off for the woods in the direction of the river and the railroad bridge. The adventure was not yet over, however. Alex had almost reached the shelter of the trees, and was already congratulating himself on his safety, when suddenly, from the opposite side of the clearing, rose a shout of, DIP BOY! DIP BOY! Glancing back in alarm, he saw several of the poles cutting across in an endeavour to head him off. Onward he dashed with redoubled speed. With a final rush he reached the trees ahead of them, and, plunging into the friendly gloom, darted on recklessly, diving between trunks and over logs and bushes like a young hare. A quarter of a mile Alex ran desperately, then halted, panting, to listen. Not a sound. Save his own breathing broke the stillness. Surely thought Alex, I haven't shaken them off that easily, unless they were already winded from their chase after. Off to the right rose a shrill whistle. From immediately to the left came an answer. Then he understood. They were heading him off from the railroad and the river spur. Alex's heart sank, and momentarily he stood in despair. Then suddenly he thought of the old brickyard. It lay less than a mile north, and was full of good hiding-places. If he could reach it ahead of them, what would the daylight now rapidly failing, he would almost certainly be safe. At once he turned and was off with renewed vigor. And finally, utterly exhausted, but cheered through not having heard a sound from his pursuers for the last quarter mile. Alex stumbled into the clearing of the abandoned brickworks, ran low for a distance under cover of a long drying-frame, and scrambling through the low doorway of an old tile oven, threw himself upon the floor, done out, but confident that at last he was safe. As he lay panting and listening, Alex turned his thoughts again to the train. Had the foreman made his escape, with so many promptly after him it seemed scarcely probable. Then the saving of twenty was still upon his own shoulders. And there was little time in which to do anything, for she was due at seven-fifty, and it must be after seven already. Could he not reach the switch itself, and throw it back just before the train was due? That would be surest. And in the rapidly growing darkness there should be at least a fair chance of getting by any of the foreigners who might be on the watch. Suddenly Alex gathered himself together, and crawled back to the entrance. Near the doorway he stumbled over something. Oh! our old switch-laddered! he exclaimed, holding it to the light, and momentarily paused to examine it. For it had been placed under cover there the previous fall by himself and some other boys, after being used in a game of hold-up on the brickyard siding. Just as we left it, said Alex to himself, and was about to put it aside, when he paused with a start, studded it sharply a moment, then uttered a cry, shook it to see that it still contained oil, and scrambled hurriedly forth, taking it with him. A moment he paused to listen, then set off on the run for the old-yard semaphore, dimly discernable a hundred yards distant. Reaching it he caught the lander in his teeth, and ran up the ladder hand over hand, clambered onto the little platform, and turned toward the town. Yes! Through the trees the station lamps were plainly visible. With a cry of delight Alex at once set about carrying out his inspiration. Quickly trimming the lantern-wick, he lit it, with his handkerchief tied it to the semaphore arm, and turned it so that the bullseye pointed towards the station. Then, catching off his cap, he held it over the bullseye, and alternately covering and uncovering the stream of light, began flashing across the darkness signals that corresponded with the telegraphic call of the Bickston station. BX, he flashed. BX, BX, BX. BX, BX, AW, his private sign. BX, BX, AW. The station lights streamed on. QK, QK, BX, BX, called Alex. His right hand tired, and he changed to the left. Surely they should be on the lookout for me and see it, he told himself. For when I go fishing I'm always home at— One of the station lights disappeared. Breathlessly Alex repeated his call and waited. Was it merely someone pulling down a blind or— The light appeared again, then disappeared, several times in quick succession, and Alex uttered a joyful hurrah! And turning his whole attention to the lamp, that the signals might be perfect, began flashing across the night, his thrilling message of warning. The foreign track hands— From a short distance down the spur came a shout. Startled, Alex hesitated. Again came a cry, then the sound of swiftly running feet. He had been discovered! In a panic Alex turned and began to scramble down the ladder. But sharply he pulled up. No! That would be playing the coward. He must complete the message. And bravely choking down his terror, he climbed back onto the platform, and while the running feet and the threatening cries came nearer every moment, continued his message. Hands are— Stop that! Quick! I shoot! I shoot! cried the voice of Big Tony, immediately below him. Then for a moment Alex quailed, then again went bravely on, while the old semaphore rocked and swayed as the enraged Italian threw himself at it, and scrambled up towards him. Going to run? With a plunge the big trackman reached up and caught him by the ankle, wrenched him back from the lantern, and clambered up beside him. Catching the light off the semaphore arm, he thrusted into the boy's face. Oh, ho! he exclaimed. So it you, Dostatian man-boy, eh? And you, DeWon, what a hell-panicy getaway, eh? And what did now you do with this? He demanded fiercely, indicating the lantern. If you can't guess, I'm not going to tell you, declared Alex stoutly, though his heart was in his throat. Oh, ho! you won't, eh? All right! said Tony softly through his teeth, and in a grim silence more terrifying than the threat of his words, he blew the lantern out, tossed it to the ground, and, proceeding to clamber down, grasped Alex by the leg and dragged him down after. But help was at hand. As they reached the ground a second tall figure loomed up suddenly out of the darkness. Who dat? demanded Big Tony. The answer was a rush and a blow, and with a throttled cry of terror the big track-worker went to the ground in a heap, the foreman on top of him. Alex uttered a cry of joy, then with quick wit, while the two men engaged in a terrific struggle, he darted in search of the lantern, found it, fortunately unbroken, and in a trice was again running up the semaphore ladder. As he once more reached his post on the platform the big Italian succeeded in breaking from the foreman, scrambled to his feet and dashed off across the brickyard. Come down, Alex! It's all over! called Hennessy, gathering himself up. And now we've got a hike right off, a mile a minute, for the mainline if we are to stop that train. They ran me so far I only just got back. Unless twenty's late we—I'm trying to stop her from up here! interrupted Alex, relighting the lantern. Up there! What do you mean? exclaimed the foreman. Signaling father at the station, with a telegraph code, said Alex as he replaced the lantern on the semaphore arm. Come on up! Al! said the incredulous foreman as he reached the platform. Can you really do it? I had a going when that Italian stopped me. Watch! But Alex was doomed again to interruption. Scarcely had he begun once more flashing forth the telegraph call of the station, when from the direction of the woods came a shout, several answers, then a rush of feet. Some of the poles! exclaimed the foreman. But you go ahead, Al, and I'll see that they don't get up to interfere, he added determinately. The running figures came dimly into view below. If any of you idiots come up here, I'll crack your heads! shouted Hennessy, warningly. I've got the station again! announced Alex. Now it will only take a few minutes. One of the men below reached the ladder, and looking up shouted threateningly, Stop that! Stop that or I shoot! Go ahead, Al! said the foreman, looking down. He hasn't got a gun! But even as he spoke there was a flash in a report, and a thud just over Alex's head. Yes, stop! Stop! cried the foreman. Stop! They've got us. No use being foolhardy. Leaning over, he addressed the men below. Look here, he said persuasively. Can't you fellows see that Big Tony is only using you to make trouble for me because I fired him for being drunk? As I told you at first, everything he has said is untrue. Why won't you believe it? The men were silent a moment, then one of them addressed Alex. Boy, is that true? Every word of it, said Alex, earnestly, and I would have heard all about it at the station if they had intended cutting your wages or bringing others here to take your places. Den, I believe it! said the pole. The man with the pistol returned it to his pocket. I am sorry I shoot, he said. And now what about the train? Inquired the foreman quickly. Did you touch the switch? In the look of guilt the foreigners turned on one another. He saw the alarming answer. Whipping out his watch, he held it to the light. Alex, he said sharply, you have just ten minutes to catch that train at the junction. If you don't get her, she's gone. There's not time now to get down to the main line from here to flag her. Before he had ceased speaking, Alex had his cap over the light, and was once more flashing an urgent BX, BX, BX. While below the foreigners looked on, now with an anxiety equal to that of the two on the tower. BX, QK, QK, flashed the lantern. The station light disappeared. Got him! cried Alex. Just tell them first to stop twenty at the junction, said the foreman. Right! responded Alex, and while the rest watched in profound silence he signaled, stop number twenty at junction. Spur switch is thrown. Got it? As Alex read off the promptly flashed, OK, the foreman sprang to his feet and gave vent to a joyful hurrah of relief that echoed again in the clearing in woods. Then as Alex recovered the lantern, he caught him under one arm, carried him down the ladder, and there, despite his objections, hoisted him to the shoulders of two of the now enthusiastic poles, and all set off jubilantly down the spur for the switch and home. And an hour later Alex's father and mother, anxiously awaiting him at the station, discovered his approach carried at the head of a sort of triumphal procession of the entire gang of trackmen. When Alex's father the following morning reported the occurrence to the chief dispatcher, that official called Alex to the wire to congratulate him personally. That was a fine bit of work, my boy. He clicked. I see you were cut out for the right kind of railroad-er. If fourteen wasn't a bit too young, I would give you a job on the spot. We will give you a start just as soon as we can. You may be sure. End of chapter. Chapter 2 of The Young Railroaders. The Young Railroaders by F. Lowell Coombs. Chapter 2 An Original Emergency Battery. One afternoon two weeks later Alex returned from school to find his father and mother hurriedly packing his suitcase. Why, what's up, Dad? he exclaimed. You were off for Watson's sighting in twenty minutes to take charge of the station there nights, said his father. The regular man is ill. The dispatcher had no one else to send and asked for you, and of course I told him you'd be delighted. Delighted? Well, rather! cried Alex gleefully, and throwing his schoolbooks into a corner he dashed upstairs to change his clothes, hastily ate a lunch his mother had prepared, and fifteen minutes later was hurrying for the depot. Needless to say, Alex was a proud boy when shortly after seven o'clock he reached Watson's sighting, and it once took over the station for the night. For it is not often a lad of fourteen is given such responsibility, even though brought up on the railroad. Alex was soon to learn that the responsibility was a very real one. The first night passed pleasantly enough, but early this succeeding night, following a day of rain, a heavy spring fog set in, and shortly before ten o'clock Alex found to his alarm that he could not make himself heard on the wire by the dispatcher. Evidently there was a heavy escape of current between them because of the dampness. Again the dispatcher called. Again Alex sought to interrupt him, failed, and gave it up. Now I am in for trouble, he said in dismay, if any thing should, from apparently just without came a low ominous rumble than a crash. Alex started to his feet and ran to the window. He could see nothing but fog, and hastily securing a lantern went out unto the station platform. As he closed the door there was a second terrific crash, from the darkness immediately opposite, and a rain of stones rattling against iron. The bank above the siding! cried Alex, and springing to the tracks he dashed across and with an exclamation brought up before a mound of earth six feet high over the siding rails. As he gazed Alex felt his heart tighten. The westbound sunset express was due to take the siding in less than half an hour to await the eastern mail, and at once he saw that if the engineer misjudged the distance in the fog and ran on to the siding at full speed there would be a terrible calamity. And suppose the cars were thrown on to the mainline track, and the mail crashed into them, and apparently he could not reach the dispatcher to give warning of her danger. What could he do to stop them? Helplessly Alex looked at the lantern in his hand, its light was smothered by the fog within ten feet of him. Running back to the operating room he seized the key, and once more sought to attract the attention of the dispatcher. It was useless. The dispatcher did not hear him. He sank back into his chair, sick with dread. But he must attempt something. Determinately he sprang to his feet. A lantern was useless. Then why not a fire? A big fire on the track? Hurrah! That was it! But he gazed at the coal box and thought of the rain-soaked wood outside, and his heart sank. Then came remembrance of the big wood shed at the farmhouse where he boarded, three hundred yards away, and in a moment he had recovered the lantern and was out and off through the darkness, running desperately. On arriving at the house Alex found all in silence, and the family retired, but without a moment's hesitation he threw himself at the front door, pounding upon it with his fist. It seemed an age before a window was raised. Mr. Moore, he cried, there's been a landslide in the cut at the station and there's danger of the sunset running into it. May I have wood from the shed to make a fire on the track to stop her? Gracious, certainly, certainly! exclaimed the voice from the window, and the boys and I will be down in a minute to help you. You run around and be pulling out some kindling. Alex darted about to the wood shed. There the farmer and his two sons soon joined him, and each catching up an armful of wood they were quickly off for the railroad, Alex leading with the lantern. Reaching the tracks they hurried east, and a quarter-mile distant halted, and began hastily building a huge bonfire between the rails. There, said Alex, as the flames leaped up, that ought to stop her! And now, Mr. Moore, suppose we leave Dick here to tend the fire, and you and Billy and I hurry back to the station and tackle the earth on the track. We may get enough off to let the train plow through. All right, certainly! agreed the farmer, and retracing their steps the three secured shovels and more lanterns at the depot, and soon were hard at work on the obstructed siding. They had been digging some ten minutes when suddenly Billy paused. "'Listen,' he said, "'there's a horse coming on the run.' His father and Alex also seized shoveling, and a moment later the quick pounding of horses' hoofs was plainly discernible. "'It must be something urgent to make a man drive like that in the dark,' said Mr. Moore. The racing hoofs drew nearer, and placing his hands to his mouth he cried, "'Hello, what's up?' There was a sound of scrambling and plunging, and out of the darkness came a man's excited voice, "'How near am I to the station?' "'Right here below you.' "'Thank God! Run quick and tell the operator there's been a landslip in the big cutting just beyond the river. My son discovered it when coming home by the track from a party. I thought I could get here quicker than do anything else.' For a moment Alex stood speechless at this further calamity than once more dashed for the station. To reach Zeisler two miles west of the cut was the only hope for the mail. Rushing into the instruments he and feverish haste began calling, "'Zee, Zee, Zee,' he whirled, "'QK, Zee, Zee, WS.'" There was no answer. Zee heard him no more than did the dispatcher. A feeling of despair settled upon the boy, but again returned the old spirit of determination and contriving, and spinning about in his chair he cast his eyes around the room for some suggestion. They halted at the big stoneware water-cooler. With a cry he was on his feet, thinking rapidly. Only a few hours before, during an idle moment, the similarity of the big jar to a gravity cell had occurred to him and the speculation as to whether it could not be turned into a battery if need be. Could he really make a battery of it? If he could, undoubtedly it would be strong enough to so increase the current in the wire that both Zeisler and the dispatcher could hear him. He ran to a little storage closet at the rear of the room. Yes, there was enough bluestone. But no copper or zinc! What could he do for that? As though directed by Providence, his gaze fell on the floor board of the office stove. It was covered with a sheet of zinc. And even as he uttered a glad, good! There came the remembrance that at the house that afternoon he had seen a fine new wash boiler with a thick copper bottom. That's it! cried Alex, again catching up the lantern and darting for the door. A short distance from the depot, Alex was halted by a long muffled whistle from the east. The express, he exclaimed. And in keen anxiety awaited the next whistle. Would it be for the crossing this side of the bonfire, or...? It came. A series of quick, sharp toots. Yes, they had seen the fire. Thank heaven! She's safe at any rate! said Alex at once running on. A few minutes later he burst into Mrs. Moore's kitchen. The farmer's wife was at the stove, preparing coffee for them. Mrs. Moore, where is your new copper bottom boiler? I must have it, quick! said Alex. What, my new wash boiler? Yes, the copper-bottomed one. It's a matter of life and death. The astonished woman hesitated, then, wonderingly, pointed toward the outer kitchen. Alex ran thither and quickly reappeared with a fine new boiler on his shoulder. And I must have that kettle of boiling water! he added, on a thought. I'll explain later! And catching it from the stove he rushed away. As he ran, Alex further thought out his plans, and once more at the station he placed the kettle on the office stove, emptied the blue stone into it, and poked up the fire. Then with a hammer and chisel he attacked the copper bottom of the boiler. He was still pounding and cutting when presently there was the sound of hurried footsteps without, the door flew open, and a voice exclaimed, In heaven's name, young man, what are you doing? Why are you not at your wire trying to stop the other train? It was none other than the division superintendent of the road who had been aboard the sunset. Only pausing a moment in his work, Alex replied, I can't reach anybody, sir. The wire is so weak. I am making a battery of that water-cooler to strengthen it. It's the only hope, sir. The superintendent uttered a horrified exclamation, then quickly added, Here, can't I help you? Yes, sir, replied Alex promptly. Lift up the stove and slide out the floor-board. I must have the sheet of zinc off it. And a few minutes later a group of passengers from the stalled train, seeking the cause of delay, paused in the doorway to gaze in blank astonishment at the spectacle of the division superintendent of the Middle Western, is coat off, energetically working under the direction of his youngest operator. There you are, my lad, said the superintendent. What next? Get a stick, sir, and stir the blue stone in the kettle. We must have it dissolved if the battery is to work the moment we connect it to the wire. The copper bottom of the boiler was at last cut through, and hastily doubling it over several times in order that it would lie flat in the crock. Alex turned his attention to the zinc on the stove-board. The scene in the little station had now become dramatic. The crowd of passengers increased until it half filled the room, looked on in strained silence, or talking in whispers. The tall figure of the superintendent at the stove, busily stirring the kettle, and in the middle of the floor, the center of all eyes, the fourteen-year-old boy hurriedly working with chisel and hammer, seemingly only conscious of the task before him, and the necessity of making the most of every minute. The zinc was cut, and hurriedly folding it as he had the copper, Alex sprang to his feet, and running to the cupboard, dragged out a bundle of wire, and began sorting out a number of short ends. How much longer, said the superintendent in a tense voice, the train should be in zeisler now. Just a minute. But she's sure to be a little late from the fog, said Alex, hopefully, never pausing. Has the bluestone dissolved, sir? All but a few lumps. Then that'll do. Now please lift down the water-cooler, sir, and place it by the table. As the superintendent complied, all conversations ceased, and the crowd, moving hurriedly out of the way, looked on breathlessly, and turned to Alex on his knees, fastening two pieces of wire to the squares of copper and zinc. This done, Alex dropped the square of copper to the bottom of the big jar, hung the zinc from the top, connected one wire end to the ground connection at the switchboard, and the other to the side of the key, and the task was complete. Now the kettle, sir, he said, dropping into his chair. The superintendent seized the kettle, and emptied its blue-green liquid into the cooler. The moment the water had covered the zinc, Alex opened his key. It worked strongly and sharply. Thank God, thank God, said the superintendent fervently. Now hurry, boy! Already Alex was whirring off a string of letters, Z, Z, Z, WS, he called. QK, QK, Z, Z. The line opened, and at the quick sharp dots that came, Alex could not restrain a cry of triumph. It works! I've got him! He exclaimed. Then rapidly he said, Has number twelve passed? The line again opened, and over the boy leaned a circle of white, anxious faces. Had the train passed? Had it gone on to destruction? Or— The instruments clicked. No! No! He says no! cried Alex. And then, while the crowd about him relieved its pent-up feelings in wild shouts and hurrahs, Alex quickly sent the order to stop the train. And now, three good cheers for the little operator! said one of the passengers, as Alex closed his key. In confusion Alex drew back in his chair, then suddenly recollecting the others who had taken part in the night's work. He told the superintendent of the part played by Mr. Moore and his sons, and of the sacrifice of Mrs. Moore's new wash-boiler. And then there was the man on the horse, who told us of the slide in the cut across the river. He was the real one to save the mail, said Alex modestly. I see you are as fair as you are ingenious, said the superintendent, smiling. We'll look after them all, you may be sure. By the first express Mrs. Moore shall have two instead of one of the finest boilers money can buy. And as for you, my boy, I'll see that you are given a permanent station within a year, if you wish to take it. We'd need resourceful operators like you. End of chapter. CHAPTER III OF THE YOUNG RAILROADERS This Lieber-Vox recording is in the public domain and is read by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Young Railroaders by F. Lovell Coombs. CHAPTER III A TINKER WHO MADE GOOD Most telegraph operators, young operators especially, have a number of over-the-wire friends. Alex Ward's particular telegraph chum was Jack Orr, or O-R, as he knew him on the wire, a lad of just his own age, son of the proprietor of the drug store in which the town, or commercial office, was located at Haddowville, a small place at the end of the line. The two boys had become warm friends through sending for one another's improvement in reading, in the evenings when the wire was idle, but also because of the similarities of taste they had discovered. Both were fond of experimenting and learning the why and wherefore of things electrical. And not infrequently they got themselves into trouble, as young investigators will. One evening that summer, the instruments being silent, Jack at Haddowville bethought himself of taking the relay, the main receiving instrument, to pieces, to discover exactly how the wire connections in the base were arranged. To think with Jack was to act. Half an hour later his father, entering with an important message, found Jack with the instrument in a dozen pieces. After Orr viewed the mus with consternation, then he spoke sharply, Jack, if that relay is not together again and working in five minutes, I'll take you out to the woodshed. Needless to say, Jack threw himself into the restoring of the instrument with ardor, while his father stood grimly by. And fortunately the relay was in its place again and clicking within the prescribed time. But don't ever let me catch you tinkering with the instruments again," said Jack's father, warningly, as he gave Jack the message to send. Another time it'll be the woodshed whether you get them together or no. Remember! Shortly after midnight, the night following, Jack suddenly found himself sitting up in bed, wondering what had awakened him. From the street below came the sound of running feet, simultaneously the window lighted with a yellow glare and with a bound and an exclamation of, Fire! Jack was across the room and peering out. Jones's coal-sheds, or the station, he ejaculated, and in a moment was back at the bedside dressing as only a boy can dress for a fire. Running to his parents' bedroom, he told them of his going and was down the stairs and out into the street in a trice. Some figures of men and other boys were hurrying by in the direction of the town fire-hall, a block distant, and on the run Jack also headed thither, for to help pull the fire-engine or a hose-cart to a fire was the ardent hobby of every lad in town. A half-dozen members of the volunteer fire-company and as many boys were at the doors when Jack arrived, and the fire-chief, already equipped with helmet and speaking-trumpet, was fumbling at the lock. Where is it, Billy?" inquired Jack of a boy acquaintance. They say it's the station and freight-shed and Johnson's lumber-yard and the coal-sheds, the whole shoot-and-match, said Billy, hopefully. "'Bully!' responded Jack, who, never having seen his own home in flames, likewise regarded fires as the most thrilling sort of entertainment. "'Out of the way!' cried the chief. The big doors swung open, and with a rush the little crowd divided and went at the old-fashioned hand-engine and the hose-cart. Billy and Jack secured the particular prize, the head of the engine drag-rope, and like a pair of young colts pranced out with it to its full length. Others seized it, and with the cry of, "'Let her go!' they went rumbling forth and swung up the street. The hose-cart with its automatic gong clanged out immediately after, and the race that always occurred was on. The engine, of course, had the start, but the hose-cart, a huge two-wheeled reel, about which the hose was wound, was much lighter and speedily was clanging abreast of them. Here, however, big-ed Hicks, the blacksmith, and Nick White, a colored giant, rushed up, dodged beneath the rope, and took their accustomed places at the tongue, and with a burst of speed the engine began to draw ahead. Other firemen appeared from side streets and banging doorways, and took their places on the rope, and a shout from the juvenile contingent presently announced that the reel was falling to the rear. Meanwhile the glare in the sky had brightened and spread, and when at last the rumbling engine swung into the station-road, the whole sky was ablaze. Overhead, before a stiff wind, large embers and sparks were beginning to fly. With a dash the panting company swept into the station-square. Before them the station and adjoining freight-shed were enveloped in flames from end to end. It was apparent at once that there was no possibility of saving, either. But with a final rush the engine squad made for the firewell at the corner of the square, brought up all standing, and in a jiffy the intake pipe was unstrapped and dropped into the water. The reel clanged up, two of its crews sprang for the engine with the hose end and couplers, and the cart sped on, peeling the hose out behind it. The speed with which they could get into action was a matter of pride with the Hadoville fireman. Almost before the coupling had been made at the engine, the men and boys at the long pumping-bars were working them gently. Within the minute a shout from the cart announced that the hose was being broken, the pumpers threw themselves into the work with zest, and the next moment from the distant nozzle shot a sputtering stream. With the other boys, Jack, though now considerably winded, was throwing himself energetically up and down against one of the long handles. Before many minutes, however, the remainder of the regular engine men appeared and took their places, and presently Jack also was ousted. At once he set off for a closer view of the car. Halfway he was halted by a call. Hey, Jack! Come and help push the freight cars! The shout came from a group of boys running for the rear of the burning freight shed, and responding with alacrity, Jack joined them, and soon, just beyond the burning building, was pushing against the corner of a slowly moving boxcar with all his might. One car was rolled safely out of the danger zone, and Jack's party hastened back for another. The innermost of the remaining cars, and on a separate siding, was but a short distance from the flaming shed, and already was blazing on the roof. Jack and several other adventurous spirits determined to tackle this one on their own account. After much straining they got an emotion. Suddenly a wildly excited figure appeared rushing through the smoke and shouted at the top of his voice, Get back! Get back! There's blasting powder in that car! In a twinkle there was a wild stampede, and but just in time. With a blinding flash and a roar like a thunderbolt, the car shot into the air in a million pieces. Many persons in the vicinity were thrown violently to the ground, including Jack. As he scrambled, thoroughly frightened, to his feet, someone shouted, Look out overhead! And glancing up, Jack saw a shower of burning fragments high in the air. Then rose the cry, The wind is taking them right over the town! In all our many people began leaving the square for their homes. Jack's own home and the drugstore block were well on the other side of the town, however, and with no thought of anxiety Jack remained to watch the burning station, now a solid mass of flame from ground to roof. Presently, glancing toward the opposite corner of the square, Jack noted a general hurried movement of the crowd there into the street. He set out to investigate. As he neared the fire engine, still clanking vigorously, a bareheaded man rushed up and asked excitedly for the fire chief. The telephone building in a house on Essex Street, and one on the next street back, are burning. He cried, Quick, and do something, or the whole town will be a fire. Looking in the direction indicated, Jack saw a wavering glare, and with a new thrill of excitement was immediately off on the run. The telephone exchange was one of the largest buildings in town. As he came within sight of the new conflagration, the flames already were leaping from the roof and roaring from the upper windows. Despite the heat, the crowd before the building was clustered close about the door of the telephone office, and Jack hastened to join them to learn the cause. Making his way through the throng, he reached the front as a blanketed figure staggered, smoking from the doorway. Someone sprang forward and caught the blanket from the stumbling man, at the same time crying, Did you get them? No! gasped the telephone door, for Jack saw it was he. The whole office is in flames! I couldn't get inside the door! Mayor Davis, the first speaker, turned quickly about. Then we'll run down to Oars and Telegraph. Had once Jack understood, the mayor wished to send for help from other towns. He sprang forward. I'm here, Mr. Davis, Jack Oar. I'll take a message. Good, said the mayor, run like the wind, my boy, and send a telegram to the mayors of Zeisler and Hamilton for help, as many steam engines as they can spare, and have the railroad people supply a special at once. Write the message yourself and sign my name. Tell them four more fires have broken out and that the whole town may be in danger. Jack broke through the crowd and was off like a deer. Further down the street he passed another building, a small dwelling, burning, with its frightened occupants and their neighbors hurrying furniture out, and fighting the flames with buckets. Down the next cross street he saw flames bursting from a second house. Then it was that the real gravity of the situation began to come home to Jack. Till now it had all been only a thrilling drama, even the bearing of the mayor's urgent message had appeared rather a dramatically prominent stage-part he had had thrust upon him. On he sped with redoubled speed, and turned into the main street. Then his alarm became genuine. Lurid flames were licking over the treetops directly ahead of him, in the direction of the store. A moment later a cry of horror broke from him. It was indeed the store-block. But his own personal alarm was quickly lost and a greater. Suppose the telegraph office also should be in flames, and he unable to reach it. He ran on madly. He neared the store, and with hope saw that so far the flames were only in the second store. Men were hurrying in and out, and from the hardware store adjoining. But as he rushed to the drug-store door a cloud of heavy smoke rolled forth, driving a group of men before it. Among them he recognized his father. "'Dad,' he cried, "'can't I reach the instruments? I've a message for help to Hamilton and Zeisler from the mayor. The phone office and the station are burned. There's no other way of getting word out.'" Mr. Orr had halted in consternation. "'No, you couldn't get to them. The telegraph room is a furnace. The fire came in through the office windows from the out-house, and I closed the door from the store.' And the haze of smoke within burst a lurid fork of flame. "'There, the fire is out through the telegraph room door,' said the drugist. "'You couldn't get near the table, and any way Jack the instruments would be useless by this time.'" It was this remark that aroused Jack. "'If I could rip them from the table in any kind of shape, perhaps I could fix them up quickly so I could use them,' he thought. To his father, he said, was sudden determination. "'Dad, I'm going to make a try for the key and relay.' "'No, I won't permit it,' declared Mr. Orr decisively. "'But father, if we don't get word out the whole town may be burned,' cried Jack. "'I'll make a try myself,' said Mr. Orr, and without further word lowered his head and dashed back into the smoke. While Jack stood anxiously awaiting his father's reappearance, the owner of the adjacent hardware store stumbled from his doorway under a bundle of horse blankets. With an immediate idea Jack ran toward him. "'Mr. Wells, let me have some of those blankets,' he said hurriedly. "'We want to try and reach the telegraph instruments. They are the only hope for getting word out of town for help. Father is in after them, but I don't think he can reach them with nothing over him.' The merchant promptly threw the whole bundle to the ground. "'Help yourself,' he directed. At the door again he called back. "'Can you use anything else?' "'No. Say, yes, a pair of leather gauntlets.' The merchant disappeared, reappeared, and threw toward Jack a bundle of leather gloves. "'Many as you want,' he shouted. Catching them up in two of the blankets, Jack sprang back for their own store as his father reappeared. "'They can't be reached,' coughed Mr. Orr. "'Couldn't even get to the door.' "'I'll try with these blankets, then,' said Jack decisively. "'Throw them over my head, please.' His father hesitated. "'But, my boy, there's little danger, Dad. The blankets are thick, and I know just where the instruments are. And see, I'll wear these gauntlets,' he added, pulling a pair over his hands. Somewhat reluctantly Mr. Orr took the blankets and threw them over Jack's head, and on the run Jack plunged into the wall of smoke. With one gloved hand outstretched he found the telegraph-room door and the knob. He pressed against it, and with a crash and then a roar the door collapsed before him. But without a moment's hesitation he darted on within, groped his way to the table, found the relay, and with a desperate wrench tore it from its place. The next moment he dashed blindly into his father's arms at the outer door and threw the smoking blankets and sizzling burning relay to the sidewalk. "'Water on it, quick,' gassed Jack, pointing to the instrument. Catching it up in a corner of one of the blankets, Mr. Orr ran with it to a horse-trough in front, and plunged it into the water. As he returned, Jack was drawing on a second pair of gauntlets. "'Jack, you're not going back,' said his father sharply. "'I want the key, Dad. Look there!' Glancing within Jack saw that the whole rear of the store was now enveloped in flames. "'And it would be of no use in any case. Look at this!' said Mr. Orr, holding up the smoking relay. The instrument did indeed look a hopeless wreck as Jack took it. The base was cracked and charred. The rubber jacket about the magnet coils was frizzled and warped. The fine wire connections beneath were gone, and the armature spring was missing. But Jack was not one to give up while a single hope remained. "'I could improvise a key,' he said, and with decision hastily sought the hardware merchant. "'Mr. Wells, did you save any screwdrivers?' he asked. "'In a box down there. Help yourself.' Climbing thither Jack found the tool and immediately began taking the relay apart. An exclamation of disappointment greeted the discovery that the fine copper wire within one of the coil jackets had been melted into a solid mass. On ripping open the sizzled jacket of the other, however, Jack found the silk covering the wire to be only scorched, and determined to do the best he could with the one magnet. Removing the relay entirely from the burned base, he secured a thin piece of board from one of the boxes near him, from the miscellaneous tools in another box found a gimlet and made the necessary perforations, and soon he had the brass coil frame mounted. Meantime Mr. Orr, not for a moment thinking Jack could do anything with the charred instrument, had joined the crowd of men and women watching the burning building from across the street. "'Father, here please!' called Jack. In some wonder Mr. Orr responded, and with him the hardware merchant. "'Have you a rubber band in your pocket?' asked Jack. "'I want it for the armature spring.' "'Why, you are not really doing anything with it, Jack?' exclaimed his father. "'Yes, sir. I think I can make a go,' responded Jack, with a little touch of elation, and with only one magnet. But have you the rubber?' "'Here,' said Mr. Wells, snapping a rubber band from his pocket-book. "'This do?' "'Just the thing. Thanks!' And while the two men looked on, Jack secured one end of the elastic to the little hook on the armature and knotted the other about the tension thumb-screw. That done Jack caught up a hammer and smashed the useless coil to pieces, from the wreck secured several intact ends of the fine wire, and with them quickly restored the burnt connections between the magnet and the by-knead posts. And with a cry, half of jubilation and half of nervous excitement, he caught up the now roughly restored instrument and ran towards an iron gas street lamp. In the roadway, a short distance from the lamp post, lay the burned off end of the telegraph wire. Placing the instrument on the sidewalk, Jack ran for the wire and dragged it also to the post. Then, as the crowd, following his father and the hardware merchant, gathered about him, they saw him secure a piece of wire about the iron lamp post, then to the instrument, and, dropping to a sitting position, placed the instrument on his knees, catch up the telegraph line, and hold it to the other side of the relay. Jack's low cry of disappointment was echoed by his father. No use, I was afraid of it, my boy, said Mr. Orr, residedly. There was a disturbance on the outskirts of the crowd, and the mayor appeared pushing his way through. Didn't you get that message off, Jack? he cried excitedly. The fire was too quick for us, said Mr. Orr. Jack risked his life getting out one of the instruments, but his prove useless. Oh, say, now I know what's the matter! With a cry, Jack sprang to his feet, broke through the circle about him, and sped back toward the store. The flames were now bursting from the front, but with head down he ran to the iron door covering the street entrance to the cellar and lifted it. A thin stream of smoke arose, then disappeared as a draft toward the rear set in. With a thankful, good! Jack leaped into the opening. His father, the mayor, and several others who had rushed after in consternation reached the sidewalk as Jack's head reappeared, followed by a green battery jar. Placing the jar on the ledge, he stooped and raised another. What do you think you're doing? cried his father. I'll explain in a minute. Take them over to the post, please! And Jack had again disappeared. The mayor promptly caught up the two cells, but Mr. Orr has promptly dropped through the opening and followed Jack. What are you trying to do? He demanded, as he groped his way to the battery shelf, you can't do anything with a battery if you have no instrument. The instrument is all right, father. The line has been grounded south, that's all. If we put battery on here, we can reach some office between here and wherever the ground is on. May it be so, said Mr. Orr fervently, but not hopefully, as they hurried with four more jars to the entrance. When they had carried out a dozen jars, Jack declared the number to be sufficient, and scrambling forth, they hastened back to the lamp post. Without delay Jack connected the cells in proper series, and removing the wire between the instrument and the iron post substituted the battery, synced to the post, and coppered to the instrument. Then once more he caught up the severed end of the mainline wire, and touched the opposite side of the instrument. A cry of triumph, then a mighty shout, greeted the responding click. But what about a key, son? said Mr. Orr. This, for the moment, replied Jack, and simply resting his elbow on his knee, and tapping with the end of the wire against the brass binding post, he began urgently calling. HN, HN, HN, he clicked. HN, HN, HV, rush, QK, HN, HN. Perhaps the wire is grounded between here and Hamilton, suggested his father breathlessly. Anybody answer, QK, sent Jack. Does anybody hear this? What's the matter? This is Z. God, Ciceler! shouted Jack. The mayor stepped forward. Send them the message, he directed, and have them phone it to Hamilton. Jack did so, and fifteen minutes later the cheering news ran quickly about the threatened town that two steam-fire engines were starting by special train from Hamilton immediately, would pick up another at Ciceler, and would be on the scene within half an hour. All of which report proved true, the engines arriving on the dot, and by daylight the last of the several different fires were under control, and the safety of the town was assured. Needless to say, Jack's name played an important part in the dramatic newspaper accounts of the conflagration, nor to add that he was the envied hero of every other lad in town for weeks to come. The final and particular result of the affair, however, was the offer to Jack of a good position in the large commercial telegraph office at Hamilton, which he at last induced his parents to permit him to accept. CHAPTER IV One evening shortly after the beginning of the summer holidays, Alex was chatting over the wire with Jack, who was now a full-fledged operator at Hamilton, when the dispatching office abruptly broke in and called Bickston. I, I, BX, answered Alex. Is young Ward there? clicked the instruments. This is young Ward. Say, youngster, would you care to do a couple of weeks vacation relief at Hadley Corners beginning next Monday? The man there wants to get off badly, and we have no one here we can send. Most certainly I would, replied Alex promptly. OK, then. We'll count on you. I'll send a pass down to-night," said the dispatcher. Thus it came about that the following Monday morning Alex alighted at the little crossing depot known as Hadley Corners, and for the second time found himself, if but temporarily, in full charge of a station. Entering the little telegraph room he announced his arrival to the dispatcher at X. Good, clicked the sounder. And now look here, Ward. Don't do any tinkering with the instruments while you are there. We don't want a repetition of the mix-up you got the wire into at BX through your joking a month or so ago. The joke referred to was a hoax Alex had played on his father the previous first of April. Through an arrangement of wires beneath the office table, by which his foot, unseen, he could make the instruments above click as though worked from another office, he had called his father to the wire, and posing as the dispatcher, had severely reprimanded him for some imaginary mistake in a train order. It had been all kinds of a lark, until, unfortunately, the connections became disarranged, tying up the entire eastern end of the line for half an hour. At the recollection of the escapade Alex laughed heartily. Nevertheless, he promptly replied, OK, sir, I won't touch a thing. In the dispatcher, saying nothing more, he began calling Bixton. I'm here, Dad," he announced when his father answered, and it's a fine little place. The woods come almost up to the back of the station, and the nearest house is a mile away. That's where I am to board. The other operator arranged it. It's going to be a regular little picnic. That's nice, ticked the sounder. I thought you would like it. And then Alex again laughed, as his father added, and now no tinkering with things, my boy, remember. OK, Dad, I won't touch a thing. Goodbye. It was the following Monday that the all-agents message was sent over the wire, announcing an unusually heavy shipment of gold from the Black Hill mines, and warning station agents and operators to look out for and report any suspicious persons about their stations. But these messages, usually following hold-ups on other roads, have been intermittently sent for years, and nothing had happened on the Middle Western, and in his turn Alex gave his OK, and thought nothing more about it. A half hour later he sat at the open window of the telegraph room, deeply interested in the July St. Nicholas, so interested indeed that he did not hear soft footfalls on the station platform without. The man came quietly nearer, reached the window. Then suddenly Alex glanced up, the magazine fell to the floor, and with a loud cry he sprang to his feet. He was gazing into the barrel of a revolver, and behind it was a black-masked face. Hold up, men! The gold train! Wildly Alex turned toward the telegraph key, but the man leaned quickly forward, seized him by the shoulder, and threw him heavily back into the chair. You move again, and I'll shoot! He said sharply, and Alex sank back helpless. Yes, hold up, men! And he had betrayed his trust. Betrayed his trust! That thought stood out even above his terror. Oh, if he had only kept a lookout! The man who had said nothing further presently withdrew the revolver and took a comfortable seat on the window-ledge. As the silence continued, Alex began somewhat to recover himself, and fell to wondering what the other bandits were doing while this man was watching him. A few moments later the answer came in a single upward click from the instruments. There, wires cut, aren't they? Said his captor. Yes, I suppose, said Alex bitterly. They sure are, said the voice from behind the mask, and when we get through them wires will be cut so you won't be able to fix them up in a hurry. Fifteen minutes later a second masked and heavily armed figure appeared. Every wire cut five poles back on either side of the station. He announced briefly, It'll take a liman half a day to fix him up again, and will be twenty miles away by that time. Now we'll put the hobbles on the youngster and get. Often Alex had longed for just such an adventure as this. The final disenchantment was anything but glorious. Roughly seizing him, the two men forced him stiffly upright in the chair, drew his arms about the back of it, and there secured them, wrist to wrist, drawing the knot until Alex almost cried out in pain. Then as tightly they bound his ankles to the lower rungs, one on either side. Now one of us is going to watch from the woods for a spell. We'll leave the back door open so we can see right in. And if you make a move, you get this quick, see? Said one of the desperados, tapping his pistol significantly. Therewith they passed out, leaving the rear door wide open, and an utter misery of mind Alex watched them stride toward the trees. Before the two bandits had crossed the open space, however, Alex's mind had cleared, for plainly they were hurrying. Then their promise to watch him must have been only a threat to keep him quiet. Good! At once he began straining at his wrists, paused as the two men reached the edge of the clearing and momentarily turned, and as they disappeared amid the trees began struggling with grim determination. It seemed a hopeless task at first, and the raw-hide thongs cut cruelly into Alex's wrists and ankles, but bravely he struggled on, wriggled and twisted, paused for breath, and struggled again, and finally one hand came suddenly free. It required but a few seconds to get into his pocket, reach his knife, and open it with his teeth. A moment later Alex was on his feet, and staggered out onto the platform. Yes, the wires were cut, five poles in either direction. Alex clenched his hands. After all, what could he do? To restore the line was entirely out of the question. Had there been but one break, he could not have climbed the pole and carried aloft that heavy stretch of wire. And there was less than twenty minutes in which to work to catch the overland at broken gap. For undoubtedly it was beyond that point that the bandits planned holding her up, probably on one of the steep grades of the little timber hills. Suddenly Alex uttered a gasp of hope. A moment he debated, with nervously clasped hands, then, exhaustion forgotten, dashed back into the little telegraph room, found a screwdriver, and in a few minutes had loosened from the table the telegraph key and the receiving instrument. Catching them up, with some short ends of wire, he darted out and up the track to the west. Two hundred yards distant the intact end of the telegraph line drooped into the drainage ditch. Alex caught it up and dragged it to the rails. Placing the key and relay on the end of a tie, he connected them on one side to the rail and on the other side to the end of the line wire. But the responding click did not come. Alex groaned in disappointment. He had counted on the rails giving a ground connection. Then the line would have closed and he could have worked it to the west, but apparently the hot weather had entirely dried out the sand beneath the rails and thus insulated them. But he was not yet beaten. There was a ground wire at the station. Why could he not use the rails that far if they were insulated? With a hurrah he seized the end of the line wire and in a few moments had connected it to one of the rail joints. Then catching up the instruments he dashed back for the station. Placing the instruments again on the table he found a piece of loose wire that would reach from the instruments out through the window to the rails, ran out and quickly connected it to a rail joint, and darting back connected the other end to the instruments. Instantly there was a sharp downward click. The line was closed. Alex could not suppress a quick, thank heaven! And trembling with excitement he seized the key and began swiftly calling the dispatcher. X, X, X, H, C, he called, X, X. He felt the line open and closed his own key. And in surprise he read, So you have been monkeying with the wires there after all, have you? Now look here. Quickly Alex interrupted and shot back. Train robbers are after the overland. They held me up and cut the wires both sides of the station. I got free and have made a connection through the rails. H, C. For a moment the line remained silent while at his end of the fire the dispatcher sat bolt upright in his chair, eyes and mouth wide open. But in another moment the dispatcher had recovered himself and springing back to the key began madly calling broken gap. B, B, B, X, he called, B, B, X, Q, K, Q, K. Alex shot a glance at the clock and leaned forward over the instruments scarcely breathing. There was yet three minutes before the overland was due at broken gap. But she did not stop there and frequently passed ahead of time. If B did not answer the call immediately, The whir of B's was interrupted and slowly and deliberately came an I, I, B. Alex leaped in his chair and again strained forward tensely. As sixty-eight passed hurled the dispatcher. Just coming! Stop her, flag her, Q, K, Q, K. The line opened as though B was about to make a reply, then smartly closed again. Stop her, stop her, repeated X. There was a letten, breathless silence, while Alex nervously clenched and unclenched his hands. At last the line again clicked open and with a characteristic deliberation that caused the nerve-strung boy a moment's hysterical laugh, B announced, Just got her. She's slowing in now. What's up? The dispatcher at X had regained his equilibrium, and in his usual crisp manner he replied, Take this for conductor Bedford. Bedford, hold up apparently planned between broken gap and headly corners, probably on one of the grades of the little timbers. Enter a posse quickly and make sure of capturing them. Report at HC. Signed Jordan X. As B gave his OK with the stumbling hesitation of blank astonishment the line again opened, and at the first word the intense strain broke, and Alex sank forward over the table with a convulsive sob. Grand, my boy, grand! Clicked the sounder. It was his father at Bickston. He had overheard it all. Grand, that's the word! came the dispatcher. There's not another operator on the division who would have known enough to do what he did today. I guess we won't bother him any more about his tinkering, will we? Only half an hour late the mighty mogul pulling the overland limited drew panting to a stop before the little station, and in a moment Alex was surrounded by a crowd of congratulating trainmen and passengers, and when he reappeared after sending the message which notified the dispatcher of the train's safe arrival and of the capture of the two bandits, he was surprised and speachlessly confused by having pressed upon him by the enthusiastic passengers an impromptu purse of seventy-five dollars. Later in the afternoon Alex was called to the wire by Jack at Hamilton. Say, what is all this you've gone and done, Al? Clicked Jack enthusiastically. The afternoon papers here have a whole column's story. Please attach statement at once. Oh, it looks much bigger than it really was," responded Alex modestly. And anyway, it came about through my own carelessness. I ought to have been reprimanded instead of padded on the back. Nonsense! Those holed-up men would have got you any way. If you had seen them coming, they would simply have approached in a friendly way, then got the drop on you. You had no gun? But say, added Jack, mock seriously, how is it these real high-class adventures always come your way? I'm getting jealous. I can assure you you needn't be. It's lots more fun reading about them. Wait and see," said Alex. Jack was soon to have his opportunity of seeing, though a more disagreeable experience was first to come. Chapter V of The Young Railroaders This LibriVox recording is in the public domain and is read by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. The Young Railroaders by F. Lovell Coombs. Chapter V. An Electrical Detective Or Mr. Black wants you. Jack, who was passing through the business department of the Hamilton office, toward the stair which led to the operating room, promptly turned aside and entered the manager's private room. Good morning, Jack. Sit down. My boy, began the manager. Can you keep a secret? Why, yes, sir, responded Jack, wondering. Very well. But I must explain first. I suppose you did not know it. We kept it quiet. But the real reason, hence and the janitor, was discharged a month ago was that he was found taking money from the safe here, which he had in some way learned to open. After he left I changed the safe combination and thought the trouble was at an end. Last Tuesday morning the cash was again a little short. At the time I simply thought an error had been made in counting the night before. This morning a second ten-dollar bill is missing, and the cash box shows unmistakable signs of having been tampered with. Now Johnson, the counter-clerk, to whom I had confided the new combination, for it is customary, you know, that two shall be able to open a safe as a precaution against the combination being forgotten. Johnson is entirely above suspicion. Still, to make doubly sure, I am going to alter the combination once more and share it with someone outside of the business department, and as you have impressed me very favourably, I have chosen you. That is, of course, concluded the manager, if you have no objection. Certainly not! I am sure I appreciate the confidence, sir," said Jack quickly. Very well, then. The combination is, write twenty, twice, back nine, write ten. Can you remember that? For you must not write it down, you know. Jack repeated the number several times, and again thanking the manager for the compliment continued upstairs to the telegraph room. Two mornings later Jack was again called into Mr. Black's office. One moment, while Jack wondered, the manager eyed him strangely, then asked, What was that combination, Jack? Write ninety, no, uh, write thirty, why, I believe I have forgotten it, sir," declared Jack in confusion. Perhaps you have forgotten this, too, then? As he spoke, the manager took from his desk a small notebook. I found it on the floor in front of the safe this morning. Is mine, sir, I must have dropped it last night. I worked extra until after midnight, sir," explained Jack, and on the way out I chased a mouse in here from the stairway, and when it ran under the safe I dropped my knees to find it. The book must have fallen from my pocket. But what is wrong, sir? The cash-box is not in the safe this morning. Jack started back, the color fading from his cheeks as the significance of it all came to him. And now you pretend to have the combination entirely wrong," went on the manager. Jack found his voice. Mr. Black, you are mistaken, you are mistaken, I never could do such a thing, never! I would prefer proof, Mr. Black said coldly. Jack caught it, the idea. Would you let me try to prove it, sir? Will you give me a week in which to try and clear myself? Well, I did not mean it that way. But—alright, a week, and if things do not look different by that time and you still claim ignorance, you will have to go. That is all there is to it. Thank you, sir. At the door Jack turned back. Mr. Black, you are positive you returned the box to the safe? Positive. It is the last thing I do before going home. Just spare moments on his wire that morning Jack debated the mystery from every side. Finally he had boiled it down to two conflicting facts. First, that the box was placed in the safe the night before and in the morning was gone, and that, besides the manager, he was the only one who could have opened the safe and taken it. And second, that of course he knew his own innocence. The only alternative then was that Mr. Black had been mistaken in thinking he had returned the box to the safe. Grasping at this possibility, Jack argued on. How could the manager have been mistaken? Overlook the box? Say, because of its being covered by something? Why, it may still be there yet! exclaimed Jack, hopefully. And a few minutes later, relieved from his wire for lunch, he hurriedly descended again to the manager's office. Mr. Black, may I look around here a bit? he requested. Look around, what for? To see if I cannot find something to help solve this mystery. Responded Jack, not wishing directly to suggest that the manager had overlooked the box. So you keep to it that you know nothing, eh? Well, go ahead. Said the manager shortly, turning back to his desk. Jack's hopes were quickly shattered. Neither on the desk nor a table beside the safe was there anything which could have concealed the missing box. Stooping he glanced under the table. Something white. A newspaper, leaning against the wall, caught his eye. With a flutter of hope he reached beneath and threw it aside. There was nothing behind it. Disappointedly he caught the newspaper up and tossed it into the waste-basket. Suddenly on a thought he recovered the paper and opened it. Upon discovering it was the bulletin, a paper he knew Mr. Black seldom read. The idea took definite shape. And yes, it was of yesterday's date. Mr. Black, exclaimed Jack, this is not your paper, is it? Somewhat impatiently the manager glanced up. The bulletin? No. Were you reading it yesterday, sir? Well, I don't see what you were driving at, but no. It was probably left here by Smith, one of the express-clerks next door. He was in for a while yesterday on some telegraph money-order business. Yes, he did have it in his hand, now I remember. But why? At the mention of Smith's name Jack started, and there immediately came to him a remembrance of having a few days previously seen the express-clerk on a street corner in earnest conversation with Hanson, the discharged janitor. In suppressed excitement he said, When was Smith here, Mr. Black? What time? The manager smiled sardonically and turned back to his work. No, you can't fasten it on Smith. He said shortly. It was after he went out that I returned the box to the safe. But if it's any good to you, he was in here from about five-thirty to ten minutes to six, and was talking with one of the boys in the outer office when I left. And Mr. Black, were you outside during the time Smith was in here? No, I uh... Yes, I was, too. About a quarter to six I was over at the speaking-tube for a minute. But enough of this nonsense! The manager added sharply. The box was in the safe when I closed it. Don't bother me any further with your pretence of investigating. I don't believe it is sincere. Like this cutting declaration, Jack turned away with secret satisfaction. Just outside the office door he made a second discovery, a small one but one which further strengthened the theory he had formed. It was a small coal cinder and an ash stain in the shape of a heel, apparently overlooked by a careless sweeper. They could only have been left by a foot which came from the cellar. Suddenly Jack turned toward the cellar door and made his way down into the big basement. Going directly to one of the rear windows he carefully examined it. The cobwebs and the dust on the sill had not been disturbed for months. He turned to the second and instantly emitted a shrill whistle of delight. Its cobwebs had been torn and swept aside, and the ledge brushed almost clean, and evidently but a short time before, for the cleared space showed little of the dust which constantly filtered through the floor above. Fine! exclaimed Jack. Now I... He paused. The window was security-latched on the inside. For several minutes Jack stood, disappointed and mystified. Then, examining the latch closely, he laughed and grasping it with his fingers easily pulled it out. It had been forced from the outside and merely pressed back into the hole. But its being replaced showed that the intruder had not made his escape that way. Jack began an examination of the end of the cellar under the express office, and the exit was soon disclosed. The dividing wall was of boarding and at the outer end, to facilitate the examination of the gas-meters of the two companies, was a narrow door. Modernarily this door was secured on the telegraph company side by a strong bolt. The bolt was drawn, and the door swung easily to Jack's touch. On the farther side all was darkness, however, and Jack returned to the window. As he approached it something on the floor beneath caught his eye. It was a lead pencil. He picked it up, and with a cry of triumph discovered stamped upon it the initials and miniature crest of the express company. And more, a peculiar long-pointed sharpening promised the possibility of fixing its actual owner. Filled with elation and confident that it was now only a matter of time when he should clear himself, Jack hastened upstairs, determined to pursue his investigation next door, where he knew several of the younger clerks. "'Hello, Danny,' he said, entering the express office, and addressing a sandy-haired boy of his own age. "'Say, who in here sharpens pencils like this?' "'Hello, that?' "'Oh, I'd know that whittle a mile off. We call them daggers. Smith's daggers. Where did you get it?' "'Smith, who wants Smith?' Jack turned with a start. It was the clerk himself. Instantly Jack extended the pencil. "'Is this yours, Mr. Smith?' he asked and held his breath. "'Yes, it is. What did you find?' Suddenly the clerk turned upon Jack with a look of terror in his face, but in a moment he had recovered himself and abruptly snatching the pencil from Jack's hand preceded to his desk. Jack was jubilant. Nothing could have been more convincing of the clerk's guilt. Following this feeling, however, came one of pity for the unfortunate man, and after a silent debate with himself, Jack followed him. Placing a hand on the clerk's shoulder he said in a low voice. "'Mr. Smith, I have found out about that cash-box of ours. Now look here. Why not confess the wretched business before it is too late and—' The clerk spun around. "'Cash-box? Business. What do you refer to?' "'Mr. Smith, it was you who took our cash-box last night.' The clerk was colorless, but he only faltered an instant. "'What nonsense is this?' he demanded angrily. "'I never heard of your cash-box. What do you mean by—' "'Well, then, I'll tell you just how you did it,' said Jack determinately. "'While you were in Mr. Black's office yesterday afternoon, he stepped out and left you alone for a moment. The cash-box was on the table. You immediately saw the opportunity—perhaps Hanson had done the same thing and put you on to it—you saw the opportunity and threw over the box a newspaper you had in your hand. As you had hoped, not seeing the box, Mr. Black forgot it, and left at six o'clock without returning it to the safe. You made sure of that by remaining about the outer office until he left. And then, after midnight, you came down to the office here, forced an entrance into our cellar, and went upstairs and secured the box. "'I'm sorry, but isn't that so?' The clerk left dryly. "'The great Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Junior,' he remarked sarcastically. "'Rubbish! Run away and don't bother me with your silly detective theories.' And hurried back to his desk. Jack stood, baffled and surprised. "'Look here, or?' As Smith again spun about, a hard look came into his face. "'Look here! How do you come to know so much about this business yourself, eh?' Jack uttered an exclamation, and a sudden fear of the clerk came over him. Was Smith thinking of trying to place the blame upon him? However, further discussion was clearly useless, and he turned away. The following morning brought quick proof that Jack suddenly inspired fear of Smith was too well founded. As he entered the telegraph office, Mr. Black called him and handed him a note. "'Now what do you have to say?' he demanded solemnly. In a lead-pencil scrawl, Jack read, "'Mr. Black, your young operator, or can tell you something about that cash-box. He was showing the key of the box to someone yesterday, and I saw him. Maybe you will find the key in his office coat. Yours, a friend.' "'It is the key,' said the manager, producing a small key on a ring. I recall having left it in the lock.' Jack stood pale and speechless. Despite the disguised writing and poor spelling, the letter was from Smith. He had not a doubt. But how could he prove it? Truly matters were beginning to look serious for him. Quickly, however, Jack's natural spirit of fight to the end returned to him, and handing the letter back, he said, respectfully but determinately, "'Mr. Black, I still hold you to your promise to give me a week in which to prove my innocence. And I'll prove, too, sir, that this key was placed in my pocket by someone else, probably by the one who really took the box. I believe I know who it is, but I'll prove it first.'" Reluctantly the manager consented, for he now firmly believed at least in Jack's complicity, and leaving him, Jack sought the operating room to spend every spare moment in turning the matter over in his mind. What next could he do? If only he could find the box. What would Smith probably have done with it? For it seemed unlikely he would have taken it away with him. Might he not, after removing the money, have hidden it in the cellar? Jack determined to search there, and accordingly, at noon, hastening through his lunch, he descended and began a systematic hunt amid the odds and ends filling the basement. The first noon hour's search brought no result. The second day, returning to the task somewhat dispiritedly, Jack began overhauling a pile of old cross-pieces. There was a squeak and a rat shot out. In a moment Jack was in hot pursuit with a stick. The rat ran toward the old furnace and disappeared. At the spot an instant after, Jack found a hole in the brick foundation and thrust the stick into it. The stick caught, he pulled, and several bricks fell out. Going to his knees Jack peered into the opening. A cry broke from him, and thrusting in a hand he grasped something and drew it forth. It was the lost cash-box. Uttering a shout of triumph, Jack leaped to his feet and started on a run for the stair. But suddenly he halted. After all, was he absolutely sure it was Smith who had placed it there? Would the producing of the box prove it? The question which had not before occurred to Jack startled him. As he stood thinking, half-consciously he tried the cover of the box. To his surprise it gave. He opened it, and the box almost fell from his hands. It still contained the money, and apparently untouched. But in a moment Jack thought he understood. Smith, or whoever it was, had left it as a clever means of saving themselves from the worst in the event of being found out, intending to return for it if the excitement blew safely over. Then why not wait and catch them at it? Good. But how? Jack's inventive genius soon furnished the answer. That's it. Great! He said to himself, delightedly, I'll get down and do it early in the morning, and now I'll stick this back in the hole and fix the bricks up again. Seven o'clock the following morning found Jack carrying out his plan. First conveying to the cellar from the battery room two gravity jars, he placed them in a dark corner behind the furnace. Next, finding an old lightning-arrester, he opened up the hiding place and arranged the arrester beneath the cash-box in such a way that on the box being moved the arrester arm would be released, lie back and make a contact. Then, having carefully closed the opening, he procured some fine insulated wire and proceeded to make up his circuit. From the arrester, out beneath the bricks, around the furnace, to the battery, up the wall and through the door by the steam-pipes into the business room, and running upstairs and procuring a step ladder, on up the office wall, through the next floor, into the operating room. There a few minutes later he had connected the wires to a call-bell on a ledge immediately behind the table at which he worked, and the alarm was complete. Although Jack knew that the clerk next door returned from his dinner a half hour earlier than the others in the express office, he had little expectation of Smith visiting the cash-box at that time. Nevertheless, as the noon hour drew near, he found himself watching the alarm-bell with growing excitement. There might be just a chance of Smith visiting the box, he told himself, just to learn whether I had, from behind him came a sharp zip-zip than a whir. With a bound Jack was on his feet and rushing for the door. Down the stairs he went, three steps at a time, and into the manager's private office. Mr. Black! he cried. I've got the man who took the box. Down the cellar. Quick! I found the box with the money still in it and fixed up an alarm-bell circuit to go off when he came for it. He explained hurriedly as the manager stared. In a moment Mr. Black was on his feet and hastening after Jack toward the cellar stairway. Quietly they tiptoed down. They reached the bottom. There! Jack said, pointing in triumph, and looking the manager beheld Smith, the express clerk, on his knees beside the furnace, for him on the floor the missing cash-box. Ten minutes later the manager of the express company, who had been called in, passed out of Mr. Black's office with his clerk in charge, and the telegraph manager, turning to Jack, warmly shook his hand. I am more sorry than I can say to have placed the blame upon you, my boy! He said sincerely, and I am very thankful for the clever way you cleared the mystery up. You are quite a detective, sort of electrical detective, aren't you? He added, smiling. And for some time about the office, and even over the wires Jack went by that name, The Electrical Detective.