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THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: DECEMBER 16, 1906.
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(Copyright. I9uti. W Barton.)
r WAS Just heiora tnnnuiiM .
Barnes had tho adventure con
cerning tho bishop's ring. The
Caledonia, a slow steamur, popu
lar with passengers who loved the
ea trip, had been dockod and tho voyagers
were oomir.g down the gangplank. One of
them was tho bishop, ruddy cheeked and
benevolent-a confiding man who lived in
an atmcsphero which breathed ChrlHtian
charity toward the weak and the wicked.
A tall, slender, bright-eyed young man
walked with the blHhop. He waa almost
obsequious in his attentions. Indeed, the
attitude of the youth and the older niun
suggested a singularly closa degree of In
timacy. They halted in the center of the
pier to make their farewells. The bishop
put his hand on tlie young man's shoulder
In a fatherly way which was one of his
characteristics, and at that moment a
lantiug ray of sunshine struck tho ruby
in his episcopal ring.
Barnes waa standing a few yards away
and the flash of color attracted his atten
tion. The bishop's ring waa unique and
costly. Tl.e ruby was oval In shape and
mounted without facets, while the gold
band of the setting was delicately en-g-ruesed
and contained the Initials and tho
cot of arms of tho bishop. A customs
employe stepped up to hand a report to
Barnes, and he promptly forgot about the
bishop and his ring. Presontly the thing
T-as recalled to his mind by tho voloe of
the prelato blmself:
."My dear chief," he said, in his exqui
sitely modulated voice, "I must thank you
for your kindness In assigning that very
agreeable young man to look after my
landing."
Barnes looked at the bishop blankly.
"Assigning- landing," he murmured.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
The bishop laughed pleasantly at the
chief's apparent lapse of memory.
"Of course, you noticed the young man
who came down the gangplank with met"
Visions of those bright eyes, penetrating
and opalescent, rose before tha chief.
"Yes, yes," he said hurriedly. "What
about him?"
"Nothing, except that he was the cus
toms officer who waa so very polite to
me."
"Customs officer?" queried Barnes.
"Why, yes," said the bishop with a trace
of asperity in his voice. "Wasn't he as
Inspector?"
The chief's wrath exploded.
"Inspector the do "
He halted before the word waa finished,
lie recognized the fitness of tilings. Pro- ;
fanity was scarcely the thing before a pre
late. Me became suave but emphatic
"My dear bishop, you have been hood
winked. The man la an Impostor probably
a thief."
"Bless me!" exclaimed the bishop. "Don't
Jump to such cruel conclusions."
At that moment tha prelate happened to
glance down at his hands. He gave a gasp
of pain. Barms followed his glance inquir
ingly. The bishop spoke faintly:
"Mr ring; my episcopal ring; It's gonel"
"And so has your agreeable friend," re
torted the chief grimly.
Tha bishop wrunx his hands ospa.1iinjrly.
"It's my moat precious possession; I'd
a-iv anything to get It back. Can't yon
catch the fellow?
Bamea paused. Irresolute. Clancy came
rap. filed with his besetting sin curiosity.
"It's scarcely customs business, tills lar
ceny of your ring," tha chief sajd argu
mantatlvBly, addressing the atmosphere.
"But," he said, answering hlm.elf.the
fellow Impersonated a customs officer;
that's my business."
Tha Idea Inspired Immediate action.
"Clancy, ha said, "did you see a tall,
thin man, with eyes that make you feel
creepy? He Just left here. Wa need him."
"Sure," replied Clancy, briskly "The fel-
low j urn pea on a irouey car at tne soot or
ID
artfully moving from one side to the other
"Cornel" shouted Barnes. ,a if he wer6 n,. by tn, persons
They bolted from the wharf, leaving the behind him. Barnes doubled up his (1st,
Tsishop looking after them In amazement, prepared to use force, when he quickly
"When the prelate recovered his presence of realized that a tight would answer the
mind ho started to hunt for his nleae, who man's purpose admirably. It would take
had become separated from him durlnsT the time, and while it was In progress the
confusion of landing. train would be steaming onward to Its
"It's ten to one this Interesting bunco destination. Bo he determined to control
steerer's gone to the New York Central his temper and to meet provocation with
station." said Barnes to Clancy as their strategy. He stood still, and. looking at
trolley car speeded In that direction, his tempter, said with assumed calmness:
There was something very familiar "I beg pardon. I presume that ae're
about that feilow." resumed the chief. both In the wrong. But 1 11 tbank you to
"I think so, too," agreed Clancy. lot me pasa"
There was silence for several block The ringing of the bell la the station
Presently Clancy grabbed his superior by grew continuous, the screech of a whistle
the sleeve and almost shouted In Ids ear: rent the air. and the lumbering sound of a
"I remember bun now; he's the man that moving train could be distinctly heard. The
smuggled the Swiss watches last year." man noticed this, too, for Instead of reply-
."Hey?" Ing. to Barnes he smiled grimly and stepped
"Sure." aside.
"I believe you re right, Clancy." assented The chief Inspector ruslied up stairs.
Barnes, scratching his head In an effort to Clancy was waiting there. Ignorant of the
refresh his memory. "If that's so, this cans of the delay. They reached the en
affair is bigger thau we reckoned. trance of the train shed just In time to
As they entered the station tbe ta',1, have the gate slammed shut In their faoes.
bright eyed man ws talking In animated Barnes fumed with rage and mortification
tones to a beautiful young girl who wore so much so that he could scarcely articu-
a picture hat and a ravlshlngly becoming late. Finally he found hla voice,
gown. A thickaot nan In a storm coat "I must get that train," he spluttered,
stood with them. "Sorry." said tbe gatekeeper, coldly; "but
"Who's the glrir whispered Barnes. the train's gone."
"His pell" exclaimed Clancy promptly. "I must catch it." cried Barnes. "Its not
"I'll et they've worked many a confidence out of the shed yet. Open the gate."
game together." . While he was talking he opened his coat
The girl's attractive lies waa fraaiad la and displayed bis customs badge 'i'ha
y - . ,vfvo-.. ' ' --jers &-.ytfSjir' 'J 'This
v mhsAi sup r'MiF Mi!i m
a ma as of fluffy brown hair. Two rows of
exquisitely shaped white teeth gleamed
from between a pair of blood red lips. She
appeared to be radiantly happy, but now
and then glanced around apprehensively,
as if fearing pursuit.
"She's fine looking; " remarked Barnes,
judiciously.
"They're the worst," retorted Clanoy,
dogmatically.
Presently the young man left his com
panions and hurried over to the ticket
0gce
"Two to Troy," be said, tersely.
"Now'e your time to nab blral
cried
Clancy, hojtrsely.
"Not now. Haven't any evidence yet,"
replied the chief.
"What are you going to do?" came the
petulant query,
"Follow 'era," replied Barnes; "before
long we'll have enough to work on."
He wnt to the ticket window and re
peated the formula:
"Two to Troy."
As the chief pocketed the tickets and
the change he saw that the man he was
rtr u. ..i.i.. t.i. .
to the train shed. He started to go In
the same direction, but found his way cut
off by a short, stout Individual. Baxnua
glanced at the man. It was the stranger
he had seen In conversation with the
couple a few minutes before. He realized
that this waa a game to checkmate him.
Once more he made an effort to get past
the man. Still the fellow blocked the way.
i wurn u sr y i r tiyx ..ssr;-,r n irf ir,T ifc..-.v.--- v mw their
gateman recognized It and threw open with-
out another word. Barnes ran up alons the
platform like a madman. As he started
the laBt car of the train left the shed and
the Limited wss out In the broad sunlight,
By the time the chief reached the middle
of the platform the train was fadintf out
of sight. The fugitive stood on the rear
platform of the observation car and waved
his handkerchief tauntingly at the man
he had so cleverly outwitted. Barnes
angrily made his way to the waiting room,
and poking his head In the window of the
bureau of Information, asked:
"When does the next train leave for
Troy?"
"In two hours."
The Information man might as well have
thrown a bucket ot water In the face of
his questioner. Two hours! There would
be no hope of overtaking the other train.
The thief would go free. He could tele
graph the authorities at Troy to arrest
the fellow and hold Mm until he arrived.
To do that ho would have to lodge a special
charge against him. Would the bishop
.uuuort Mm after he made the chares?
. -.
Uah a case? While hU mind was torn by
these troublesome questions be spied a sign
reading "Station master's office second
floor." It was an Inspiration. He bent his
footsteps In the direction suggested by the
placard. A notice on the door Informing
' strangers that there was no admittance
except to employes was calmly disregarded
by the impulsive Inspector,
A little bald-headed man seated at a
fiat top desk In the center of the room
proved to be the autocrat of the office. He
looked up, coldly as Barnes bustled into
the room, and curtly Inquired what be
wanted. The customs Inspector disclosed
his identity, exhibited bis credentials and
briefly explained his plight. Instantly the
attitude of the busy little man chansed.
He waa extremely polite and showed a
disposition to oblige the chief. But after
going over the situation carefully he could
not ttnd any means ot doing so. He prom
ised, however, to consult some of the
higher officials ot the company and to
conuuunicate with Barnes In ten minutes.
The chief left, but returned within the
time designated.
"Howd'y?" the little man said.
Then he continued his work of giving
orders to two or three persona at a time.
Noticing that Barnes and Clancy were
standing, he said It might have been an
Invitation or a command, or both:
"Sit dowa."
He did not look to see whether they
obeyed or not, but kept on with his work.
He picked up the receiver of a telephone.
"Is that you. Mac?"
The response apparently was In the af
firmative.
"Mae." continued the station master,
"I've got a telegram saying that we have
a bad washout this slds of Albany. It s
not an ordinary affair, but a pretty seri-
ous tit of business. The division super-
lDleudent there Is alrewOK rgaulxlna
' m
ft
gang of laborers and they will be on the
ground very soon. But he Bays you avust
hurry down to take charge of them; says
he hasn't got a man about the shop who
can boss tho job like you. It's not a mat-
ter of choice; you've simply got to go.
Get your things in shape In a hurry. Be
at the station in fifteen minutes. All right,
Uoodby."
Uames and Clanoy looked at each other,
Involuntarily their hands came together
and shut In a clasp of gratitude. They
did not speak. It would be folly to dls-
turb or needlessly retard this miracle
maker of a station master. That Individual
never looked at them. He seemed un
conscious of their presence. He gave liur-
rled orders to several men who had entered
the room and were standing, caps in hand.
before the desk. They disposed of, he
picked up the receiver of another 'phone.
"Hello! Is that tbe roundhouse? Are
you earning out the order I gave you a
little while ago? Yes, I want the engine
on track 11. Certainly, give us No. 6. I
want something that can make time. Place
'"'cuaay on tne cox.
exacuy. x wanx a man wuo uur uvw
to put on steam. Give him a good fireman.
Yea there will be only one car. It's a
combination baggage and smoker. It's bn
the track now waiting to be hitched up to
your engine. Have it there in fifteen min
utes sure. If you manage It In ten min
utes it will mark you as a man worthy of
promotion some day. That's alL Good
by." Again Barnes and Clancy looked at each
other this time with wonder and admira
tion. The Imperturbable station master
was unconscious of the pantomime. He
did not' feel that he waa doing anything
worthy of special notice or praise. It was
simply an Incident In a busy day's work.
They sat there quietly while he went on
with the endleFs routine of his work.
Presently he pulled out bis watch, looked
at it quickly, replaced it In his pocket and
going to a wardrobe pulled out his hat and
coat and put them on.
"Now; gentlemen," fie said, briskly,
"come with me."
He hastened down the stairway and they
followed him. He pushed his way through
the throng In the waiting room, looking
neither to the right nor the left. Soon
they came to a gate with a signboard over
It marked "Special." Before entering It he
turned Quickly to the two men.
"Are you both provided with tickets?"
'-Yes," they replied, almost in the same
breath.
They hurried througn the gate. Far
down the track was a locomotive to which
was attached a solitary day ccach. The
engine was puffing and snorting as If It
were something endowed with human life.
Vncunsciously It reminded the two passen
gers of some spirited racehorse that has
been trained and groomed for the dash of
Its Ufe. It was a camel-backed engine,
with a sloping firebox and the cab located
In the center of Its enormous boiler. From
the (p of the shed over the cab down to
fci frtnulna wheels, which acemed l re-
train themselves with difficulty, every-
thing waa In the pink of condition.
"Iooks a little old-fashioned." ventured
Barnes to hla companion.
The fireman, who was polishing the piston
rod with a big handful of cotton waste.
paused. Tho blood mounted to his checks
beneath the ooat of grime. He putted the
mass ot Iron and steel on the side with an
affectionate gesture, as If It were a thing of
life ami hlood and nerves.
No. 6," lie said, nesoiitfully.
he gets a-going you won't think
she's old-fashioned."
He turned to his work again, rubbing
more vigorously thun ever as If relieved by
this brief defence of his favorite. No
housewife could have kept her domicile
tidier than this man kept his locomotive.
The name front on the nose of the mon
ster was as brassy and as sparkling as the
big brass plates that adorned the doors of
our grandfathers, the glass' on the great
round heudllght was specklees, while the
hand ratlins about the cab was shining so
extravagantly that If It had been a little
larger it might readily have been used as a
mirror for my lady's boudoir.
The fireman kept rubbing away at the
brass work, as if by some miracle of chance
o mipi . .pi u.wm nn pm-
lhed. The fires were up and the glisten-
sparks were being hurled out of the
throat of tha enormous smokestack and
each separate pun seemed to say "Hurryi
Hurry!! Hurry!!!" Finally the fireman
tossed his cotton waste aside, and. rushing
to the front of the locomotive, made a
hasty test of the strength of the cow
catcher. The prospective passengers exchanged
glances.
"We have the right of way," he said
grimly; "it will be bad for anything that
attempts to dispute It.'
Th .eTer- mwe ria. t
englne. On the little platform, talking to
the ensrineer. was a modest mannered man
In overalls and a blue jumper.
"Hello, Mac," said the station master,
"I'm going to give you two passengera
You'll have to act as conductor and collect
their tickets."
Barnes and his assistant were hurriedly
presented to MacWIlliams, and scarcely
had time to shake his grimy hand when
the stun shriek or tne whistle and a cry
Qf A11 aboard!.. ma(le them jump on the
tral)) Nq t ' ave & flmU snort and
,ed out wltn a BhrI(,k that sounded like
a chalnn The chlef and aanoy ran to
tlio b.u-k tilatform of the car lust in time
to get a last glimpse of the snappy little
station master, who lifted his soft hat and
waved It at them, disclosing his bald pate,
as he exclaimed Incisively:
"Good luck, boys!"
Gllllcuddy, the engineer, put steam on,
and before the train bad been going twenty
minutes It was making sixty miles an hour,
Barnes sut tn the cab with Gllllcuddy.
watching the Iron monster as it forged
ahead. There was something fascinating
about this terrible thing of Iron and steel
which .had the strength of thousands of
human brings, which went on Its way so
surely and so remorselessly, and yet could
be so quickly controlled by the power that
rested in the wrist of one unassuming, wlth parUcular har standing on end.
smutty-faced man. chancy's face was white and ashen.
The engineer was pleased at the interest u wa, dangerous for him to get li..k
the chief displayed In the machine and nU the car he wa gjven a seat on
cheerfully answered all of hla questions. a too, , e buttom of the cab. whero
Gllllcuddy looked on his engine with all ,l8 gradual recovered hla color and his
the affection that another would bestow seif .possession.
on something that had human Ufe and Bverybody was wondering how long this
sensibilities. Indeed, the love that Gilll- ' nutaneM would continue, when MacWIll
cuddy had for "No. " was akin to the lamB opened his lips and uttered the one
feeling that a mother cherishes toward her Wurd peeksklll!" The train shot by so
child. quickly that it was Impossible to read the
MacWIlliams was the most unobtrusive signboard at the station, but the faithful
man tn the party. He cuddled himself up MacWllltaTS knew every foot of the
In a corner of the car and studied plans ground between New York and Albany,
the he had prepared for repairing the and he realized, from the topography cf
break in the road. Barnes wondered what the country through which they were rush
need there was for tagging a day coach ng, that this waa the pretty little New
on to the engine, but wheu he looked into York city. Biowly. almost Imperceptibly,
U18 baggage compartment ana saw me
P"- of picks, shovels, jacas ana otner im-
Plements his curiosity was amply tatis-
Bed. Albany was lu5 miles from the start-
l point, and under the schedule the pur-
were booked to reach, there la three
hours and a quarter. The limited was due
to- stop In Albany for ten minutes. This
seamed to give them a margin of twenty-
five minutes. But twenty-two minutes hnd
elnpsed from the time the limited had left
New York until the special pulled out of
the station. That left only three minutes to
spare. The thought that the result of his
work hung upon such a slender chance
brought the cold sweat upon the chief In-
spector's brow.
The special had been going for some time
when Barnes, who was in the cab with the
engineer, hustled Into the car.
laboring; under great excitement.
Tie was
Rushing
over to Clancy, he shouted:
"Bad news' Our train Is ten minutes be
httid time."
Tho young man groaned. Ten minutest
Thut might be just enough to ruin their
enterprise.
"C:m nothing be done?" he asked feebly.
"I think eV v.as the reply; "I've talked
to Ulillcuudy, a ud he has promised to let
TP 6 -SEEMED
her go for all she's worth as soon as we
pass Frazer."
The two men went out front and crawled
Into the cab of the engine. The train
pasaed Tarrytown. Gllllcuddy never said
a word. He did not look up, but gave the
lever a pull and the speed of the train be
gan to increase. They knew It by the
vibration of the engine. It swung from
side to stdfe at intervals It gave a jump as
if the wheels could scarcely keep the track.
Barnes, with his head out of the cab
window, was like a man fascinated. He
had often thouuht of the sensation of rid
ing In a locomotive cab, but the reality far
outstripped the dream. The sound of the
drumming wheels was sweet music In his
... - """'
roar, followed by blinding flushes of light.
The noise came from the suction of the
train, while the light was the quickly ap-
peanng,.anu disappearing smes 01 somo
great whitewashed barn, mere specks on
the horizon. Barnes glanced down once to
get a look at the revolving wheels, Dut tne
sight made hlin dizzy. No. 6 seemed mad-
dened, frenzied. The velocity of the train
became so gTeat that It careened fro:n side
to side like a drunken man. Half uncon-
sciously Barnes waited for the engine to
resume its normal epeea. nut ne was ais-
appointed. It went on and on. Its violent
agitation increasing with every mMe, until
flnaUy u appeared to have reached a state
m "! iu..c. .
The fireman shoveled coal Into the mouth
of the yawning enjlne like a man pos-
sessed. The excitement even Infected the
Imperturbable MacWIlliams. His dull eyes
lighted up ns if he had. taken a strong
tonic. A dog tried to cross the track at
one of the way stations. It was ground up
beneath the ponderous wheels quicker than
coffee beans In a mill. Cluncy experienced
Ben9,'on lln to se sickness. But still
No. 6 dashed on as if glorying In Its record
breaking speed. Barnes, elated at the inad
race, pulled out bis watch and attempted
" "m.ine xrain. xie uem inn uoeu
repeater for two miles, and found that It
registered a minute and a half,
The fever ot the chase began to show
itself in Gilllcuddy's eye. It sparkled with
an unwanted tire, and ou either cheek, be
neath the grime, could be seeu a Utile
flush of red. The residents of the country
side attracted by the antics of this In
sane engine, rushed from their homes and
stood in open mouthed wonder whilo the
great iron giant thundered past them. The
train was going agaiiiBt the wind, and
the breeze came through the cab with the
fury of a cyclone. Barnes hat blew off,
and he managed to save it only by a dex-
terloua outstretching of his right hand.
.... . . bareheaded
Gllllcuddy Desan xo reauce me speeu in
the engine. After thut he pulled out his
open faced watch and looked at It. Whe.i
he spoke t."iere was a ring of triumph In his
olee:
"We have made up all cf our lost Uuie
and have live minute to spare."
Sanies bewail to thank hint In extrava-
gant term. Uut the engineer waa not sus-
ceptible to personal (lattery. Instead he
looked down on his engine admiringly, and
said;
"No. C always makes good."
few nilnutea after that the train
passed the town of Conewaga. Barnes,
cUincy and MacWIlllama crawled back to
the day coach, and had hardly seated
themselves when the train brought the.n
Into full view of a magnificent stretch of
scenery, alongthe Hudson river. All were
deeply InTprespNl by the marveloua work
of nature. It was so imposing, and yet si
placid. The contrast, after tholr tumult
ous ride, was felt most profoundly. The
sensation Was similar to that experienced
by the traveler who comes Into a calm,
peaceful port alter a stormy and dangerous
voya ge.
Albany was In sight.' Barnes was ten.sa
with excitement. Clancy was so agitated
L .A .RtoL.
he shook as If he had the chllla,
6 moved majestically along with aQ
the dignity of a great potentate com-
up the edgo of his own domain. In
eagerness the two passengers hurried
out on the platform of tho car, and, lean
ing over, looked lu the direction of tha
city.
The train shed was only a few blocks
away. At this critical juncture they spied
a man standing In the middle of the track
waving a red flag. A crowd of laborers
stood la tho vicinity. The flag waver waa
warning the engineer that he was almost
on the brink of a washout. Gllllcuddy
reversed the lever, the big engine responded
Immediately and came to a sudden halt,
that nearly threw the two men oft the
platform.
"How about the limited?" cried ailil
cuddy to the man on the track.
"Sho was switched off onto the other
track," was the reply, "and Is now In the
station."
"When does she leave?" asked the engi
neer. "In a minute," responded the man, "the
bell is beginning to ring already."
Barnes gritted his teeth with rage; Clancy
was ashen with disappointment.
A horse and buggy similar to those used
by boss contractors was standing In the
roadside a few yards away. MacWIlliams
was the first to i,ee It Ho turned to the
iwo pursuers.
that," he exclaimed. "I can send
one of tho men to the satlon to brin it
back."
Barnes leaped from the platform, ruBhed
to the team jjmped in. Clancy
followed, staggering from excitement. The
chlef digged n!m Into the buggy. He
pjcked up lho ilHes and lashed the horse,
they Btarted for the station at a frantlo
gajt- several times the animal threatened
to tAll but eiu.h tlm9 t waa brought up
wlth a Bhurp turn. On and on they went
unt tney fin8jy reached the satlon. Barnes
tnrcw tj,e unea on the horse's back and
iumDod out. Clancy followed
The bel wu, rigig. The passengers
wer(S crowalng toward tne cars, tns man
they were pursuing and the girl were In the
line leading to the gata. Barnes rushed up
and grabbed the youth by tbe arms.
"Halt!" he cried dramatically. "Yours
my prisoner."
The futritlve obeyed without a word of
protest. Ha realized the futility of a fight.
He walked into the station with Barnes,
The girl followed. Her face was as white
as chalk. As they gained the waiting room
Bi18 lifted her big brown eyes In pataetlo
appeal and promptly fell on the floor a
heap cf exquisite clothes and crushed hu-
manity. mere was ...uu. t, u. uauua.
sprinkling with Ice water and scurrying
hither and thither, but In the end she re-
covered consciousness and regained her
feet, looking very pale and gazing reproach-
fully at the two customs men with he
luminous eyes. Biio was placed In charge
of Clancy, while tho man was taken lnte
an adjoining room. He squared his shoul
ders in a very defiant manner and, folding
his amid, bald scornfully:
"Well, you've got me."
"Yes," assented Barnes, "and I want you
to get down to business in double-qulclc
order."
"How?"
"Well, to begin with, are you willing te
give up the swag?"
The young fellow laughed In a mirthless
manner.
"What do you mean by the swug?"
"I mean what you've taken from tin
bitbop."
A curious smile flickered about the fugi
tive's mouth.
"No," he said decidedly; "11! not glvs
up."
"All the worse for you," said Barnes,
bitterly.
The young man looked at the chief In
spector steadily as If tblnkii.g out a plan
of action.
"Have you got the rtt;f?' asked Barns,
"Why, yes; how did you know I had the
ring?"
"Thai's my business."
"Wiuit's tl.e cl.aiK.i axalnat me'.'" asked
the young fellow, suddenly.
"Highway robbery."
"Highway robbery!" he repeated, In area-
ulousiy.
Ceutlfiuca on Pf DU ,