The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 22 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ARGOSY ‘‘T am, too; but you are the best judge, Dykeman,” was the pleasant response, and the superintendent gave no evi- dence of disappointment, if he had any, as he had on a pre- vious occasion. By this time the pay car had got under way, and was speeding rapidly eastward. ‘*T told you you were not left out in the cold.” laughed Freeman, as Dash joined him in the forward end of the car. ‘But you broke your promise,’ added Dash. ‘T couldn't help it, Dykeman, after I learned you didn't have acent; but I made the old man promise to keep that careless chap at Deckerton before I told him a word.” ‘‘ Then I forgive you,” smiled Dash ; ** and now, if you will change one of these bills, I'll pay you for my breakfast.” ‘* That’s all right, Dykeman.” “ But I iusist. ‘“T see now how I will be able to go the other way,” con- tinued Dash, when the change had been handed him. ‘* Where do we meet the next west bound express?” “At Springvale Junction. By the way, I told Carstover to take care of your satchel and hat. You will find them in the station master’s office in Pittsburg.” Dash left the pay car at the junction, and was soon once more speeding westward on an express train, This time as a passenger, which he felt was more pleasant than as a flag- man, with the prospect of disagreeable and perilous expert- ences before him. But he soon found that even as a passen- ger he was destined to witness and participate in some ex- citing events. Some hours later, when he bad walked forward to the smoking car on a sort of tour of inspection of lis fellow trav- elers, he stopped as he was about to enter the car and gazed intently through the glass in the door. In one of the seats nearest to him was a man whom he was positive he recognized as the other tramp who had robbed him. CHAPTER AVI. ANOTHER FORTUNATE MEETING AND A FIR. SSURING himself that he was not mistaken, by a long and close inspection of the man from the platform, Dash turned about to seek the conductor, who was at the rear of the train. He knew the Jatter casually, from having seen him and given him orders at the relay station, and did not hesitate to solicit his aid in getting from the tramp the stolen watch, if he still had it. On the way a scheme occurred to him that made him smile, and when he met the conductor he told him his sus- picion and unfolded it. The conductor readily promised his assistance, and said he would stand by Dash in case the man made any trouble. By the liberal application of some white face powder which the conductor obtained from a lady in the sleeper, Dash inade his features take on a deathly pallor. Then, borrowing acap from one of the brakemen, he was prepared to unfold nis stratagem. First the conductor, under his direction, went forward to the smoker and seated himself next the forward brakeman, who happened most luckily to be in the seat just in front of the tramp. ‘‘ Barbee. did you hear about that dead man they found west of Deckerton?” he remarked, keeping a sidelong glance on the fellow behind him. ‘‘ No: who was it? Was he struck by atrain?”’ ‘‘Can’t say if a train hit him or not; but he must have been a brakeman, as his cap was found alongside the track,” re- plied the conductor, and he saw the tramp give an almost 308 imperceptible start, and lean slightly forward in a listening attitude. ‘* Do you know his name?” asked the brakeman. ‘Didn't hear ; but they say there were some suspicious things about his death, and it is believed he was robbed and put on the track when insensible or dead, or was tied to the rails.” The fellow behind was now listening with undisguised in- terest, and his face was a shade paler. ‘* Have they got any clew as to who did it?” pursued the brakeman. ‘‘No; but I'll tell you something. There’s a fellow on board this train who knows all about it,” replied the con- ductor in low tones, but loud enough to be heard by the tramp. The latter gave a decided start this time, and a mingled expression of astonishment and fear spread over his face. As he sank back in his seat, the car door was closed with a loud bang, but no one went out orcamein. He glanced with curiosity and apprehension toward the cause of the noise, and saw a pale face, surmounted by a brakeman's cap, peering through the upper glass of the door. Now, almost shaking with the fear that filled him, he touched the conductor on the shoulder and said in an un- steady voice : ‘* Mister Conductor, is that one o' yer brakeseys a standin’ out there on ther platform ?" '* Where?” asked the conductor, looking straight at the door, and at the same time winking at the brakeman. The wink might have meant several things, but, as the brake- man kept a grave silence, he must have interpreted it prop- erly. ‘You must be off, my man,” continued the conductor. ‘‘] don’t see any of my brakemen on the platform,” which was really true. The fellow sank back in doubt and fear, half covering his face for an instant, as if to shut out a disagreeable vision. Then the coach door opened, and Dash advanced slowly along the aisle, keeping his eyes fixed on thetramp. He in- dulged in none of the conventional ghostly gestures of a menacingly pointed fore finger or a gliding sort of walk. He moved naturally, with his arms at his sides, and paused when he was nearly opposite the tramp. The latter, on looking up, threw out his hands and cried : ‘*Great smoke! he said we'd see him agin sure, an’ here he is. I wouldn't a took ‘em if it hadn't a been for my pardner. Yer kin have all I got o’ it,” and he tremblingly brought forth some bills and silver coin from his pocket. ‘* Where is the watch?" asked Dash sternly, though in his natural voice. ‘There was no need of further playing on the fellow’s fears, as he had already confessed his crime. ‘““ Here she is,’ rephed the man almost eagerly, as he pulled the gold time keeper from his vest pocket. ‘* Jumpin’ ginger ! he even knows how we divvied !” ‘‘ And now you can prepare to take up your lodging in the penitentiary for a few years,” concluded Dash, ‘' and on your own confession, too.” ‘* An’ yer ain't dead after all,” gasped the tramp, his jaw dropping, as he was brought to the true state of affairs by Dash’'s last words. ‘* No more than you are.” ** Well, brakesey, you played on me slick for sure, an’ I’m a great big chump,” said the fellow sheepishly, but evi- dently with great relief. There was a laugh from the passengers and trainmen, who had been interested and amused spectators. ‘An’ there wan't no man killed, either,” the fellow con- ecomnieoooks COU