Part 38 (1/2)
Ralph began to quietly tell the story of his own dealings with the village magnate of Stanley Junction. It had a great effect upon his auditor. From dark distrust and suspicion his emotions gradually subsided to interest, and finally to confidence.
It was only by gradations that Ralph led the man to believe that he was his friend and could help him in his difficulties.
The convict told a pitiful story. Ralph believed it to be a true one.
To further his own avaricious ends, Farrington had devised a villainous plot to send the man to the penitentiary. He had escaped.
He had doc.u.ments that would cause Farrington not only to disgorge his ill-gotten gains, but would send him to jail.
”I want to get to where those doc.u.ments are hidden,” said the convict.
”Then to find Farrington, and I shall right your wrongs as well as my own.”
Ralph reflected deeply over the matter in hand. He resolved on a course of proceedings and submitted it to his companion.
He offered to take the convict to the isolated home of Amos Greenleaf, where he could remain safely in retirement. Ralph promised to get him comfortable garments and provide for his board and lodging. In a few days he would see him again and help him to find Farrington.
The young fireman was now released from the handcuffs. He calculated the location of the place where Greenleaf lived.
”It is about fifteen miles to the spot I told you of,” he explained to the convict.
”Can we reach it without being seen by any one?” anxiously inquired his companion.
”Yes, I can take a route where we need not pa.s.s a single habitation.”
It was afternoon when they reached the home of old Amos Greenleaf.
Ralph experienced no difficulty in arranging that the convict remain there for a few days. He gave Greenleaf some money, and, promising to see the convict very soon, proceeded to Wilmer.
The young fireman took the first train for Afton, and reported what had occurred to the a.s.sistant superintendent.
Two days later Woods and his companions were in jail, and a great part of the stolen freight plunder was recovered.
Woods confessed that he had duplicated keys and seals for the doors and ventilators of the freight cars, and the bold thieveries along the Great Northern now ceased.
Ralph obtained leave of absence for a week. He decided that it was worth while to try and find Gasper Farrington. He went to the city, got certain papers belonging to the magnate from Mr. Grant, and went to Wilmer.
He was soon at the junction of the Springfield & Dover Short Cut Railroad and the Great Northern. That terminus was completed. A neat depot had been erected, and on the tracks of the new railroad there stood a handsome locomotive.
”Oh, Ralph!” cried Zeph Dallas, rus.h.i.+ng forward to greet his friend, as the young fireman appeared. ”Great news!”
CHAPTER x.x.x
THE LOST DIAMONDS
”Great news, eh?” said Ralph.
”You will say so when you hear what I have got to tell you,” declared Zeph Dallas. ”Say, I am going straight to headquarters. Come with me.
The news will keep till we get there.”