Part 28 (1/2)

”How much did you tell that young fellow of our conversation?” questioned McNally.

”Smith? Nothing but just what he told you. I said I thought he was the man you told me about.”

”What does he look like?”

”Big man--straight dark hair. I took these out of his pockets.”

They were a handful of papers, and McNally took them eagerly. ”That's something like,” he said.

It was too dark to make out anything, and he struck a match. The crackle was followed by another sound from the thicket, as though a man had moved suddenly and violently. McNally started and dropped the match, glancing suspiciously toward the spot whence the sound came.

”It's only the boys,” said Wilkins. ”Here, I'll give you a light.”

As he sheltered the flickering match-light with his hands, McNally glanced over the papers. One of them he found by unfolding to be a map of the railroad. There were some memoranda, scrawled and unintelligible, and last of all, what appeared to be a note in a crumpled blue envelope, bearing a week-old postmark. He scrutinized it closely, and then rubbed his soft hands over it. There was the caricature of a smile on his face.

”That's all the light I need. He's the man.”

As Wilkins dropped the match, McNally turned a little and slipped the blue note into his pocket. Then he handed the other papers to Wilkins, saying:--

”Put them back where you found them. We don't want to rob him.”

In a moment, with lowered voice he went on:--

”I don't think it's necessary for me to give any further instructions.

When you go back there just tell those men what we want. It's necessary that West shall be out of the game for the next day or two, that's all.

I'll walk along toward the train, and when you get through with them follow me down the track. What force have they on the other train?”

”Not more than twenty men.”

”That simplifies--”

As he started to speak there came to his ears a splintering crash followed by a quick succession of shots.

McNally smiled. ”The boys are rus.h.i.+ng things,” he said. ”I hope they aren't doing anything rash. I'll hurry along and pacify 'em. Follow me as soon as you can, will you?”

He turned to go, but Wilkins waited.

”Mr. McNally,” he said, ”I guess you'd better attend to that West business yourself. I'll send one of those men to you, and take Smith down to the train with me.”

”What do you mean?”

”I guess you can see what I mean all right,” said Wilkins. ”I'd rather let you be responsible for any kidnapping.”

He did not wait for a reply, but hurried into the thicket, and nodding to one of the men who still held Harvey he said in a low tone:--

”You're wanted out there. Your partners can hold this chap all right.”

Then with a gesture motioning Smith to follow, he felt his way through the woods and down the side of the cut to the track.