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’, his engine.
the robbers, who now'leapcd into the cab.
fH,A;,P,PY , DAYS.
Va!
and uncoupled the express car. The brakes
were set on the rear cars. .
.It was one of Perry's old tricks to run
the express car ‘and engine ahead a few
miles and plunder the express car with
ease. ‘
Rob had not been-able to get back aboard
Jack Dalton was covered by
“Hello! Where's the engineer?" cried
Perry. “Come here, you young cub! If
you don't obey orders we'll shoot you
dead '-' "
Rob was forced to climb in and open the
throttle. Resistance would have been folly.
Moreover a daring idea had seized Rob.
It was plain that no one among the train-
robbers was familiar with the working of
a locomotive. The young engineer was de-
termined to watch his chance to get the
best of the villains.
e and Jack exchanged comprehensive
glances. Rob opened the throttle.
“Now, do jest what I tell ye,"isaid Perry,
threateningly. “If ye don't there'll be a
funeral." -
‘ ll right," sung out Rob, carelessly,
“You seem to be the boss just now. What
do you want?"
“Run ahead till I tell ye to stop." ‘
‘All right."
The locomotive and the express car,
which happened to be the first car, dashed
away over the Giant Trestle. Perry stood
with revolver in hand keeping watch of
Bob. The least sign of rebellion would
meet with certain death, as Rob well knew.
The balance of the train and its passen-
gers were left just where the train had
been held Ill). The obstruction had been
"removed from the track.
For several miles they ran on, and then
Perry shouted: ' ‘
“Hold up!" V
R0 the air-brakes and brought
Ninety-eight to a stop in a deep cut. One
of the outlaws remained in the cab, keep-
ing an eye on Rob and Jack. ‘
Perry and the other leaped down and
reached the express car. The messenger
was not aboard, but he had made every-
thing secure.
But Perry did not bother with locks.
He threw a small stick of dynamite against
the car door. There was an explosion, and
the doors were thrown from their hinges.
Into the car nrst rushed Perry himself.
Rob and Jack in the locomotive cab had
exchangedmieaning glances and were de-
termined to act.
All was utter blackness beyond the glare
of the headlight. When Perry and his
colleague sprang into the car they made
for the safe. v
This the messenger had locked, and the
outlaw cried:
“Give us a hand, Bill! We will roll it
outside and blow it open!” . '
But the safe was a heavy one and was
fastened to the car floor. The robbers
found that it would be necessary to break
it open right there. '
While they were preparing for this, of
course their attention was rawn from
those in the locomotive cab. There a lively
scene was being enacted.
Rob had managed by signs to convey.to
Jack his plan to overpower the outlaw
who was keeping guard over them.
He stood just in the shadow of the ten-
der and kept his gaze constantly on R0
This made it seemingly impossible for the
young engineer to make any action of an
important kind.
But Jack yawned. and said:
“Put up yer gun, boss!
reckon we kin run away?"
The fellow shook his head and replied:
“its orders, and I'm bound to obey or-
ders. Ugh!"
“That's all right." said-Rob, "but you
need not be afraid of us. Hello! .What’s
up?" ‘
The young engineer glanced over the
P‘
How do yer
Dalton took the cue and didthe same, cry-
. Q, .
‘They're cumin’, sure! Look out fer
bber!" '
‘yerself, ye ro
So genuine‘ was the act of the young
engineer and his stoker that the outlaw
was completely deceived. ' ' ' .
He instinctively turned his head.
It was exactly the opportunity Rob was
seeking. He was all ready for it,’too; and
as quick as a flash he shot forward and
gripped the fellows wrist with one hand
and his throat with the other.
The train robber's yell was smothered,
and with ack Dalton's assistance Rob
‘bore the villain to the door of the cab.
Jack!" breathed the young en-
gineer. , ‘There is cord in the locker. We
will,iie him up."
This was done. In a trice the train rob-
‘ber was helpless, with hands and feet se-
curely bound and a gag in his mouth,
Then Rob and Jack sprang up in tri-
umph. But the‘ question now was as to
what was best to do next.
They could start the locomotive and run
back to the scene of the hold-up. Perry‘
and his colleague in the express car might Perry gnashed his teeth and swore sav-
escape by leaping from the car ,
ut Rob conceived a daring purpose. lie
seized the helpless train robber's revolver
and cried: , -
“We'll make a job of it. Jack, and cap-
ture tllecther two. Come along!" .
CHAPTER v11.-
A BRAVE DEED:
Jack Dalton hesitated at Rob's proposal.
The stoker was no coward, but it looked to
him like a big job.
“Eh?" he exclaimed.’ “Do you think we
can do it, Rob? We've only one pistol be-
tween us. The odds are agin us."
“I know we can do -it,“ declared the
young engineer. “Think what a big thing
it will be to capture Perry. Think what it
means to us to let him go at large."
Jack saw that this was logic. .
“We'll have ter use strategy," he said.
“I know it! Come along!" - ,
So both leaped down from the cab, and
crept along to the car door. Perry and his
colleague were preparing to force the safe.
Rob knew that the desperado could only
he captured by a complete surprise. He
was a desperate nghter, and would sell his
life rather than surrender.
The young engineer crept stealthily to
the door of the car. By the light of alan-
tern on the floor’ of the car Perry was
working on the combination lock of the
safe. In a stuoping posture. his back was
turned to the door. v ,
companion was also bending over.
Rob whispered to Jack. ,
“l-Iere, take the revolver. sCover that
fellow. I'm going to knock Perry out if I
an-.. .
c .
Jack at once complied. Rob carried an
iron bar in his hand. He crept across the
car threshold.
It required nerve to carry out his pur-
pose. Pcrry and his companion were des-
peradoes of the worst kind.
Failure to overcome them meant death
to both himself and Jack, for they would
be shot down like dogs.
' Rob, however, did not flinch. I-Ie crept si-
lently into the car.
Perry had just dropped an exclamation of
rage, and his companion glanced up and
gave a yell at sight of Rob.
“Hands up!" roared Dalton, springing
forward and thrusting his revolver into
the fe1low's face.
“Fiends and furies!" yellcd Perry, as he
whirled. But he dropped in his tracks.
Rob had tapped him on the skull just hard
enough to take away his senses.
Jack had the other outlaw held up com-
pletely, and the job’ was over. Rob quickly
bound him, and Jack led him to the cab,
where he secured his feet, and then re-
turned.
The unconscious Perry was also bound,
and Rob and Jack carried him to the cab.
As he was deposited beside the others be
.revived and glared about him.
“l-iooray!" shouted Dalton as he swung
his arms in delight. “We're the people, all
right. We've got the train robbers, an’ they
didn't git the money!" ' .
“Ye’ll pay fer this," gritted Perry. “I'll
lay for ye!" .. .. ., ..
But Rob had reversed his engine, and
now they were flying along on the down-
grade to the scene of the hold-up. A few
minutes later they were on the Giant
Trestle, Then tbelights of the abandoned
train were sighted.
The passengers were still congregated
outside the train, waiting for daylight and
relief to come. Conductor Peele was as-
tounded when the locomotive and the shat-
tered express car reappeared.
Neither he nor any in the crowd but be-
lieved that Perry had got the money from
the safe and left Rob to run his locomotive
ck '
a .
Not one of them suspected the real facts
in the case and that Perry and his com-
panions were at that moment captives in
the cab of the locomotive. ,
As Rob stopped the locomotive within a
few feet of the train the conductor and
trainnlcn came alongside. . ' ,
“Hello. Rob. Glad to see ye back all safe.
Where did ye leave Perryz"
“lie is right here," declared Rob.
“Wllat'!" ,
“That's right!" ' , ,
Thcn Peele sprang into the cab and at
sight of the three outlaws his face bore an
expression hard to describe. ,
"Whcw!" he cried. “Perry and his men
prisoners!"
. ‘‘That's right!" cried Jack. "Ye kin see
for yourself. We turned the tables on ‘em!’
Pcelc rubbed his eyes. Then he yelled to
the others: ‘ i
“Hooray, boys! The train robbers are
caught. They‘re tied up here all safe and
Round-house Rob did it."
It would be hard to describe the scene of
excitement which followed. The passen-
gers nnd trainhands flocked to get a look at
the robbers. ‘ - ‘
agely at them. But the prisoners were now
removed to the express car. The messen-
ger, who had so cleverly secured the safe
and car doors, now appeared and took his
post
The locomotive was again coupled to the
rest of the train, and Conductor Peele gave
the signal to go ahead. .
The express had been delayed an hour
and ten minutes. Rob knew that this could
not be made up.
But he opened the throttle and put on
all speed. The express once,more went
thundering on down the valley.
Rob hung out of the cab window and kept
watch of the track, apprehensive of an-
other hold-up. But alter a while the Gulf
was left behind, and the open country ap-
pcared again. v
Thence to Black Gulf the run was made
without incident. It was some time nfter
midnight when that town was reached.
The sheriff was routed out and came
down to takccharge of the prisoners. lie
was a most astonished personage.
“Dick Perry?" he gasped. “Why, he's
the worst man in the country. We haven't
a lock-up here strong enough to hold him."
“Then we'll take him back to Carlton,"
declared Rob. “He must be brought to jus-
ce."
An armed guard was therefore stationed
over the train robbers in the express car.
At four o'clock the express started on its
return trip.
Back again through the Gulf ran the
night express. But this time there was no
obstruction on the track and no bold-up.
on was reached a little after day-
light, and the run was complete. The next
twelve hours Rob had to himself.
He felt the need of sleep, but he did not
yield to it. As he alighted from the cab
of his engine he saw a slender figure com-
ing along the platform.
It was Cecil Clark.
The son of tight-listed Moses Clark
walked along with supercilious air, as if
he was really the owner of the railroad.
lie saw Rob and at once strode toward
i
D‘
m.
There was a. light of evil triumph in his
eyes as he shouted:
hello, Rob of the Round-house.
What are you doing here?"
ave just come in with the express,"
said Rob, urbanely. “Can I do anything
for you?"
“Yes. I want my shoes blacked."
“I fear you'll have to soil your dignity
and do that yourself for all of me," said
Rob, with perfect equanimity.
“is that so, freshie," exclaimed Clerk, in-
solently. “As a matter of fact, if I should
insist you would have to do it.“
"I'd advise you not to insist," replied
Rob. "You might meet with disappoint-
ment, and that's not pleasant, you know."
"See here,” said Clark, stung by Rob's
cool replies. “Who do you think'you are?"
“I'm ob'Preston, engineer. Who are
you?" .
“I'm the son of Moses Clark, and a gru-
tlcman. I don't care for any impudencc
from one of my father's employees."
Rob started as if stung.
“Your father's employee," he exclaimed.
“I was not aware that I was placed in that
embarrassing position."
“Well, you are," declared Clark. "ily
father owns this railroad now, and you’li
have to be civil or y0“'1l Eel Mei"
V o whistled softly. A bright light
burned in his eyes. lie remembered what
had been told him about Clark's cornering
the stock.
"Is it true. then, your father has got pos-
session of the Carlton S: Black Gulf Rail-
road?" he asked.
“Yes. it is." -
“Then I throw up my job," said Rob. "I
wouldn’t work for you or your father for a
milllgn dollars a minute. That's all there
is to that. What do you say, Jack?"
“I'm with ye, mate," cried Dalton, who
had been listening t 11.
“Don't you fear," cried Clark, hotly.
“Neither one of you will have the chance.
We'll see how well you can afford to put
on airs, Rob Preston. You‘li be sold out of
house and home this week!"
Rob gasped and turned deadly Dale. A
chill of horror came over him. The sig-
nificance of Clark's remark was plain to
him.
“What do you mean?" he asked, hoarsciy.
Clark chuckled in glee.
' “Oh, you'll find out that‘ we're a hard
crowd to beat. Father got hold of the
mortgage on your house the other day. He
bought of John Small. I believe it falls due
the last of the week."
Rob felt a terrible weakness in his knees.
lie was white and set.
“John Small had agreed to extend the
mortgage two years longer," he said. "We
have always paid the interest."
doubt,“ sneered Clark.
John Small changed his mind. You are
pretty fresh, Mr. Bob of the Bound-house.
You think you have cut me out of Alice
Burton’: favor, don't you! Well, we'll see!
When you and your beggarly foster-parents
are turned out into the street to starve
you'll come down from your high horse
a little. I think you'll be glad to pay re-
spect to your superiors."
CHAPTER VIII.
rm: cmrns on-ill-zn.
b was stunned and did not note‘ the
last words of the insolent young fop. But
Jack Dalton's blue eyes flamed, and he
stepped forward menacingly.
.‘‘Hold up thar, ye impudcnt young dude.
You ain't owner of the whole earth, an’ you
can't talk to us in such manner. I've a
mind to give ye a spanl:in"’
"Cecil, Cecil." called a
“What's the matter here?"
was a short, squat man with a full
white board and cunning cyts who stepped
from the waiting-room. Moses Clark was
just in time to hear Jack's admonition.
"‘Iiello, dad!" said Cecil, with .1 jccrlng
laugh. “I'm glad you‘ve come. ’Thosc ici-
lows have insulted me, and I want you to
harsh voice.
fire .
Clark's sharp little eyes ran quickly over
Rob and Dalton, and he said, in a growling
v .
“You're always having a row with some
one, Cecil. Isn't that young Preston?"
"Yes. da "
“Well. I remember him well. as the son
of old Joe. See here, Preston, when you
insult my son you insult me." ‘
"One moment, Mr. Clark,“ said Rob,
quietly. “I deny rendering your son insult,
and I have a witness here to prove it. But
I want to ask you a question. Did you so-
cure the mortgage on our house of John
Small?"
Moses Clark's cunning gaze roamed into
the beyond over Rob's e .
“I believe I did," he replied. “Do you
wish to pay it‘!"
“No! I ask to have it extended for two
I
years as Small had agreed. We w 11 pay
you the interest promptly."
"Will you?" said Clark, softly. “I'll con-
sider it. Come to my house about noon.
Perhaps we can dx it. In fact. I think we
can, on certain conditions."
“Wbat'."' snapped Cecil. ‘
that, dad. You said you'd turn
oblige me.’
"Shut up, you young cub," growled Clark,
turning upon his hopeful son. “I know
my business. Don't you interfere."
"But I want you to discharge him." cried
Cecil, angrily. "You're going back on your
Md .. .
object to
‘em out to
“That's my business," snapped the
usurer. “You hear what I say, Preston.
Come to my house at noon and we'll talk
it over."
Cecil angrily cxpostulnied with his father
as they walked away. Rob was pair‘ and
rigid, and turned to Jack. who (“iL'l.’Illill’llZ
"Don't yc mind. lad. Well mid another
job on the D. h. S. I n'ould'.i‘t work
for that old skindint, anyway."
“That don't worry mo, Jack." said Rob,
heavily: "but he has got hold of the mort-
gage on our house, and can turn us out
of doors. I don‘: want my father to know
it, for the worrinleut might kill him."
The Stoker was siiont. Ilut Ille rxprls
sion of his face showed that he was dreply
in l‘lob's s.Vmp:itliy.
Tile passengers had all diSE‘illll:Il'liE‘,d, the
baggage car had been eniptlmi, and the
switcher was ready to take the train to the
(ar-house. A
Roi) leaped aboard Ninety-ciclit, which
was now uncoupled from the train, and ran,
the locomotive to the round-lloust-. lie
and Jack were busy wiping up the hearings
when a messenger entered.
“Mr. Rob Preston?" he called.
“Ilere," replica Rob.
"f-ir. Vane would like to see you at once
at his odice." . ‘
Rob dropped his tools and hurriedly
washed. A few moments later he prcscntcd
himself at the office door. lie opened it
and entered.
Mr. Vane sat at his desk. The railway
magnate's face was pallid and anxious.
There were traces of worrinient visible.
“Come in, Rob," said Mr. Vane in a kind-
ly tone. “I hear you have distinguished
yourself again in the capture of Dick Perry.
must congratulate and thank you on be-
half of this company. If I were going to
remain in my present capacity I would see
that you had a more tangible reward."
“Oh, llir. Vane," said Rob, with deep feel-
ing. “is it true that you are no longer to
be president of the Carlton K: Gulf Rail-
road?" .
“I fear it is. Rob. An unexpected deal in
the stock has given somebody else control.
and I shall be deposed. I know, though,
that you will do your duty by the new man-
agement as you have by the old."
“Mr. Vane, I fear that the hour that secs
you leave this railroad also sees me go." ‘
Mr. Vane gave a start of surprise.
"flow is that, Rob?"
"Mr. Clark will never keep me in his em-
ploy, I am sure.
I.
In fact, this very morn-,
1..