"Here, you old rascal!" cried the superintendent, reaching out and grabbing the escaping Glidden, "no hanging around here," and he dragged him into the room. "First official act, Fairbanks, discharge this man.

Then make him a.s.sistant manager. He's too fine for a simple first trick man."

"Oh, but you're doing things!" commented the old operator, trying to disguise his aroused emotions.

"For those who have done things for us, exactly," answered the superintendent briskly. "Both of you come to my office at 10 a. m. You will probably be interested in hearing the final wind-up of the pay car mystery."

It was certainly a remarkable meeting, that which the two friends attended.

Bob Adair was there with his report, brisk, animated and proud of his success. Zeph Dallas, excited and delighted, seemed to grow a foot when the superintendent gave him a personal word of praise for his efforts.

The initial work of Ralph Fairbanks had started in action all the efficient machinery of the road. As Zeph described it, once the first clew got to Adair he just seemed to spread out a great net and caught everybody and everything in it.

By midnight five of the princ.i.p.al conspirators had been run down and locked up. Some confessions were the result. Best of all, these brought out the secret connection of these men with the rival road.

"There is a pretty heavy bill to pay, but certain officials of the Midland Central will be glad to pay it," declared Adair.

"What had the robbers done with the bank bullion?" inquired the superintendent.

"They had no means of breaking open the strong safes quickly, and dropped them all down the well near the old deserted hut in Eagle Pa.s.s, intending to return later when the chase was over and rifle them at their leisure."

"Yes, that was the real gold mine Rivers boasted about," submitted Ralph.

"We have secured a list of all the 'suspicious' men among the telegraphers," continued Adair. "They will trouble us no further with delays, smash-ups and cut wires. Chief Dispatcher Fairbanks has already cleared the service, and the Great Northern can go on its way smoothly."

There was one favor Ralph asked before the conference broke up. This was that the fireman who had helped him in the record run of the California fruit special be remembered. It was granted, and the honest fellow was given a promotion.

"On the side, Fairbanks," said the road officer, familiarly linking Ralph's arm as they left the office of the general superintendent, "I wish to express a change of opinion on one subject."

"What is that, Mr. Adair?" inquired Ralph.

"Glen Palmer."

"You have seen him?" asked Ralph with interest.

"Yes, and you will see him, too, as soon as he is pardoned, which will be within twenty-four hours, if the influence of the Great Northern counts for anything. He is a n.o.ble young fellow."

"I thought that all along."

"I didn't, and I am ashamed of myself for the sentiment. He is no thief, and never was a thief."

"Not even--"

"The department store episode? No. He was trying to escape from the conspirators, who pressed him closely. He found himself stranded without a penny in an unfriendly town. In order to get the money to place his aged relative in a position of safety, he pretended to take the jewelry we know about so his grandfather could claim the ten dollars reward and carry out their plans."

"I am truly glad to hear this," said Ralph warmly. "And the convict portrait Ike Slump had?"

"Is really that of a cousin very much resembling Glen. He was the cause of Glen's wanderings and troubles. He was a sad scamp, but his health is broken. He escaped from jail, and Glen was willing to shoulder his ident.i.ty until he got safely out of the country, where he now is trying to redeem his broken past."

"What of the old grandfather, Mr. Adair?"

"Glen wishes to repurchase the chicken farm. He loves the business. His grandfather is at heart a harmless old man, and Glen believes would soon forget his vagaries and settle down to a happy life."

"They shall have all the help I can give them," promised Ralph heartily.

Adair accompanied Ralph as far as the dispatcher's office. Glidden had preceded them. He just sat down at the operating table when a click at his instrument caused first trick man, second trick man, copy operator and Ralph himself to listen attentively.

A call had come giving a "sine" or signature that never ran over the wire without making every man in the dispatcher's office sit up and take notice--the "sine" of the president of the Great Northern himself.

"For you, Mr. Fairbanks," spoke the old operator with a vast chuckle and excessive politeness: "Mr. Fairbanks, Chief Dispatcher Great Northern: Congratulations."

"Fairbanks," spoke the road officer, grasping the hand of the young railroader warmly, "I'm proud of you!"

Ralph flushed with pride and pleasure. But however warmly the generous words of commendation from the railroad men thrilled the young chief dispatcher, they paled into insignificance when the lad, on reaching home that night, heard his mother say:

"Ralph, my son, you have made me very proud!" And then, woman-like, she added: "But don't do it again, Ralph. You--you might get hurt!"

"All right, mother," he promised, as he kissed her. "Only I don't believe those chaps will have a chance to make trouble for me or the railroad again--that is, not right away."

THE END