Part 16 (1/2)

”Oh, they were going to run it through to Bonavita on the Emerald River, but the B. & G. got all there was of that business first, and so the P. S. never got beyond Total Wreck. Mr. De Reamer never built it. The old s.h.i.+pleigh crowd did that before Mr. De Reamer bought up this property.” The faint glimmer had returned to Tiffany's eyes; he was searching Carhart's face. ”You want these trains sent on through to your camp, don't you?” he asked abruptly.

”No, they are to go down over the P. S.”

Tiffany's expression was growing almost painful. Carhart went on.

”There are sidings at Total Wreck, aren't there, Peet?” he asked.

”Oh, yes, quite a yard there; but it's badly run down.”

”What other sidings are there along the line?”

”Long ones at Yellow House and Dusty Bend.”

”How long?”

”Nearly two miles each.”

”How long is the line?”

”Forty-five miles.”

”Good Lord!” The exclamation was Tiffany's. He was staring at Carhart with an expression of such mingled astonishment, incredulity, and expansive delight, that Peet's curiosity broke its bounds. ”For G.o.d's sake, Tiffany,” he cried, ”what is it? What's he going to do?”

But Tiffany did not hear. He was gazing at Paul Carhart, saying incoherent things to him, and bringing down a heavy hand on his shoulder. He was somewhat frightened--never before, even in his own emphatic life, had his routine notions received such a wrench--but his eyes were s.h.i.+ning. ”Lord! Lord!” he was saying, ”but there'll be swearing in Sherman to-morrow.”

”The time has come when I ought to know what”--this from the purple Peet.

”Don't ask him, Lou,” cried Tiffany, ”don't ask him. If we smash, it won't be your fault. Ain't that right, Paul?”

”Yes,” replied Carhart, ”it is just right. Don't ask any questions, Peet, and don't give me away. I don't want any swearing in Sherman to-morrow. I don't want a whisper of this to get out for a week--not for a month if we can keep it under.”

Tiffany quieted down; grew thoughtful. ”It will take a lot of men, Paul. How can you prevent a leak?”

”I'm going to take them all West with me afterward.”

”I see. That's right--that's right! And the station agents and train crews and switchmen--yes, I see. You'll take 'em all.”

”Every man,” replied Carhart, quietly.

”If necessary, you'll take 'em under guard.”

Carhart smiled a very little. ”If necessary,” he replied.

”You'll want some good men,” mused Tiffany. ”I'll tell you,--suppose you leave that part of it to me. It's now,--let's see,--seven-forty.

It won't be any use starting your first train until you've got the men to do the work. I'll need a little time, but if you'll give me an hour and half to two hours, say until nine-thirty, I'll have your outfit ready. I'll send some of my a.s.sistants along with you, and a bunch of our brakemen and switchmen. There'll be the commissariat to look out for too,--you see to all that, Lou, will you?”

Peet inclined his head. ”For how many men?” he asked.

”Oh, five hundred, anyway, before we get through with it.” Nothing could surprise the superintendent now. He merely nodded.

”And rifles,” Tiffany added. ”You'll want a case of 'em.”