Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 759

"The Railroad Pards in Fortune City," by Col. A. F. Holtz

This serialized adventure novel opens with Engineer Headlight Harry Hilton and fireman Rufe Ruffles spotting an unconscious man lying across the railroad tracks ahead. Harry executes a daring rescue, perching on the engine's cow-catcher and lifting the unknown man from the tracks seconds before the train wheels would crush him.

The rescued stranger bears a sandbag wound on his forehead, revealing attempted murder rather than accident. Harry discovers he has also been grazed by a bullet fired from nearby woods. Passengers and trainmen pursue the attackers unsuccessfully. The victim, an elderly man with silver hair in worn homespun clothes, remains unconscious and is transported to Richville hospital. That evening, Harry receives a mysterious urgent note from the old man—now conscious—requesting an immediate meeting and hinting at revelation of vital secrets. The letter suggests the stranger possesses information of great importance to disclose.