Adventure Magazine Cover, October 10, 1921 — page 72: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ABOUT ten o’clock Tuesday night the door-bell of Division Operator Powell’s house in Gray Junction rang vigorously. The division operator was just about to sit down for a quiet half-hour with his evening paper, the other members of his family having retired. He answered the summons himself. ‘Good evening, Mr. Powell,” said the man who hadrung. “Could I speak to you for a few minutes?”’ The division operator thrust his gray- streaked head forward in his endeavor to perceive the identity of the caller standing in the gloom of the vestibule. “Good evening!” he said. come in.” The caller stepped into the light of the hall. ‘‘Why, Wheeler! I didn’t recognize you,” exclaimed Powell. ‘Come right in!” He led the way into a large living room and motioned toward a big chair. “Sit down!’ “Tl only keep you a short time,” said Wheeler as he seated himself. “I know you're wondering what brings me,” he went on quickly. “I came in from Willowburn on an extra this evening and got in way too late to find you in your office. I considered it important that I see you. That’s why I’ve come to your home.” “Quite right,” stated Powell. did. And what’s the trouble?” “Mr. Powell,’”’ said Lee without prelim- inary, “I think that about tomorrow Loomis will be quitting the third trick at ‘WN.’ Very likely he’ll come into your office about it. It’s in connection with his leaving that I’ve come.” “Loomis quitting?”’ exclaimed the divi- sion operator. ‘‘Why?” _ “Hfaven’t you heard?” said bee. ‘‘Brayle was out today and he seemed to know about it. Some one’s\been frightening Loomis at night; looking through the glass and making noises around. You know how nervous he is anyway. He told me today he couldn’t stand it.” “Vou don’t mean it!’ ejaculated Powell. “Why, no; I haven’t heard a thing! You say Brayle knows? That’s odd! Who would be doing it?” “T’m not just sure,” returned Wheeler. “But Pll admit I’ve been doing some figur- ing. I think they’ll be around the tower again tonight; that’s what makes me “Why, yes; ) “Glad you Adventure believe Loomis will give it up tomorrow.” “But we can fix that!’ declared Powell. “T’ll have a couple of our police officers sent out there and break it up.” Wheeler, however, shook his head. “T was thinking of that, too,” he said. “But I’m afraid it’s not so simple as it may look. Dve made a few deductions and formed a sort of plan. I'd like to go over it with you.” “Well,” said Powell, ‘‘of course. Go ahead.” “All right,” responded Lee. “First: When Loomis comes in he’ll probably ask you for a day job. I wonder if you’ve one you could place him on?” : The division operator wrinkled his brow. “I’m afraid not,” he said slowly. ‘N-no; I can’t think of a place. We’re pretty well filled up.” “I was afraid there might be none. The thing is, that if hedoesn’t get a day trick he is liable to quit; in fact, I feel positive he will. And Loomis is getting along to the age where it’s not so easy to pick up a job; if he leaves he may find himself up against it. That’s one of the chief reasons why I’m con- cerning myself about this. I hate like thunder to see him bluffed out!” “You're right,” agreed Powell. is not a young man any more.” ““My idea, then,” resumed Lee, “‘is to work it like this: Bright and early tomorrow morning you send me a message reading, ‘Why did you allow Extra So-and-so to cross over at “WN” yesterday without obtaining permission from the dispatcher’?”’ The division operator looked perplexed. “But you didn’t!” “Wait,” said Lee. “This is part of the game. I'll reply, ‘Permitted Extra So-and- so to cross over because no other trains close in either direction.’ “Then you will wire me, ‘Your explana- tion unsatisfactory. Instructions clearly state trains must not be allowed to cross over without first getting dispatcher’s OK. You will be relieved of your duties at “WN” for fifteen days, effective tomorrow.’ ”’ Wheeler smiled at the division operator. “Do you begin to get what I am after?” “T believe I do, partly,” returned Powell, still a trifle puzzled. ‘You want a fifteen days’ suspension; I see that. And then what? Am Ito put Loomis on your trick?” “Exactly,” confirmed Lee. “Sam wouldn’t take it if he thought I laid off just to keep “Loomis cComicloooks C@