The Argosy, March 1907 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

-me, Gardiner, how “THE , ARGOSY, “ Well, ‘the truth is I have become so fond of him that I cannot bear him out of my sight. He and I have both got to remain out of the public eye for a few days, hence my choice of a lodging- place; but while we are together, for my own complete peace of mind I prefer to have him trussed up as you see. I don’t really believe there is a spice of danger in him any more; still, it is al- ways best to be on the safe side. “And now,” he questioned eagerly, “is there any explanation advanced for my departure from Berkely? I see that the papers are still at sea, but I thought you might possibly have some later in- formation. Neither Spear nor I was recognized during our journey to New York, were we?” “No; the affair still remains a pro- found mystery to every one. And tell 9 ‘Not now,” interrupted the other. “I will give you the whole story some time when we have nothing better to™ talk about; but at present more impor- tant matters are pressing. What would you say, Mr. Stearns,” his eyes dancing with excitement, “if I should tell you. that the way to hook up your road to the Southeastern has at last been found?” “Say?” ejaculated Stearns, starting to his feet; “ why, my boy, whenever you can give me that assurance you can have my check to your personal order for a round hundred thousand dollars. But you don’t mean to tell——” incredu- lously. ‘“T mean to tell you,” laughed Gardi- ner gleefully, ‘that I'll trouble you for that check just as soon as you can draw it up. The way has been found, and furthermore, the cost of the link will be no greater than so much straight con- struction upon level ground. ‘But in order to reap the full advan- tage of my discovery,” he added, and waxing more businesslike in tone, “ it will be necessary to keep the whole thing a profound secret. I shall remain here in seclusion, but the rest of you will have to be up. and doing.” “How can that be?” demanded Stearns. “ Will you not have to go out ‘to Berkely to conduct your surveys and superintend the work?” - “Oh, no,” Davis assured him. s Berschwind can Fiend to all that ite as. well, whereas I will better subserve all our interests by staying under cover: “The first thing we must do,” he di- rected, plunging without further preface into the details of his scheme, “‘ is to buy up Mine No. 3 of the Berkely Coal Com- pany, and Mine No. 16 of Travis & Pot- ter, over at Melton. worked out, and can be purchased for little or nothing; but after we have ac- quired them we will give out that a new vein of coal has been discovered, and that we intend operating the prop- erties. That will give us an excuse for laying tracks along the galleries, and for shoring up the walls and roof of the passages. There are already sidings to the entrances ; from our line up to No. 3 and from the Southeastern up to No. 16.” “Ah!” exclaimed Stearns, compre- hending at last, “then there is a contin- uous passage through the mountain by way of these mines?” ‘‘ Exactly,” assented Gardiner. “ Later on we will, of course, have to put in a regular tunnel construction throughout the opening, but at present heavy tim- bers will answer every requirement. All I want to do is to get a train of some kind over thaf link.” “Oh, I see your purpose now!” ex- claimed Stearns, with enthusiasm. ‘“ You are right. You must remain ously disappeared,’ and all our opera- tions must be handled on the dead quiet. Not an intimation must be breathed until © the link is fully completed.” ‘And now,” rising to his feet, must be off to start things going.” “Oh, by the way,” called Gardiner after him as he laid his hand upon the door-knob, on Spring Creek stock now?” ‘Opened at forty this morning. Why do you ask?” dae ) | simply thought I would like to take a ‘flier’ on it. If you don’t mind, you can take that one hundred thousand dollars you were speaking of and buy for me as long as it lasts.” Stearns turned with a twinkle in his eye. aa T “Better be careful,’ he admonished. “Some of the best-advised people say it isn’t worth twenty-five.” “Both of them are “what is the price quoted — ‘ mysteri- comic 200KS