d figure, he
spoke slowly and with a somewhat shamefaced note of apology.

"I reckon I've got ter pray yore forgiveness, Stranger," he began. "A
right mean sort of mistake 'pears ter hev took place--but hit war one I
couldn't help without I defied ther law."

"How's thet?" demanded Halloway shortly, and his informant went on.

"When thet message come from ther town marshal at Coal City, he warned
us 'Violent man--take no chances.' Thet's why we fell on ye so severe
an' tied ye up so tight."

"Wa'al," Halloway was schooling his demeanor warily into the middle
course between a too ready forgiveness and a too bellicose resentment,
"wa'al what air ye cravin' my pardon fer, then?"

"We've done heered ergin from Coal City--an' ther town marshal says
thet hit war all a fool mistake--thar hain't no sufficient grounds ter
hold ye on. He bids me set ye free forthwith."

"Go on, then, and do hit. I've done hed a belly-full of settin' here
strapped ter this cheer."

But the operator hesitated.

"Afore I turns ye loose, I'd like ter feel plum sartin thet ye hain't
holdin' no grudge."

Halloway knew that, should he seem easily placated, he would not be
believed, so he spoke with a voice of stern yet just determination.

"So holp me God, I aims ter demand full payment fer this hyar day--but
I aims ter punish ther right man. Ye says ye only acted on orders from
an officer, don't ye?"

"Thet's true es text."

"All right then, ye hain't ther man I'm atter, ef that's so. Mistakes
will happen. As ter ther other feller, I kin bide my time fer a spell.
I reckon my wrath won't cool none."

The Station Agent heaved a sigh of relief. "Hit's a right unfortunate
thing," he declared sympathetically. "I've been studyin' erbout hit
an' I said ter myself, 'what ef some enemy of his'n sent both them
messages?'"

This seemingly innocent suggestion was by way of discounting the future
when Halloway learned that the town marshal knew nothing of the matter.

The operator bent and unfastened the binders about the ankles and
waist. That left only the handcuffs, and when he came to them once
more a note of apologetic anxiety crept into his voice.

"Ther key ter them things is lost," he deprecated. "Ther best I kin do
fer ye air ter file ther chain. Ye kin stick yore hands in yore
pockets, though, an' nobody won't see 'em."

"Thet's good enough fer ther present time," assented Halloway. "Ef
ye'll loan me thet file, I'll git