was patent at a glance that Big Ben held to
the views of the latter and looked upon Shiner's hand, or Shiner's
hands, as the cause of the hold-up. Nor was he entirely wrong. Even as
Cullin came running up the track from the rear of the train, and
brakemen running atop of it, eager to learn the cause of the stop, two
men with saddle-bags slung over the left arm stepped out from behind
the passenger depot and met the conductor half-way. Glancing back, Ben
caught sight of them and, pistol in hand, started to swing from the
engine, crying "Come on!" to Toomey. Springing to his feet, Toomey gave
one look back to the platform. His keen eyes danced with excitement and
joy. "Hold on!" he shouted to Ben. "It's all right. Lay low," he
whispered to Geordie. "It's Shiner himself!"

And old Shiner it was, cool, quiet, pale, resolute in face of a furious
conductor and a threatening crew--Shiner, presently backed by a
sergeant of regulars and two of his men, who had come running over the
foot-bridge at the stop of the train, and now silently ranged
themselves in tacit support. What Cullin had demanded was how Shiner
dared tamper with the signals--how, in fact, he had managed to, since
they had been carefully locked--and who was he, anyhow. And Shiner had
simply answered: "I've a boy shot and dying at Silver Shield. I only
heard it late in the night. There's no other way to get to him. I pay
full fare and all damages"--but he got no further, for Toomey came
atrot from the engine, threw himself upon him, and grasped his hand.

"What's the trouble, old man?" was the instant question.

And Shiner, turning, saw an old friend and beneficiary, and should have
taken heart at the sight. Instead of which, at sound of a sympathetic
voice, he who had been firm and fearless in the face of abuse and
opposition now wellnigh broke down. "They've killed--little Jack!" he
almost sobbed. "Thank God _you're_ here, Toomey!"

"Of course you'll take him!" cried Toomey, turning sharp on Cullin.

"Of course I _won't_ take him!" snarled Cullin, wrath and temper
stiffening his back, "but the law shall, quick as I can fix it. Back to
your cab, both of you!" he waved, for Ben, too, was bulkily climbing
the platform steps. "Pull out at once and don't you stop for no more
snidework!"

"And leave this man here?" shouted Toomey. "Then you can do your own
firing from here on, Cullin. Hold on, Ben, till I get my things off.
You can obey if you like, but it's the