as broken a wire," he said. "Them folks never expected us, but they were
smart with the switches. I'll say that for them."

"Good man!" said Heysham. "She's a grand machine. Next to riding home
first in a steeplechase I'd like to have the running of a lightning
express. Used to do the former once, but now Fate she says to me, 'You
stop right there in Winnipeg, and sell other men's cattle for the best
price you can.' Lorimer, I think Number Forty has saved that stock for
you."

Then, shivering as the blasts struck the cab, we crouched, alternately
frozen and roasted, in the most sheltered corner we could find, while,
feeling the pulse of the great quivering machine with a grimy hand,
Robertson hurled his engine along past Carberry and the slumbering
Portage, until at last, just before the dawn, sheeted white from head-lamp
to tank-rail and dripping below, she came pounding into Winnipeg.

"We'll let that slide. I don't like a fuss," said Robertson, when I
thanked him. "Glad to do our best for you, Forty and me; and I guess the
Company haven't another machine short of the inter-ocean racers that would
have brought you in the time."

Then we interviewed the freight-traffic manager.

"That stock consignment came in hours ago," he informed us. "We haven't
unloaded them yet. Anyway, you'll have to hurry and see the police, for
we're bound to deliver against shipping bill. Don't know how you would
square things after that; and it's not my business. Still, I'll have those
cars side-tracked where they can't be got at readily."

Next we sought the police, and, after driving half across the city,
obtained audience with a magistrate, the result of which was that a
detective accompanied us to the station, and then round the hotels,
inquiring for the conspirators under several different names. None of
them, however, appeared on any hotel register, until we called at a
certain well-known hostelry, where our companion was recognized by the
clerk.

"Yes, I guess we've got the men you want," he said, with unusual civility
for a Western hotel clerk. "Just stood some big stock-buyers a high-class
breakfast, and you'll find them upstairs. Say, if you want assistance send
right down for me."

"We'll probably fix them without you," was the smiling answer. "Only two
doors to the place, haven't you? I'll leave this man here with you,
sending two more to the other one. Walk straight in, Mr. Lorimer, and see
the end of the play."

We e