IN POSSESSION
XXXVII A HOMEWARD VOYAGE

ILLUSTRATIONS

I clasped the straying hand and drew her to me . . _Frontispiece_

I read it over slowly, but it appeared innocent enough

He gasped a bit, rubbing his bruised wrist

"Give me back those papers"

GORDON CRAIG

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

CHAPTER I

THE FIRST STEP

I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already
rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly,
switching his light cane carelessly in the air. I had noticed him
before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention
attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in
which he watched me work. Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I
straightened up, observing him more closely. He was forty or
forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large
nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning
to gray. His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant
look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard
expression of countenance. As I faced him in some surprise he looked
me fairly in the eyes.

"Been at this job long?" he asked easily.

"Three days," I replied unhesitatingly, drawing the reins through my
hands.

"Like it?"

"Well, I 've had worse and better," with a laugh. "I prefer this to my
last one."

"What was that?"

"Ridin' blind baggage."

It was his turn to laugh, and he did so.

"I thought I was not mistaken," he said at last, sobering. "You are
the same lad the train hands put off the Atlantic Express at Vernon a
week ago."

I nodded, beginning to suspect him of being a fly-cop who had spotted
me for a pull.

"I never noticed the name of the burg," I returned. "Why? were you
there?"

"Yes, I came in on the same train. Just caught a glimpse of your face
in the light of the brakeman's lantern. How did you get here?"

"Freight, two hours later."

"You 're not a bum, or you would n't be working."

I put one foot on the wheel, but he touched me on the sleeve with his
cane.

"Wait a minute," and there was more animation in the tone. "I may have
something better for you than this lumber wagon. I 'm right, ain't I,
in guessing you 're no regular bum?"

"I 've bummed it most of the way from Frisco; I had to. I was homesick
for the East, and lost my transportation."

"Your what?"

"Transportation; I was