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Updated: June 27, 2025
If, at the stroke of midnight, the first train had failed to go through, then the charter of the S.B. & L. would be forfeited and subject to seizure and sale by the state. Up from Denver some of the worst politicians had come. They were quartered at the new little hotel in Lineville. Dave Fulsbee had detailed three of his men covertly to watch these same politicians.
The first train left Stormburg this morning. By seven tonight you'll have the last rails in place. Between eight and nine this evening the first through train will have rolled into Lineville and we shall have won the fight that has brought me many gray hairs. At last the worry is over!" "Of course, sir," nodded Tom.
"That whistle doesn't come from the through train. It's one of the locomotives that the S.B. & L. had delivered over the D.V. & S., which makes a junction with your road at Lineville. A locomotive or a train at the Lineville end won't help your crowd any. That isn't the through train required by the charter. The S.B. & L. loses the game, just the same." "Oh, I don't know," Tom argued.
"No man can ever tell, today, what tomorrow will bring forth." Too-oo-oot! sounded a locomotive whistle again. One of the men in the thicket threw himself to the ground, pressing his ear to the earth. "There's a train, or a locomotive, at least, coming this way from Lineville, boss," reported the fellow. "A train?" gasped Black. Then his face cleared.
"Oh, well, even if it's a fully equipped wrecking train, it can't get the road mended in time to bring the through train in before midnight, as the charter demands." Now the train from Lineville came closer, and the whirr of its approach was audible along the steel rails. The engine's bell was clanging steadily, too, after the manner of the engines of "specials."
Yet I shiver! I can't help it. Men just as resourceful as Tom Reade are sometimes beaten to a finish!" The field work was done. Yet the field engineers were not dismissed. Instead, they were sent back along the line. The construction gang was still twelve miles out of Lineville, and the time allowed by the charter was growing short.
"It's the division superintendent at Lineville, calling up Brewster's," announced the operator. "Answer for Brewster, then," directed Black. "Let us see what the division super wants, anyway." More clicking followed, after which the operator explained: "Division super asks Brewster if through train has passed there." "Answer, 'Yes; twelve minutes ago," directed Black.
So the party proceeded, and in time reached Lineville. There was great excitement in that little junction town when the citizens first heard of the dastardly work that the prisoners had attempted. Dave marched his captives into the waiting room of the station. All outsiders were ushered forth politely. Mr.
Trains were running now for work purposes, nearly as far as the line extended. The telegraph wires ran into the temporary station building at Lineville, and the several operators along the line were busy carrying orders through the length of the wire service. Back at Stormburg, where the railroad line began, three trains lay on side tracks.
We've got a box relay on the wire going both ways. Your operators can't use the wire much tonight. Your company can't use it from Lineville at all." Tom's face showed his dismay. 'Gene Black laughed in intense enjoyment. "So you cut the wire, oh, and attached box relays?" "Surely," Black nodded. "I'm glad you confess it," replied Tom slowly.
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