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Marchmont, less ready in putting on his mask, said nothing but followed a step or two behind. "I expect the wire's from Alexander," she went on, "to say he's going to make a speech somewhere and won't come to-morrow."
We knew that if we sat down we wouldn't want to get up again in a hurry that, if we did, our leg-sinews, especially those of our calves, would "draw" like red-hot wire's. You see, we hadn't been long on the track this time it was only our third day out. Swagmen will understand. We got the billy boiled first, and some leaves laid down for our beds and the swags rolled out.
She said unsteadily, "Holding the wire, I smell that horrible smell." He put his hand on the wire's end. He shared the sensation. "Terror beam across the highway," he said calmly. "Maybe on our account, maybe not. But there was a side road a little way back." He backed the car. He'd smashed the backing lights, too. He guided himself by starlight.
He found Wid Gardner and told his news. His neighbor listened to him gravely. "It may be only some people in there fishing," said Wid, "but it's no time to take chances. You say the wire's down? That looks so bad, I reckon you'd better ride on down. How far have you rode today?" "Round thirty, forty miles." "Forty more won't hurt you none," said Wid. "The roan bronc can stand it.
'You must knock again, if you please. 'There ain't a bell, is there, ma'am? said the short chairman. 'Yes, there is, interposed the link-boy, 'I've been a-ringing at it ever so long. 'It's only a handle, said Mrs. Dowler, 'the wire's broken. 'I wish the servants' heads wos, growled the long man. 'I must trouble you to knock again, if you please, said Mrs.
He called for the number of the vicarage at Bray, only to find that the call was interrupted again at the nearest telephone center. But this time he was asked to wait, and in a minute he heard Jack Young's voice in his ear. "We came over to explain about the wire's being cut," said Jack. "Dick's all right. He's here with me. Where are you? We've got to see you just as soon as we can."
But O'Neil, the night operator, was dead. Murdered by Indians while we slept." "Thot's hell!" replied Casey, seriously, as he lit his pipe. "The message went through to Medicine Bow. Stacey down there sent it back to me. I tried to get Hills at Roaring City. No go! The wire's cut!" "An' shure the gineral's train has left wot's that new camp Roarin' wot?"
"Rope'll never hold it," he declared; "fencing wire's the thing," so fencing wire was used, and after a hard morning's work pulling and straining the wire and securing it to uprights, the net was in its place, the calico roof smooth and flat against the ceiling, and its curtains hanging to the floor, with strong, straight saplings run through the folded hem to weigh it down.
The thud of hoofs came clearly to her now; it was as if the horse was galloping up the slope from the lower gate. "What's the matter?" demanded Mrs. Archer, in a hoarse, dry voice. With a despairing gesture the girl dropped the receiver and turned a face drained of every particle of color. "The wire's dead," she said hopelessly. Mrs. Archer caught her breath sharply, but made no other sound.
Stop now, and wind it back, and get the cage up again. Does the bell act, I wonder?" Jack pulled the wire which, when in order, struck a bell at the bottom of the shaft, and then looked at a bell hanging over his head for the answer. None came. "I expect the wire's broke," Jack said, and went out to the pit's mouth again.
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