FIRE IN FORLORN MEDITATION " 130

AT SEEING PEVERIL, THE MEN UTTERED A CRY OF TERROR " 152

A WILD-LOOKING MAN LEVELLED A PISTOL AT PEVERIL " 174

THE TWO MEN STOOD AND LISTENED " 194

RESCUED FROM THE SHAFT " 200

PEVERIL FINDS MARY AGAIN " 234

THE COPPER PRINCESS

CHAPTER I

STARTLING INTRODUCTION OF TOM TREFETHEN

"Look out, there!"

"My God, he is under the wheels!"

The narrow-gauge train for Red Jacket had just started from the
Hancock station, and was gathering quick headway for its first steep
grade, when a youth ran from the waiting-room and attempted to leap
aboard the "smoker." Missing the step, he fell between two cars,
though still clutching a hand-rail of the one he had attempted to
board.

With cries of horror, several of those who witnessed the incident from
the station platform averted their faces, unwilling to view the
ghastly tragedy that they believed must occur in another instant.

At sound of their cries, a neatly dressed young fellow,
broad-shouldered and of splendid physique, who was in the act of
mounting the car-steps, turned, and instantly comprehended the
situation. Without a moment of hesitation he dropped the bag he was
carrying and flung his body over the guard-rail, catching at its
supporting stanchions with his knees. In this position, with his arms
stretched to their utmost, he managed to grasp the coat-collar of the
unfortunate youth who was being dragged to his death. In another
moment he had, by a supreme effort, lifted the latter bodily to the
platform.

Those who witnessed this superb exhibition of promptly applied
strength from the station platform gave a cheer as the train swept by,
but their voices were drowned in its clatter, and the two actors in
their thrilling drama were unaware that it had been noticed. The
rescued youth sat limp and motionless on the swaying platform where he
had been placed, dazed by the suddenness and intensity of his recent
terror; while the other leaned against the guard-rail, recovering from
his tremendous effort. After a few minutes of quick breathing he
pulled himself together and helped his companion into the car, where
they found a vacant seat.

A few of the passengers noted the entrance of two young men, one of
whom seemed to be in need of the