d their wives to weep over them
and live on--you will not die."

"But I--I _shall_ die," sobbed the woman.

Before he could reply the door opened and an elderly man, plainly, but
comfortably dressed, stood before them.

Moran gave his hand to the newcomer in silence and it was taken in
silence; then, turning to the veiled figure he said: "Mrs. Cowels, this
is our master-mechanic."

When the visitor had taken her hand and assured her of his sympathy,
Moran asked them to be seated, and standing before them said:

"Mrs. Cowels has just asked me why I am here, and I was at the point of
replying when you came in. Now, with your permission I will tell her,
for I am afraid, my friend, that you did not quite understand me that
day in court. I am charged with trespassing upon the property of the
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company, inciting a riot
(although there was no riot), attempting to blow up Blackwings and
threatening to kill George Cowels."

"Oh! how could they say such dreadful things?" said Mrs. Cowels, "and I
suppose that you were not even on the company's ground!"

"Oh yes, I was. I went to the engine, and quarrelled with George, just
as the detective said I did, but we only quarrelled for a moment because
George could not know why I came."

"But you did not threaten to kill George?" said the woman excitedly.

"No."

"Tell me, Dan," said the master-mechanic, "had you that stick of
dynamite when the detective arrested you? Tell us truly, for you are
talking to friends."

"There is something about the dynamite that I may not explain, but I
will say this to you, my friends, that I went to the engine, not to kill
Cowels, but to save his life, and I believe I did save it, for a few
hours at least."

Mrs. Cowels looked at the man, who still kept his seat on the narrow
bed, as though she wished him to speak.

"Dan," he began, "I don't believe you put that dynamite on the engine; I
have said so, and if I don't prove it I am to be dismissed. That
conclusion was reached to-day at a meeting of the directors of the road.
I have been accused of sympathy with the strikers, it seems, before, and
now, after the statement by the attorney that I used my influence to
have you discharged after he had made out a clear case against you, I
have been informed by the general manager that I will be expected to
prove your innocence or look for another place.

"I have been with the Burlington all my life and don't