I'll call on Jack Wright, and get all the
facts from him of the bank swindle."

He thereupon left the hotel.

Going to Jack's house, he found the inventor in.

Introducing himself, and showing his credentials, the sheriff had a long
talk about the matter with the inventor.

In conclusion, he said:

"For a long time I have tried every means to capture those bandits. But
they slip away from me with the most remarkable ease every time I feel
surest I've got them. There's a reward of $5,000 offered by the governor
of the State for their capture, and I and a Pinkerton detective named
Carl Greene have been making the most desperate efforts to capture the
James Boys, and break up their gang. We have thus far failed to do so."

"Why has it been such a difficult task?" asked Jack.

"In the first place, Jesse James owns a horse named Siroc which is
unequaled in speed and intelligence by any horse in the world that I
know of, and he can easily outfoot the fleetest animal that ever chased
him."

"Well," asked Jack, "suppose an electric overland engine were to chase
that remarkable quadruped, don't you think he might be overtaken? The
engine I refer to can run at the rate of fifty miles an hour over rough
ground."

"Any engine could last longer than a horse, and such a machine as you
mention could outspeed that horse. But, of course, such an engine is an
utter impossibility."

"You are mistaken," said Jack, quietly.

"How so?" asked Timberlake, with a puzzled look.

"Because I have got such an engine."

"You have?"

"Just finished building it."

"And it runs by electricity?"

"Entirely so."

"Without tracks?"

"On the ground."

"And at fifty miles an hour?"

"Yes. I have tested her to that speed."

"This, if true, is most extraordinary."

"No, it isn't. I have constructed such machines before."

"I've been told you are an inventor of electrical contrivances."

"Do you doubt the probability of such an engine?"

"Candidly, I do."

"Do you want me to prove it?"

"By all means."

"Then come with me. I'll show it to you."

"I am burning with curiosity to see the wonderful affair."

Jack smiled and led his caller out into the yard.

Proceeding to the door of the workshop he opened it with a latch key and
they entered a very large room.

It was cast in gloom.

Jack turned a switch on the wall.

Instantly scores of brilliant incandescent electric lamps were put in
circuit and blazed out, illum