at followed and was sounded by Hudson's open key.

"Hello, B-D," it called. "What's the matter with Hudson? I've been
trying to raise him for half an hour."

"I heard you. He must be asleep or sick--sick most likely."

"That's what I thought. There's a hand car with another operator
ordered down. But it'll have to run behind the Thunderbolt. She's an
hour late and trying to make up time."

"That's bad! It'll tie up the whole line."

"So long!"

"So long! I'll pass on word."

Jack's heart leaped within him. The train the robbers were waiting for
was an hour late. All sorts of things might happen in an hour. He
could only wait. But there was more chance now, at least.

The robbers waited patiently until the limited was twenty minutes
overdue. Then they began to get nervous.

"Sure the tie will throw her off the rails?" asked one.

"Go out and see for yourself if you're nervous."

And the first speaker followed the suggestion. The others fidgeted
about for a few minutes.

"Let's get out, then," said one of those who remained. "Those kids are
tied up safe enough. No need to stay here. Let's get some fresh air
and look to see if she's coming."

And in a moment the station was empty, save for the two prisoners.

Jack acted on the instant. In a second he was at the key, pounding
away, and calling B-D, B-D, in frantic efforts to get an answer and
have the limited stopped and help rushed.

"O-K--" came the answer at last, and in a frenzied rush, but with the
hand of an inexperienced operator, Jack sent the story over the wire.
He had won!

He was in time, he was sure. The train had not yet passed the last
telegraph station before Haskell Crossing, and it would be stopped
before it could rush on to destruction. Then, swiftly, he rushed over
to the chair in which Hudson was strapped, and quickly cut the ropes
that held the operator. As quickly he snatched the gag from his mouth.

"Gee, that was great!" cried Hudson. "I didn't know you knew how to
handle a key. You did fine!"

"I guess they got the message in time to stop the train. Don't you
think so?"

"Listen to it now."

The key was clicking away furiously. The sounds were so fast that
Jack, who was only an amateur and a beginner as a telegrapher, after
all, could not understand.

"Beaver Dam's sending the word along the line," said Hudson. "The
warning's been acknowledged and the train will be held up. They're
going to sen