charter to build a short line through The Barrens from
Wilmer across the desolate tract to connect with the Midland
Central."

"I heard of that, too," nodded the railroad president.

"This Gibson is an odd genius. He has been working for two years on
his scheme, terming the road the Dover & Springfield Short Line. Just
half way across The Barrens he has a house, which he calls
'headquarters.' He is an erratic hermit, and adopted this boy here,
Van Sherwin, who has been helping him. Every day, the law requires, he
must do some grading work on the prospective railroad line. This he
has done, and you would be surprised to know the progress they have
made."

"Especially lately," said Van, with sparkling eyes. "Even you, Ralph,
would be astonished. Mrs. Gibson got some money recently--five
thousand dollars from old Gasper Farrington--and we have hired a lot
of men. Oh, that railroad is going through, and don't you forget it."

"We realized our mistake after this Gibson got hold of the franchise,"
said Mr. Grant. "Once the road is built, it practically dominates
passenger and freight business north and south."

"That is right," said Van, "for it becomes a bee-line, saving twenty
to thirty miles distance, besides opening up a new district. Well,
sir, your nephew is now at our headquarters. To reach the place you
will have to get a very heavy wagon and go pretty slow and sure, for
there are no roads."

"I must go at all hazards," cried the railroad president insistently,
"and you, my friends, must accompany me," he added to Adair and
Ralph. "Why, those villains from whom my nephew escaped may undertake
to recapture him."

A little later the party, in charge of a sturdy fellow driving a
strong team of horses attached to a heavy wagon, started out under the
direction of Van Sherwin.

The district was a wild jungle, interspersed with sweeps of hill and
dales, and numerous creeks. Finally they reached a hill surmounted by
a dense grove of trees. A road led up here to a rambling log house.

Here and on the other side of the hill a ten-foot avenue was visible,
neat and clean. The brush had been cleared away, the ground leveled,
here and there some rudely cut ties set in place, and for an extended
stretch there was a presentable graded roadbed.

As they drove up to the cabin the railroad president almost forgot his
nephew from interest in his surroundings. Across the front of the
building was a sign reading: "Headquarter