A WARNING
Ralph doffed his working clothes, washed up at the tender spigot, and
joined Clark, who stood waiting for him on the platform. Fogg, without
tidying up, in a sort of tired, indifferent way was already some
distance down the platform. Ralph hurried after him.
"Six-fifteen to-night, Mr. Fogg, isn't it?" spoke Ralph, more to say
something than anything else.
"That's right," returned Fogg curtly.
"Griscom directed me to a neat, quiet lodging house," added Ralph.
"Won't you join me?"
"Can't--got some friends waiting for me," responded the fireman.
Ralph followed him seriously and sadly with his eyes. Fogg was making
for Railroad Row, with its red saloon signs, and Ralph felt sorry for
him.
"See here," spoke Clark, as they walked along together, "headed for a
bunk, I suppose?"
"Yes," answered Ralph. "John Griscom, that's our veteran engineer,
and a rare good friend of mine, told me about a cheap, comfortable
lodging house to put up at. It's some distance from the depot, but I
believe I shall go there."
"Good idea," approved Clark. "I've been in some of those railroad
men's hotels yonder, and they're not very high toned--nor clean."
"What's your program?" inquired Ralph.
"Got to sleep, I suppose, so, if I'm not too much of a bore and it's
pleasing to you, I'll try the place your friend recommends."
"I shall be delighted," answered Ralph.
Within half-an-hour both tired lads tumbled into their beds in rooms
adjoining in a private house about half a mile from the depot. Ralph
stretched himself luxuriously, as he rested after the turmoil and
labor of what he considered the most arduous day in his railroad
career.
The young engineer awoke with the bright sun shining in his face and
was out of bed in a jiffy. These lay-over days had always been prized
by the young railroader, and he planned to put the present one to good
use. He went to the closed door communicating with the next room and
tapped on it.
"Hey, there!" he hailed briskly, "time to get up," then, no response
coming, he opened the door to find the apartment deserted.
"An early bird, it seems," observed Ralph. "Probably gone for
breakfast."
John Griscom had told Ralph all about the house he was in, and the
young engineer soon located the bathroom and took a vigorous cold
plunge that made him feel equal to the task of running a double-header
special. Ralph had just dressed when Marvin Clark came bustling into
the room.
"Twenty minutes for breakfast!" hailed the volatile lad. "I've been up
an hour."
"You didn't take a two hundred mile run, or you wouldn't be up for
four," challenged Ralph.
"Guess that's so," admitted Clark. "Well, here we are. I've been out
prospecting."
"What for?" inquired Ralph.
"A good restaurant."
"Found one?"
"A dandy--wheat cakes with honey, prime country sausages and Mocha,
all for twenty cents."
"Good," commended Ralph. "We'll take air line for that right away."
Clark chattered like a magpie as they proceeded to the street. It was
evident that he had taken a great fancy to Ralph. The latter liked him
in return. For the son of a wealthy railroad magnate, Clark was
decidedly democratic. The one subject he seemed glad to avoid was any
reference to his direct family and friends.
He was full of life, and Ralph found him very entertaining. Some bad
breaks in grammar showed, indeed, that he had not amounted to much at
school. Some of his adventures also suggested that the presence and
power of money had not always been at his command. Ralph noticed some
inconsistencies in his stories here and there, but Clark rattled on so
fast and jumped so briskly from one subject to another, that it was
hard work to check him up.
As they reached the porch of the house Clark gave Ralph a deterring
touch with his hand.
"Just wait a minute, will you?" he spoke.
"Why what for?" inquired Ralph in some surprise.
"I want to find out something before we go out into the street," and
the speaker glided down the walk to the gate, peered down the street,
and then beckoned to his companion.
"Come on," he hailed. "They're still there, though," he added, his
tones quite impressive.
"Who is there?" asked Ralph.
"Just dally at the gate here and take a look past the next street
corner--near where there's an alley, see?"
"That crowd of boys?" questioned Ralph, following his companion's
direction.
"Yes, that gang of hoodlums," responded Clark bluntly, "for that is
what they are."
"And how are we interested in them?" inquired Ralph.
"We're not, but they may become interested in us."
"Indeed?"
"Mightily, if I don't mistake my cue," asserted Clark.
"You are pretty mysterious," hinted Ralph, half-smiling.
"Well, I'll explain. Those fellows are laying for you."
"Laying for me?" repeated Ralph vaguely.
"That's it."
"Why? They don't know me, and I don't know them."
"Not much acquainted at Bridgeport, eh?"
"Only casually. I've laid over here several times when I was firing on
the fast freight. I know a few railroad men, that's all."
"Ever hear of Billy Bouncer?"
"I never did."
"Then I'm the first one to enlighten you. When I went out to find a
restaurant I passed that crowd you see. I noticed that they drew
together and scanned me pretty closely. Then I heard one of them say,
'That's not Fairbanks.' 'Yes, it is, didn't he come out of the place
we're watching?' said another. 'Aw, let up,' spoke a third voice.
'Billy Bouncer will know, and we don't want to spoil his game. He'll
be here soon.'"
"That's strange," said Ralph musingly.
"What are you going to do about it?" inquired Clark.
"Oh, I'm not at all alarmed," replied Ralph, "barely interested,
that's all. We'll walk by the crowd and see if they won't throw some
further light on the subject."
"Tell you, Fairbanks," said Clark quite seriously, "I'm putting two
and two together."
"Well," laughed Ralph, "that makes four--go ahead."
"More than four--a regular mob. That crowd, as I said, for some reason
is laying for you. What's the answer? They have been put up to it by
some one. You know, you told me incidentally that you had some enemies
on account of the big boost you've got in the service. You said, too,
that your friend, Engineer Griscom, warned you on just that point. I
haven't said much so far, but the actions of that grouch fireman of
yours, Fogg, looked decidedly queer and suspicious to me."
Ralph made no comment on this. He had his own ideas on the subject,
but did not feel warranted in fully expressing them.
"I believe that Fogg started out on your run yesterday to queer it.
Why he changed tactics later, I can't tell. Maybe he was scared by the
smash-up on the siding. Anyhow, I never saw such mortal malice in the
face of any man as that I saw in his when I came aboard No. 999. This
crowd down the street is evidently after you. Some one has put them up
to it."
"Oh, you can't mean Fogg!" exclaimed Ralph.
"I don't know," replied Clark.
"I can't believe that he would plot against me that far," declared
Ralph.
"A malicious enemy will do anything to reach his ends," said Clark.
"Doesn't he want you knocked out? Doesn't he want your place? What
would suit his plans better than to have you so mauled and battered,
that you couldn't show up for the return trip to Stanley Junction this
afternoon? Are you going past that crowd?"
"I certainly shall not show the white feather by going out of my way,"
replied Ralph.
"Well, if that's your disposition, I'm at your call if they tackle
us," announced Clark.
They proceeded down the street, and Ralph as they advanced had a good
view of the crowd, which, according to the views of his companion,
was laying in wait for him. There were about fifteen of them, ranging
from selfish-faced lads of ten or so up to big, hulking fellows of
twenty. They represented the average city gang of idlers and hoodlums.
They were hanging around the entrance to the alley as if waiting for
some mischief to turn up. Ralph noticed a rustling among them as he
was observed. They grouped together. He fancied one or two of them
pointed at him, but there was no further indication of belligerent
attention as he and Clark approached nearer to the crowd.
"I fancy Billy Bouncer, whoever he is, hasn't arrived yet," observed
Clark.
Just then one of the mob set up a shout.
"Hi there, Wheels!" he hailed, and some additional jeers went up from
his fellows. Their attention seemed directed across the street, and
Ralph and Clark glanced thither.