Dose woods-gang of hees she
tear up dose rails from ze head of ze spur and load in ze flat-cars."
"The ears haven't left the Laurel Creek spur, then?"
"No, she don't leave yet."
"See to it, Rondeau, that they do not leave until I give the word.
Understand? Cardigan's woods-boss will call you up and ask you to
send a switch-engine tip to snake them out late this afternoon or to-
morrow afternoon. Tell him the switch-engine is in the shop for
repairs or is busy at other work--anything that will stall him off
and delay delivery."
"Suppose Bryce Cardigan, he comes around and say 'Why?'" Rondeau
queried cautiously.
"Kill him," the Colonel retorted coolly. "It strikes me you and the
Black Minorca are rather slow playing even with young Cardigan."
Rondeau grunted. "I theenk mebbe so you kill heem yourself, boss," he
replied enigmatically, and hung up.
CHAPTER XVIII
The dictograph which Shirley had asked Bryce to obtain for her in San
Francisco arrived on the regular passenger-steamer on Thursday
morning and Bryce called her up to ask when she desired it sent over.
"Good morning, Mr. Cardigan," she greeted him cheerily. "How do you
feel this morning? Any the worse for having permitted yourself to be
a human being last night?"
"Why, I feel pretty fine, Shirley.
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