The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: Real Life
Science
The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: Real Life
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction; Parapsychology
In the meantime Bracken returned and promptly at 11 A. M. left for
the railroad station in a cab with Dodge. Jesse followed in
another. As the two passed through the gates the detective caught
a glimpse of Dodge's ticket and saw that it had been issued by the
Mexican National Railway. Retiring to the telegraph office in the
station he wired New York as follows:
"Bird flying.--Sunset Limited. Destination not known. I am with
him."
He then hastily purchased a ticket to Houston, Texas, and boarded
the train. Dodge's companion had bidden him good-by as the engine
started, and Jesse's task now became that of ferreting out Dodge's
destination. After some difficulty he managed to get a glimpse of
the whole of the fugitive's ticket and thus discovered that he was
on his way to the City of Mexico, via Eagle Pass, Texas, while from
the Pullman conductor he learned that Dodge had secured sleeping-
car accommodation as far as San Antonio, Texas, only.
So far all was well. He knew Dodge but Dodge did not know him, and
later on in the afternoon he had the satisfaction of a long talk
with his quarry in the observation car where they amiably discussed
together current events and argued politics with the same vehemence
as if they had been commercial travellers thrown fortuitously into
each other's company. Dodge, however, cleverly evaded any
reference to his destination.
When the train reached Morgan City, Louisiana, at 3 P. M., which
was the first stop, Jesse wired New York as follows:
"On Sunset Limited with friend. He has transportation to the City
of Mexico, via Eagle Pass, where I am now journeying with him.
Answer to Beaumont, Texas."
Later in the afternoon he sent an additional message from
Lafayette, Louisiana:
"Have seen transportation of friend and am positive of
destination."
Dodge was occupying Section 3 of the sleeping car "Capitola," and,
as became an invalid, retired early.
At Beaumont Jesse failed to receive any reply to his various
messages, and when the train arrived at Houston no word came from
New York until it was almost the time of departure. Waiting until
practically the last moment Jesse hurried through the gates of the
Union Station at Houston and bought a ticket to San Antonio. As he
was leaving the ticket window Night Chief of Police John Howard and
two officers came hurrying up inquiring anxiously for "Mr. Jesse."
The reenforcements had arrived.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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