The detective afterward saw Pat Butler, and informed him of the proposed affair. Butler was inclined to be cautious. He fully approved the business, but feared the outsiders might harm the Mollies—in other words, inform against them—and wanted every one specially sworn to secrecy. He knew very well that there would be a large reward offered for the capture of those interested in destroying the bridges, and believed those not in the society would be the first to sell out. This was in McAndrew’s presence. The Shenandoah Bodymaster thought it made little difference whether the men were sworn or not, as they gave away secrets held under oath about as freely as when not bound by an obligation. A pledge would not stop them from informing, if they were so disposed. John Thompson, of Number Three Hill, and John Dean, said they agreed to the arrangement, would attend the meeting, and provide some powder. There was no way for the detective except to go in with the incendiaries. In no other manner could he learn the exact time when the deed was to be committed; in no other way was the thing to be prevented and the would-be bridge-burners apprehended. There was danger that he might be captured with the rest, or killed; but the damage to the company, in case the game was not frustrated, would be very great, beside the loss of life to innocent passengers, who would, if the bridges were destroyed at the time proposed, some of them, be hurled, without a word of warning, into eternity. These were among the nigh probabilities. The detective could but run the hazard. Certainly, he must keep in with the conspirators, and see that his whole duty was performed. ————●———— CHAPTER XXVI. A CALAMITY AVERTED. Mr. Franklin was, the same evening, duly instructed where the detective intended to be the next night and informed of the probability that he would succeed in frustrating the designs of the bridge-burners, at even the last moment, as he had his own plans, should there come a failure in creating a disturbance which would result in a disbandment of the two forces engaged in the matter—the Mollies, as well as non-Mollies. The agent also suggested and described a medium through which the Superintendent might communicate with him, by telegraph, before the arrival of the decisive time, should he find it important to do so. Up to the hour of leaving Shenandoah, to attend the Tuesday night meeting in the bush, however, no telegram came, hence McKenna knew that he was entrusted with the entire management of his side of the transaction, the Agency being left to take care of the other.