Mr. Pinkerton listened carefully, and merely saying, "we'll look at this
later," gave a very careful and complete description of Cummings, which
he directed Chip and Barney to take to the St. Louis branch of this
firm, and from there send it through all the divisions and sub-divisions
of this vast detective cob-web.

After issuing further and more orders relating to the case in hand, he
put on his hat, and descended to the hotel office, followed by his two
subordinates.

After the exciting episode in the express car had been brought to a
close by Jim Cummings leaping from the car, the train moved on, and left
him alone, the possessor of nearly $100,000. The game had been a
desperate one, and well played, and nervy and cool as he was, the
desperado was forced to seat himself on a pile of railroad ties, until
he could regain possession of himself, for he trembled in every limb,
and shook as with a chill. He pulled himself together, however, and
picking up his valise, with its valuable contents, turned toward the
river.

He stepped from tie to tie, feeling his way in the darkness, every sense
on the alert, and straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of some
landmark. He had walked nearly a mile when, from behind a pile of brush
heaped up near the track, a man stepped forth. The double click of a
revolver was heard, and in an imperative tone, the unknown man called
out:

"Halt! Put your hands above your head. I've got the drop on you!"