Jim drew a long, deep sigh of relief as he muttered:

"Half the work is done; half the work is done."

Drawing the railroad map of the Chicago & Alton road toward him, he put
the pen point on St. Louis, and slowing following the St. L. & S. F.
Division, paused at Kirkwood.

"Roe, here's the place I shall tackle this messenger. It is rather close
to St. Louis, but it's down grade and the train will be making fast
time. She stops at Pacific--here, and we will jump the train there,
strike for the river, and paddle down to the K. & S. W. You must jump on
at the crossing near the limits, plug the bell cord so the damned
messenger can't pull the rope on me, and I will have him foul."

Roe listened attentively to these instructions, nodding his head slowly
several times to express his approval, and said:

"When will we go down?"

Jim Cummings, looking at the time-table, answered:

"This is--what date is this, Weaver?"

"October 11th."

"Two weeks from to-day will be the 25th. That is on--let's see, that is
Tuesday."

"Two weeks from to-day, Roe, you will have to take the train at St.