together. “So those were your fingerprints on the teacup?”
Killian nodded. “I was in the government Pullman while you were saving Agent Howard. I didn’t realize he was in danger. I
heard shouts coming from the platform. In my rush to help, I dropped the teacup. But by the time I ran outside, you’d already
rescued him. After you and the Pinkerton girl dragged him into the living area, I made my way quietly through the Pinkertons’
hallway. I’ve been hiding on the train ever since.”
So it was Killian who broke the threads, the alarm devices, in Judge’s hallway!
“Then you stayed in hiding except…” I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He finished my sentence. “Except when I delivered that note.” He must have seen something flash in my eyes. “I know the message
I left you about not getting involved must have terrified you, but that was the point. I wanted you to be too scared to keep
snooping. I wanted to keep you out of danger.”
We lifted another jagged bit of debris off his lower body, and my brother was nearly free. “But why did you put the note in
that journal entry?” I asked.
“I picked the lock to your compartment, Elizabeth, and planned to leave you the warning note. Then I remembered what a wonderful
detective you were. Another set of eyes–especially keen ones–could really help my case, I thought. So I read your journal.
I had just started reading the entry about the baggage car when
you stirred in your sleep. Thinking you were about to wake up, I slid the message into the journal and ran.”
Killian’s face broke into a grin. “So, I’m sorry I read your journal, but I’m also glad! What you wrote about the baggage
car made me think. I realized that’s where the fake money must be hidden. If I waited here in the baggage car long enough,
the Calamity Crew would show up to get the counterfeit cash. Then I could nab them. Thanks to that entry–thanks to you.” Killian
gave my shoulder a squeeze, “we cracked this case.”
His eyes locked with mine. “I wanted you to be safe and not get involved in this case. I didn’t think it was proper for a
girl. But you did, and I’m very grateful. You helped solve an eight-year-old mystery!”
My cheeks flushed from the praise. Judge smiled at my embarrassment. “Bully for you!”
“You deserve as much of the credit as I do,” I said to her.
“It’s true,” Killian said. “From what I saw in Elizabeth’s journal, you played a vital part in the case.”
Now it was Judge’s turn to blush.
One nagging question remained. “But why did you cut the telegraph line when I was trying to send out that message?”
“I didn’t! After I saw you jump off the train, I followed you to protect you. I didn’t cut the line. It must have snapped
on its own. After you fainted, I carried you back onto the train and left you in the Pinkerton Pullman.”
Finally, we freed my brother’s legs. He was in pain, but nothing was broken.
William Henry and I supported him on either side. We helped him climb down out of the baggage car and onto the platform. Killian
spoke briefly to agents. He instructed them to take Mr. Spike, Agent Howard, and the other captured members of the Calamity
Crew to a safe spot on the platform. When things calmed down, they would be hauled off to jail.
Above us, the sky was a frightening orange. San Francisco was on fire.
For a moment, William Henry, Judge, my brother, and I stood next to the train. Killian and I grinned at each other in the
middle of all the madness and chaos. I didn’t know what to say. My brother was alive! I couldn’t wait to telegraph Father!
Then William Henry urged us forward. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s see what we can do to help.”
The four of us walked back toward the passenger cars. Everyone’s hair and clothes were sweaty and smudged with dirt. People
were running about. Panic seemed to be growing around us.
About
Killian nodded. “I was in the government Pullman while you were saving Agent Howard. I didn’t realize he was in danger. I
heard shouts coming from the platform. In my rush to help, I dropped the teacup. But by the time I ran outside, you’d already
rescued him. After you and the Pinkerton girl dragged him into the living area, I made my way quietly through the Pinkertons’
hallway. I’ve been hiding on the train ever since.”
So it was Killian who broke the threads, the alarm devices, in Judge’s hallway!
“Then you stayed in hiding except…” I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He finished my sentence. “Except when I delivered that note.” He must have seen something flash in my eyes. “I know the message
I left you about not getting involved must have terrified you, but that was the point. I wanted you to be too scared to keep
snooping. I wanted to keep you out of danger.”
We lifted another jagged bit of debris off his lower body, and my brother was nearly free. “But why did you put the note in
that journal entry?” I asked.
“I picked the lock to your compartment, Elizabeth, and planned to leave you the warning note. Then I remembered what a wonderful
detective you were. Another set of eyes–especially keen ones–could really help my case, I thought. So I read your journal.
I had just started reading the entry about the baggage car when
you stirred in your sleep. Thinking you were about to wake up, I slid the message into the journal and ran.”
Killian’s face broke into a grin. “So, I’m sorry I read your journal, but I’m also glad! What you wrote about the baggage
car made me think. I realized that’s where the fake money must be hidden. If I waited here in the baggage car long enough,
the Calamity Crew would show up to get the counterfeit cash. Then I could nab them. Thanks to that entry–thanks to you.” Killian
gave my shoulder a squeeze, “we cracked this case.”
His eyes locked with mine. “I wanted you to be safe and not get involved in this case. I didn’t think it was proper for a
girl. But you did, and I’m very grateful. You helped solve an eight-year-old mystery!”
My cheeks flushed from the praise. Judge smiled at my embarrassment. “Bully for you!”
“You deserve as much of the credit as I do,” I said to her.
“It’s true,” Killian said. “From what I saw in Elizabeth’s journal, you played a vital part in the case.”
Now it was Judge’s turn to blush.
One nagging question remained. “But why did you cut the telegraph line when I was trying to send out that message?”
“I didn’t! After I saw you jump off the train, I followed you to protect you. I didn’t cut the line. It must have snapped
on its own. After you fainted, I carried you back onto the train and left you in the Pinkerton Pullman.”
Finally, we freed my brother’s legs. He was in pain, but nothing was broken.
William Henry and I supported him on either side. We helped him climb down out of the baggage car and onto the platform. Killian
spoke briefly to agents. He instructed them to take Mr. Spike, Agent Howard, and the other captured members of the Calamity
Crew to a safe spot on the platform. When things calmed down, they would be hauled off to jail.
Above us, the sky was a frightening orange. San Francisco was on fire.
For a moment, William Henry, Judge, my brother, and I stood next to the train. Killian and I grinned at each other in the
middle of all the madness and chaos. I didn’t know what to say. My brother was alive! I couldn’t wait to telegraph Father!
Then William Henry urged us forward. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s see what we can do to help.”
The four of us walked back toward the passenger cars. Everyone’s hair and clothes were sweaty and smudged with dirt. People
were running about. Panic seemed to be growing around us.
About
Similar Books
