In the Path of the Fast Express

“We left Florence Gray and her faithful swain, Jimmy Norton, hastening toward the railway station, while Braine, bound and gagged in the cabin of the whaler, struggled vainly to free himself. But their escape was not to be made so easily, for Braine, managing finally to work the gag out of his mouth, attracts the attention of the whaler’s captain and is set ashore. He reaches the railway station, just as the train which bears Florence and Norton steams out. His first angry disappointment, however, is but momentary. Braine is nothing, if not resourceful, and, realizing that the couple are headed for New York, he sends a wire to the Countess Olga instructing her to meet the train at a point as far from its destination as possible.

“With Jackson, the conspirator who discovered the whereabouts of Florence, the Countess boards the train, when it is still many miles from New York and, pretending that she is returning from a visit to a country friend, in mock surprise and delight at seeing the girl again, embraces Florence warmly. Norton she also congratulates, expressing her concern at his strange disappearance, but before she can learn from either of them their version of the strange mishaps that have befallen them, concerning one phase of which she is already quite familiar, there is a terrific, grinding crash. The car lurches heavily to one side, tossing the passengers about in confusion. Many are rendered unconscious, among them being Florence, Countess Olga and Norton. Jackson alone is unhurt.

“Dragging himself to Florence’s side, Jackson carries her senseless body out of the train and into the woods. Reaching a road he hails a farmer driving a buggy and quickly makes arrangements with him for the use of his vehicle for the afternoon. For Jackson knows he is near a dilapidated hut, which is the resort of a desperate gang of thugs and cutthroats in the pay of the conspirators, and thither he takes the still unconscious Florence, who by this time is beginning to recover from her swoon. When she does so she is in the clutches of the gang, and despite her struggles, tears and pleadings, she is threatened with instant death unless she reveals the secret cache of the missing million.

“While Florence is in this desperate plight, Norton comes slowly to his senses. Failing to find her and thinking that she has been already rescued by some of the trainmen, he carries the Countess from the wreck and with her finds refuge in a nearby house. There he learns from the farmer, who had turned over his buggy to Jackson, of Florence’s capture and, mounting a horse, he hurriedly makes his way in the direction taken by the conspirators. As he draws near the hovel where Florence is confined, the lookout sees his approach and notifies the ruffians within. Hurriedly binding the girl, the men hasten to a part of the road which Norton must pass, and there they lay in wait for him. As he comes up they drag him from the horse and after a desperate struggle carry him bodily into the hut. There they threaten Florence that unless she at once divulges the hiding place of the Hargreave’s treasure, they will carry Norton bound, to the railway, where the flying Lighting Express is nearly due. When she tearfully and for the thousandth time pleads her ignorance of its whereabouts, without further parley, they proceed to carry out their threat.

“Florence, left alone in the hut, struggles vainly with her bonds. Working her way to a window, she smashes it with her pinioned feet, and, with a haste born of desperation, succeeds in sawing through the cords that hold her wrists on a fragment of the shattered glass. Once freed, the girl runs wildly toward the railway, in imagination seeing Norton crushed and mangled by the wheels of the on-rushing express.

“Nor is she any too soon, for hardly has she reached the reporter’s prostrate form, when the whistle of the train warns her that she will not have time to untie his bonds before the engine will be upon them. With an energy born of desperation she darts down the track in the direction of the oncoming train and throws the switch. The next instant, the express rushes by at top speed, but on the track next to that on which Norton has been bound by the conspirators. It is but the work of another instant for Florence to cut the cords that hold Norton.

“But their troubles are not yet over, for Jackson and his gang, viewing from a safe vantage point the escape of their would-be victim, give chase and rapidly overtake the couple, both of whom are suffering from their recent trying experiences. Before they do so however, Norton has made good use of the signal box at the switch, sending a hurry call for help to the nearby town. Fortunately, the police station is near the railway, and without delay several stalwart bluecoats requisition a handcar and set out to aid them. Even then they do not arrive any too soon for the gang have caught up with the fleeing couple and Norton is fighting desperately for their lives, when the guardians of the law reach his side and scatter or capture the ruffians.”