Leroy Yerxa

“ Her lips were still slightly curved in that attractive oval of dismay.
"Do you always kiss strange men who look like people you know," he asked, and immediately realized he was being cruel. "Forgive me, it was unexpected."
A look of recognition flooded her face.
"You must be Jeff Blake!" She stood up and clasped his hand warmly. "If it weren't for that coat of space tan, I'd have sworn you were Wade."
"Dauna Ferrell," he said with a gasp. "Golly, but you've grown up since I saw you last." ”

“ They went out of the fenced space-field, bending double against the storm. For several minutes O'Toole led Jeff Blake through deserted streets. Reaching the lighted dome that was the Hope Mono-Terminal, he explained.
"Grudge Harror," he said, "is the leader of a gang of cut-throats who have been holding up and wrecking trains from here to the border. He's got Walter Ferrell on the verge of bankruptcy. If something doesn't happen soon to stop him, the Hope to Horn [1] line will fold up like a busted space-kite." ”

“ Blake grinned. "Call Harror every name you ever heard of, but remember there are women in the car. We're going to get dragged out of here and have a talk with that freak."
O'Toole nodded.
"Okay!" he said. "I get the idea. If we can be bad boys, maybe Harror will spank us himself."
"He'll try," Blake answered quietly. "From then on it will depend on us who does the punishing."
Blake turned to the door and ignoring Dauna, started to pound on it with all his strength, O'Toole added his weight to Blake's and they started to shout loudly.
"We want to sock that big goon, Harror," O'Toole howled. ”

“ He's stirring up trouble between Dauna and her father and making a dangerous ass of himself in the bargain."
Blake flicked the long ash from his cigarette.
"He must be a busy man," he admitted. "But where do I fit into this puzzle?"
Holly O'Toole was plainly bewildered.
"I wish I knew," he admitted. "I can't handle every angle alone, and if some changes don't come in a hurry, Wade, Dauna and Walter Ferrell will lose everything they have, including their sanity. You're the only man who can pound any brains into Wade's head. ”

“ The gang of Silver Masks were gathered around the front end of Mono 6 as Holly O'Toole and Jeff Blake emerged from Harror's office. They walked swiftly toward the cab, and Slater who had evidently been waiting, stepped from the crowd and came toward them.
"How about it?" He addressed Holly O'Toole, as O'Toole seemed to be leading Blake. "Everything has been stripped from the baggage cars. She's ready for her trip into the lake."
"Okay!" O'Toole mumbled. He turned to Blake. "Take two men and get all the passengers into the lounge car." ”

“ There was a heavy step outside, and a murmur of angry voices.
"Shut up in there."
"We want to talk with your boss," Blake shouted. "Let us out or we'll clean up on the whole gang of you."
The door swung open, and a guard came in. Two more were close behind. Guns swung around, covering the car.
"You'll talk with Harror," the first man said. "And you'll be damned sorry you did."
He pushed a gun into Blake's side.
"Now walk," he ordered. "And walk straight. No monkey business."
O'Toole started to follow them.
"You're staying here," the guard growled. "This monkey is going to get the business." ”

“ Blake was already at the car door.
"I'm going to take a long chance," he shouted back. "Ferrell, you crowd the passengers into both halls at the ends of the car. Open the outer doors. If the train goes into the lake, try to get as many out as you can."
With the shouts of alarm still ringing in his ears, Blake went swiftly through the long empty cars toward the cab. The train was backing through the night now at a terrific speed, and the black forest flashed past him as he went to his appointment with Holly O'Toole. ”

“ When Jeff Blake went into the lounge car, he drew his electro gun. The car was full of frightened women and angry men. He was afraid they might turn on him in the Silver Mask, and spoil his plans. Slater had followed him to the door.
"Don't stick too long," the man cautioned him. "You'll be doing a hundred miles an hour before you hit the head end of the valley. The boss is going to jump when he leaves the cave."
The boss? Then O'Toole really had done a good job. Automatically Blake looked toward Walter Ferrell, and noticed that he was of the same build and size as O'Toole. ”

“ After we are out you and I will have to take our chances of stopping the mono."
"And I thought Grudge Harror was a tough baby," O'Toole grinned.
"It isn't a matter of being tough," Blake said. "Can you handle the engine room alone?"
"Handled it for years," O'Toole said coolly. "But I'd like to know where that track ends."
"You will." Blake went toward the door. He gripped O'Toole's shoulder. "You're a good Irishman, O'Toole. Now go out of here and straight to the cab. I don't think they'll dare send one of the other men. If the controls are tied into place, leave them alone. ”

“ Blake begged. "O'Toole is all for knocking Wade's head against his garden wall. Ferrell, you want him to keep us out of trouble when he's eight thousand miles away, and Dauna is protecting him when I'm not altogether sure he deserves it. For the time being let's worry about what is to become of us. Later, there'll be time to fight over Wade." ”

“ Blake saw his chance to hit at O'Toole's one weakness.
"Wade is out of the way," he said swiftly. "I can return to South Station and assume control of the line with Ferrell out of the picture. You'll get half of everything we make."
O'Toole was weakening. He glanced out of the cab, toward the wooded side of the valley.
"You're just crooked enough to be on the level," he pocketed the electro gun. "In ten minutes we'll reach Loon Lake. Better get to that coupling."
Blake followed him back through the power car. ”

“ Blake jumped back and closed it tightly.
"Get two of these guards out of their uniforms," he said. "Make it quick. We've got more trouble coming."
A quick knock came on the door. Blake said, in a hard voice.
"Yeah! Who is it?"
"Slater," was the reply. "Tell the boss we got the train cleaned out. We're all ready to set it loose."
In the light of the open door, Blake looked at O'Toole. The Irishman was already in one of the Silver Mask uniforms. His face was hidden and he looked like one of the gang.
"Tell him the boss will be all set in a minute," Blake said. ”

“ Blake questioned. "Where does he fit in the picture?"
"Ferrell depended on Wade to track Harror down and tear his gang apart. You mentioned that Wade liked to raise flowers. Well! Thus far, he's still at it. So for six months Harror has torn the business apart, train by train."
Blake looked through the great entrance into the warmly lighted Mono-Terminal. It was nearly deserted.
"It's a rotten shame that a cheap bunch of punks have spoiled a business as fine as Walter Ferrell's mono line," he said slowly. "It looks as though he has picked the wrong man for the job of getting Grudge Harror. ”

“ Harror isn't the real boss here."
Blake was half way into a uniform of the Silver Masks. He finished his job before answering. Then he spoke.
"I know you and Ferrell hate Wade's guts," he said slowly, "but...."
"It's not me so much," O'Toole protested. "Ferrell said long ago that Wade was in this mess. He didn't seem to get any action on the case. Now with the guy Slater saying Harror isn't the boss, there isn't any other answer."
"Sorry, O'Toole," Blake said. "I should be willing to admit that Wade's our man. I don't know why I can't. It's just that blood is pretty thick stuff, I guess. ”

“ O'Toole grinned.
"Just like that," he said dryly. "And this guy Harror is going to shake our hands and say, 'Glad to see you're with us, boys.'"
Blake was already out of the smoking lounge. He went toward the end of the car with a swift, determined stride. Ferrell and Dauna had been at the window and as he approached the door leading outside, they turned.
"Hold it, Jeff," Ferrell said. "You're going to do something foolish and I won't have it."
"We've already got ourselves into a pretty foolish mess," Blake reminded him almost bitterly. ”

“ Blake reached the head car, tried the door and stepped back in alarm. It was locked. He looked overhead and found the tiny emergency entrance to the catwalk above. Back inside, he dragged several chairs out quickly, climbed them and pushed upward. Luckily the door was open. Head and shoulders above the train, he stopped. The wind pushed him back, clutching at his breath. He climbed out on the catwalk slowly, crouching to the smoothness of the plastic, and wriggled ahead.
The diesel room was below him now. Its top door opened easy. He listened. All motors were purring smoothly. ”

“ In the past few hours the company has faced the problem of handling thousands of tour cancellations. Officials of the line are attempting vainly to allay the fears of both would-be passengers and stockholders. Wade Blake, Vice President of the company had previously ordered an investigation in an attempt to track to earth the series of strange accidents that have followed the Hope to Horn mono line for some months, but cannot be located at present for a statement. ”

“ The rain had stopped and the moon and stars were visible.
"I think I can answer that," he said. "From my following the stars, we are now heading directly east, into the heart of the mountain country. If I'm correct on directions, the monoline runs directly north and south. Right?" ”

“ Continuing, he turned to Ferrell.
"Walter Ferrell, and his daughter, Dauna Ferrell. Am I right? We are fortunate in picking our company tonight."
"As owner of this rail line," Ferrell demanded in an even voice. "I want to know what this is all about. Where are we going?"
Outside the sounds of the wheels had faded. The train wasn't moving. It seemed to tip at a slight angle, as though leaning on some support.
"My name is Harror," Silver Mask said. "You're not going anywhere for the time being, and while you are here I'll thank you to call me Mr. ”