"His name was Farwell Gibson. He got the railroad fever, sold his farm, came to the Junction, and he and Farrington had some deals. They had a big row one night, too, and Farrington threw Gibson out of his house, and some windows were broken. The neighbors heard Gibson accuse Farrington of robbing him. Next day, though, Farrington swore out a warrant against Gibson for forgery, and Gibson has never been seen since. Maybe," concluded Big Denny, "he killed him."
"Oh, he wouldn't do that!"
"Gasper Farrington has a heart as hard as flint," said Denny, "and would do anything for money."
"Farwell Gibson," murmured Ralph, memorizing the name.
When quitting-time came that evening, Ralph left the roundhouse alone, Limpy having been sent with a message to the depot.
As usual, he saved distance by following the tracks where they curved, then at a certain point cut through the unfenced back yards of some small stores fronting the depot street.
Beyond this was a prairie. Turning a heap of ties to take a last straight shoot for home, Ralph found his progress abruptly blocked.
"Thought we'd get you!" announced a familiar voice, and Ike Slump stepped into view.
[CHAPTER XVII--THE BATTLE BY THE TRACKS]
"What do you want?" demanded Ralph.