"We will wipe out the old score to-night," he is saying. "When the express starts up the grade, we will send a ton of Paradise Powder down to meet it."
"How will it explode?" asks the son.
"How? Why, by the collision with the engine."
"But it may not go off," suggests the invalid. "You had better make sure by using dynamite. No! that won't do either.
"Use nitro. You can get it from the Horton shaft. They have to use it there to blast the slate."
"That's what we'll do, 'sonny.' Just lie still 'til you hear the bang, then you can get up and dance, for the Police will be blown to pieces."
Sister Martha waits for no further details. Her plan of action is decided upon. She knows every foot of ground in the mountains. A short cut will bring her to the home of Widow Braun. This woman will do anything in the world for Harvey Trueman. She will help Sister Martha to save the train; for by so doing she will save Trueman's life.
The widow is at home. In a few words Martha tells her what she must do if she would save the life of the men who rescued her boy and herself from the sheriff.
"Do you have to ask me twice to help you?" cries the woman. "I would lie down on the track and let the cars run over me if it would protect Mr. Trueman."
Martha and her ally start for the long grade. On the way they discuss the manner in which they may derail the car with the nitro-glycerine.