“There's no way for you but to get to P—— anyway,” he said, while turning the matter over in his mind.
“You stop that train! I'll get there inside of twenty minutes. Now, be quick! Wire them to hold her—or there'll be an order from headquarters for some ninety-day lay-offs.” The agent stared at him; then turned to his instrument, and the message went forward. Lorry rushed out. On the platform he nearly ran over the hurrying figure in the tan coat.
“Pardon me. I'll explain things in a minute,” he gasped, and dashed away. Her troubled eyes blinked with astonishment.
At the end of the platform stood a mountain coach, along the sides of which was printed in yellow letters: “Happy Springs.” The driver was climbing up to his seat and the cumbersome trap was empty.
“Want to make ten dollars?” cried Grenfall.
“What say?” demanded the driver, half falling to the ground.
“Get me to P—— inside of twenty minutes, and I'll give you ten dollars. Hurry up! Answer!”
“Yes, but, you see, I'm hired to—”
“Oh, that's all right! You'll never make money easier. Can you get us there in twenty minutes?”
“It's four mile, pardner, and not very good road, either. Pile in, and we'll make it er kill old Hip and Jim. Miss the train?”