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The tracks were blocked six miles ahead, the conductor told him

An explosion had derailed the westbound Sacramento Limited

BELL JUMPED TO THE ground and ran alongside the train to the front end The engineer and fire on the ballast, rolling cigarettes Bell showed them his Van Dorn identification, and ordered, “Get me as close to the wreck as you can”

“Sorry, Mr Detective, I take my orders from the dispatcher”

Bell’s derringer appeared in his hand suddenly Two dark ineer “This is awith yours,” said Bell He pointed at the cowcatcher on the front of the locomotive, and said, “Move this train to the wreck and don’t stop until you hit debris!”

“You wouldn’t shoot a man in cold blood,” said the fireman

“The hell he wouldn‘t,” said the engineer, shifting his gaze nervously froer to the expression on Isaac Bell’s face “Get up there and shovel coal”

The loco 4-6-2, stea stopped thee hole in the ballast Just beyond the hole, six Pulle car, and a tender lay on their sides Bell dise “How many hurt?” he asked the railroad official as pointed out to him as the wreck master

“Thirty-five Four seriously”

“Dead?”

“None They were lucky The bastard blew the rail a ineer had time to reduce his speed”

“Strange,” said Bell “His attacks have always been so precisely timed”

“Well, this’ll be his last We got him”

“What? Where is he?”

“Sheriff caught hiot away, but then one of the in a stable”