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S, he sauntered fro lobby, which was suddenly swar with railroad detectives With only seconds to spare, he brushed past station attendants ere closing the gates to the smoky train platfornal, and the Overland Liht first-class Pullan to roll east for Cheyenne, Oo

The Wrecker strode alongside the last car, the observation-lounge,its pace, his eyes everywhere

Far ahead, just behind the baggage car, he saw aon to a handrail so he could swing out to get a clear look at whoever was catching the Limited at the last minute It was six hundred feet fro for a handrail to pull hi train, but there was nothe sharp silhouette of a hunter

The head of the train moved out of the shadow cast by the station, and he saw that theout to watch the platforold in the light of the setting sun Which meant, as he had suspected, that the hunter was none other than Detective Isaac Bell

Without hesitation, the Wrecker gripped the handrail and stepped onto the train’s end platfore car He closed the door behind hi out the smoke and noise, and luxuriated in the peace and quiet of a first-class transcontinental flyer decorated with heavy s, polished-wood panels, mirrors, and a thick carpet on the floor Stewards were carrying drinks on silver trays to passengers lounging on comfortable couches Those who looked up froed the well-dressed late arrival with the sociable nods of brother clubmen

The conductor broke the mood Flinty of eye, hard ofvisor to his glea shoes, he was imperious, brusque, and suspicious like conductors everywhere “Tickets, gents! Ogden tickets”

The Wrecker flourished his railway pass

The conductor’s eyes widened at the nareat deference

“Welcome aboard, sir”

THE FAVORED FEW

15

OCTOBER 14, 1907

EASTBOUND ON THE OVERLAND LIMITED

“TAKE ME TO MY STATEROOM IMMEDIATELY!”

Isaac Bell would be racing to the back of the train to see who had boarded last minute, and the Wrecker intended to confront the detective at a ti