In the Sleeper Car

The man with the bowler hat stood near the front door. He was listening intently. He said, “I hear the gang members in the passenger car.”

A few seconds passed. Then the man said, “Mr. Alford is talking. He’s okay.”

Patrick felt like clapping. But he kept his hands still. He was glad Mr. Alford was unhurt. And he wondered what was happening to Beth and Miss Cookson and all the other orphans.

So far no gunshots had been fired. That gave Patrick hope that everyone was all right.

Reverend Hagerty stood and asked everyone to take a seat. “We’ll endure this calmly. Remember, the Good Book says your money is in God’s hands. If the Lord giveth, the Lord can taketh.”

The men and women murmured yes and amen.

Patrick glanced at Leonard. He seemed skittish, like a cockroach after the lights come on.

“Let’s go to the back,” Patrick said. “We can get out that door if shooting starts.”

A few moments later the front door swung open.

Mr. Alford came in first. Behind him were two very tall men. Each was wearing a white hood. Over the hoods were round black hats. The outfits looked like scarecrow costumes.

Patrick would have laughed, except for the pistols.

The pistols were small. They had silver barrels and ivory handles.

The first masked man held one in each of his hands.

Mr. Alford said to all the passengers, “Please do as these gentlemen say. No one will get hurt. Prepare to hand over your money and jewelry.”

The first masked man said, “Mr. Alford is a good example. He kindly gave me his gold pocket watch. I was very touched because it has a picture inside. It’s of his father.”

The masked man held up the pocket watch.

Patrick studied the man’s face. The mask was tight. Patrick could see the man’s long, straight nose. The first robber was Jesse James.

The second robber laughed. “The watch belonged to the conductor’s dear ol’ dad!” he said. “Isn’t that sweet.”

Anger rose up in Patrick’s heart. He said, “You’re mean. You shouldn’t take something personal like that.”

Jesse James looked directly at Patrick.

Patrick felt as if the man could read his mind.

Then Jesse’s eyes shifted to Leonard.

“Well, look here, folks,” Jesse James said. “Orphans. And one of them is brave.” He put Mr. Alford’s pocket watch into his coat pocket. “Let’s search the orphans last.”

The two masked men searched the adults. The robbers began with the man in the bowler hat. They found the money in his sock.

The women’s purses were taken. Mrs. Scott had to give up her earrings and bracelet.

The men came to Reverend Hagerty’s seat. He stood up. He held his thick wallet in his hand. He offered it to the robbers.

Jesse James said to the reverend, “Keep your wallet.”

The other robber asked, “Why? Isn’t his money good enough for you?”

“Look at his hands,” Jesse James said. “I can tell he works for a living. They’re all beat up and dirty. I want to take money only from the rich ones. They have clean, soft hands.”

Finally Jesse James motioned for the boys to be searched. “You orphans,” he said. “Get out of your seats. Come on up here.”

Patrick stood and looked at Reverend Hagerty. The reverend nodded and smiled. His expression seemed to say, “It will be okay.”

Patrick walked slowly up the aisle. He could hear Leonard shuffling behind him.

“There’s a funny thing about orphans,” Jesse James said. “They look poor. But they can hide all sorts of treasure.”

Patrick paused. His stomach twisted like a ball of rubber bands.

“In fact,” Jesse added, “there was a little orphan in the passenger car. She had nine hundred dollars hidden in her sock. I think someone gave the money to her. Maybe they thought I wouldn’t search an orphan.”

This guy is smart, Patrick thought. He’ll find the diamonds. Poor Mrs. Scott will lose her life savings.

Patrick was near the stove when he felt something hit his foot. Suddenly he was falling. Patrick put out his arms to catch himself. But he was too slow.

“Oof!” Patrick said. He landed on the carpet. Leonard tripped me on purpose, he thought.

Then Patrick felt Leonard’s hand on his elbow. The orphan was helping him up.

Leonard bent down to lift Patrick. Leonard’s knee hit the stove. The stove door accidentally popped open.

“Oops,” Leonard said. He fumbled around with the stove door. Patrick saw a flash of something blue. Then Leonard shut the stove door.

Jesse James shouted, “That’s enough fooling around. Get up here now!”

Patrick quickly stood. He moved close to the angry gang leader.

Jesse James tucked one pistol in its holster. He searched Patrick’s pockets with his free hand. Right away Jesse James found the letter from Eugene. But he tossed it aside without reading it.

That was close, Patrick thought. He sighed with relief.

“Take off your boots, boy,” Jesse James said. “And your socks.”

Patrick took off his boots one at a time. He turned each one over and shook it. Then he peeled off his long black socks. He wiggled his bare toes.

Jesse James seemed satisfied that Patrick had nothing of value. The man turned his attention to Leonard.

Patrick could tell all the passengers were nervous. He glanced at Mrs. Scott. She was biting her fingernails.

Reverend Hagerty’s eyes were closed. His mouth was moving slightly. Patrick thought he was praying.

Leonard had already taken off his boots and socks. He stood calmly as Jesse James patted the orphan’s pockets.

Any second now he’s going to find those diamonds, Patrick thought.

“What is this?” Jesse James asked.

He held up something.

It was a piece of newsprint. Patrick knew it was the article about the James gang. It told about the recent stagecoach robbery.

Where are the diamonds? Patrick wondered.

Leonard beamed a smile at Jesse James. “I read all about you, sir,” he said. “You’re my hero!”

Leonard wrapped his arms around Jesse James and hugged him. “I want to be just like you when I grow up. Can I join your gang?”

Jesse laughed. “Of course,” he said. “Come find me when you’re twenty-one years old. I’ll always need loyal members in my gang.”

The bandit took off his hat and put it on Leonard’s head.

“I’m an official member now!” Leonard said.

Jesse James stood by the front door. He said, “I had a very pleasant visit on the number seven. Thank you for your donations to the James gang.”

Then Jesse reached inside his coat pocket. He handed Mr. Alford a piece of paper. “Open that when we’re gone.”

The second robber waved a silver-and-ivory pistol at the passengers. “Wait five minutes before you go outside. Or you’ll be shot.”

The robbers left out the front door.

Suddenly all the passengers began to clap. Everyone was glad the bandits were gone.