re"That went really well?" Artie said as they settled back in on the train. They hadn't spoken at all on the ride back until Jim finally said a name to him.
"Cadwallader, remember him, Orkney Cadwallader?"*
"Sure, he was that lunatic Professor using nitroglycerine to trigger earthquakes in Wyoming, as I recall that was an extortion situation too."
"Well this Cadwallader's name is Ignis, that ring a bell to you at all? I don't recall an Ignis in their family tree? I thought the only one left was Faith..."Jim lowered his head, " and she and I didn't exactly part on the best of terms. "
Do you think this fellow Ignis could be her son?"Artie asked.
"Not a chance, he was too old."
"Just a point of interest... Ignis means fire in Latin, also the root for the word ignite." Artie said. "and that can't simply be a coincidence."
Jim dropped down to the sofa wth a sigh. " It has to be them, this Dragonetti Company. And with a Cadwallader involved there can't be any doubt. You know that leaves us with only one clear choice with which to catch them?
"Jim, I was afraid you were going to bring that up." Artie grimaced.
.
The stagecoach readied for departure from the outskirts of San Fancisco, heading northeast to the state Capital, Sacramento. The passenger list was full, with only a driver and no one riding shotgun...no one within view that was.
The driver released the brake, urging the team on with a loud "Yah" and they took off with a mighty heave, pulling the coach and it's passengers off to an uncertain future.
The Wanderer had traveled on ahead along the old California Pacific Rail line, that having been absorbed as part of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, waiting as ususal on a side rail for West and Gordon to return.
They had ridden nearly an hour when the bearded driver pulled the team to a stop, at hearing a strange haunting voice that echoed in the air.
"Stop where you are! Please exit the coach now before it is too late."
The driver jumped down, running off and abandoning his charges but not before he released the hitch that joined the team to the coach.
No one left the stagecoach as instructed as a hulking dark thing approached...there was a frightening roar that preceded it.
The driver and his companion who had been following from a distance watched as a black wagon wheeled into view, but there were no horses pulling it. It looked like a modified war-wagon with steam pouring from a small smoke stack. On the front of the wagon was the black head of a of a dragon, it's eyes glowing menacingly red.
It's mouth suddenly opened and out shot a stream of flame, the horses reared in terror, bolting away, leaving the rig behind as they galloped off.
Still no one stepped out of the stagecoach as the metal beast belched out more flames, reeking of the smell of kerosene.
The echoing voice spoke once more. "Out of the stagecoach now!" this time there was a definite strain to it as it's orders were not being obeyed.
"Out now I say, out with you all!" The voice again ordered.
When nothing happened, a hatch suddenly opened at the rear of the mechanical beast and Ignis Cadewallader climbed out, walking towards the motionless coach.
He looked inside expecting to find people cowering in fear, but instead he saw nothing but straw-filled dummies dressed in men's and women's clothing.
"Hold it right there Cadwallader" Jim called as he stepped from the the brush, his gun aimed at the little man.
"Mr. Brown? I told you I wasn't hiring anyone!"
"The name's West, James T. West of the United States Secret Service and you are under arrest Mr. Cadewallader for murder, attempted blackmail and theft of Government payroll."
The stagecoach driver stepped out next to West, holding his rifle at first towards Cadewallader then turned, aiming towards the Federal Agent.
"Artie what are you doing?" Jim said.
"I'm afraid that's not your friend Mr. Gordon. I have him safely tucked away. You see I recognized you when you paid Dragonetti's a visit." Cadewallader said.
"And how could you recognize me, I've never met you."
"You see Mr. West, you had dealings with my Uncle Orkney and I loved my Uncle very much. So I've kept track of you all this time hoping for a little revenge, I just didn't imagine that it would coincide with my little money-making scheme."
Cadwallader lifted what looked like a dart gun to his mouth, giving it a puff of air, sending a dart into West's neck.
The projectile hit West in the throat; his eyes fluttering closed as he crumpled forward, caught in the arms of the bogus stagecoach driver.
.
Jim West raised his head, groggy from what ever drug that had been injected into his system.
He was tied up with ropes knotted tightly around his wrists and wrapped around his chest holding him to a heavy wooden post. He'd been stripped down to just his pants; he rest of his clothes, his boots and all his tools were gone.
"About time you woke up." West heard the familiar voice of his his partner coming from behind him. Gordon was in an equal state of restraint, though had more clothing left to him than his partner.
"It was Cadewallader alright." Jim sighed, " and he saw our trap."
"No kidding?"
"Excuse me gentleman but you are only half correct on that." Another familiar voice spoke to them as he entered the room
"Mo Ti?" West and Gordon blurted out simultaneously.
The man stood quite alive, dressed in a red and yellow silk embroidered jacket, looking very much like a Mandarin Lord, complete with a guan hat bedecked with a long peacock feather.
"Wait, you're dead." Artie said.
"Hardly Mr. Gordon. I am quite disappointed that you did not add up the clues left to tell you who was really behind this. I guess I was being too inscrutable. Sometimes we Chinese can be a bit overly clever for you round-eyes." He laughed.
"So no more designs on the Emperor's Throne Mo Ti?" Artie said.
"No, it is all about money now. I discovered that with money comes power, and I need no title or throne for that."
"I should have realized the connection when I found Prescott in that opium den...the sign had a red dragon on it, or should I say a crimson dragon, the Order of the Crimson Dragon?" ** West said with just a tinge of annoyance in his voice.
"Yes even when Ignis mentioned the name Dragonetti being an homage to his backer, you still did not make the connection." Mo Ti smiled.
Miss Julie Thayer walked in behind Mo Ti, escorted on the arm of Ignis Cadwallader.
"Why Mr. West aren't you the handsome specimen?" She took in his muscled torso with her eyes, enjoying the view taking him in like a slow sip of sweet sherry.
Cadwallader become quite indignant, pulling at her arm. "Julie Thayer that is not very lady-like!"
"Ignis, I will look at and say what ever I please and I will hear no such further talk from you!"
"Yes dear," Ignis answered, duly reprimanded.
"I don't understand, how do you fit into this Miss Thayer?" Jim asked her as she sidled up to him.
"Oh you see, we're going to take our little show on a National tour." She ran her fingernail down the middle of his chest.
"Excuse me, show? Artie called, not being able to see everyone, but could still hear what was being said.
"We are in the process of building more of Ignis' infernal dragon machines, and when we have enough of them we will control all modes of transportation across this nation and that's where Miss Thayer's Uncle comes into play. "Mo Ti answered.
"Yes dear Uncle will be convinced that it is in the best interests of the National economy and security of the country to pay as...tithe so to speak to have these horrible creatures kept at bay."
"And the only ones who will seem to manage that will be The Dragonetti Security Services" Jim said." Blackmail by any other name."
"Very good Mr. West, you are catching on now," said Mo Ti," It's a shame you and Mr. Gordon will not be here to witness it all..."
.
ref * "The Night of the Human Trigger" ref ** "The Night the Dragon Screamed."