
A lone night‑watch station in the shadow of the Rockies becomes the stage for a daring game of cat and mouse. When a heavy freight roars past, a lone figure slips inside, his flashlight glinting over a pocket‑watch and a fresh newspaper. The headline announces the release of Harry Maul, the notorious thief called “The Hawk,” and the intruder smiles, recognizing his own name.
Inside the cramped agent’s office, The Hawk begins to piece together a secret code that could let him move unseen through the rail network. He prepares a blank telegraph sheet, ready to send a message that only a handful of eyes will decipher. As the clock ticks toward ten, the tension builds, hinting at a bold plan that could change the balance of power between lawmen and the country’s most clever criminal.
Listeners will be drawn into the crackling silence of the desert night, the clatter of trains, and the quiet confidence of a master thief poised on the brink of his next move. The story promises suspense, clever puzzles, and a glimpse into the mind of a legendary outlaw.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (416K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by the Internet Archive
Release date
2016-05-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1877–1942
Best known for creating the gentleman thief Jimmie Dale, this Canadian writer turned his experiences on the railroad into fast-moving mystery and adventure fiction. His stories helped shape early 20th-century popular suspense and appeared in novels, magazines, and serials.
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