The Tall Target Page #4

Six months from today,

the United States will be busted.

Ogden's the name. Tom Ogden.

- Hartford. Building supplies.

- Caleb Jeffers.

Trenton, next stop!

Trenton in five minutes.

Last chance for supper

at the station restaurant.

I'm not expecting a boom, mind you.

But I can't share

your extreme pessimism either.

You would if you've

lost as many contracts

as I have in the last two months.

Nobody wants to build

with a war coming on.

Lincoln isn't president yet.

If those firebrands in Baltimore have

their way tomorrow, he never will be.

Your cabin is ready, sir.

Oh, dear.

I do hope we don't run

into violence in Baltimore.

I have an appointment on Pratt Street.

Anything could happen in Baltimore.

It's a nest of secessionists.

I'm getting off at Baltimore too.

If somebody puts a bullet

in Abe Lincoln,

I'll be the first to shake his hand.

That man is heading us

straight into a war.

I wouldn't let Mr. Ogden

get too close to your rifle, mister.

The temptation

might be too much for him.

With one of those newfangled

telescope sights,

he could probably hit Lincoln

from 500 yards off.

Have you tried one of

those new sights, mister?

Not yet.

Well, I guess the shooting

is pretty good in Georgia now.

It'll get better.

Or Baltimore.

If you happen to be

getting off there too.

Just what do you mean, sir?

If the secessionist haven't

repealed it,

there's a law against shooting

a President-elect.

You have to wait till March 4.

I find your tone offensive.

Lance!

I'm aware that

all Southerners are regarded

as criminals

in this part of the country.

And we should be

accustomed to these indignities.

My brother and I

have nothing to conceal.

If we were getting off in Baltimore,

it'd be none of your concern.

But it happens that

we're going through to Atlanta.

Aren't we, Lance?

Of course!

My brother is resigning

from the military academy.

And will wait at Tall Trees

to be called for the colors.

The Confederate colors.

Now is there any other personal

business you want to know?

No. I guess not.

Come see me to my cabin.

Last chance for supper

at the station restaurant.

I guess we won't learn

anything playing whist.

We didn't do too bad.

And by the way, Mr. Ogden

is a likely prospect.

John Kennedy.

Telegram for John Kennedy.

Here!

John Kennedy.

Right here, boy.

- Kennedy?

- That's right.

Telegram, sir.

Here.

Thank you kindly.

Probably from Stroud.

No.

"John Kennedy,

Washington Night Fllyer, en route.

"Regret unable transmit

telegram to A. Lincoln,

Harrisburg, due to

interruption of service.

"Eastern Electric Telegraph Company."

Well, that's that.

Well, maybe you can

get through in Philadelphia.

We'll see.

So you were impressed

with Mr. Ogden, huh?

Weren't you?

He talks big.

He struck me as an explosive character.

He would shoot off

anything but his mouth.

Don't lock the door.

It's snow, by God.

Well, that doesn't surprise me none.

I've had a feeling of rheumatism

in my leg all evening.

- Are you tired?

- A little bit.

Well, you better catch your nap.

I'll sit up.

Thanks, Colonel.

I never could sleep on the train myself.

Might as well make

ourselves comfortable.

The gun is in my jacket just in case.

So you were impressed with Ogden?

Well, now, maybe he wouldn't

shoot Lincoln himself.

Like you say.

But he might hire somebody to do it.

- Like young Beaufort?

- Maybe.

Beaufort is full of strong convictions.

Has a mean temper.

And a rifle with telescope.

He's capable

of killing Lincoln all right.

But not on his own.

Beaufort is a fanatic. Not an organizer.

You may be right though.

He might be

taking orders from someone.

I still say it's Ogden.

No. Ogden is too obvious.

The man who is working

with Fernandina is...

I started to say

the man we want is smoother.

It would take a man of your brains,

Colonel.

I pried the led out of the cartridge.

I told you I wasn't much

of a hand with firearms.

You were back there.

I shouldn't have saved your life.

You shot wild in the steam

because you couldn't see.

But you had nothing to lose.

If you didn't get me, you'd at least

keep your own man from talking.

You overplayed your hand, Colonel.

You're smarter than I figured you to be.

I never underestimated you.

I'm turning you over

to the police in Philadelphia.

Go ahead.

But you better figure

on staying over to testify against me.

I could give you the bullet

you intended for me.

And throw you out the window.

Nobody would know the difference.

There'd be a rope around your neck

as soon as they found me.

We'll wait.

What do you want?

I know you're in this

for everything you get out of it.

Something more

than a police sergeant's pay.

I don't want your money.

Look, son.

I'm a man with a finger

in a lot of pies.

One of them is

Northern cotton mill shares.

You know what will happen

to those mills if war came.

And the supply of raw cotton was

cut off from the South.

I guess I'd have to change to wool.

There are two kinds of people

in this world, Kennedy.

One kind yells their head off.

And doesn't get anywhere.

Like that judge at Ogden.

Or that Mrs. what's her name there.

The fuddy-duddy abolitionist

from Boston.

The other kind keep their mouth shut.

Votes a straight ticket.

And puts out some

where it will do some good.

What do you say?

Get your coat.

Change cars at Philadelphia for west.

Philadelphia.

Where can I find Lt. Coulter?

Coulter? He's just about

going off duty now.

I want to see him.

He's at headquarters.

You can catch him there if you hurry.

There isn't that much time.

I'm Sgt. Kennedy

of the New York police.

And I have an important arrest.

What's the charge?

Suspicion of intent to commit murder.

Murder?

I'm Col. Jeffers of the

Poughkeepsie State Zouaves Guard.

Here are my official traveling orders.

This will tel you more about me.

I never argue with law. No, sir.

This is over your head, officer.

Will you get Coulter, please?

This is a personal letter

which will further identify me.

Note the stationary and the signature.

Joseph Grifton, the Secretary of War.

I see.

Now that you've seen my credentials,

I suggest you check on his.

Do you have identification?

Coulter will identify me.

This man must be a lunatic.

He has no badge. No authority.

No right to have me held.

He's been annoying me

ever since he came on the train.

You better get Coulter, officer.

Or else there's gonna be trouble.

They'll be a lot more trouble if I'm

not on the Flyer when she pulls out.

You know who I am.

I'll be in Cabin A Car 27.

Just a minute.

You have 20 minutes, Colonel.

Daniel!

Get Lt Coulter! It's urgent.

He's at headquarters.

Tell him that Sgt Kennedy

of the New York police wants him.

To make an important arrest.

You made a bad mistake, young man.

So? You want the police?

Well, you'll have your wish.

Where do you think you're going?

To send a telegram.

To Superintendent Stroud

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