train was
late. By and by he got up and lighted his pipe, though he was careful
how he held the match. If Daly was hiding near, he did not want the
fellow to see his face, but the latter would not expect anybody who
might be on his track to smoke. Strolling carelessly round to the
front of the shack, Foster opened the door and asked the agent: "Are
you going to stop the east-bound?"

"I am," said the other. "Got a wire to hold her up."

"Ah," said Foster. "I expect we can get tickets on board, but if you
don't mind, we'll wait in here. It's freezing pretty fierce."

He imagined that Telford or another of the gang had sent the telegram,
and sat down when Pete came in. He heard the wind among the pines and
the humming of the telegraph wires, but for a time this was all. Then
a faint throbbing came up the valley and got louder until he could
distinguish the snorting of a locomotive.

The snorting stopped, a bell began to toll, and with lights flashing
the cars rolled past the shack. Foster waited a moment or two,
standing at the window, and then as the conductor called "All aboard"
saw a man run along the line and jump on to the step of the end car.
Then, beckoning Pete, he dashed out and got on board as the train began
to move.

It was with a thrill of triumph he sat down in a corner as the cars
gathered speed. They would not stop for some time and the game was in
his hands at last. The long chase was ended; he had run Daly down.

XXXI

DALY SOLVES THE PUZZLE

The train was speeding along the hillside when Foster took Pete with
him and walked through the rocking cars. As he crossed the platforms
between them he met an icy wind and saw the dark pines stream by. It
was obvious that the track was nearly level and the train running fast,
for dusky woods and snowy banks flung back a rapid snorting and a
confused roll of wheels. There were not many passengers and nobody
seemed to notice Foster, until as they entered a car near the end a man
raised a newspaper he was reading so that it hid his face. As they
left the car Foster thought he heard a rustle, as if the paper had been
lowered, but did not look round. The thing might have no meaning and
he did not want to hint that he was suspicious.

He felt anxious but cool. Daly was the cleverer man and the game they
must play was intricate, but Foster thought he had the better cards.
The last car was empty except for two women, and leaving Pete the