ill. "Easy with the 'oss up there. Now then," here he stepped on the
box of the wheel and looked in. "Shin out of this, whatever y'are, we
don't contrack to carry no imps on this line--Well, if ever I--Tommy,
old man, it's all right, y'ain't got 'em this time--'ere's yer imp!"

And, reaching over, he hauled out the wretched Paul by the scruff of his
neck in a state of utter collapse, and deposited him on the ground
before him.

"That ain't your private kerridge, yer know, that ain't--there wasn't no
bed made up there for you, that I know on. You ain't arter no good, now;
you're a wagabone! that's about your size, I can see--what d'yer mean by
it, eh?"

"Shet yer 'ed, Bill, will yer?" said Tommy, whose relief probably
softened his temper, "this here's a young gent."

"Young gent, or no young gent," replied Bill sententiously, "he's no
call to go 'idin' in our waggins and givin' 'ard-workin' men a turn.
'Old 'im tight, Tommy--here's the luggage down on us."

Tommy held him fast with a grip of iron, while the other porters coupled
the trucks, and the luggage train lumbered away with its load.

After this the men slouched up and stood round their captive, staring
at him curiously.

"Look here, my men," said Paul, "I've run away from school, I want to go
on to town by the next train, and I took the liberty of hiding in the
truck, because the schoolmaster will be up here very soon to look for
me--you understand?"

"I understand," said Bill, "and a nice young party _you_ are."

"I--I don't want to be caught," said Paul.

"Naterally," assented Tommy sympathetically.

"Well, can't you hide me somewhere where he won't see me? Come, you can
do that?"

"What do you say, Bill?" asked Tommy.

"What'll the Guv'nor say?" said Bill dubiously.

"I've got a little money," urged Paul. "I'll make it worth your while."

"Why didn't you say that afore?" said Bill; "the Guv'nor needn't know."

"Here's half-a-sovereign between you," said Paul, holding it out.

"That's something like a imp," said Tommy warmly; "if all bogeys acted
as 'andsome as this 'ere, I don't care how often they shows theirselves.
We'll have a supper on this, mates, and drink young Delirium Trimminses'
jolly good 'ealth. You come along o' me, young shaver, I'll stow you
away right enough, and let you out when yer train comes in."

He led Paul on to the platform again and opened a sort of cupboard or
closet. "That's where we keeps the brooms and lamp-rag