tentively.

"If I cannot get to Harwich," he asked, "is there any possibility of
keeping straight on and reaching Yarmouth?"

The guard hesitated.

"We haven't heard anything about the line from Ipswich to Norwich, sir,"
he replied, "but we can't very well change our course without definite
instructions."

"Your definite instructions," Mr. Dunster reminded him drily, "were to
take me to Harwich. You have been forced to depart from them. I see no
harm in your adopting any suggestions I may have to make concerning our
altered destination. I will pay the extra mileage, naturally."

"How far did you wish to go, sir?" the guard enquired.

"To Yarmouth," Mr. Dunster replied firmly. "If there are bridges down,
and communication with Harwich is blocked, Yarmouth would suit me better
than anywhere."

The guard shook his head.

"I couldn't go on that way, sir, without instructions."

"Is there a telegraph office at this station?" Mr. Dunster inquired.

"We can speak anywhere on the line," the guard replied.

"Then wire to the station-master at Liverpool Street," Mr. Dunster
instructed. "You can get a reply from him in the course of a few
minutes. Explain the situation and tell him what my wishes are."

The guard hesitated.

"It's a goodish way from here to Norwich," he observed, "and for all we
know--"

"When we left Liverpool Street Station," Mr. Dunster interrupted, "I
promised five pounds each to you, the engine-driver, and his mate. That
five pounds shall be made twenty-five if you succeed in getting me to
the coast. Do your best for me."

The guard raised his hat and departed without another word.

"It will probably suit you better," Mr. Dunster continued, turning to
his companion, "to leave me at Ipswich and join the mail."

The latter shook his head.

"I don't see that there's any chance, anyway, of my getting over in time
now," he remarked. "If you'll take me on with you as far as Norwich, I
can go quietly home from there!"

"You live in this part of the world, then?" Mr. Dunster asked.

The young man assented. Again there was a certain amount of hesitation
in his manner.

"I live some distance the other side of Norwich," he said. "I don't want
to sponge on you too much," he went on, "but if you're really going to
stick it out and try and get there, I'd like to go on, too. I am afraid
I can't offer to share the expense, but I'd work my passage if there was
anything to be done."

Mr. Dunster dr