bserved a goods train standing near a goods-shed with an engine
attached. In order to reach it he had the choice of two routes. One of
these was through a little wicket-gate, near to which a night-watchman
was stationed--for the shades of evening were by that time descending on
the scene, the other was through a back yard, round by a narrow lane and
over a paling, which it required more than an average measure of
strength and agility to leap. Mr Sharp chose the latter route. What
were palings and narrow lanes and insecure footing in deepening gloom to
him! Why, he rejoiced in such conditions! He didn't like easy work.
He abhorred a bed of roses--not that he had ever tried one, although it
is probable that he had often enjoyed a couch of grass, straw, or
nettles. Rugged circumstances were his glory. It was as needful for
him to encounter such--in his winnowing processes--as it is for the
harrow to encounter stones in preparing the cultivated field. Moving
quietly but swiftly round by the route before mentioned Mr Sharp came
suddenly on the night-watchman.

"Good-evening, Jim."

"Evenin', sir."

"Keep your eyes open to-night, Jim. We _must_ find out who it is that
has taken such a fancy to apples of late."

"I will, sir; I'll keep a sharp look-out."

It was Jim's duty to watch that locality of the line, where large
quantities of goods of all descriptions were unavoidably left to wait
for a few hours on sidings. Such watchmen are numerous on all lines;
and very necessary, as well as valuable, men most of them are--fellows
who hold the idea of going to rest at regular hours in quiet contempt;
men who sleep at any time of the night or day that chances to be most
convenient, and who think no more of a hand-to-hand scuffle with a big
thief or a burglar than they do of eating supper. Nevertheless, like
every other class of men in this wicked world, there are black sheep
amongst them too.

"Is that train going up to the station just now, Jim?" asked Mr Sharp,
pointing to the engine, whose gentle simmering told of latent energy
ready for immediate use.

"I believe so, sir."

"I'll go up with her. Good-night."

Mr Sharp crossed the line, and going towards the engine found that the
driver and fireman were not upon it. He knew, however, that they could
not be far off--probably looking after something connected with their
train--and that they would be back immediately; he climbed up to the
foot-plate and sat