ed a top-coat over his
left arm.

As he drew near and observed who stood upon his engine, the man gave an
involuntary and scarcely perceptible start.

There must have been something peculiarly savage and ungenerous in the
breast of Mr Sharp, one would have thought, to induce him to suspect a
man whose character was blameless. But he did suspect that man on the
faith of that almost imperceptible touch of discomposure, and his
suspicion did not dissipate although the man came boldly and
respectfully forward.

"Ho-ho!" thought Mr Sharp, "there is more chaff here to be winnowed
than I had bargained for." His only remark, however, was--

"Good-evening; I suppose you start for the station in a few minutes?"

"Yes, sir," said the man, moving towards the rear of the tender.

"You'd better get up at once, then," said Mr Sharp, descending
quickly--"what have you got there, my good man?"

"My top-coat sir," said the driver, with a confused look.

"Ah, let us see--eh! what's all this? A salmon! a brace of grouse! and
a pair of rabbits! Well, you seem to have provided a good supper for
to-night. There don't appear to be very stringent game-laws where you
come from!"

The man was so taken aback that he could not reply. As the fireman came
out of the neighbouring goods-shed at that moment, Mr Sharp ordered the
driver to mount to his place, and then waiting beside the engine
received the fireman with an amiable "Good-night."

This man also had a top-coat over his arm, betrayed the same uneasiness
on observing Mr Sharp, went though precisely the same examination, and
was found to have made an identically similar provision for his supper.

Almost immediately after him the guard issued from the shed, also
burdened with a top-coat! Mr Sharp muttered something about, "birds of
a feather," and was about to advance to meet the guard when that
individual's eyes fell on him. He turned back at once, not in a hurry,
but quietly as though he had forgotten something. The superintendent
sprang through the open door, but was too late. The guard had managed
to drop his booty. Thereupon Mr Sharp returned to the engine, ordered
the steam to be turned on, and the driver drove himself and his friends
to the station and to condign punishment.

Having disposed of this little incidental case, Mr Sharp--after hearing
and commenting upon several matters related to him by the members of his
corps, and having ordered David Blunt to await