came in sight of it, reversed
again, and went at such a pace as allowed it to overtake him gradually.
He saw that the steam was still cut off, and that it had advanced that
length in consequence of being on an incline, but was somewhat alarmed
to receive no signal from his mate. The moment the buffers of the
_Lightning_ touched those of the other engine's tender he applied the
brakes and brought both engines to a stand. Then, leaping off, he ran
to see how it had fared with Will Garvie.

The scene that met his eyes was a very ghastly one. On the floor-plate
lay the two men, insensible and covered with blood and coal-dust. Each
grasped the other by the throat but Will had gained an advantage from
having no neckcloth on, while his own strong hand was twisted into that
of his adversary so firmly, that the madman's eyes were almost starting
out of their sockets. John Marrot at once cut the 'kerchief with his
clasp-knife, and then, feeling that there was urgent need for haste,
left them lying there, ran back to his own engine, coupled it to the
other, turned on full steam, and, in a short space of time, ran into
Clatterby station.

Here the men were at once removed to the waiting-room, and a doctor--who
chanced to be Dr Noble--was called in. It was found that although much
bruised and cut as well as exhausted by their conflict, neither Will nor
Thomson were seriously injured. After a few restoratives had been
applied, the former was conveyed home in a cab, while the latter, under
the charge of Mr Sharp and one of his men, was carried off and safely
lodged in an asylum.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

A NEST "HARRIED."

Having thus seen one criminal disposed of, Mr Sharp returned to his
office to take measures for the arrest of a few more of the same class.

Since we last met with our superintendent, he had not led an idle life
by any means. A brief reference to some of his recent doings will be an
appropriate introduction to the little entertainment which he had
provided for himself and his men on that particular evening.

One day he had been informed that wine and spirits had been disappearing
unaccountably at a particular station. He visited the place with one of
his men, spent the night under a tarpaulin in a goods-shed, and found
that one of the plate-layers was in the habit of drawing off spirits
with a syphon. The guilty man was handed over to justice, and honest
men, who had felt uneasy lest they should be sus