e line.
If we trot every now and then, we shall get back in time."

"Well, we'd better walk along the road as far as that curve," said
Diggory, "and then they won't see us from the station."

The trio started off in the direction indicated, hurrying along the
permanent way, hopping over the sleepers, and seeing how far they could
run on one of the metals without falling off. At length they entered a
cutting, the steep banks of which rose gradually until they towered high
above their heads on either hand. Before long the mouth of the tunnel
was reached, and, as if by mutual consent, the three friends came to a
halt.

There was something forbidding about the dark, gloomy entrance--the
stale, smoky smell, and the damp dripping from the roof, all tending to
give it a very uninviting aspect.

"It's awfully long," said Mugford; "don't you think we'd better turn
back?"

In their secret hearts his two companions were more than half inclined
to follow this suggestion; but there is a form of cowardice to which
even the bravest are subject--namely, the fear of being thought afraid--
and it was this, perhaps, which decided them to advance instead of
retreat.

"Oh no, we won't go back," cried Diggory. "Come along; I'll go first."
And so saying, he plunged forward into the deep shadow of the archway.

The ground seemed to be plentifully strewn with ashes, which scrunched
under their feet as they plodded along, and their voices sounded hollow
and strange.

"My eye," said Jack, "it's precious dark. I can hardly see where I'm
going."

"It'll be darker still before we see the end," answered Diggory. "Some
one was telling me the other day that there's a curve in the middle."

"Hadn't we better go back?" faltered Mugford.

"No, you fathead; shut up."

The darkness seemed to increase, and the silence grew oppressive.

The boys were walking in single file, Diggory leading, and Jack Vance
bringing up the rear.

"I say," exclaimed the latter, as he stumbled over a sleeper,
"I shouldn't like to be caught here by a train."

"That can't happen," retorted Diggory; "didn't you hear the man say
there wasn't another till 5.47?"

"Yes," added Mugford; "but there might be a luggage, or one coming the
other way."

"Well, all you'd have to do would be to cross over on to the other
line."

Imperceptibly the boys quickened their pace until it became almost a
trot.

"Hurrah!" cried Diggory, a few moments later, as a far-distan