n
call his own."

Doctor Hanly's last words were caused by the sudden appearance of a
light cart, which at that moment whirled round a distant bend in the
road, and came racing along towards them, behind a galloping horse. In
the cart, standing up and using his whip freely, was a man whose cap and
clothes showed that he had some connection with the railway.

As he reached Jack and the doctor he pulled in his horse with a jerk,
and waving his arms excitedly, shouted: "There's been an awful smash on
the railway, sir, midways between here and Redley. The station-master
said as he'd seen you a-riding this way, and told me I was to let yer
know that an engine and truck would stop at Harvey's crossing, and take
yer on to where the line is blocked. It's been an awful smash, sir, and
I heard nigh everyone in the London express has been badly hurt!"

"Why, that's the train in which Father said he should return this
evening!" exclaimed Jack, suddenly feeling a chill of fear run through
his body.

"Come with me then, lad," cried the doctor. "This way. It's only a few
hundred yards. Perhaps you will be of use. Go back to the station, my
man," he called out as they were setting off, "and tell the
station-master to send out blankets, brandy, and any linen he can get
hold of, as quickly as he can. Come along, Jack. I can hear the
engine."

They both put their animals into a gallop, jumped a narrow ditch which
flanked the road, dashed across a broad stretch of common land, and
finally pulled up at a gate which closed a level crossing over the
railway. The engine and truck were already there.

"Hitch your reins on to this post," said Dr Hanly calmly, making his
own horse fast. "Now, on to the engine! Every moment may be of the
utmost value. Send her ahead, my man."

Jack climbed on to the foot-plate of the engine, followed by the doctor,
who at once sat down on the driver's seat and proceeded to inspect
sundry instruments and bandages with which two capacious side pockets of
his coat were stocked. He was as cool as if on an ordinary journey.
Carefully selecting three of his instruments, he put the case back in
his pocket, and commenced to cut a sheet of lint into small strips.
These he folded up methodically and gave to Jack to hold. Then he rose
to his feet, and looked along the line in front, waiting quietly for the
moment when the engine should reach the scene of the disaster, and
enable him to commence his wo