the Old Dame was
chopping down his door with an axe!

With his mind in such a chaos of confused emotions Hughey found it
difficult to keep up his end of the conversation and he was not sorry
when the others showed a tendency to turn in early. Once the lights
were dimmed he could hardly wait the reasonable length of time which
must elapse before the other three occupants were asleep, so eager was
he to make his investigations. But at last the snores of Cranston and
the steward and the steady breathing of President Wade satisfied him
that the way was clear.

Quietly he slipped from his berth. He had not undressed, except to
remove his boots and coat, and in two minutes he had the envelope in
his hands. He slipped noiselessly down the aisle to the steward's
kitchen, switched on a light and examined the prize leisurely. He felt
it carefully, hefted it in one hand, then with the aid of a thin-bladed
paring-knife he succeeded in loosening a corner of the flap
sufficiently to allow of a peek at the contents without disturbing the
seals. His involuntary exclamation of satisfaction when he verified
the contents as a package of greenbacks was drowned fortunately in the
hum of the train. It was the missing campaign fund contribution beyond
a doubt.

Back down the dimly lighted aisle with its swaying green curtains, past
the sleepers he slipped noiselessly to the writing desk where he
carefully regummed the corner of the flap, leaving no trace of his
inspection. Then he sank into a leather chair and lit a cigarette with
a cheerful grin on his face.

The Fates certainly were kindness itself. He had it--50,000 bucks! He
actually had it in his pocket! It was enough to give Mr. Podmore a
fine start on his own account somewhere far away. Nickleby and
Alderson? They could go and take a jump in the lake! He had his. It
was a good time to drop out of this game anyway. The political
situation did not look any too good. Well, he would befriend the
Honorable Milt and Ferguson and Nickleby and Alderson by removing this
little piece of election evidence from the reach of their opponents.
That was a service which was cheap at the price.

Yes, it was time to say a final farewell while the farewelling was
good. He hunted up a time-table. They must be somewhere in the
vicinity of Indian Creek by now. Where would the west-bound limited be
at that hour? He glanced at his watch, then flattened his nose against
the window,