until his eyes became accustomed to the starlight and he
could watch the dim panorama of spruce trees and lonely little lakes
sliding by in ceaseless procession. Presently he recognized a
flag-station. His guess at Indian Creek as their whereabouts had not
been far astray.

He made his plans quickly. He would drop off, walk to the nearest
station and catch No. 1, westbound, at midnight. That would take him
into the Missinaibi country by daylight, and he could afford to run the
risk of discovery until then. He would leave the train there somewhere
and would find no difficulty in obtaining an outfit and an Indian
guide. They would hit southwest for Lake Superior, and once there he
could find his way across to the Michigan side by night and so away.

Podmore laced his boots rapidly and went through his grip for one or
two articles he thought he might need. He stole back to the kitchen
and put some crackers and cheese in his pockets; it was all he could
find that was not under lock and key. Then with the precious envelope
buttoned tightly inside his coat he picked his way cautiously to the
rear of the swaying car, closed the door carefully behind him and
climbed over the brass rail.

For a moment he hung there, hesitating. Then he let go his hold and
disappeared.

CHAPTER IX

CONSPIRING EVENTS

The President's private car pulled into Wardlow at the tail of No. 2,
the east-bound express, at 3.10 a.m., and was there side-tracked upon
instructions from Detective Robert Cranston. As soon as No. 2 had got
away behind a fresh engine on the long jump to the next divisional
point, Cranston, fully dressed, descended from the car and went across
to the despatcher's office. Half an hour later he returned to the car,
undressed and crawled back into his berth with a grunt of satisfaction.

The President greeted him at breakfast with a smile and Cranston
responded with the grin of a man who has made predictions which have
come true.

"Well, Bob, your fish bit, I see."

"Sure did, sir. He took bait, hook an' sinker at 23.20 an' I'll have
him reeled in by to-morrow morning."

"Not so sure about that, Bob," said Wade skeptically. "Fish sometimes
get clean away, remember. What have you done?"

"Wired his description to every section foreman on the division with
instructions to notify me here and hold him prisoner till we come.
Fifty dollars reward. We crossed No. 1 half an hour after Hughey
jumped. Johnst