s own overcoat, across his body and his
legs. Nora, his logic told him, could have hit upon no plan dexterous
enough to control these men before they could carry out their monstrous
threat. Yet what difference did it make? If she didn't intervene, Slim
would let him have it at the border anyway.

The night was disturbed only by the sound of their passing, nor at the
station was there any indication that an effort would be made to halt
them. So tightly was Garth bound Slim had to help him from the
automobile. He stood beside him while they watched through the station
window George as he purchased three tickets from a sleepy-eyed agent.
The gag was as tight as at first. Even if it had not been for the acid
Garth was helpless.

A dull rumbling made itself audible far to the south, and increased
until the rails commenced to hum. The headlight gleamed--hastened
closer. The locomotive grumbled by, drawing an interminable string of
mail and express cars and Pullmans, shrouded for the night.

At the very end, far from the station lamps, were two lighted day
coaches. Slim and George led Garth there, and helped him to the platform
between. The rear car was a smoker, comfortably filled with sleepy men.
Slim turned his back on it, urging Garth into the car ahead which housed
scarcely more than a dozen passengers--men and women in various
attitudes of somnolence. He nodded his satisfaction. It became clear
that for him the gravest strain was at an end. And the car was chilly.
The dozing passengers wore wraps and hats. The fact that Garth retained
his great coat would pass unnoticed.

When they were settled as before with Slim opposite Garth and George,
and the acid held ready in the corner of the seat, the detective
ventured with one last hope to appraise his neighbors. A man opposite
lounged on his cushion, his paper fallen to the floor, his eyes closed,
his head swaying drunkenly in unison with the motion of the train.
Farther back two women in deep mourning wept quietly from time to time,
and a man and a woman across the aisle stared restlessly at them,
speaking in low tones whose accents of pity alone reached Garth. The
rest slept. The face of none was recognizable, nor did any suggest the
slightest interest in the new arrivals. Garth resented their innocuous
companionship. It was not to be believed that their ignorance should
permit this flight, which, at its termination, threatened him with an
unbearable punishment.

The