public is accustomed to large demands from railway workers, demands for
higher wages and shorter hours. But Sir James had never before heard of
an engine driver who tried to induce a passenger to get out of his train
fifteen miles short of his destination.

"I insist," he said abruptly, "on your taking me on to Dunadea."

"It's what I told you all along, Michael," said the guard. "He's a
mighty determined gentleman, so he is. I knew that the moment I set eyes
on him."

The guard was perfectly right. Sir James was a man of most determined
character. His career proved it. Before the war he had been professor
of economics in a Scottish University, lecturing to a class of ten or
twelve students for a salary of L250 a year. When peace came he was the
head of a newly-created Ministry of Strikes, controlling a staff of a
thousand or twelve hundred men and women, drawing a salary of L2,500 a
year. Only a man of immense determination can achieve such results. He
had garnered in a knighthood as he advanced. It was the reward of signal
service to the State when he held the position of Chief Controller of
Information and Statistics.

"Let him not be saying afterwards that he didn't get a proper warning,"
said the engine driver.

He walked towards his engine as he spoke. The guard and the station
master followed him.

"I suppose now, Michael," said the guard, "that you'll not be wanting
me."

"I will not," said the engine driver. "The train will do nicely without
you for as far as I'm going to take her."

Sir James did not hear either the guard's question or the driver's
answer. He did hear, with great satisfaction, what the station master
said next.

"Are you right there now?" the man shouted, "for if you are it's time
you were starting."

He unrolled a green flag and waved it. He blew a shrill blast on his
whistle. The driver stepped into the cab of the engine and handled his
levers. The train started.

Sir James leaned back in the corner of his compartment and smiled. The
track over which he travelled was badly laid and the train advanced by
jerks and bumps. But the motion was pleasant to Sir James. Any forward
movement of that train would have been pleasant to him. Each bump and
jerk brought him a little nearer to Dunadea and therefore a little
nearer to Miss Molly Dennison. Sir James was very heartily in love with
a girl who seemed to him to be the most beautiful and the most charming
in the whole world. Next day